A change roadmap towards research paradigm in low-resource countries: retinoblastoma model in Egypt.
Research on childhood diseases represents a great global challenge. This challenge is maximized in both childhood cancer disciplines and developing world. In this paper, we aim at describing our institution experience in starting a structured childhood cancer research program in one of the developing countries in a short time based on philanthropic efforts. We used retinoblastoma as an example for what was conducted in this program. Starting in 2008, this program included improving clinical practice and its related supporting services besides developing new research services that both complement the clinical activities and pave the way towards creating a research foundation in the country. Results included developing hospital standard treatment protocols, developing national clinical trials, joining international consortia for childhood cancers clinical trials, developing data collection tools and real-time analytics, establishing a biobanking facility, and developing highly qualified team for conducting clinical, epidemiologic, and translational research studies. Moreover, this effort resulted in improving both clinical practice and patients' awareness nationally. This model can be used for other startup facilities that aim at finding answers for their national health problems in low-resource setting.
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt. ahmadsfar@gmail.com.|Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. ahmadsfar@gmail.com.
Ahmad Samir
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0930-4583
AS
Alfaar
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.
Radwa
R
Nour
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.
Mohamed Sabry
MS
Bakry
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.
Mohamed
M
Kamal
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.
Omneya
O
Hassanain
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.
Rania M
RM
Labib
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.
Wafaa M
WM
Rashed
Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.|National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Hossam
H
Elzomor
Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.|Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt.
Adel
A
Alieldin
Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.|National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Hala
H
Taha
Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.|National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Mohamed Saad
MS
Zaghloul
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.|National Liver Institute, Menoufeya University, Shebin Elkoum, Egypt.
Sameera
S
Ezzat
Research Department, Children's Cancer Hospital - Egypt 57357, 1 Sekket Al-Imam, Sayeda Zainab, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.|National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Sherif
S
AboElnaga
D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000458:organization & administration; D003906:Developing Countries; D004534:Egypt; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000458:organization & administration; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000628:therapy*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000458:organization & administration
Change model; Developing countries; Ophthalmic oncology; Pediatric oncology; Research initiation; Retinoblastoma