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Croxton T, Agala N, Jonathan E, Balogun O, Ozumba PJ, Onyemata E, Lawal S, Mamven M, Ajayi S, Melikam SE, Owolabi M, Ovbiagele B, Adu D, Ojo A, Beiswanger CM, Abimiku A. H3Africa partnerships to empower clinical research sites to generate high-quality biological samples. Afr J Lab Med 2020; 9:935. [PMID: 32284923 PMCID: PMC7136697 DOI: 10.4102/ajlm.v9i1.935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) – Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa) Biorepository (I-HAB) seeks to provide high-quality biospecimens for research. This depends on the ability of clinical research sites (CRS) – who provide biospecimens – to operate according to well-established industry standards. Yet, standards are often neglected at CRSs located in Africa. Here, I-HAB reports on its four-pronged approach to empower CRSs to prepare high-quality biospecimens for research. Objectives I-HAB sought (1) to assess a four-pronged approach to improve biobanking practices and sample quality among CRSs, and (2) to build human capacity. Methods I-HAB partnered with two H3Africa principal investigators located in Nigeria and Ghana from August 2013 through to May 2017 to debut its four-pronged approach (needs assessment, training and mentorship, pilot, and continuous quality improvement) to empower CRSs to attain high-quality biospecimens. Results Close collaborations were instrumental in establishing mutually beneficial and lasting relationships. Improvements during the 12 months of engagement with CRSs involved personnel, procedural, and supply upgrades. In total, 51 staff were trained in over 20 topics. During the pilot, CRSs extracted 50 DNA biospecimens from whole blood and performed quality control. The CRSs shipped extracted DNA to I-HAB and I-HAB that comparatively analysed the DNA. Remediation was achieved via recommendations, training, and mentorship. Preanalytical, analytical and post-analytical processes, standard operating procedures, and workflows were systematically developed. Conclusion Partnerships between I-HAB and H3Africa CRSs enabled research sites to produce high-quality biospecimens through needs assessment, training and mentorship, pilot, and continuous monitoring and improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talishiea Croxton
- Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.,Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Ndidi Agala
- Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | | | - Shefiya Lawal
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Manmak Mamven
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Samuel Ajayi
- Department of Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - Mayowa Owolabi
- Center for Genomic and Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Bruce Ovbiagele
- Department of Neurology, University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana
| | - Dwomoa Adu
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
| | - Akinlolu Ojo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Christine M Beiswanger
- Coriell Institute for Medical Research, Camden, New Jersey.,Independent Contractor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Alash'le Abimiku
- Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.,Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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Emerging proteomics biomarkers and prostate cancer burden in Africa. Oncotarget 2018; 8:37991-38007. [PMID: 28388542 PMCID: PMC5514967 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Various biomarkers have emerged via high throughput omics-based approaches for use in diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of prostate cancer. Many of these have yet to be demonstrated as having value in routine clinical practice. Moreover, there is a dearth of information on validation of these emerging prostate biomarkers within African cohorts, despite the huge burden and aggressiveness of prostate cancer in men of African descent. This review focusses of the global landmark achievements in prostate cancer proteomics biomarker discovery and the potential for clinical implementation of these biomarkers in Africa. Biomarker validation processes at the preclinical, translational and clinical research level are discussed here, as are the challenges and prospects for the evaluation and use of novel proteomic prostate cancer biomarkers.
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Mayne ES, Croxton T, Abimiku A, Joloba M, Kyobe S, Beiswanger CM, Wideroff L, Guyer M, Troyer J, Kader M, H3Africa Biorepository Working Grou. Genes for Life: Biobanking for Genetic Research in Africa. Biopreserv Biobank 2017. [PMCID: PMC5397245 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2017.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Sarah Mayne
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Haemotology, University of the Witwatersrand, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Talishiea Croxton
- Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
- University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Alash'le Abimiku
- Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
- University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | | | | | | | | | - Mark Guyer
- National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - Mukthar Kader
- Clinical Laboratory Services, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Abimiku A, Mayne ES, Joloba M, Beiswanger CM, Troyer J, Wideroff L, H3Africa Biorepository Working Grou. H3Africa Biorepository Program: Supporting Genomics Research on African Populations by Sharing High-Quality Biospecimens. Biopreserv Biobank 2017. [DOI: 10.1089/bio.2017.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alash'le Abimiku
- International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Elizabeth Sarah Mayne
- Molecular Medicine and Haematology, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Moses Joloba
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christine M. Beiswanger
- International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas J. Astrin
- Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn, Germany
| | - Fay Betsou
- Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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Staunton C, Moodley K. Challenges in biobank governance in Sub-Saharan Africa. BMC Med Ethics 2013; 14:35. [PMID: 24025667 PMCID: PMC3849982 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6939-14-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological sample and data transfer within and out of Africa is steeped in controversy With the H3Africa project now aiming to establish biobanks in Africa, it is essential that there are ethical and legal governance structures in place to oversee the operation of these biobanks. Such governance is essential to ensuring that donors are protected, that cultural perspectives are respected and that researchers have a ready availability of ethically sourced biological samples. METHODS A literature review of all legislation, regulations, guidelines and standard operating procedures on informed consent, confidentiality and the transfer of biological samples amongst countries in Sub-Saharan Africa was conducted. In addition, an examination of the websites of departments of health and national ethics committees was performed. Researchers and research ethics scholars in the field in various African countries were contacted for assistance. A literature review of all studies examining participants views on issues related to biobanking in Africa was carried out and five separate studies were found. RESULTS It was found that biobanking guidelines differ substantially across Sub-Saharan Africa regarding biobanking and often conflicted across borders. This has the potential to negatively impact collaboration. Furthermore, the guidelines in place often do not recognise the ethical difficulties arising from the transfer of biological samples and are unsuitable to regulate biobanks. Additionally, there is insufficient research into the views of research participants and stakeholders on the use of biological /samples. CONCLUSION Collaboration is necessary to ensure the success of biobanking projects in Africa. To achieve this, there should be some harmonization of guidelines across Africa which would aid in transferring biological samples across borders. These guidelines should reflect the unique ethical issues arising out of the storage and secondary uses of biological samples. Finally, further research into the views of research participants is necessary. Such studies should aid in the drafting of any new harmonization guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara Staunton
- Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Keymanthri Moodley
- Centre for Medical Ethics and Law, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Kamal SM, Warnich L, Ferguson LR, Srivastava S, Ray S, Avard D, Joly Y, Le Huynh M, Page M, Masellis M, Dove ES, Gurwitz D, Ozdemir V. Forward Look: Tenth Anniversary of the Human Genome Sequence and 21 Century Postgenomics Global Health - A Close Up on Africa and Women's Health. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 9:148-155. [PMID: 22279516 DOI: 10.2174/187569211796957511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sanaa M Kamal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Tropical Medicine, Ain Shams Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
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