Many new genetic-based immunological drugs rely on a genetic element prevalent in white populations but not in others, potentially worsening racial health disparities, a leading expert warned at the White House Minority Health Forum.
Dr. Carmen Guerra (above), Vice Chair of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, highlighted this issue during a panel on research innovation for health equity. She noted that about 80% of therapies currently being studied are specific to an HLA allele common in Anglo populations but not representative of other global populations.
“This is going to get worse because about 80% of the therapies now being studied are specific for that allele in Anglo populations,” Guerra said.
The forum, organized by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to mark National Minority Health Month, aimed to address health inequities in racial and ethnic minority communities.
Guerra emphasized the lack of genomic data representation for all groups as a key concern. She cited recent research showing many targeted immunological therapies, including cancer treatments, depend on a specific HLA allele prevalent in white Americans and Europeans.
A 2022 FDA-approved melanoma drug exemplifies this issue, with its effectiveness varying considerably among ethnic groups. It is most effective in Europeans and less so in African Americans and people of Asian or Pacific Island ancestry.
Experts are advocating for proactive consideration of population eligibility for HLA-restricted therapeutics to prevent exacerbating existing health disparities. The White House forum sought to identify actions the federal government and private sector can take to improve health outcomes for minority communities.
See “How the Hidden Mechanics of Genetic Medicines Can Disadvantage Non-White Individuals” (July 10, 2024)
