Analysis of Cancer Research Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Quantitative Perspective on Unmet Needs and Opportunities.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the scope and types of cancer research projects in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to identify research gaps and inform future efforts. METHODS: This retrospective observational study summarized information on cancer research projects in SSA from the International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP) between 2015 and 2020, alongside 2020 cancer incidence and mortality data from the Global Cancer Observatory. SSA cancer research projects were identified as led by investigators in SSA countries, or by investigators in non-SSA countries with collaborators in SSA, or in database keyword searches. Projects from the Coalition for Implementation Research in Global Oncology (CIRGO) were also summarized. RESULTS: A total of 1,846 projects were identified from the ICRP database, funded by 34 organizations in seven countries (only one, Cancer Association of South Africa, based in SSA); only 156 (8%) were led by SSA-based investigators. Most projects focused on virally induced cancers (57%). Across all cancer types, projects were most frequently related to cervical cancer (24%), Kaposi sarcoma (15%), breast cancer (10%), or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (10%). Gaps were observed for several cancers with higher incidence/mortality burden in SSA; for example, prostate cancer accounted for only 4% of projects but 8% of cancer-related deaths and 10% of new cases. Approximately 26% were dedicated to etiology. Treatment-related research declined over the study period (14%-7% of all projects), while projects related to prevention (15%-20%) and diagnosis/prognosis (15%-29%) increased. Fifteen CIRGO projects were identified; seven were relevant across multiple cancer types, and 12 focused either wholly or partially on cancer control (representing 50% of the total research effort). CONCLUSION: This analysis shows notable discrepancies between cancer burden and research projects and identifies opportunities for future strategic investments in cancer care in SSA.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis in an HIV/human T-cell lymphotrophic viruses I/II coinfected patient.

Coexistence of HIV, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and human T-cell lymphotrophic viruses (HTLV) I/II has not been well reported and studied. Although the exact etiology of sarcoidosis is unknown, immunologic abnormalities have been the focus of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related sarcoidosis and it is thought to be a manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. We report the case of an African American woman with HIV and HTLV I/II coinfection who developed pulmonary sarcoidosis several months after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Despite the fact that most common etiologies of pulmonary nodules in HIV patients include mycobacterial and fungal infections, sarcoidosis should be considered in differential diagnosis. This disease may continuously rise due to the increasing number of people who are receiving antiretroviral therapy, leading to an improved immune system.