HAEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP

HAEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Department of Haematology & Immunology
Faculty of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine
University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC), Enugu
Name of Research Group: HAEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
Contact person: Dr. Sunday Ocheni email: sunday.ocheni@unn.edu.ng
Introduction
The Haematology Oncology Research Group is located within the Oncology Research Centre, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria. We provide teaching, research and expert services for both University of Nigeria and the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital within the premises of the Oncology Centre of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. We currently have a Team comprising Academic research scientists and Consultants from the Department of Haematology & Immunology and the Department of Paediatrics, providing research and expert management of several haematological malignancies.
Our immediate interests are aimed at developing facilities to improve our understanding of the immunobiology of haematological neoplasms. On the long term, we aim to develop better methods to help in our diagnosis and treatment of haematological cancers towards achieving better outcomes.
Towards achieving this, we are trying to put in place the following facilities:
Immunophenotyping- At the moment, we still rely on morphology for our diagnostics, but we are trying to purchase single monoclonal antibody kits for the various clusters of differentiation antigens (CD) to improve our diagnosis. Preferably, as soon as funds are available, we plan to buy multi-parameter flow cytometry/Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) machines.
Cytogenetics/Mutational studies- Our current priorities include putting in place facilities for BCR-ABL transcript testing and quantification, JAK2 mutations analysis, chimerism studies (using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism), NPM1 & FLT3 mutation studies, and other Florescence in-situ Hybridization (FISH) studies.
For our myeloma patients, we plan to improve on our management protocols, using risk stratification to guide our choice of treatment protocols. In this regard, we plan to start routine testing for t(4;14) and 17p13 deletion by FISH and conventional cytogenetics. Risk stratification will enable us identify multiple myeloma patients who are at high genetic risk for early progression after conventional therapies.
We plan to commence autologous and allogeneic haemtopoietic stem cell transplantation following high dose radiochemotherapy to improve outcomes in our patients. This will be an area of research that will enable us participate in several international multi-centre studies.
MEMBERS OF THE HAEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
S/N Name Designation Department
1. Dr. Sunday Ocheni Reader Haematology & immunology 2. Professor Iheanyi Okpala Professor Haematology & immunology
3. Professor Ifeoma Emodi Professor Paediatrics
4. Dr. Obike Ibegbulam Reader Haematology & Immunology
5. Dr. Anthony Ikefuna Snr Lecturer Paediatrics
6. Dr. Bartholomew Chukwu Snr Lecturer Paediatrics
7. Dr. Anazoeze Madu Lecturer Haematology & Immunology
8. Dr. Theresa Nwagha Lecturer Haematology & Immunology