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Simbiri KO, Williams CK, Macaluso M, Giordano A. Promoting Cancer Control in Africa With "Ubuntu": A Report of the African Organization for Research and Training in Africa (AORTIC) 10th Conference, 2015 in Marrakech, Morocco. J Cell Physiol 2016; 232:2287-2295. [PMID: 27800606 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), includes bringing products of decades of advances in cancer research to African populations through local and international collaboration. The consistent and huge growth in participation in the conferences and the diversity of the nations is a witness to the success of the organization thus far. The theme for the Tenth AORTIC International Conference on Cancer in Africa in Morocco in 2015 was "Road map to Cancer Control in Africa" and topics of discussion of paramount importance for low- and middle-income African countries included childhood cancers such as BL, cancers of the cervix, breast, and prostate; cancers associated with HIV-infection such as cervical, vulvar, and anal; as well as cancer care challenges associated with palliative care. The role of environmental factors that underlie some epigenetic changes in some of the cancers was emphasized. Oral and poster presentations from various parts of the continent indicate the growth of basic and translational science of cancer in the region, with studies revealing regional diversity in the frequencies of the triple-negative breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, HCC, and Burkitt's lymphoma. There was a sign that Africa is trying to keep pace with the paradigm shift and focusing on translational medicine. This was shown by suggestions for application of genome-wide association studies, new generation sequencing, as well as the evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms that may be responsible for variable susceptibility in some of the prevalent cancers in people of African descent. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 2287-2295, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth O Simbiri
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.,Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Bondo, Kenya
| | - Christopher K Williams
- Hematology Oncology Consultancy, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and University of Washington Center for AIDS Research, Port Angeles, Washington
| | - Marcella Macaluso
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Affiliation(s)
- Bishal Gyawali
- Department of Hemato-Oncology, Nobel Hospital, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal
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Rogena EA, Simbiri KO, De Falco G, Leoncini L, Ayers L, Nyagol J. A review of the pattern of AIDS defining, HIV associated neoplasms and premalignant lesions diagnosed from 2000-2011 at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. Infect Agent Cancer 2015; 10:28. [PMID: 26306097 PMCID: PMC4547426 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-015-0021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sub-Sahara Africa hosts up to 71 % of all HIV infected people in the world. With this high incidence of Human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV) comes the burden of co-morbidities such as malignant and premalignant lesions. Aids defining malignancies have been listed as Kaposi’s sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. People with HIV/AIDS(PLWAS) have a higher risk of developing these neoplasms than the rest of the population. The pathogenesis of these neoplasms in people with HIV has been linked to immune suppression, persistent antigenic stimulation and cytokine dysregulation. Current study analyzes and presents the patterns and trends in the presentation of HIV related malignancies in patients diagnosed through histopathology at Kenyatta National Hospital. Aim To describe the patterns of AIDS- defining and non-AIDS- defining malignancies and premalignant lesions 10 years pre- and post HAART period at Kenyatta National hospital, Kenya. Methods and techniques This was a hospital based descriptive cross sectional study. The Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) blocks and histological reports of patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2011 were traced from archives. The patients’ demographic data and clinical presentation was entered in an excel spreadsheet and the diagnosis and coding confirmed by a histopathologist. The data was then cleaned and analyzed using SSPS version 17.0 Ink. Results A total of 173 lesions were reviewed and analyzed. Of these 118 (68 %) were from females and 55 from males (32 %). The male to female ratio was 1:2. The age range was from two to 56 years with a median of 36 years. Kaposi sarcoma is the leading AIDS defining malignancy in Kenya while invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva is the leading non-AIDS defining malignancy. This is closely followed by invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and NHL. Conclusion Kaposi sarcoma is the leading AIDS associated neoplasm in Kenya. Physicians and caretakers managing and following up on HIV/AIDS patients should look out for Kaposi sarcoma as a form of IRIS following the institution of HAART in all HIV/AIDS patients. The incidence of invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva is increasing in PLWAS in Kenya. There is therefore a need to introduce early screening programs for squamous intraepithelial neoplasm of the conjunctiva in HIV/AIDS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Rogena
- Thematic Unit of Anatomic pathology, Department of Human pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi (KNH CAMPUS), PO BOX 55050 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kenneth O Simbiri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, New York, USA
