OAUTHC, others, launches first Clinical trial using immunotherapy for patients with colorectal cancer in Nigeria – Surgeon

Prof. Olusegun Alatise, a surgeon at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, has stated that OAUTHC with Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH);Medserve in Nigeria and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in United States, have launched first clinical trial using Immunotherapy in Nigeria by enrolling the patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Alatise stated this during the News Conference on Wednesday, at Complex, in Ile-Ife.

He said that the clinical trial aimed at transforming treatment options for patients with colorectal cancer in
Nigeria is actively enrolling patients after gaining official approval by the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) of Nigeria.

According to him, the research was a global collaboration between experts from Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and Medserve in Nigeria and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), a global leader in cancer care based in the United States to explore the use of a type of immunotherapy called PD-1 blockade in patients with mismatch repair (deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer.

He said that the first clinical trial in sub-Saharan Africa that utilised immunotherapy, a treatment that uses a person’s own immune system to fight cancer, saying that the researchers aim to change the standard of care for Nigerians living with colorectal cancer.

“Colorectal cancer is a growing health problem in Nigeria, with less than half of Nigerian patients with colorectal cancer living one year after diagnosis.

“Furthermore, nearly 30 percent of all Nigerian patients with colorectal cancer have dMMR or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H). This genetic mutation often does not respond to traditional treatment options, such as chemotherapy.

“Research in other countries has shown that immunotherapy is highly effective in colorectal patients with dMMR”. He stated.

The expert emphasised that Phase II study, titled “PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein) Blockade in Mismatch-Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer in Nigeria,” has received full committee review and approval by the NHREC.

According to him, the organisation responsible for ensuring that all health research conducted in Nigeria is ethical and globally compliant.

Prof. Alatise also commended NAFDAC, for regulating and controls the manufacturing,importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale, and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical
devices, packaged water, chemicals, and detergents in Nigeria.

The Surgeon announced that patients will be recruited and treated at OAUTHC in Ile-Ife as well as LUTH and Medserve’s NSIA-Diagnostic Centre in Lagos, Nigeria.

He reaffirmed that the study sponsor and data coordinating center, investigators from MSK will work closely with teams
from OAUTHC, LUTH, and Medserve on the research.

Prof. Alatise added that BeOne Medicines will also supply and distribute the immunotherapy drug tislelizumab, while BioVentures for Global Health will support the regulatory approvals in Nigeria.

The Principal Investigator reinstated that the study is partially funded by the Thompson Family Foundation and the approval of this trial, marked an important milestone in the fight against colorectal cancer in Nigeria.

Prof. of Surgery expressed that their research would provide vital insights into novel treatment strategies, particularly for patients with limited therapeutic options due to genetic mutations and they are committed to ensuring the highest standards of research ethics and patient care throughout the study.

Also, Professor of Anatomic & Molecular Pathology at the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem stated that they
are proud to be part of the groundbreaking trial that brings cutting edge immunotherapy close to Nigerian patients with colorectal cancer.

Abdulkareem expressed that the collaboration demonstrates their commitment to advancing cancer care and ensuring that their patients benefit from the very best of global research.

Prof. Alatise stressed that MSK is one of the world’s top comprehensive cancer center with a vision to be the global authority on cancer and the institution launched the Global Cancer Research and Training (GCRT) program in 2011 to improve outcomes for people with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), with a focus on collaborative research and training efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.

He further explained that through the GCKT Program, MSK formed a partnership in 2013 with OAU Teaching Hospital that’s one of the foremost teaching hospitals in Nigeria established the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO), a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-recognized consortium to facilitate cancer research and training initiatives in Nigeria.

Dr Peter Kingham, Co-principal Investigator, Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgeon and Director, Global Cancer Research and Training at MSK, emphasised that this trial builds on a groundbreaking study conducted at MSK significantly transformed treatment options for some patients with colorectal cancer.

Kingham assured that this pioneering trial will lead to a similar shift in treatment possibilities for Nigerian colorectal cancer patients, offering them a greater chance for cure and aligning with organisations which share the same objectives are building a sustainable model of patient-centric care.

Also, Dr Tolulope Adewole, the Chief Executive Officer of Medserve, emphasised that at MedServe, they strive to achieve equitable cancer care in innovative ways which includes strategic partnerships that prioritize access, affordability, and excellent patient care.

Dr Adewole re-emphasised that quality oncology care should not be a privilege,but must be the minimum standard irrespective of location.

He said that the trial will be conducted in strict adherence to all institutional guidelines and ethical standards including continuous monitoring of patient safety and prompt reporting of any adverse events.

Prof. Alatise maintained that the study’s approval also emphasises the importance of ensuring all informed consent forms carry the HREC-assigned number and approval dates, with regular annual reports to maintain approval
throughout the trial’s duration.

Support from the NHREC and the NAFDAC underscores Nigeria’s commitment to advancing medical
research and improving health outcomes for its citizens. This clinical trial is a crucial step toward addressing gaps in cancer treatment in the region and could pave the way for future cancer research
across Africa.

Others that contributed were:Dr Sharif Folorunso, a Consultant Medical & Radiation; Oncologist, OAUTHC, who spoke on “prevention of cancer”, charged for eating balance diet regularly, maintaining personal hygiene, be active and early detention and treatment.

Dr Funmilola Wuraola, a Consultant Breast Surgeon at OAUTHC delivered lecture on “Prevention of Common Women’s Cancer”, charged ladies and women to ensure hospitals and home screening of their breast and cervixes regularly and take available vaccines.

Others delivered were: Dr Adeleye Omisore, a Consultant Radiologist, OAUTHC; Prof. Olalekan Olasehinde, a Surgeon at OAUTHC and African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO).

And Dr Dolapo Omoyiola, Hematologist/Medical Oncologist, OAUTHC, Mrs Salawu T.F. DDNS, Phase 11, OAUTHC.