Page 152 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

Precision Oncology
Research Unit (PORU)

Unit director:
Prof. Zodwa Dlamini
Zodwa.Dlamini@up.ac.za

Advancing Research Priorities: Key Milestones and Achievements

Strategic Objectives and Impact PORU, in collaboration with the Pan-African Cancer
The Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU) Research Institute (PACRI), was awarded the
focuses on mapping HIV and HPV-associated prestigious CRUK/NCI Cancer Grand Challenges
cancers to uncover their underlying causes and SAMBAI grant. This initiative will establish a
identify new therapeutic targets. Given South comprehensive database to address cancer
Africa's high burden of HIV and HPV, PORU's work disparities in African populations, with a focus on
is vital in advancing precision medicine strategies HIV and HPV-associated cancers.
tailored to the region's healthcare challenges.
PORU's Director received the 2024 South African
During this financial period, PORU conducted key Women in Science Award (SAWiSA) for Distinguished
research on cervical and oesophageal cancers, Woman Researcher in Natural and Engineering
emphasising their links to HIV and HPV. These
projects employ genomic and molecular profiling, Sciences. She was also appointed to the Technical
tumour biology analysis, and biomarker discovery to Review Committee for Genome Canada's Precision
improve targeted treatments. Major studies include: Health Initiative and served as a distinguished Cancer
Immunology Jury Member for the 2024 Innovators
Defining the onco-genomics of cervical cancer in in Science Award, sponsored by Takeda and the
South African women; Functional characterisation of New York Academy of Sciences. Additionally, she
tumour biology in HIV and HPV-associated cervical was invited to join the AACR-AORTIC NCI BIG Cat
cancer; Investigating aberrant splicing events in Scientific Review Committee (2024-2027).
HPV16-associated head and neck cancers; Genome
analysis of HIV and HPV-associated oesophageal New collaborations will be established at the
cancer; Identifying splicing signatures in high- upcoming 3rd PACRI International Conference 2025,
risk HPV-infected cervical cancer cells; Examining which focuses on advancing equity in precision
circular RNA mechanisms in splicing factor inhibition oncology. Notable grants include awards to
in cervical cancer; and, linking splicing events with Dr. R. Marima (SAMRC SIR, UP UCDP, NRF Y-Rated
long non-coding RNA regulation in cervical cancer.
Researchers) and Dr. T. Marutha (SAMRC Extramural
By addressing knowledge gaps in HIV-associated Postdoctoral Fellowship). Capacity-building efforts
malignancies, PORU is contributing to the saw the graduation of five master's students and
development of targeted treatments and improving the mentorship of PhD candidates, alongside
patient outcomes. The unit's research enhances the implementation of digital pathology imaging
early detection, guides personalised treatment systems for precision oncology research.
strategies, and supports global efforts to combat
these cancers in high-risk populations.

150 SAMRC ANNUAL REPOR T 2024-25