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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

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24-08-2023 | Melanoma | Original Paper

Immunotherapy Treatment Disparities: A Texas Cancer Registry Analysis of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma

Authors: Fabiola Ramirez, Luis Alvarado, Alok Dwivedi, Jessica Chacon

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

As the deadliest form of skin cancer, advanced-stage melanoma is a devastating disease. Encouragingly, with the introduction of immunotherapy, the overall survival of metastatic melanoma has improved drastically. However, access to novel immunotherapeutic drugs is not universal for all patients. Herein, we examined the association between various sociodemographic factors and the likelihood of using immunotherapy for melanoma treatment. This is a retrospective cohort study using the Texas Cancer Registry data for the years 2011–2018. Multivariable regression analysis was done to evaluate the association between patient characteristics and likelihood of receipt of immunotherapy. The association between sociodemographic factors and likelihood of presentation with metastasis at diagnosis was also examined. Having metastasis at diagnosis was strongly associated with higher odds of receiving immunotherapy (penalized adjusted OR 28.690, 95% CI 23.470–34.350, p < .0001). Compared to having private insurance, patients were less likely to receive immunotherapy if they were uninsured, had Medicare, or had missing/unknown insurance status (penalized adjusted OR’s 0.700, 0.790, 0.130, p = .026, 0.027, and p < .0001 respectively). Results from our multivariate model highlighted several factors associated with a higher likelihood of presenting with metastatic disease which included Hispanic ethnicity and black race. Dermatologic disparities affecting the Hispanic population underscore the importance of targeted interventions to overcome community level barriers to melanoma treatment and diagnosis. This study highlights the need to further evaluate different insurance types and their effect on receipt of immunotherapy.

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Title: Immunotherapy Treatment Disparities: A Texas Cancer Registry Analysis of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Fabiola Ramirez
Luis Alvarado
Alok Dwivedi
Jessica Chacon
Publication date: 24-08-2023
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Melanoma
Melanoma
Metastasis
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 1/2024
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-023-01536-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Immunotherapy Treatment Disparities: A Texas Cancer Registry Analysis of Patients with Cutaneous Melanoma

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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