Protocol: what are the ethnic inequities in care outcomes related to haematological malignancies, treated with transplant/cellular therapies, in the UK? A systematic review.

Abstract

Introduction: Haematological cancers are common in the UK, with a variety of morphologies. Stem cell transplants and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies provide significant options for hard to treat haematological cancers, although with difficult to predict outcomes. Research into the determinates of treatment efficacy, and access to treatments, is key to ensuring equal benefit across patients and patient safety. With this, there are concerns about the small representation of minority groups in related research. We aim to report on the current knowledge to guide future research.

Methods and analysis: A variety of databases will be searched for literature on UK minority ethnic populations receiving haematopoietic stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy. Searches will be restricted to the year 2011 or later. Many outcomes will be analysed, covering the patient care pathway for those of the target population, although with a focus on follow-up after therapy. Plans have been made to conduct narrative synthesis, with meta-analysis where applicable.

Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required for this study. Outputs will be published in an appropriate journal and discussed with the wider National Institute for Health and Care Research Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Precision Transplant and Cellular Therapeutics (BTRU) group. Discussions will also be undertaken with the BTRU patient partners group.