By Lilian U. Okoro
Medical leaders in the health sector have announced the official unveiling of a landmark clinical trial offering new hope to patients battling advanced colorectal cancer.
The announcement took place at a news conference held at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the historic study marks the first time in sub-Saharan Africa that doctors will use immunotherapy—a revolutionary treatment that harnesses the body’s own immune system—to fight colorectal cancer.
The trial brought together a powerful coalition of partners from Medserve, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and LUTH in Nigeria, working collaboratively with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), a world leader in cancer care based in the United States.
Speaking, Olusegun Alatise, a Professor of Surgery, OAU and National Director, African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO), said the initiative addresses a critical health challenge.
According to him, colorectal cancer is a growing concern in Nigeria, where currently fewer than half of patients survive more than one year after diagnosis, saying that, for many standard treatments such as chemotherapy have limited effectiveness.
Research revealed a vital insight: nearly 30 percent of Nigerian colorectal cancer patients possess a specific genetic profile—known medically as mismatch-repair deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H).
While this genetic makeup makes their cancer resistant to chemotherapy, it renders them excellent candidates for immunotherapy.
“The approval of this trial marks an important milestone in the fight against colorectal cancer in Nigeria.
“Our research could provide vital insights into novel treatment strategies, particularly for patients with limited therapeutic options due to genetic mutations,” he said.
Alatise explained that the study, was formally titled “PD-1 Blockade in Mismatch-Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer in Nigeria,”- a Phase II clinical trial.
He added that before launch, the trial underwent rigorous review and received full approval from both the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), ensuring compliance with standards of safety and ethics.
According to him, patients will be enrolled at two specialised centres: the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife and Medserve LUTH Cancer Centre in Lagos.
“We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking trial that brings cutting-edge immunotherapy closer to Nigerian patients with colorectal cancer.
“This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to advancing cancer care and ensuring that our patients benefit from the very best of global research,” he said.
Prof. Fatimah Abdulkareem, Professor of Anatomic & Molecular Pathology, LUTH, said the trial was supported by a global network of expertise and funding.
Abdulkareem said that MSKCC serves as the study sponsor and data coordinating centre, building on its Global Cancer Research and Training (GCRT) programme launched in 2011.
“The drug is supplied by BeOne Medicines, while BioVentures for Global Health provided crucial support in navigating regulatory approvals. The Thompson Family Foundation is providing partial funding.
“”This trial builds on a groundbreaking study conducted at MSKCC that significantly transformed treatment options for some patients with colorectal cancer.
“We hope 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,” he said.
Dr Peter Kingham, Director, Global Cancer Research and Training, MSKCC, said, by aligning with organisations which share the same objectives, we are building a sustainable model of patient-centric care.
“Quality oncology care should not be a privilege; it must be the minimum standard irrespective of location.”
Dr Tolulope Adewole, the Chief Executive Officer, Medserve said that enrollment for the trial was now open at the designated centres for eligible patients.
PD-1 Blockade in Mismatch-Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer in Nigeria” is a Phase II clinical trial testing tislelizumab in patients with dMMR/MSI-H colorectal cancer.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Vivian Ihechu
