Editorial: Accelerating Cancer Genomics Research in Sub-Saharan Africa

Folakemi T Odedina^1*Solomon O Rotimi²Abdou Azaque ZOURE³

• ¹Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, United States
• ²Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria
• ³Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Wagutu et al., (2024) 4 concluded that "Whole Exome-seq and RNA-seq Data Reveal Unique Neoantigen Profiles in Kenyan Breast Cancer Patients", exemplifying the importance of African cancer genomics research to advancing knowledge of carcinogenesis and addressing the global burden of cancer. The study profiled neoantigens in 23 Kenyan breast cancer patients using whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA sequencing of paired tumor and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. The authors reported that an average of 1,465 neoantigens covering 10,260 genes were identified per patient. Out of the 58 COSMIC genes commonly mutated in breast cancer, 44 (76%) produced more than two neoantigens. Across all genes, 2,809 mutations were detected mutations, the majority of which were the missense type, most of which were substitutions of C>T. Overall, the study highlights the unique neoantigen profiles in Kenyan breast cancer patients, suggesting their potential as biomarkers for prognosis and in personalized immunotherapy.Achieving the goals of accelerating precision oncology in Africa also hinges on ideas elaborated by Gueye et al. (2024) 3 in their perspective article titled "The Future of Collaborative Precision Oncology Approaches in Sub-Saharan Africa: Learnings from Around the Globe". They argue that the promise of technologies like comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) can only be realized in SSA through strategic, collaborative consortia, as also stated by Ivanga et al (2024) 2 . The authors document global case studies-from the UK NHS's 100,000 Genomes Project to Germany's DKTK platform-and highlight how cross-border collaboration, regional capacity building, and data-sharing platforms can catalyze innovation in Africa. Their paper places a strong emphasis on genomic diversity and equity, noting the underrepresentation of African populations in major genomic datasets.In the systematic review titled "Emerging Biomarkers for Non-Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer", Zakari et al (2024) 5 . synthesized evidence from 45 studies exploring the burgeoning promise of noninvasive biomarkers-such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), exosomes, and microRNAs-for cancer detection, monitoring, and therapy. By cataloging applications across various tumor types-including breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal-the review highlights how liquid biopsies and epigenetic markers offer alternatives to invasive tissue biopsies. The article systematically details the strengths and limitations of noninvasive methods and underscores their transformative potential in enhancing early detection, personalizing treatment, and improving outcomes, particularly in low-resource settings where repeated tissue access is impractical.To address the burden of cancer in SSA countries, it is imperative to upscale the penetration of precision oncology in Africa by accelerating the inclusion of the SSA population in cancer genomics research. These Research Topic contributions signal a paradigm shift in oncology: from late-stage intervention to precision prevention and therapy; from siloed approaches to globally integrated, context-specific models. Importantly, these articles spotlight the necessity of aligning innovation with infrastructure and inclusivity-emphasizing that breakthroughs in cancer care will be most impactful when tailored to diverse populations and health systems.Genomics research requires intensive resources and high-level expertise that are often beyond the limits of individual researchers or institutions, particularly in low-resource settings. This Research Topic serves as a call to action. It highlights both the technological possibilities, and the collaborative pathways needed to close global cancer equity gaps. While non-invasive biomarkers offer a scalable solution for earlier detection and monitoring, implementing these tools in SSA will require systemic investments, consortia-based collaboration, and policies that foreground African genomic inclusion. These articles lay the groundwork for such efforts, offering a scientific and strategic blueprint for accelerating precision oncology in the region.