Racial disparities in breast cancer preclinical and clinical models

Abstract

Breast cancer (BCa) has long been a health burden to women across the globe. However, the burden is not equally carried across races. Though the manifestation and behavior of BCa differs among racial groups, the racial representation of models used in preclinical trials and clinical trial participants lacks this heterogeneity. Women of African Ancestry (WAA) are disproportionately afflicted by having an increased risk of developing BCas that are more aggressive in nature, and consequently suffer from poorer outcomes relative to women of European ancestry (WEA). Notwithstanding this, one of the most commonly used tools in studying BCa, cell lines, exhibit a sizeable gap in cell line derivatives of WEA relative to WAA. In this review, we summarize the available BCa cell lines grouped by race by major suppliers, American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and the European Collection of Authenticated Cell Cultures (ECACC). Next, examined the enrollment of WAA in clinical trials for BCa. Of the cell lines found provided by ATCC and ECACC, those derived from WEA constituted approximately 80% and 94%, respectively. The disparity is mirrored in clinical trial enrollment where, on average, WEA made up more than 70% of participants in trials found where ancestry information was provided. As both experimental models and clinical trial participants primarily consist of WEA, results may have poorer translatability toward other races. This highlights the need for greater racial diversity at the preclinical and clinical levels to more accurately represent the population and strengthen the translatability of results.

Racial, Lifestyle, and Healthcare Contributors to Perceived Cancer Risk among Physically Active Adolescent and Young Adult Women Aged 18–39 Years

“…Previous research reports that Black women have lower incidence rates of breast cancer in comparison to White women (127.8 versus 133.7 cases per 100,000) [36,37]. Despite lower breast cancer incidence rates, Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than their White counterparts [36,37]. Additionally, Black women are 41% more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 75% more likely to die from cervical cancer when compared with White women [38,39].…”

“…Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer subtype among AYA populations, and greater consideration for cancer education and behavioral interventions that address both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors within unique subgroups is needed [35]. Previous research reports that Black women have lower incidence rates of breast cancer in comparison to White women (127.8 versus 133.7 cases per 100,000) [36,37]. Despite lower breast cancer incidence rates, Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than their White counterparts [36,37].…”

Challenges and Opportunities Modeling the Dynamic Tumor Matrisome

“…Patient-derived organoids are also an opportunity to better understand sex- and ancestry-driven differences in TME dynamics, which has thus far not been addressed. Given the emerging information on sex- and ancestry-driven differences in cell sourcing and disease [ 103 – 105 ], this is a critical gap in matrisome knowledge. Yet, organoids do not often sustain/include stromal cells and thus their TME remains limited.…”