Identifying barriers to immunotherapy access for triple-negative breast cancer: A qualitative analysis of interviews with medical oncologists
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- 2Department of Psychology, The City College of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
- 3Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- 4Division of Breast Surgery, SBH Health, New York, New York, United States of America
Abstract
Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy, show promise in treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although TNBC is more prevalent among Black and Hispanic women, they are less likely than non-Hispanic White women to be treated with immunotherapy. To date, no studies have explored the reasons underlying these disparities in the use of immunotherapy. This information is crucial for the development of targeted interventions that mitigate these disparities and accordingly address TNBC-related inequities among Black and Hispanic women. The aim of this study is to qualitatively identify medical oncologists’ perspectives of barriers to immunotherapy access among patients with TNBC. Methods: Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, between May 29, 2020 and September 23, 2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews until thematic saturation with 15 medical oncologists treating New York City metropolitan area patients with breast cancer. We used inductive content analysis to examine the interviews and identify themes corresponding to barriers to access to TNBC immunotherapy. Results: The following five overarching themes emerged: (1) Mixed public perceptions about immunotherapy safety and efficacy, (2) Two-tier systems of care, (3) Timely initiation of immunotherapy, (4) Lack of dissemination of best practice guidelines leads to lack of adoption of standard of care, and (5) Side effect profile impacts use and continuation of immunotherapy. Conclusion: Large-scale studies quantifying the effect of these barriers on access to TNBC immunotherapy are needed to determine cause and inform effective interventions promoting equal access to all patients with TNBC.
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BibTeX
@article{jutagir2026identifying,
title = {{Identifying barriers to immunotherapy access for triple-negative breast cancer: A qualitative analysis of interviews with medical oncologists}},
author = {Devika R. Jutagir and Adriana Espinosa and Melissa Lopez and Maria Claros and Taisha Gomez and Jaime Gilliland and Tiffany A. Traina and Bert Petersen Jr and Francesca Gany},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0361021},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361021},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Identifying barriers to immunotherapy access for triple-negative breast cancer: A qualitative analysis of interviews with medical oncologists
AU - Devika R. Jutagir
AU - Adriana Espinosa
AU - Melissa Lopez
AU - Maria Claros
AU - Taisha Gomez
AU - Jaime Gilliland
AU - Tiffany A. Traina
AU - Bert Petersen Jr
AU - Francesca Gany
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/26
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0361021
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0361021
AB - Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of immunotherapy, show promise in treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although TNBC is more prevalent among Black and Hispanic women, they are less likely than non-Hispanic White women to be treated with immunotherapy. To date, no studies have explored the reasons underlying these disparities in the use of immunotherapy. This information is crucial for the development of targeted interventions that mitigate these disparities and accordingly address TNBC-related inequities among Black and Hispanic women. The aim of this study is to qualitatively identify medical oncologists’ perspectives of barriers to immunotherapy access among patients with TNBC. Methods: Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, between May 29, 2020 and September 23, 2022, we conducted semi-structured interviews until thematic saturation with 15 medical oncologists treating New York City metropolitan area patients with breast cancer. We used inductive content analysis to examine the interviews and identify themes corresponding to barriers to access to TNBC immunotherapy. Results: The following five overarching themes emerged: (1) Mixed public perceptions about immunotherapy safety and efficacy, (2) Two-tier systems of care, (3) Timely initiation of immunotherapy, (4) Lack of dissemination of best practice guidelines leads to lack of adoption of standard of care, and (5) Side effect profile impacts use and continuation of immunotherapy. Conclusion: Large-scale studies quantifying the effect of these barriers on access to TNBC immunotherapy are needed to determine cause and inform effective interventions promoting equal access to all patients with TNBC.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -