Browsing by Author "Kambugu, J."
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Item Clinical trials to improve childhood cancer care and survival in sub-Saharan Africa(Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 2013-07) Israëls, T.; Kambugu, J.; Kouya, F.; El-Mallawany, N.K.; Hesseling, P.B.; Kaspers, G.J.L.; Eden, T.; Renner, L.; Molyneux, E.M.Over 80% of children with cancer live in low and middle-income countries where survival rates are much lower than high-income countries. Challenges to successful treatment of paediatric cancers in these countries include late presentation, malnutrition, failure to complete treatment and less-intense supportive care leading to increased treatment-related mortality and the need to reduce the intensity of treatment. Clinical trials can contribute to improved care and survival by providing objective information on the number of patients treated, accuracy of diagnosis, causes of treatment failure and the efficacy of specific interventions. Clinical trials can also help to build capacity (salary support and training), improve facilities (equipment) and fund treatment or essential associated costs (social support, nutritional support and follow-up care). In this article, we discuss our experience with clinical trials in Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa with emphasis on the treatment of children with Wilms tumour. © 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited.Item The Collaborative Wilms Tumour Africa Project; Baseline evaluation of Wilms tumour treatment and outcome in eight institutes in sub-Saharan Africa(European Journal of Cancer, 2015-01) Paintsil, V.; David, H.; Kambugu, J.; Renner, L.; Kouya, F.; Eden, T.; Hesseling, P.; Molyneux, E.; Israels, T.Aim Reported survival of Wilms tumour in sub-Saharan Africa is below 50%. A published International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries (PODC) consensus adapted treatment guideline is implemented as a multi-centre prospective clinical trial at eight centres in sub-Saharan Africa. A baseline evaluation has been done to help decide on priorities to improve outcome and to assess improvements over time. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed of patients admitted with Wilms tumour in the three years (2011-2013) preceding the collaborative trial. Patient outcome at the end of treatment was documented for all patients diagnosed in 2011 and 2012. Outcome was classified as (1) alive, no evidence of disease; (2) alive with disease; (3) died during treatment and (4) incomplete treatment. Details on treatment facilities, staff and estimated cost of treatment are documented. Results Every year 114-130 patients are diagnosed. The mean survival at end of treatment is 39% (69/176) ranging from 11% to 61%. Incomplete treatment is the most common cause of treatment failure with 31% (54/176), ranging from 14% to 48% between centres. Twenty-six percent (46/176) of patients died during treatment, ranging from 13% to 37%. Estimated cost of treatment for parents ranged from 100 US$ to 1100 US$ and was considered an important cause of failure to complete treatment. Conclusion Overall two year survival is estimated at 25%. Prevention of incomplete treatment is possible and will positively affect outcome. Sharing similar local challenges in this regional collaborative project helps to identify and implement feasible, sustainable and successful strategies. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.