Document Type
Article
Department
Pathology (East Africa)
Abstract
Introduction: There is a lack of genomic and epidemiologic data regarding lung cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive and scalable approach for molecular profiling. This pilot study aims to determine the prevalence of actionable genetic alterations (AGAs) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using liquid biopsy while establishing a liquid biopsy testing pipeline in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods: This is a prospective, cohort study at three sites: Aga Khan University Cancer Centre in Nairobi, Kenya; University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria; and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, University of Pretoria in Pretoria, South Africa. The study aims to recruit 150 patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer and 300 age- and sex-matched controls without cancer. For lung cancer patients, plasma samples will be collected for cell free DNA extraction and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify AGAs. Healthy control patients will provide plasma for germline and proteomic analysis to explore risk factors. Sample analysis will be performed in Toronto, Canada. All participants will complete a standardized questionnaire capturing demographic, lifestyle, environmental, and occupational exposures. Lung cancer patients will be followed every 6 months for clinical outcomes, and controls will receive a 12-month phone follow-up.
Objectives: Primary objectives include: (1) describing clinico-demographic features of lung cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa, (2) determining the prevalence of AGAs using liquid biopsy, (3) evaluating the feasibility of implementing liquid biopsy NGS, and (4) identifying potential lung cancer risk factors by comparing cases and controls.
Results: Recruitment will be initiated soon, aiming for the first feasibility analysis to be completed by November 2025.
Conclusion: Results of this study will determine the genomic molecular profile landscape of lung cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa. This pilot study is part of broader plan to create a Sub-Saharan African Lung Cancer Atlas (SALCA) and help co-develop a Genomic Testing Centre at the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Publication (Name of Journal)
The Journal of Liquid Biopsy
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlb.2025.100373
Recommended Citation
Ghazali, N.,
Brown, C.,
Pugh, T.,
Hung, R.,
Okonta, K.,
Saleh, M.,
Sayed, S.,
Khanyile, R.,
Dlamini, Z.
(2025). Liquid biopsies of lung cancer and next generation sequencing at Sub-Saharan Africa sites (LUNGS@AFRICA). The Journal of Liquid Biopsy, 9, 1-1.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_mc_pathol/321
Creative Commons License
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