Accelerating Cancer Genomics Research in Sub-Saharan Africa

The field of cancer genomics and precision oncology in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is of critical importance, given the increasing burden of cancer in the region. The current state of knowledge reveals that SSA countries are projected to report the highest increase in cancer-associated mortality by 2040, with significant economic losses. Despite cancer being a genomic disease with heterogeneous phenotypes within different populations, most cancer genomics research and clinical trials are conducted outside of SSA. This has limited the understanding of cancer biology among people of African ancestry and the utilization of precision oncology in SSA, thereby hindering the translational impact of new interventions in improving cancer outcomes.

The primary aim of this research topic is to address the burden of cancer in SSA by accelerating the inclusion of the sub-Saharan African population in cancer genomics research. This can be achieved by upscaling precision oncology in Africa and promoting collaborative, team, or consortia science approaches. These consortia, comprising scientists worldwide, focus on understanding cancer genomics and genetics in people of African ancestry. They serve as effective platforms for driving the science of cancer and precision oncology by bringing together various stakeholders to source resources, build capacity, and engage communities. The goal is to drive large-scale genomics research projects that integrate genomic data across Africa and help identify genomic heterogeneity within the SSA region.

The scope of this research topic is twofold. Firstly, it seeks to document the reach and impact of team/consortia science on the productivity of scientific discoveries focused on cancer genomics, cancer genetics, and precision oncology in SSA populations. Secondly, it welcomes manuscripts from cancer consortia, teams, or groups demonstrating large-scale studies on these topics in SSA populations. This includes research manuscripts and methodological manuscripts using team or consortia science in conceptualization, participant recruitment, data generation, and capacity development for cancer genomics, cancer genetics, and precision oncology research within the SSA region. However, manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics or computational analysis of public genomic or transcriptomic databases without validation are out of the scope of this Research Topic.

Keywords: Cancer, Genomics, Precision Oncology, Consortia Science, Sub-Saharan Africa

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.