Lack of diversity in Kaposi Sarcoma clinical trials: a cross-sectional analysis

Excerpt

Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is a low-grade vascular tumor primarily associated with Human Herpesvirus 8 infection and is highly correlated with immunocompromised states [1]. KS lesions predominantly affect mucocutaneous sites but may involve various organs and anatomic locations. Four epidemiologic types exist: classic (older men of Mediterranean or Eastern European ancestry), endemic (sub-Saharan Africa), iatrogenic, and AIDS-related [1]. Less than 5% of the general U.S. population is affected; however, the prevalence is significantly higher in men who have sex with men. Research shows that KS disproportionately affects African American (AA) males, who exhibit significantly higher rates of KS-related cancer-specific and overall mortality [2]. Additionally, patients exhibit a higher incidence of psychiatric comorbidities such as depression and suicidality, relative to the general population [3]. There is an anticipated shift toward greater diversity in the racial and ethnic composition of the U.S. population in the coming years, including a projected decline in the non-Hispanic White demographic. It is imperative to achieve proper clinical trial representation to ensure reliable and applicable clinical outcomes; however, there is a lack of comprehensive data concerning the racial and ethnic diversity of KS in U.S. clinical trials. Consequently, our objective is to evaluate the demographic composition of trial participants relative to the demographic data from the 2022 U.S. Census [4]. …