Impact of Distinct Molecular and Immunological Features of Breast Cancer on the Effectiveness of Therapies in Ghana.

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is a serious public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, with Ghana incurring a staggering 5026 cases and 2369 deaths in 2022. The insufficiency of accurate epidemiological information, limited access to health care, late diagnoses, and insufficient screening procedures hinder policy implementation. While numerous treatment methods, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, exist, patients with BC respond differently. The variation in response can be accounted for by a combination of genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors specific to the Ghanaian population. This review examines the unique molecular and immunologic characteristics of BC in Ghana and their implications for therapeutic effectiveness in personalized treatment. Precision medicine is suggested as imperative in the design of biomarker-guided therapies to consider the BC molecular heterogeneity that is prevalent among Ghanaian patients. However, there is still a challenge of late-stage diagnosis due to insufficient diagnostic infrastructure. Early detection efforts through investment in next-generation sequencing and health care training are imperative. Besides, immune checkpoint inhibitors show promising therapeutic utility in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and clinical trials in the Ghanaian population should be considered. This article emphasizes the need for community education to counteract misconceptions and ensure timely health care-seeking behaviours. To minimize mortality rates and improve patient care for BC in Ghana, a concerted approach through research funding, policy reform, and collaborative stakeholder engagement is imperative, in addition to advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics in the local context.