Study results from University of Texas update understanding of immunotherapy.

":Context: Immunotherapy represents a newer modality for cancer treatment with substantial health benefits. However, the high costs of immunotherapy may create access barriers," scientists in the United States report (see also Immunotherapy).

"To examine factors associated with the utilization of immunotherapy among newly diagnosed cancer patients. Analysis of a large national cancer registry data, the National Cancer Data Base, that represents approximately 75% of newly diagnosed cancer patients in the US. Patient diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), metastatic breast cancer (MBC), or metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). Factors associatedwith utilization of immunotherapy in NHL, MBC, or MCRC. The study included 207,581 and 42,804 patients diagnosed with NHL and MBC between1998 and 2004, respectively (based on approval of rituximab in 1997 and trastuzumab in 1998); and 16,027 patients diagnosed with MCRC in 2004 (based on approval of cetuximab and bevacizumab in 2004). Immunotherapy use varied significantly by age, race, insurance status, yearof diagnosis, and type of treatment facilities, with largest effectsobserved in years of diagnosis, followed by insurance status. Among young cancer patients, we found that compared with uninsured patients, the odds of receiving immunotherapy were 1.61, and 2.13 for privately insured MBC, and MCRC patients, respectively, and were in the range of 1.13 to 19.23 for privately insured NHL patients. For elderly NHL patients, those with secondary insurance in addition to Medicare were 1.26 to 8.24 times more likely to receive immunotherapy than thosewith Medicare alone," wrote Y.C.T. Shih and colleagues, University of Texas.

The researchers concluded: "The disparities observed in this studysuggest that additional efforts are required to ensure that all cancer patients receive timely and appropriate treatment."

Shih and colleagues published their study in Medical Care (FactorsAssociated With Immunotherapy Use Among Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients. Medical Care, 2009;47(9):948-958).

For more information, contact Y.C.T. Shih, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Division Quantitat Science, Dept. of Biostatistics, Sect Health Service Research, POB 301402, Houston, TX 77230, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal Medical Care is: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.

Keywords: United States, Houston, Biological Therapy, Biotechnology, Breast Cancer, Breast Carcinoma, Colon Cancer, Colon Carcinoma, Colorectal, Gastroenterology, Hematology, Immunotherapy, Medical Device, Monoclonal Antibodies, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Oncology, Trastuzumab,Treatment, Women's Health, University of Texas.

This article was prepared by Blood Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Blood Weekly via NewsRx.com.