Racial and Socioeconomic Healthcare Disparities in Access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T ( CAR ‐T) Cell Therapy for Blood Cancers

Warnakulasuriya, Hasini; Tiwari, Ritika

Racial and Socioeconomic Healthcare Disparities in Access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T ( CAR ‐T) Cell Therapy for Blood Cancers

Warnakulasuriya, Hasini ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8525-5997 and Tiwari, Ritika ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5078-8989 (2026) Racial and Socioeconomic Healthcare Disparities in Access to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T ( CAR ‐T) Cell Therapy for Blood Cancers. Cancer Medicine, 15 (2). e71457.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.71457

Abstract

Background: Health disparities remain a critical global public health challenge, particularly in access to advanced treatments for blood cancers. Racial and socioeconomic factors influence healthcare accessibility, contributing to inequities in patient outcomes. Despite the potential of CAR‐T therapy in treating blood cancers, disparities in financial resources, education, gender, and race hinder equitable access. This study evaluates literature on CAR‐T therapy to identify access disparities and proposes policy recommendations. Methods: The PRISMA‐ScR guidelines were followed for study selection and reporting. A comprehensive search strategy was used across databases like PubMed and Google Scholar, using keywords and MeSH terms. Inclusion criteria included peer‐reviewed studies in English since 2000. A basic quality appraisal was conducted to ensure the relevance and credibility of included studies, despite the diversity of study designs and the primary focus on mapping key themes across the literature. Results: Twenty‐five relevant (25) studies, including analytical studies, observational studies, and literature reviews, were analyzed. Findings indicate significant racial and socioeconomic disparities in CAR‐T therapy accessibility, with financial constraints, lack of awareness, and systemic biases limiting equitable distribution. Challenges include high treatment costs, lack of insurance coverage, and underrepresentation of minority groups in trials. Conclusion: Addressing these disparities requires targeted policy interventions, increased funding, and improved patient education. Continued research and collaboration are essential to ensure equitable access for all individuals.