WHO publishes new R&D landscape analyses highlighting gaps and inequities in cancer research

WHO has released a new landscape analysis that exposes critical gaps in global research and development (R&D) efforts related to cancer. The report reveals that despite rapid advancements in clinical research, investment and innovation are often misaligned with the greatest public health needs - leaving many of the world's most vulnerable populations behind.

Data show that cancer clinical trials remains concentrated in high-income countries, while 63 countries have no registered trials. Cancers causing the greatest number of deaths in low- and middle-income countries, such as liver, cervical and stomach cancers, are among the least studied. Research is also disproportionately focused on novel drugs, while surgery, radiotherapy, diagnostics, and palliative care remain underrepresented.

The results of this work have been published in Nature Medicine, accompanied by a concise WHO snapshot for governments and funders, and an open-access interactive dashboard including over 120 000 cancer clinical trials worldwide. Together, these resources provide all stakeholders with the most comprehensive analysis on the state of global cancer research and how they should be used to direct policies and research funding.

This work was jointly led by the Departments on Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health and Science for Health. Analyses are based on data from the WHO Global Observatory on Health R&D and form part of a broader initiative led by the WHO's Emerging Technologies, Research Prioritization and Support team that also includes landscape analyses on global childhood cancer R&D, monoclonal antibodies and neglected tropical diseases in children.

WHO calls on funders, product developers, and clinical trial investigators to use these findings to better target cancer R&D investments, align research priorities with interventions that maximize health and the comprehensive needs of people affected by cancer, and ensure equitable access to innovation for all populations.