Prof. Olusegun Alatise, a Surgeon at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, has launched the first immunotherapy trial for patients with colorectal cancer.
Alatise, who doubles as the Principal Investigator, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), made the declaration at a News Conference at OAUTHC, on Wednesday, in Ile-Ife.
He explained that Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife collaborated with University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Federal Medical Centre, Owo and University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Others were: Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, National Teaching Hospital, Abuja, and University Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, with 35 other academic institutions collaborating against challenges facing the treatment of colorectal cancer across the country.
According to him, colorectal cancer is a growing health problem in Nigeria with less than half of Nigerian patients with colorectal cancer living one year after diagnosis.
He stated further that nearly 30 per cent of all Nigerian patients with colorectal cancer have Microsatellite Instability-high (MSI-H) and this genetic mutation often does not respond to traditional treatment options such as chemotherapy.
The Surgeon emphasized that research in other countries has shown that immunotherapy is highly effective in colorectal patients with Mismatch-Repair Deficiency (dMMR).
"Abroad, not all that have cancer pay out of their pockets, but look for trials to enroll and get treated freely, but in Nigeria, few of those trials are found in Africa concentrated in South Africa and Egypt," he decried.
The Principal Investigator said that the National Health Research Ethics Committee of Nigeria (NHREC) is responsible for ensuring that all health research conducted in Nigeria is ethical and globally compliant.
He warned people against late presentation, and reiterated that patients will be recruited and treated at OAUTHC in Ile-Ife and LUTH and Medserve's NSIA-Diagnosis centre in Lagos.
Accordingly, investigators from MSK will work closely with the teams from OAU, LUTH and Medserve's on research as well as BioVentures for Global Health will support the regulatory approvals in Nigeria.
He also commended the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for giving their full support; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Medserve cancer centre and BeOne Medicines for supplying and distributing the immunotherapy drug tislelizumab to treat patients freely.
Others that contributed were: Dr Sharif Folorunso, a Consultant Medical & Radiation Oncologist, OAUTHC, who spoke on "prevention of cancer", and charged people to eat balanced diet regularly, maintain personal hygiene, be active and ensure early detection and treatment.
Dr Funmilola Wuraola, a Consultant Breast Surgeon at OAUTHC delivered a lecture on "Prevention of Common Women's Cancer", and charged ladies and women to ensure hospital and home screening of their breasts and cervixes regularly and take available vaccines.
Others who delivered lectures 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 II, OAUTHC.
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