Global impact of antimicrobial resistance on cancer care: Challenges and strategies in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a fast-rising global health warning that causes significant challenges to the treatment and management of infectious diseases, especially in cancer patients, who are a large number of the vulnerable populations. This work underlines the complicated problems faced by the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in cancer care due to AMR. The burden of both cancer and AMR is sadly high, so therefore this review sheds light into the possible potential strategies to win against these challenges and set up better cancer treatment for improved outcomes in these countries. This sheds more light and gives a deeper understanding of recent research works, epidemiological data, and relevant case studies. Furthermore, examining the interconnectivity between AMR and cancer care, narrowing it down to some particular challenges and vulnerabilities encountered by cancer patients in LMICs. The study identifies key strategies such as implementing better antimicrobial stewardship programs, improving infection prevention and control, promoting new drug development, and enhancing global interactions as important steps in reducing the effect of AMR on cancer care in LMICs. This emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions, context-specific solutions, building sustainable development, and global interactions to address the complex challenges posed by AMR in cancer care within LMICs.