THERAPEUTIC INEQUITIES IN PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY [Le fratture della disuguaglianza in Oncologia pediatrica]

Paediatric oncology is one of the major success stories of modern medicine, yet it continues to reflect profound global and systemic inequities. While advances in biology, genetics and immunotherapy have dramatically improved outcomes for children with cancer in high-income countries, most affected children worldwide still lack access to timely diagnosis and effective treatment. In parallel, despite the rapid expansion of innovative anticancer therapies for adults, children face delayed and limited access to new drugs due to structural, regulatory and commercial barriers. These global and therapeutic disparities are deeply interconnected and contribute to unequal survival outcomes. Addressing them requires a coordinated global action, regulatory reform and shared ethical commitment to ensure that no child with cancer is left behind because of their country of origin or age.