AUTHOR=El Jaddaoui Islam , Allali Imane , Sehli Sofia , Ouldim Karim , Hamdi Salsabil , Al Idrissi Najib , Nejjari Chakib , Amzazi Saaïd , Bakri Youssef , Ghazal Hassan TITLE=Cancer Omics in Africa: Present and Prospects JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology VOLUME=10 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.606428 DOI=10.3389/fonc.2020.606428 ISSN=2234-943X ABSTRACT=

During the last century, cancer biology has been arguably one of the most investigated research fields. To gain deeper insight into cancer mechanisms, scientists have been attempting to integrate multi omics data in cancer research. Cancer genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and metagenomics are the main multi omics strategies used currently in the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and biomarker discovery in cancer. In this review, we describe the use of different multi omics strategies in cancer research in the African continent and discuss the main challenges facing the implementation of these approaches in African countries such as the lack of training programs in bioinformatics in general and omics strategies in particular and suggest paths to address deficiencies. As a way forward, we advocate for the establishment of an “African Cancer Genomics Consortium” to promote intracontinental collaborative projects and enhance engagement in research activities that address indigenous aspects for cancer precision medicine.