| | - G De Falco
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - L Leoncini
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, via Delle Scotte, 6, Siena, 53100 Italy
| | - Leona Ayers
- Mid region AIDS Cancer specimen resource, (NCI), Ohio State University, 2046, Innovation Centre 2001 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43240 USA
| | - J Nyagol
- Thematic Unit of Immunology Department of Human pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi (KNH CAMPUS), PO BOX 19676 00202, Nairobi, Kenya
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Miguel F, Conceição AV, Lopes LV, Bernardo D, Monteiro F, Bessa F, Santos C, Oliveira JB, Santos LL. Establishing of cancer units in low or middle income African countries: Angolan experience--a preliminary report. Pan Afr Med J 2014; 19:291. [PMID: 25883719 PMCID: PMC4393956 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2014.19.291.5320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The number of cancer cases and related deaths worldwide is expected to double over the next 20-30 years. African countries will be the most affected by the burden of cancer. The improving economic situation of Angola creates conditions for an increase in life expectancy which by itself is associated with an increased risk of oncological diseases. Because cancer therapy requires a multidisciplinary approach, trained health professionals, satisfactory infrastructure and appropriate facilities, the availability of effective cancer therapy is a difficult task that requires support. The aim of this article is to share our experience achieved in the establishment of cancer units in Angola and to validate our checklist for this action. METHODS The survey method was a questionnaire addressed to Angolan cancer units, in order to evaluate the usefulness and feasibility of a checklist developed by the authors--The Cancer Units Assessment Checklist for low or middle income African countries--which was used previously in the establishment of those units. Afterwards, the crucial steps taken for the establishing of the main sites of each cancer unit considering, facilities, resources and professionals, were also recorded. RESULTS All cancer units reported that the checklist was a useful tool in the development of the cancer program for the improvement of the unit or the establishing of cancer unit sites. This instrument helped identifying resources, defining the best practice and identifying barriers. Local experts, who know the best practices in oncology and who are recognized by the local heads, are also important and they proved to be the major facilitators. CONCLUSION The fight against cancer has just started in Angola. The training, education, advocacy and legislation are ongoing. According to our results, the assessment checklist for the establishment of cancer units is a useful instrument.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Cristina Santos
- Cancer Unit of Sagrada Esperança Clinic, Luanda, Angola ; ONCOCIR- Education and Care in Oncology, Angola
| | | | - Lúcio Lara Santos
- National Oncology Centre, Luanda, Angola ; ONCOCIR- Education and Care in Oncology, Angola ; Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group and Surgical Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology, Porto, Portugal
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Simbiri KO, Biddle J, Kinyera T, Were PA, Tenge C, Kawira E, Masalu N, Sumba PO, Lawler-Heavner J, Stefan CD, Buonaguro FM, Robinson D, Newton R, Harford J, Bhatia K, Mbulaiteye SM. Burkitt lymphoma research in East Africa: highlights from the 9(th) African organization for research and training in cancer conference held in Durban, South Africa in 2013. Infect Agent Cancer 2014; 9:32. [PMID: 25686906 PMCID: PMC4163050 DOI: 10.1186/1750-9378-9-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A one-day workshop on Burkitt lymphoma (BL) was held at the 9(th) African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) conference in 2013 in Durban, South Africa. The workshop featured 15 plenary talks by delegates representing 13 institutions that either fund or implement research on BL targeting AORTIC delegates primarily interested in pediatric oncology. The main outcomes of the meeting were improved sharing of knowledge and experience about ongoing epidemiologic BL research, BL treatment in different settings, the role of cancer registries in cancer research, and opportunities for African scientists to publish in scientific journals. The idea of forming a consortium of BL to improve coordination, information sharing, accelerate discovery, dissemination, and translation of knowledge and to build capacity, while reducing redundant efforts was discussed. Here, we summarize the presentations and discussions from the workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth O Simbiri
- State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joshua Biddle
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Esther Kawira
- EMBLEM Study, Shirati Health Education and Development (SHED) Foundation, Shirati, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Robert Newton
- University of York, Heslington, York, United Kingdom/Medical Research Council/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France
| | - Joe Harford
- National Institutes of Health/NCI/DCEG, 9609 Medical Center Dr, Rm. 6E118 MSC 9704, Bethesda, MD 20892-9704, USA
| | - Kishor Bhatia
- National Institutes of Health/NCI/DCEG, 9609 Medical Center Dr, Rm. 6E118 MSC 9704, Bethesda, MD 20892-9704, USA
| | - Sam M Mbulaiteye
- National Institutes of Health/NCI/DCEG, 9609 Medical Center Dr, Rm. 6E118 MSC 9704, Bethesda, MD 20892-9704, USA
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