Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, has officially launched a landmark clinical trial evaluating Niraparib maintenance therapy for women with advanced ovarian cancer, marking a significant step in addressing disparities in cancer research involving Black women.
The trial, conducted in collaboration with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami Health System, United States, has opened for participant enrollment and will evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and tolerability of Niraparib maintenance therapy in Black women diagnosed with specific types of advanced ovarian cancer.
Speaking at the launch, the Chief Medical Director of ABUTH and Principal Investigator, Prof. Ahmed Hamidu Umdagas, described ovarian cancer as a “silent killer” in Nigeria and across the African diaspora.
He noted that Black women are frequently diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, often experience more aggressive forms of ovarian cancer, and have lower survival rates than other populations, yet remain significantly underrepresented in global clinical research.
Prof. Umdagas said the study aims to help bridge that gap by ensuring African and Black women are adequately represented in global data on ovarian cancer.
He assured that the trial would be conducted in accordance with the highest international standards of scientific research, ethics, and patient safety.
According to him, the study will enroll 20 women with advanced ovarian cancer while ensuring participants receive high-quality clinical care throughout the research period.
“ABUTH can lead multinational, race-specific research to create a future where Africa does not wait for answers but provides solutions,” he said.
Professor Matthew from the University of Miami Cancer Center commended the leadership of ABUTH and pledged transparency in both treatment and reporting of clinical outcomes involving Black African women participating in the study.
Other collaborators and invited guests also praised the initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the trial, describing it as a major step towards improving treatment outcomes and reducing ovarian cancer-related deaths among Black women in Africa.
Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Board of Management, the hospital’s management and staff, Director of Administration, Barrister Buhari Zailani, appreciated the collaborators and sponsors for selecting ABUTH as a partner for the international study.
He said the collaboration demonstrates the hospital’s growing capacity in medical research, clinical training, and specialised healthcare delivery.
The event attracted the participation of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) representing the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, the Vice-Chancellor and Chief Medical Director of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), members of ABUTH’s top management, co-investigators, research staff, collaborators, and members of the media.
The Niraparib Clinical Trial represents a major milestone in international cancer research collaboration and is expected to generate evidence that could improve the management of advanced ovarian cancer among Black women while strengthening Africa’s contribution to global medical research.