The Evolution Of Cancer Treatment

Disparities

Cancer disparities among minority populations reveal significant gaps in research and treatment. Mariana Stern highlights that Hispanic communities in the US are underrepresented in cancer studies, leading to less effective precision oncology for these groups. She explains that unique genetic mutations in Hispanic patients can influence treatment outcomes, yet these differences are often overlooked in drug development.

We are not delivering good precision oncology to our minority populations because of this lack of knowledge.

--- Mariana Stern

This oversight extends to other minority groups, such as American Indian and African American populations, whose tumors may respond differently to treatments designed primarily for European backgrounds 1.

   

Genetic Role

Genetic background plays a crucial role in cancer risk and treatment efficacy. Mariana Stern discusses how Hispanic populations, often treated as a monolith, actually consist of diverse genetic ancestries that affect cancer susceptibility. For instance, Latina women with more Native American ancestry have a lower risk of breast cancer compared to those with European ancestry.

Hispanic populations in the US and across Latin America are really the resultant of the mixing of three different background populations.

--- Mariana Stern

These genetic nuances underscore the importance of precision oncology, which aims to tailor cancer treatment to the individual's genetic makeup, ensuring more effective and personalized care 1.