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 was made at a news conference held on Monday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.
It was reported 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 immune system—to fight colorectal cancer.
The trial brings together a coalition of partners from Medserve, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), and LUTH in Nigeria, collaborating with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), a global leader in cancer care based in the United States.
Speaking, Olusegun Alatise, Professor of Surgery at OAU and National Director of the 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 fewer than half of patients survive beyond one year after diagnosis. He noted that standard treatments, such as chemotherapy, have limited effectiveness for many patients.
Research revealed a vital insight: nearly 30 percent of Nigerian colorectal cancer patients possess a specific genetic profile known as mismatch-repair deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H).
While this genetic makeup makes their cancer resistant to chemotherapy, it also makes them strong 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 is formally titled PD-1 Blockade in Mismatch-Repair Deficient Colorectal Cancer in Nigeria, a Phase II clinical trial.
He added that before its launch, the trial underwent rigorous review and received full approval from the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), ensuring compliance with safety and ethical standards.
According to him, patients will be enrolled at two specialized centres: the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife and the 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 and Molecular Pathology at LUTH, said the trial is supported by a global network of expertise and funding.
She noted that MSKCC serves as the study sponsor and data coordinating centre, building on its Global Cancer Research and Training 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 of cure,” she said.
Dr Peter Kingham, Director of Global Cancer Research and Training at MSKCC, said that by aligning with organisations that share similar objectives, they are building a sustainable model of patient-centred care.
“Quality oncology care should not be a privilege; it must be the minimum standard, irrespective of location.”
Dr Tolulope Adewole, Chief Executive Officer of Medserve, said enrollment for the trial is 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.
