Peer reviewers from Low- and Middle-Income Countries(LMIC) for open access journals in oncology can improve the equity in cancer research and clinical trials. - ScienceDirect

"Open access journals(OAJ) in biomedicine are aimed to improve the reach and distribution of research and clinical trial publications. The publication in OAJ mode with article publishing charge(APC), in the oncology journals, are attracting and publishing the vast majority of papers from high-income countries(HIC). However, (a) there is great disparity in cancer care facilities and survival outcomes between high income and low-and middle-income countries(LMIC), (b) there is under-representation of publication of research and clinical trials, specific to cancers from LMIC, (c) OAJ in ‘oncology’ subject with APC are becoming unaffordable or have low contribution from LMIC. Unless proactive efforts are made, the OAJ and APC models would continue to miss the publication of clinical, basic, and outcomes data on cancers diagnosed and treated in LMIC regions. The cancer research and clinical trials which can bring to notice the challenges and hurdles faced by researchers, clinicians and cancer patients in LMIC will be served to some measure by engaging peer reviewers from those countries who are understanding the ecosystem. Peer reviewers from developing countries working for the open access oncology journals can increase the diversity in publication, thus nurturing a process of global equity in cancer management."