Thematic trends in cancer research from sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from a five-year institutional dataset

Background: The emergence of cancer centres of excellence such as the Medserve - LUTH Cancer Centre (MLCC) in sub-Saharan Africa, provides a unique opportunity to examine evolving research priorities within the region. This study characterizes the thematic distribution, methodological orientation, and funding sources of cancer research output from MLCC over five years (October 2020 - October 2025), offering insights into the maturation of Africa's oncology research landscape. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the MLCC Research Unit's database was conducted, encompassing all completed manuscripts, abstracts, and ongoing projects. Studies were categorized by disease site (breast, lung, pediatric, gynecologic, prostate, CNS, and cross-cutting), research type (clinical, implementation, translational, educational), and funding origin (institutional, national, international, or industry). Temporal trends were analyzed to assess the evolution of research priorities from descriptive to interventional studies. Results: A total of 155 publications were identified between 2020 and 2025, comprising articles (70%), abstracts (25%), and posters (5%). Annual output increased more than twofold, from 14 in 2020 to 33 in 2025. Dominant research themes included radiotherapy (n=32), breast (n=23), prostate (n=22), and pediatric cancer (n=17). Early outputs (2020-2021) were primarily descriptive clinical audits and radiation technique utilization studies, while later years (2023-2025) demonstrated a shift toward implementation trials, navigation interventions, molecular characterisation, and technology-driven quality improvement. Collaborative and industry-supported studies rose steadily, accounting for over 30% of research activity by 2025. A keyword heatmap revealed progressive diversification, from “radiotherapy” and “access” in early years to “precision,” “financial navigation,” and “quality assurance” in recent outputs. Multi-institutional collaborations with partners across North America, Europe, and Africa. International collaborations accounted for 20% of total projects, and funded trials increased from 1 to 8 across the period. Conclusion: This five-year institutional analysis illustrates a rapid transition in SSA cancer research from descriptive documentation toward hypothesis-driven, interventional, and data-integrated inquiry. The MLCC experience underscores the transformative potential of structured research governance, mentorship, and global partnerships in shifting Africa's oncology research from capacity building to capability and innovation.