NCDB analysis of differential response to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy among Black versus White women

Compared to White women, there are higher mortality rates among Black women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (HR+ BC) which may be partially due to differences in treatment resistance. Analysis of the National Cancer Database investigated race-based differences in response to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET). Independent of NET duration and clinical stage at presentation, Black women were more likely than White women to experience complete tumor response, but also more likely to experience progression to metastatic disease. The authors conclude that these results suggest significant heterogeneity in tumor biology and warrant a more nuanced therapeutic approach to HR+ BC.