A University of Pretoria (UP) professor and a global interdisciplinary team of researchers have been awarded a Cancer Grand Challenges award for their efforts in addressing the challenge of cancer inequities.
The project, the Societal, Ancestry, Molecular, and Biological Analyses of Inequalities (Sambai), will receive funds of up to $ 25,000,000 (approximately R470.9-million, according to the April 2 exchange rate) for five years.
The UP project will take place in collaboration with other researchers in Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.
According to university spokesperson Sashlin Girraj, the project is set to run from July 1 this year until June 30, 2029.
UP professor Zodwa Dlamini shared how excited and humbled she was by the opportunity to make a real difference in global cancer disparities with Team Sambai.
“This award is not just a milestone but a testament to our dedication and the urgency of our cause,” she said.
The initiative is supported by the Cancer Grand Challenge, a global funding platform that supports diverse global teams to fight some of cancer’s toughest challenges.
Girraj said the project aimed to establish an extensive biobank and data repository to research disparities in cancer, particularly in populations with African ancestry.
He explained it aimed to develop more effective, targeted cancer treatments and interventions, improving health outcomes and equity.
“It involves a team of clinicians, advocates and scientists with expertise in computational biology, epidemiology, exposomics, genomics, and immunology across 15 institutions and four countries,” he said.
The project will also involve UP researchers under the leadership of Dlamini, who has expertise in genomics and cancer disparities research.
Girraj added that the project will examine how societal, environmental, genetic, and immunological factors contribute to cancer outcomes.
“It will focus on prostate, breast, and pancreatic cancers, which are aggressive and have a higher incidence of early-onset in black populations,” he said.
In her application for funding, Dlamini stated the project would contribute to a data repository for 40 000 patients.
She mentioned that the impact on that population included a novel trial design in collaboration with their patient advocacy partners.
“This is to ensure that the specific genomic and immunological features that we uncover become part of targeted precision oncology theragnostic options,” she said.
Girraj confirmed that Dlamini will establish a comprehensive exposome reference for analysing cancer health disparities in Africa within the Pan African Cancer Research Institute (Pacri) Sambai site.
He said this initiative was aligned with Pacri’s vision of advancing precision oncology and reducing health inequalities across the continent.
“With a focus on inclusivity and innovation, the site is poised to make a lasting impact on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment across the continent,” said Dlamini.
She emphasised that their participation in Team Sambai as the African site marked a significant step in cancer research and healthcare delivery in Africa.
Director of Cancer Grand Challenges, Dr David Scott, said their recent investment continued to grow their global research community and fund new teams to uncover discoveries that could impact cancer outcomes.
“Cancer Grand Challenges unites the world’s brightest minds across boundaries and disciplines and aims to overcome cancer’s toughest problems,” he said.
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