Chemotherapy for Minorities and the Drug Development Process

Abstract

Black and other minority cancer patients may respond differently to chemotherapy than do Whites. However, few studies have addressed this issue at all, and the results of those studies that have considered it have been flawed by a small sample size of minority cancer patients. Increasing the participation of minorities in clinical trials could produce statistically sound numbers that would allow researchers to determine whether Whites and minorities respond differently to the same chemotherapeutic agents and combinations. One explanation that could be examined is whether cancers in people in lower socioeconomic groups generally are diagnosed at a later stage than are those in people with better access to medical care. In addition, if perceived differences are not related to socioeconomic status, researchers can begin to explore whether genetic or environmental factors promote the differences in response. Findings from these studies could change the way minorities are treated for cancer and might improve their prognosis as well.