IRCE-IHVN Set to Host Symposium on Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease

The International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is set to host its 2^nd Annual Scientific Symposium on “Expanding Partnerships to Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Cancer Research” from August 14^th to 15th at the IHVN Campus in Abuja.

The two-day event will feature extensive presentations and discussions on health research in sickle cell disease and cancer and will include the diagnosis, care, treatment, and innovative applied research. The two-day symposium will bring together local and international experts such as the Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMB-SOM), Prof. Mark T. Gladwin, and Executive Director of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC), Prof. Taofeek K. Owonikoko who are accompanied by several senior faculty from UMB-SOM already involved in research activities in Nigeria.

Nigerian experts such as Dr. Obi Adigwe DG NIPRD, Prof Obigelli Nnodu and Dr. Paul Jibrin from AUTH, Dr Tola Adewole from NSIA, and several representatives from pharma and industry will also participate as speakers. Industrial partners will also have exhibitions booths.

Special Guest at the symposium, Dean Gladwin is an expert in pulmonary hypertension and sickle cell disease (SCD), Prof Gladwin’s research identified a novel disease mechanism, named hemolysis-associated endothelial dysfunction that brought attention to the resistance to nitric oxide in patients with diseases like sickle cell and, malaria. His studies on hemolysis-associated endothelial dysfunction have enabled the clinical and epidemiological characterization of a human disease syndrome known as hemolysis-associated pulmonary hypertension which poses a significant risk to patients with sickle cell anemia. He is currently heading a Phase II clinical trial, conducted across 22 sites in France, Brazil, and the U.S which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel blood transfusion technique that utilizes the patient’s blood to improve outcomes and extend survival in patients with sickle cell disease.

Nigerian-born Prof. Taofeek K. Owonikoko is a distinguished physician and scientist with a specialty in thoracic oncology and translational research. Prof. Owonikoko is the lead oncologist for the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).

IHVN CEO, Dr. Patrick Dakum pointed out that “this year also marks a significant milestone for IHVN as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Over the past two decades, IHVN has made remarkable strides in HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria through its two centers – the Center for Public Health Implementation (CPHI) and IRCE; and through strategic collaborations with the government of Nigeria, UMB-SOM and Institute of Human Virology (IHV) Baltimore- IHVN’s initial parent institution, and other institutions. We are excited to continue to extend such fruitful partnership to other key public health diseases such as SCD and Cancer.”

IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku said that since 2016, IRCE has leveraged on CPHI’s extensive programmatic experience and infrastructure to advance IHVN’s research agenda. It’s state of the art core laboratories, biorepository, clinical trial unit, and core of well-trained research staff have facilitated the conduct of ethically and culturally acceptable high-quality research, thus enabling the institution to provide data and evidence required to improve health care and ensure pandemic preparedness.

IRCE is one of the centers at IHVN. It was established in 2015 to promote public/private partnerships for quality research with capacity building. IRCE has been pivotal in pioneering innovative research toward improving healthcare services and building research capacity among young Nigerian investigators. The Center is implementing more than 40 funded research grants in infectious and non-infectious diseases in Nigeria to address local and global health challenges.

According to Prof Abimiku, “This second IRCE symposium builds on the first which was held last year, focused on ‘Addressing Local Health Challenges through Quality Research and Partnerships’ by extending collaboration to two important health challenges that targets the black population – SCD and Cancers. The symposium will be held yearly as an avenue to promote research on issues of public health relevance to Nigeria and the world and will continue to involve the government, research institutions, and our private and industry partners,”