SIOP is proud to announce the publication of a major new article in Cancer Control 2025, showcasing the transformative impact of the Programme for Advancing Research Capacity (PARC) on strengthening childhood cancer research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Authored by an international team of SIOP leaders and experts, the piece presents compelling evidence of how targeted investment in research infrastructure is already improving collaboration, data quality, and patient outcomes across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The article, “The Impact of the SIOP Programme for Advancing Research Capacity on Global Childhood Cancer Research,” brings together the insights of: Guillermo Chantada, SIOP Past President, Milena Villarroel, SIOP Continental President for Latin America, Trijn Israels, SIOP Member, Ramandeep Singh Arora, SIOP Member, Tzvetomira Laub, SIOP Executive Director for Programmes and Strategy, Carl E. Allen, SIOP PARC Committee, Kathy Pritchard-Jones, SIOP Past President.
Together, the authors provide a detailed analysis of the persistent survival gap between high-income and resource-limited settings and outline how PARC is helping countries overcome systemic challenges such as organisational fragility, lack of research personnel, limited data infrastructure, and regulatory barriers.
The article highlights the progress of PARC-supported cooperative groups—GALOP in Latin America, CANCaRe Africa, and INPHOG in India—and shares early findings from SIOP’s ongoing qualitative evaluation of the Programme’s first funding cycle. It also looks ahead to future priorities, including sustainability, expanded stakeholder engagement, and cultivating the next generation of paediatric oncology researchers through initiatives like the Nai-Kong and Irene Cheung Family Career Development Award.
This publication reinforces SIOP’s role as a global leader in strengthening research capacity, driving equitable progress, and ensuring that the benefits of scientific discovery reach every child with cancer, regardless of where they live.
