Unmet Needs in Oncology Clinical Research and Treatment in Africa: Focus on Ghana

Clinical trials directed toward cancer prevention, screening, and diagnosis, as well as the identification of innovative treatments in the African context, are needed. This review discusses the increasing cancer burden in Africa, with a particular focus on Ghana. Cancer incidence is increasing worldwide and is a major cause of mortality. The relative magnitude of the increase is remarkably high in low human development index (HDI; 95%) and medium HDI (64%) countries. On the African continent, a corresponding increase in cancer burden is predicted, particularly for sub-Saharan Africa. Current epidemiologic data indicate that mortality rates of certain cancers, such as breast and cervical cancers, in sub-Saharan Africa are the highest in the world, and the cancer risks are broadly comparable to the risks in high-income countries, such as the United States and Europe. Although emerging data alludes to the unique genetic profile of cancer in African populations, most cancer therapies are introduced to Africa without confirmatory clinical trials. Therefore, there is an increasing need for clinical trials directed toward prevention, screening, diagnosis, and identification of innovative treatments in the African context. This review will discuss the increasing cancer burden in Africa, with a particular focus on Ghana, unmet clinical needs in cancer, current medical systems, clinical trial regulatory systems, and challenges to clinical trial recruitment.

Automated summary

Clinical trials directed toward cancer prevention, screening, and diagnosis, as well as the identification of innovative treatments in Africa, are necessary. The cancer burden in Africa, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, is increasing rapidly. Mortality rates for certain cancers in sub-Saharan Africa are the highest in the world, comparable to high-income countries. However, most cancer therapies are introduced to Africa without confirmatory clinical trials, highlighting the need for more clinical trials focused on Africa.