Although omitting trastuzumab may be suitable in some people, there are worrisome differences in the medication’s receipt, particularly for black women, according to an analysis of 770 individuals.

Investigators looked at SEER data from participants who were ≥66 years of age, had ≥stage Ib-III, HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosed in 2010 or 2011, and no history of congestive heart failure. Among the results:

• 44.4% did not receive trastuzumab; 22% of these received endocrine therapy only, 6.3 % received chemotherapy with or without endocrine therapy, and 16% received no systemic therapy.

• ~Two thirds of blacks did not use trastuzumab, vs 44% of whites.

• Overall, many patients with stage III disease did not receive trastuzumab.

• 16% of patients did not receive any systemic treatment; this occurred more frequently in blacks.

• 4 in every 10 older patients in whom adjuvant trastuzumab was indicated did not receive such; nearly 20% of them did not receive other treatment.

Citation: Vaz-Luis I, Lin N, Keating N, et al. Treatment of early-stage human epidermal growth factor 2-positive cancers among Medicare enrollees: age and race strongly associated with non-use of trastuzumab. [Published online ahead of print August 2, 2016]. Breast Cancer Res Treat. doi:10.1007/s10549-016-3927-4.