A Comprehensive Mapping of Real-World Studies and Data Sources for Oncology in China: Insights into Landscape,...

Cancer remains a major public health concern in China, with approximately 2.57 million cancer-related deaths reported in 2022. Real-world studies (RWS), which leverage high-quality real-world data (RWD), can generate robust real-world evidence (RWE) to enhance clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes across diverse oncology settings.

A comprehensive literature search of four bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang) was conducted to identify oncology-related RWS articles and RWD sources covering Chinese populations from 2015 to 2025.

2606 RWS articles were identified. The findings indicate a growing trend in RWS publications, with a predominant focus on disease epidemiology. A total of 126 databases were extracted. Registries were observed as the main source of RWD. The top three investigated cancer types were digestive system, thoracic, and breast neoplasms. RWD sources are predominantly concentrated in coastal regions, reflecting disparities in the geographical distribution of oncology research.

Enhancing data quality and promoting the aggregation of RWD are essential for maximizing the utility of RWD in advancing oncology care in China. Moving forward, standardized regulatory procedures, improved data accessibility, and collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem are essential to unlock the value of RWD and improve patient outcomes.