Al's Comment:

This study shows a very large racial disparity - this time favoring African Americans.  They identified a set of genes that differed between the two groups, which may be responsible.   This difference is larger than most clinical trials would report as a successful treatment. It may be worth reporting clinical trial results by race and/or this group of genes now.

Historically, African Americans have been way underrepresented in clinical trials – as shown by this study.  Out of almost 1,000 patients, only 6% were African American -  while in the USA African Americans make up about 13% of the population.   We are working to try to correct that – and other – disparities.  

 

Race influences survival in glioblastoma patients with KPS ≥ 80 and associates with genetic markers of retinoic acid metabolism.