Overview
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, with Black women facing the highest incidence and poorest survival rates. This study investigates racial and ethnic inequities in access to novel treatments, such as immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates, and PARP inhibitors, among patients with metastatic TNBC (mTNBC).
Using data from the Flatiron Health EHR-derived Panoramic database comprised of >940K patients with breast cancer, this study analyzed biomarker testing and treatment access for over 5,800 patients diagnosed with mTNBC from 2018 to 2024. Researchers found that while biomarker testing rates were consistent across racial groups, Black patients were less likely to receive PARP inhibitors, an inequity partially driven by social determinants of health.
Why this matters
The findings highlight persistent racial and ethnic inequities in the treatment of TNBC, particularly affecting Black patients.This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to remove structural barriers to advanced therapies and systemic changes that could help improve outcomes for historically underserved populations.