Socioeconomic factors including White race, insurance status, and higher household income increase the chance of receiving treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) and results in longer overall survival (OS). In contrast, studies have demonstrated that Hispanic-White race and lower socioeconomic status is associated with longer OS in patients with lung and gynecological cancers, known as the Hispanic Paradox. This is attributed to higher community support and healthier lifestyle. It is unknown whether such a Paradox is also present in patients with glioblastoma.

We hypothesized that race and ethnicity influence survival in patients with glioblastoma and that the Hispanic Paradox is present in these patients.

In this retrospective, observational study, we accessed the cBio Portal for Cancer Genomics and retrieved survival data from patients with glioblastoma. Multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between overall survival and race, ethnicity, gender, and age.

Data was available for 462 patients with glioblastoma (female n=181, male n=281) who were 18-65 years old. Of these, n=403 were White (Hispanic n=16, Not-Hispanic n=387), n=14 were Asian, n=45 were Black. Median overall survival (mOS) was significantly longer in the minority group comprising of Black, Asian, and Hispanic-White patients (mOS=33.6 months, 95% CI 16.6, 50.7) compared to Not-Hispanic White patients (mOS=18.9 months, 95% CI 16.9, 20.9; p=0.002). Median OS was also significantly longer in Black (mOS=37.8 months, 95% CI 11.3, 64.3) compared to Not-Hispanic White patients (p=0.014). There was a trend towards longer survival in Asian patients (mOS=33.6 months, 95% CI 12.1, 55.1, p=0.06). There was no statistically significant difference in mOS between Hispanic Whites (mOS=20.7, 95% CI 16.9, 20.3) and Not-Hispanic Whites (p=0.5).

The minority group of Black, Asian and Hispanic-White patients had significantly longer mOS compared to Not-Hispanic White patients. This warrants further investigation of the genetic and socioeconomic factors contributing to this Minority Paradox.