Acute lymphoblastic leukemia requires around 18 months of daily oral chemotherapy called 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) for treatment. Previous research has included a broad age range and shows adolescent/young adult (AYA) age and minoritized race/ethnicity are associated with lower adherence. Few studies have evaluated how these intersecting identities impact adherence. In a retrospective analysis of an AYA sample, we evaluated the relationships between race/ethnicity, area deprivation index (ADI), and insurance with electronically monitored 6-MP adherence. Results showed minoritized race/ethnicity and ADI correlated with adherence. Findings highlight the need for equitable interventions that enhance adherence and improve outcomes among AYAs.
Keywords: ADI; Social determinants; adherence; insurance; race/ethnicity.