Potential New Approaches for Prostate Cancer Management in Resource-Limited Countries in Africa

Abstract

Prostate cancer is a major male malignancy in many sub-Saharan countries in Africa. Because of resource limitations, screening, early detection, diagnosis, and curative treatments are not available for many men on the subcontinent, and there are even barriers to the treatment of advanced-stage metastatic prostate cancer. We are making the case for new approaches to the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of this malignancy in sub-Saharan Africa and other low-resource regions-approaches that differ from the ones available and used in high-income countries. The development of one-step dipstick-type detection assays of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) offers an approach to prostate cancer detection, treatment and monitoring that circumvents issues related to laboratory quality control and is also low-cost. Curative-intent treatments of early-stage prostate cancer are often unavailable in low-resource contexts, and most prostate cancers are not detected in Africa until they are at an advanced stage. Hence, androgen deprivation treatments, including orchiectomy and older low-cost drugs, offer feasible and affordable approaches to prolong survival and sustain a reasonable quality of life. However, clinical trials are needed to identify which of these androgen deprivation treatments are most efficacious and best tolerated to make progress in providing medical care for men with prostate cancer in sub-Saharan Africa and other low-and lower-middle-income areas around the world.

What should be the future direction of development in the field of prostate cancer with lung metastasis?

“…In contrast, some developing countries or poor regions may face the challenges of limited funding and inadequate research conditions, resulting in a relative lag in scientific research. In this way, a contradiction has arisen between developing countries with limited medical technology but high PC morbidity and mortality and developed countries with advanced medical technology but reduced PC morbidity and mortality[ 25 , 26 ]. Therefore, developed countries should proactively conduct international exchanges and cooperation in the field of PCLM to promote the sharing of data, funds and equipment, technology and methods, and the establishment of international cooperation networks.…”

Analysis of Clinical Trials and Review of Recent Advances in Therapy Decisions for Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer

“…This is particularly relevant in geographic areas where the highest prostate cancer mortality rates are found, such as the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of the former Soviet Union [ 62 ]. Unfortunately, very few clinical trials have been carried out in low- and lower-middle-income countries [ 63 ].…”

Global viewpoints: updates on prostate cancer in Sub‐Saharan Africa

“…Another approach that has been explored is to use alternative screening tools that are more accessible and affordable in SSA. A review published by Bosland et al [14] suggested that there is a need for cost-effective options to measure serum PSA levels that do not rely on laboratory quality control constraints. A quick and simple test for PSA has been developed using techniques similar to those used for rapid COVID-19 antigen tests.…”