Oncology Clinical Trials in Africa: Partnering for Quality

Oncology clinical trials are requisite for testing the safety and effectiveness of promising treatments and deciphering new knowledge into concrete benefits for patients. They present opportunities to innovate promising, novel cancer remedies. A dearth of local evidence to guide cancer treatment in Africans is creating an increased interest in oncology clinical trials to improve patient care. This is primarily because of limitations in pathology, surgery, medical oncology, radiation, and palliation that are leading to worse cancer outcomes on the continent. Investment in oversight of Human Research Ethics committees and Medicines Regulatory Authorities in Africa has improved the potential for many countries to host clinical trials. However, the distribution of cancer trials remains poor across the continent, resulting in inadequate treatment options for patients with cancer. There are some initiatives aimed at developing research capacity to host trials in Africa. However, there is now a need to establish strategic partnerships whose aim should be to achieve harmonized, accredited Clinical Trials Units capable of running trials to meet Good Clinical Practice standards. This article discusses what has been achieved and proposes a model for quality oversight of Clinical Trials Units in Africa.