Early-phase oncology clinical trials in BRICS nations: Trends, gaps, and strategic opportunities

IF 2 Q3 HEALTH POLICY & SERVICES

Journal of Cancer Policy Pub Date : 2025-07-27 DOI:10.1016/j.jcpo.2025.100627

William de Oliveira Avellar , Flávia Vieira Guerra Alves , Héliton Spindola Antunes , Veronica Aran

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Abstract

Background

The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are increasingly central to global oncology research, yet their contributions to early-phase cancer trials remain uneven.

Methods

This retrospective study analyzed 6786 Phase I and II cancer trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov from 1995 to 2023 to assess trends across BRICS countries.

Results

China emerged as a dominant force, showing rapid growth in nationally led trials. In contrast, Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa relied heavily on international collaborations and exhibited underrepresentation in trials targeting their most burdensome cancer types. Overall, clinical trial activity across most BRICS nations appears more aligned with global industry trends than with local health priorities.

Conclusion

These disparities underscore the need for strategic investment in national research infrastructure, stronger public-private partnerships, and policies that better align oncology research with population-specific needs. Enhancing innovation ecosystems in BRICS countries could accelerate equitable access to cancer treatments and bolster their role in shaping the future of global oncology.

Policy summary

Policymakers of BRICS nations are encouraged to adopt frameworks that prioritize locally relevant cancers, accelerate trial approval timelines, and support sustainable innovation ecosystems. While shared challenges exist, BRICS countries may benefit from: (1) streamlining regulatory processes for faster trial approvals; (2) fostering academic-industry partnerships; (3) prioritizing trials for high-burden cancers; and (4) incentivizing the development of locally produced therapies. A tailored approach, rather than a one-size-fits-all model, will be essential to leverage the BRICS platform as a driver of equitable innovation in cancer care.

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金砖国家早期肿瘤临床试验：趋势、差距和战略机遇。

背景：金砖国家（巴西、俄罗斯、印度、中国和南非）在全球肿瘤研究中越来越重要，但它们对早期癌症试验的贡献仍然参差不齐。方法：这项回顾性研究分析了1995年至2023年在ClinicalTrials.gov上注册的6786项I期和II期癌症试验，以评估金砖国家的趋势。结果：中国成为主导力量，显示出国家主导试验的快速增长。相比之下，巴西、俄罗斯、印度和南非严重依赖国际合作，在针对其最繁重的癌症类型的试验中表现出代表性不足。总体而言，金砖国家的临床试验活动似乎更符合全球行业趋势，而不是当地的卫生重点。结论：这些差异强调需要对国家研究基础设施进行战略投资，加强公私合作伙伴关系，以及更好地将肿瘤研究与人群特定需求结合起来的政策。加强金砖国家的创新生态系统可以加速癌症治疗的公平获取，并加强金砖国家在塑造全球肿瘤学未来中的作用。政策总结：鼓励金砖国家决策者采用优先考虑当地癌症的框架，加快试验审批时间表，支持可持续创新生态系统。虽然存在共同的挑战，但金砖国家可能受益于：(1)简化监管程序，加快试验审批；(2)促进产学研合作；(3)优先考虑高负担癌症的试验；(4)鼓励开发本地生产的治疗方法。要发挥金砖国家平台的作用，推动癌症治疗领域的公平创新，必须采取有针对性的方法，而不是一刀切的模式。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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