Priorities for cancer research in low- and middle-income countries: a global perspective

Radical rethinking is needed to address the burning issues in cancer care in low- and middle-income countries. In this Perspective, the authors outline the main challenges and top priorities for cancer research now and into the future. Cancer research currently is heavily skewed toward high-income countries (HICs), with little research conducted in, and relevant to, the problems of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This regional discordance in cancer knowledge generation and application needs to be rebalanced. Several gaps in the research enterprise of LMICs need to be addressed to promote regionally relevant research, and radical rethinking is needed to address the burning issues in cancer care in these regions. We identified five top priorities in cancer research in LMICs based on current and projected needs: reducing the burden of patients with advanced disease; improving access and affordability, and outcomes of cancer treatment; value-based care and health economics; quality improvement and implementation research; and leveraging technology to improve cancer control. LMICs have an excellent opportunity to address important questions in cancer research that could impact cancer control globally. Success will require collaboration and commitment from governments, policy makers, funding agencies, health care organizations and leaders, researchers and the public.

Automated summary

Rethinking is crucial to address the challenges in cancer care in low- and middle-income countries. The top priorities in cancer research for these countries are reducing the burden of advanced disease, improving treatment access and affordability, enhancing quality and implementation research, leveraging technology for better cancer control. Collaboration and commitment are essential for success.