ABUTH-Led Niraparib Trial Opens New Frontiers for Ovarian Cancer Research in Africa

The multinational study seeks to generate evidence on the safety and effectiveness of a targeted therapy among women of African ancestry while strengthening Nigeria's capacity for oncology research and precision medicine. Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, has launched a landmark clinical trial of Niraparib, an oral targeted therapy for women living with advanced ovarian cancer, in what experts have described as a significant milestone for cancer research and treatment in Africa. The study, the first of its kind focusing on women of African ancestry, will evaluate the safety, tolerability and metabolism of Niraparib as maintenance therapy following first-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer. Speaking during the launch ceremony at the hospital's main auditorium in Shika, Zaria, the Chief Medical Director of ABUTH and Principal Investigator of the study, Prof. Ahmed Hamisu Umdagas, described ovarian cancer as a "silent killer" that disproportionately affects Black women, who are often diagnosed late and experience poorer survival outcomes than many other populations. He noted that less than five per cent of participants in global ovarian cancer clinical trials are Black women, creating a significant gap in medical evidence for African patients. "Today, we are writing our own history. Africa will no longer wait for answers from elsewhere; Africa will contribute answers to the world," he said. The multinational study will recruit 70 women across three countries, including 40 participants in the United States, 20 at ABUTH in Nigeria, and 10 in the Bahamas. According to Prof. Umdagas, all treatment, investigations and follow-up care for participants enrolled in the study will be provided free of charge. Niraparib is an oral targeted medicine known as a PARP inhibitor, a class of drugs that works by preventing cancer cells from repairing damaged DNA, thereby slowing disease progression and helping to prolong the period patients remain free of recurrence after initial treatment. International collaborator and cancer specialist from the University of Miami, Prof. Matthew Schlumbrecht, said the study represents an important step toward addressing longstanding disparities in cancer research, noting that women of African ancestry have historically been underrepresented in studies involving innovative cancer therapies. Researchers say the study will also investigate whether genetic and biological differences influence how women of African ancestry respond to the drug, an area that has received limited attention in global oncology research. Ovarian cancer remains one of the deadliest gynaecological cancers worldwide, with many women diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options become more limited. Experts believe findings from the study could contribute to more personalised treatment approaches and improve future treatment guidelines for women of African ancestry. Dr. Aisha Mustafa, a Gynecologic Oncology Fellow at ABUTH, described the commencement of the trial as a landmark achievement for the hospital, Nigeria and the African continent. She noted that the study offers eligible patients access to a treatment that has not previously been available in Nigeria and could potentially improve survival outcomes and quality of life. Providing insight into the multidisciplinary nature of clinical research, Clinical Oncology Pharmacist at ABUTH, Pharm. Nafisah Yahuza, said pharmacists play a critical role in ensuring the integrity and safety of clinical trials. According to her, pharmacists oversee the safe handling and accountability of investigational medicines, review study protocols, educate patients on the proper use of study medications, and monitor participants for adverse effects throughout the research process. She added that the involvement of pharmacists helps safeguard patient rights, promotes adherence to treatment protocols, and ensures that clinical studies are conducted in line with established scientific and ethical standards. Beyond its implications for patient care, the study is expected to strengthen Nigeria's capacity for conducting high-quality clinical research and position ABUTH as a leading centre for multinational and race-specific oncology studies. For many women battling ovarian cancer across Africa, the launch of the Niraparib trial represents more than the introduction of a new medicine. It signals growing opportunities for evidence-driven cancer care, increased African participation in global research, and renewed hope that innovative therapies can become more accessible to populations that have long been underrepresented in medical studies.