Nigeria Launches First Immunotherapy Trial for Colorectal Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa
Key Insights
Nigeria has launched its first clinical trial using immunotherapy for colorectal cancer (search), marking a historic milestone as the first such trial in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Phase II study will test PD-1 blockade (search) therapy using tislelizumab in patients with mismatch-repair deficient colorectal cancer (search), a genetic mutation affecting nearly 30% of Nigerian colorectal cancer (search) patients.
The trial represents a global collaboration between Nigerian institutions (OAU, LUTH, Medserve (search)) and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, offering free treatment to enrolled patients.
A groundbreaking clinical trial has commenced in Nigeria, marking the first use of immunotherapy for colorectal cancer (search) treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. The Phase II study, officially approved by Nigeria's National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), will explore PD-1 blockade (search) therapy in patients with mismatch-repair deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer.
Global Collaboration Addresses Critical Health Gap
The trial represents a historic collaboration between Nigerian institutions—Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (search) (LUTH), and Medserve (search)—and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), a leading U.S. cancer treatment facility. Patients will be recruited and treated at OAU in Ile-Ife, Osun State, and at LUTH and Medserve's NSIA Diagnostic Centre in Lagos, with all treatment provided at no cost to participants.
"The approval of this trial marks an important milestone in the fight against colorectal cancer (search) in Nigeria," said Olusegun Isaac Alatise, co-principal investigator and Professor of Surgery at OAU's Faculty of Clinical Sciences. "Our research could provide vital insights into novel treatment strategies, particularly for patients with limited therapeutic options due to genetic mutations."
Addressing a Growing Health Crisis
Colorectal cancer (search) presents a significant health challenge in Nigeria, with less than half of patients surviving one year after diagnosis. The trial specifically targets patients with dMMR or microsatellite instability-high (search) (MSI-H) tumors, genetic mutations that affect nearly 30 percent of all Nigerian colorectal cancer patients and often fail to respond to traditional chemotherapy treatments.
Research conducted in other countries has demonstrated that immunotherapy shows high effectiveness in colorectal patients with dMMR mutations, providing the scientific rationale for this Nigerian study.
Treatment Protocol and Drug Supply
The study, titled "PD-1 (search) (Programmed Cell Death Protein (search)) Blockade in Mismatch-Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer (search) in Nigeria," will utilize tislelizumab, an immunotherapy drug that harnesses patients' own immune systems to fight cancer. BeOne Medicines (search) will supply and distribute the medication, while BioVentures for Global Health (search) supports regulatory approvals in Nigeria.
MSK serves as the study sponsor and data coordinating center, working closely with the Nigerian research teams. The Thompson Family Foundation (search) provides partial funding for the initiative.
Building on Established Partnerships
This trial builds upon MSK's Global Cancer Research and Training (GCRT) program, launched in 2011 to improve cancer outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Through a 2013 partnership with OAU Teaching Hospital, MSK established the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO), a National Cancer Institute-recognized consortium facilitating cancer research and training initiatives in Nigeria.
"This trial builds on a groundbreaking study conducted at MSK that significantly transformed treatment options for some patients with colorectal cancer (search)," said T. Peter Kingham, MD, FACS, co-principal investigator and Director of Global Cancer Research and Training at MSK. "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."
Commitment to Research Excellence
Fatimah Abdulkareem, co-principal investigator and Professor of Anatomic & Molecular Pathology at LUTH, emphasized the significance of bringing advanced cancer treatment to Nigerian patients. "We are proud to be part of this groundbreaking trial that brings cutting-edge immunotherapy closer to Nigerian patients with colorectal cancer (search)," she stated.
The trial will adhere to strict institutional guidelines and ethical standards, including continuous patient safety monitoring and prompt adverse event reporting. Regular annual reports will maintain approval throughout the study's duration.
Dr. Tolulope Adewole, CEO of Medserve (search), highlighted the initiative's patient-centric approach: "At MedServe, we strive to achieve equitable cancer care in innovative ways including strategic partnerships that prioritize access, affordability, and excellent patient care. Quality oncology care should not be a privilege; it must be the minimum standard irrespective of location."
The trial's launch coincides with World Cancer Day celebrations, underscoring its significance in advancing cancer treatment accessibility across Africa and potentially paving the way for future oncology research throughout the continent.