Key result
Black race linked to ~44% higher mortality in colorectal cancer versus White race.
Why the study?
Racial differences influence colorectal cancer incidence, biology, and survival, but the clinical and genomic drivers remain unclear.
Cohort (n=5,168)
Effect estimate: HR 1.44 (Blacks vs Whites); HR 0.94 (Asians vs Whites)
p-value: p=<0.001
Significant racial disparities exist in colorectal cancer, with Black patients exhibiting the highest rates of KRAS mutations and the worst overall survival compared to White and Asian patients.
Racial survival disparities in colorectal cancer persist; hypothesis-generating for genomic drivers and equitable interventions.
10593 Background: Racial differences influence colorectal cancer incidence, biology, and survival, but the clinical and genomic drivers remain unclear. This study evaluates race-based variation in clinical features, metastatic patterns, and key mutations in a large real-world cohort to improve risk stratification and promote equitable treatment. Methods: Clinical and genomic data were obtained from MSK-CHORD via cBioPortal, including patients identified as Asian, White, or Black. Variables were analysed in RStudio. Group differences were assessed using chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, or Kruskal–Wallis. Survival was analysed with Kaplan–Meier and Cox models. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Among 5,168 colorectal cancer patients (White 83.9%, Asian 8.8%, Black 7.4%), several clinical and genomic features varied. Age differed significantly (p < 0.001), with Asians and Blacks diagnosed younger (median 58 y vs. 61 y) than Whites. Gender distribution was similar (p = 0.303). MSI-instability varied (p = 0.0321), lowest in Asians (7.7%) and Blacks (8.3%), and highest in Whites (11.9%). Right-sided tumours differed (p < 0.001), being least common in Asians (23.7%) and most common in Blacks (40.8%). Stage at diagnosis was similar (p = 0.0961). TMB differed modestly (p = 0.042): 5.87 in Asians vs. 6.05 in Black and White patients. FGA showed similarly small variation (p = 0.046): 0.17 in Asians, 0.16 in Blacks, and 0.15 in Whites. Liver metastases varied by race (p < 0.001): Asians 52%, Blacks 66%, Whites 56%. Reproductive organ involvement differed (p = 0.012): Asians 25%, Blacks 27%, Whites 20%; all other metastatic sites showed no differences (p > 0.05). Overall survival varied significantly (p < 0.001), highest in Asians (71.6 months) and Whites (54.3 months) and lowest in Blacks (32.3 months); Asians had similar mortality risk to Whites (HR 0.94), whereas Blacks had higher risk (HR 1.44). Genomic variation was notable: KRAS (p = 1.6×10⁻⁷) was highest in Blacks (56.8%), TP53 (p < 0.001) was highest in Asians (81.5%), and BRAF (p = 0.0046) was lowest in Blacks (7.1%), with no other genes differing. Conclusions: Racial differences were evident across outcomes. Black patients had the highest KRAS mutations and worst survival; Asians had the highest TP53 rates and best survival; Whites had the most MSI-H tumours. Other clinical features were similar. These patterns suggest biologic differences relevant to risk and treatment.
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Mustafa et al. (2026) conducted a cohort in colorectal cancer (n=5,168). Race (Asian, Black, White) was evaluated on Overall survival (HR 1.44 (Blacks vs Whites); HR 0.94 (Asians vs Whites), p=<0.001). Black race was associated with significantly worse overall survival in colorectal cancer compared to White race (HR 1.44, p<0.001), whereas Asian race showed similar mortality risk (HR 0.94).
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