Africa harbors unparalleled genetic and cultural diversity. Yet, despite cancer being a major global non-communicable disease, African populations, particularly Indigenous groups, remain remarkably underrepresented in cancer genomics research. This review examines the current landscape of cancer genomics studies across Africa, with emphasis on population diversity and the extent to which Indigenous populations have been included. The genetic heterogeneity across African populations is discussed, and how it can influence cancer susceptibility, tumor biology, and therapeutic response, underscoring the fact that findings from non-African cohorts may not have the same significance in African cohorts. A substantial knowledge gap persists, and expanding studies in Africa could significantly provide valuable insights for global cancer biology. These factors emphasize the urgency of an African-based and African-owned biobanking infrastructure to support equitable research, strengthen local capacity and ethical stewardship of genomic resources towards the promotion of precision oncology and health equity on the continent.
Karla et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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