ArticleThe oncologist2026
A Silent Gap: Underrepresentation of Latin American Patients in Pivotal Genitourinary and Skin Cancer Trials.
Article in The oncologist, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The trial behind it
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
backgroundLatin America bears a growing burden of genitourinary (GU) and cutaneous malignancies but remains underrepresented in clinical trials that shape global standards of care. This underrepresentation raises ethical concerns and limits the generalizability of trial findings. We evaluated Latin American (LATAM) representation in pivotal GU and skin cancer trials and explored barriers to equitable inclusion.
methodsWe reviewed pivotal phase II and III trials in advanced GU and cutaneous malignancies (melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers) published between 2015 and 2024. Extracted data included trial site distribution, geographic representation, and ethnicity reporting.
resultsA total of 46 pivotal trials (29 GU and 17 skin cancer trials), representing 38,900 patients, were included. LATAM trial sites were present in 44 studies; however, only 25 trials reported enrollment of Hispanic/Latino patients, totaling 2,459 patients (6.3%). Representation across LATAM was highly concentrated in a small number of countries, including Brazil (16 trials), Argentina (14), Chile (13), Mexico (12), and Colombia (6). Participation was greater in GU trials compared with skin cancer trials. Reporting transparency was limited: Hispanic/Latino representation was reported in only 2 main publications, 5 supplementary appendices, and 23 ClinicalTrials.gov records.
conclusionsOnly 6.3% of participants in pivotal GU and skin cancer trials were from Latin America. Limited infrastructure, regulatory barriers, and restricted research investment likely contribute to this disparity. Improving equitable representation will require intentional trial design, stronger regional investment, and policies that move beyond nominal participation toward meaningful inclusion.
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