Abstract 54P
Background
This study aims to fill a gap in existing research regarding health inequalities. Previous research has shown that socioeconomic status (SES) plays an important role in a person’s health. However, research into SES impact on immunotherapy and specifically irAEs has been limited. Despite treatment progress, lung cancer is a large public health concern. Estimates by the International Agency for Research on Cancer are that lung cancer patients still experience poor survival outcomes.
Methods
The two geographical areas used were Liverpool, an area with high deprivation rates, and Cheshire, an area with low deprivation rates.845 patients in total received this treatment. Patients were excluded for living outside the areas of interest (n = 429), and due to a lack of data (n = 24). Of those included (n =392) patients were divided into those from Liverpool (n = 279) and Cheshire (n = 113), known as the target population. Of these, 171 patients were eligible. Socioeconomic status (SES) was determined using patients’ postcodes, according to their ranking on the index of multiple deprivation. Incidences of irAEs were then obtained from patient data.
Results
from this study show an association between number of irAEs and SES. A 5x5 chi-square test was performed to examine the association between number of irAEs and SES. This revealed that the significant association was related to high neighbourhood SES, with patients from Liverpool significantly more likely to have multiple irAEs than those from Cheshire SES (p < .001). IrAE grades 1 and 2 reflected the findings on number of irAEs, with patients from Liverpool more likely to have multiple grade 1 and 2 and Cheshire more likely to have individual grade 1 and 2, however there was no significant association between SES and grades 3-4 of irAES.
Conclusions
These results highlight the need for greater understanding of demographic associations with irAEs. These understandings could then be used to reduce the burden of irAEs, as well as gain a greater ability in predicting severity of irAEs. The importance of early intervention in the management of irAE’s, preventing grades 3-4 or multiple irAEs, has a big impact on patient’s health and treatment management.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
The author has declared no conflicts of interest.