Basic and Translational Cancer Research Group

Basic and Translational Cancer Research Group

Research Focus: Basic and Translational Cancer Research Group, University of Nigeria Nsukka, encompasses a board scope of disciplines. Cancer research as a discipline has a remarkable integration of all forms of biological science from animal models to cell biology, genomics, informatics and therapeutics. Precisely, our focus includes cancer biology; biomarkers and diagnostics; chemical carcinogenesis; epigenetics regulation or epigenetics of cancer; diet/epigenetic mediated tumorigenesis; nutrient roles in cancer prevention and therapy; experimental models of human cancer; targeted therapies; cancer associated thrombosis; immune- oncology; computational analysis of cancer genomes and novel approaches to cancer treatments based on patient genetics. Our objective is to address the burning questions in oncology (disparities) and achieve from bench to bedside to better improve the outcome of cancer patients.

Title of most recent research project: Genomic Profiling of Nigerian Breast Tumour Microenvironment by Estrogen Receptor Status

A maximum of seven (7) other current or completed research projects

  • “Cancer Xenograft in Mice Models Derived from a Nigerian Woman”
  • “Breast Tumour Xenograft from Nigerian Women: A Tool for investigation of Breast Cancer Metastasis”

Name of the Coordinator: Dr Uzoamaka Okoli

UNN email address of the RG: btcancerresearch@unn.edu.ng

UNN email address of the coordinator: Uzoamaka.okoli@unn.edu.ng

UNN webpage:

Current webpage of the RG: https://collegeofmedicine.unn.edu.ng/education/research/research-groups/btcrg

Phone number of the RG: +2348101510072

Phone number of the coordinator: +2348101510072

Base Faculty/Institute/Center of the RG: Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences (Formerly Faculty of Medical Sciences)

Department of the Coordinator: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, UNEC

Headshot of the coordinator:

 

  Members 

Faculty of Medical Sciences

Department of Surgery:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kenneth-Agu

Department of Haematology: Prof Theresa Nwagha

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=HJ1lPCAAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Theresa-Nwagha

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics

  • Dr Uzoamaka Okoli

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5Jbx_jkAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Uzoamaka-Okoli-2

Department of Physiology: Dr Ifeoma Orizu

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ck8kkM4AAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ifeoma-Orizu-2

Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Mr Zedech Uche

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=mYlOne8AAAAJ&hl=en

Mr Nonso Ejiofor: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nonso-Ejiofor

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=s4cM_oIAAAAJ&hl=en

 

10 key publications of the RG from 2019 till date

  • Uzoamaka A. Okoli. Comparison of RUNX1, RUNX2, RUNX3 and CBFβ gene expression in breast tumors Indicate ethnic differences and similarities by receptor status [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-150. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7755.DISP21-PO-150
  • Okoli UA et al. Characterization and establishment of triple negative breast cancer patient derived xenograft derived from a Nigerian woman [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1679. https://doi.org/10.1158/1538-7445.AM2020-1679
  • Okoli UA et al. Methodology for processing mastectomy and cryopreservation of breast cancer tissue in a resource- poor setting: A pilot study. Cryobiology. 2020 Dec;97:179-184. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2020.05.006. Epub 2020 Jun 18. PMID: 32562613. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32562613/
  • Chulkwunonso Ikwueze et al. A review of current and future prospects in cancer prevention and chemotherapy. West African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research — Vol. 33 No. 1 (2019): https://www.ajol.info/index.php/wajpdr/cart/view/204788/193109
  • Okafor MT, Okoli UA et al 2023. Cannabis as medicine: The pros and cons DOI: 10.4103/ijmh.IJMH_69_22  https://www.ijmhdev.com/article.asp?issn=2635-3695;year=2023;volume=28;issue=2;spage=81;epage=86;aulast=Okafor;type=0