Workforce, economic, and infrastructural barriers to global oncology clinical trial participation: Focus on sub-Saharan Africa
Abstract
11091
Background:
Despite Sub-Saharan Africa's (SSA) growing cancer burden, the region remains grossly underrepresented in global oncology clinical trials. With only 109 open trials identified continent-wide in 2019 compared to 7,557 in the United States, this disparity highlights systemic barriers. As well, the unique genetic variations in the African pan-genome makes a strong case for urgent population-specific research.
Methods:
Using the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, we identified 151 oncology trials across 255 continent-wide recruitment sites. A review of published literature was carried out to assess oncologist distribution and SDI index within highlighted countries hosting clinical trials in SSA.
Results:
Of the 1,759 clinical oncologists identified in SSA, Egypt accounts for 85.2% (n=1,500) and hosts 46.36% of all oncology trials (n=70). Kenya, with only 0.34% oncologists (n=6), contributes 17.88% of clinical trials (n=27). Nigeria, with 3.63% oncologists (n=64), hosts 11.26% of trials (n=17). Ethiopia and Tanzania each house 0.34% oncologists (n=6), yet Ethiopia conducts 7.95% (n=12) and Tanzania 3.97% (n=6) of trials. South Africa, with 2.27% oncologists (n=40), hosts 3.97% of trials (n=6). Other countries, including Ghana and Morocco, collectively contribute to 8.61% of trials (n=13) with varying oncologist representation. The few available trials are mostly concentrated in Egypt, Kenya, and Nigeria. In addition, most trials disproportionately focus on…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Understanding the factors influencing fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith) damage in African smallholder maize fields and quantifying its impact on yield. A case study in Eastern Zimbabwe
- Alarming situation of emerging H5 and H7 avian influenza and effective control strategies
- Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change
- Atmosphere–ocean oxygen and productivity dynamics during early animal radiations
- Characterization of the global distribution and diversified plasmid reservoirs of the colistin resistance gene mcr-9
- The global seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.