OAUTH Unveils Nigeria’s First Immunotherapy Trialfor Colorectal Cancer!

OAUTH Unveils Nigeria’s First Immunotherapy Trial
for Colorectal Cancer!

Reported by Mustapha Labake Omowumi | Sele Media Africa Journalist

The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has officially launched Nigeria’s first clinical trial using immunotherapy to treat colorectal cancer, marking a major milestone in cancer care within the country and the sub-Saharan African region.
The groundbreaking initiative is a collaborative effort involving OAUTH, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), and Medserve’s NSIA-Diagnostic Centre, and is designed to provide free advanced cancer treatment to eligible colorectal cancer patients.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony held at the OAUTH complex, medical experts described the trial as a significant breakthrough that could transform colorectal cancer treatment outcomes in Nigeria, where late diagnosis and limited access to modern therapies remain major challenges.
The clinical trial focuses on PD-1 blockade immunotherapy, a treatment that works by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognise and destroy cancer cells. Patients enrolled in the study will receive the treatment at no cost across the three participating medical centres.
One of the lead investigators, Prof. Olusegun Alatise, Professor of Surgery at the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, disclosed that the research is being conducted in collaboration with the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in the United States, a globally recognised institution in cancer research and treatment.
According to him, the study has received all necessary regulatory clearances, including approvals from the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), ensuring compliance with international ethical and safety standards.
The launch of the trial coincided with World Cancer Day, underscoring the urgent need to address the rising burden of colorectal cancer in Nigeria, which continues to record high mortality rates largely due to delayed diagnosis and limited treatment options.
Eligible patients seeking to participate in the trial have been advised to visit OAUTH, LUTH, or the Medserve NSIA-Diagnostic Centre in Lagos for screening and possible enrolment.
The initiative places Nigeria at the forefront of advanced cancer research and treatment in Africa, offering renewed hope to patients with hard-to-treat colorectal cancer and opening pathways for future immunotherapy-based research in the country.

Citation:
1.Punch Newspapers article https://punchng.com/oauth-unveils-nigerias-first-immunotherapy-trial-for-colorectal-cancer/

2.ClinicalTrials.gov study entry https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06529523

About The Author

Mustapha Labake Omowumi

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Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.

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