The Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), in collaboration with MedServe Cancer Center, has launched Nigeria’s first immunotherapy clinical trial for colorectal cancer, marking a significant milestone in the country’s cancer research and treatment landscape.
The groundbreaking study is being conducted in partnership with the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), with international support from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, which serves as the sponsor and data coordinating centre. Additional backing is provided by the African Research Group for Oncology (ARGO) and the Thompson Family Foundation.
The Principal Investigators for the trial include Professor Fatimah Abdulkareem, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), and Consultant Pathologist at LUTH, who leads the study at the Lagos site. She is joined by Professor Olusegun Alatise of the Department of Surgery at OAUTHC, who co-leads the trial at the Ile-Ife study location.
The clinical trial represents a major step forward in expanding access to cutting-edge cancer therapies in Nigeria. Immunotherapy, which harnesses the body’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, has transformed colorectal cancer treatment outcomes in advanced healthcare systems worldwide. However, access to such innovative treatments has remained limited across much of sub-Saharan Africa.
By situating the trial within Nigerian institutions, researchers aim to generate context-specific data on the effectiveness and safety of immunotherapy among local populations. The initiative is also expected to strengthen research capacity, enhance clinical infrastructure, and provide eligible patients with access to novel treatment options previously unavailable within the country.
Medical experts have described the development as a landmark moment for oncology research in Nigeria, signalling the growing role of Nigerian scientists and institutions in global clinical research collaborations.
Stakeholders say the trial not only advances cancer care but also reinforces Nigeria’s position within the international medical research community, paving the way for future innovations in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
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