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

Roberts, Lewis R.; Rivers, Brian M.; Yates, Clayton; Newman, Lisa A.; Sarkodie, Benjamin Dabo; Davis, Melissa B.; Asare-Aboagye, Yaw; Adjei, Alex A.; Harris, Adalynn E; Awuah, Baffour

doi:10.1093/oncolo/oyac109

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Pathology services are crucial to addressing the escalating cancer burden in Africa that has resulted from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, demographic expansion and aging, and shifting risk factor profiles due to a broad adoption of a westernized lifestyle ( 1 ). By providing healthcare systems with accurate diagnoses, pathology laboratories facilitate disease recognition and monitoring at the individual and population levels and assist with clinical trial implementation and cancer research training.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on pathology laboratory development and research in advancing regional cancer care in Malawi

Brownlee,

Dewey,

Chagomerana

et al. 2024

Front. Med.

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The pathology laboratory at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe, Malawi was established in 2011. We published our initial experiences in laboratory development and telepathology in 2013 and 2016, respectively. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on our work by highlighting the positive role laboratory development has played in improving regional cancer care and research. In addition, we provide a summary of the adult pathology data from specimens received between July 1, 2011, and May 31, 2019, with an emphasis on malignant diagnoses. We compare these summaries to estimates of cancer incidence in this region to identify gaps and future needs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on pathology laboratory development and research in advancing regional cancer care in Malawi

Brownlee,

Dewey,

Chagomerana

et al. 2024

Front. Med.

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“…The contributing factors for the high burden of cancer in sub–Saharan Africa are complex and include demographic, epidemiologic, patient-level, social, and treatment-level factors [ 4 ]. At the demographic and epidemiologic levels, Africa is also experiencing an aging population because of rising life expectancy, contributing to the upsurges of diseases that are more prevalent later in life [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other social factors come into play. Some of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in Africa are associated with infections [e.g., HPV as a cause of cervical cancer], and the region has a low number of cancer control programs [ 4 ]. Moreover, although global trends indicate a decline in the overall number of individuals living in extreme poverty, it is crucial to recognize that the absolute number of people experiencing extreme poverty in Africa is, in fact, on the rise [ 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Let him die. He caused it”: A qualitative study on cancer stigma in Tanzania

Mwobobia,

Knettel,

Headley

et al. 2024

PLOS Glob Public Health

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Cancer stigma presents a critical barrier to care seeking, contributing to delayed presentation and poor cancer outcomes worldwide. The burden of cancer in Tanzania is on the rise, with cancer being the third-leading cause of death in the country. Despite rising incidence and poor outcomes of cancer, cancer-related stigma interventions have received low prioritization. There is a need for sound research that focuses on understanding attitudes driving stigma, its impact on care-seeking and treatment adherence, and intervention models to reduce stigma. We used a cross-sectional qualitative study design. We administered three open-ended qualitative questions to 140 adults newly diagnosed with cancer in Moshi, Tanzania. The questions explored common attitudes toward people with cancer, the perceived impact of cancer-related stigma on care engagement, and ideas for reducing cancer stigma. Patients were recruited during routine appointments at the Cancer Center at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center. Data were analyzed using a team-based, applied thematic approach and NVivo 12 software. All participants described stigma as a significant challenge for treatment and receiving support from their social networks. Perceptions of financial burden, misconceptions about cancer, such as the belief that it is contagious, and fear of death, were common attitudes driving cancer stigma. Most participants feared that symptoms would prevent them from being able to work and that the cost of cancer care would drive away loved ones. Stigma was not a ubiquitous response, as some participants reported increased care and social support from family members after a cancer diagnosis. Experiences of stigma contributed to feelings of shame, fear of burdening the family, reduced resources to access treatment, and disengagement from care. Common substitutes to medical therapies included religious interventions and traditional medicine, perceived as less expensive and less stigmatizing. Many participants felt they would benefit from improved financial support, professional counseling, and education for families and communities to reduce stigmatizing attitudes and enhance social support. There is a need for intervention studies focused on improving cancer literacy, community advocacy to reduce cancer stigma, and increasing emotional and practical support for people with cancer and their families. There is also a clear need for policy efforts to make cancer care more affordable and accessible to reduce the financial burden on patients and families.

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Unravelling CD24‐Siglec‐10 pathway: Cancer immunotherapy from basic science to clinical studies

Hazra,

Chattopadhyay,

Mallick

et al. 2024

Immunology

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Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized the treatment landscape by harnessing the power of the immune system to combat malignancies. Two of the most promising players in this field are cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24) and sialic acid‐binding Ig‐like lectin 10 (Siglec‐10), and both of them play pivotal roles in modulating immune responses. CD24, a cell surface glycoprotein, emerges as a convincing fundamental signal transducer for therapeutic intervention, given its significant implication in the processes related to tumour progression and immunogenic evasion. Additionally, the immunomodulatory functions of Siglec‐10, a prominent member within the Siglec family of immune receptors, have recently become a crucial point of interest, particularly in the context of the tumour microenvironment. Hence, the intricate interplay of both CD24 and Siglec‐10 assumes a critical role in fostering tumour growth, facilitating metastasis and also orchestrating immune evasion. Recent studies have found multiple evidences supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting CD24 in cancer treatment. Siglec‐10, on the other hand, exhibits immunosuppressive properties that contribute to immune tolerance within the tumour microenvironment. Therefore, we delve into the complex mechanisms through which Siglec‐10 modulates immune responses and facilitates immune escape in cancer. Siglec‐10 also acts as a viable target for cancer immunotherapy and presents novel avenues for the development of therapeutic interventions. Furthermore, we examine the synergy between CD24 and Siglec‐10 in shaping the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment and discuss the implications for combination therapies. Therefore, understanding the roles of CD24 and Siglec‐10 in cancer immunotherapy opens exciting possibilities for the development of novel therapeutics.

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

Cited by 4 publications

References 31 publications

Update on pathology laboratory development and research in advancing regional cancer care in Malawi

Update on pathology laboratory development and research in advancing regional cancer care in Malawi

“Let him die. He caused it”: A qualitative study on cancer stigma in Tanzania

Unravelling CD24‐Siglec‐10 pathway: Cancer immunotherapy from basic science to clinical studies

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