Page 160 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

Precision Oncology
Research Unit

UNIT DIRECTOR:
Prof. Zodwa Dlamini
Zodwa.Dlamini@up.ac.za

Overview of the Research Unit including the identification of novel alternative

splicing signatures, immune dysregulation
The SAMRC Precision Oncology Research Unit
(PORU), based at the University of Pretoria, is pathways, and epigenetic mechanisms with
dedicated to addressing the growing burden of significant translational potential.
infection-associated and inflammation-driven Beyond its research outputs, PORU plays a vital
cancers in South Africa and across Africa, with role in capacity development through the training
a primary focus on cervical, oesophageal, and of postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows,
colorectal cancers. These malignancies are closely clinician-scientists, and early-career researchers.
linked to HIV, HPV, helminth infections, and adverse Through strategic collaborations, educational
social determinants of health, particularly in initiatives, and community engagement
underserved communities. programmes, the Unit continues to strengthen
Africa's precision oncology research ecosystem and
PORU aims to generate molecular, genomic, and contribute to improved cancer outcomes across the
exposomic insights that can be translated into continent.
precision diagnostics, biomarkers, and therapeutic
strategies tailored to African populations. The Unit Key Milestones and Achievements
has established an integrated research platform
that combines genomics, transcriptomics, spatial Between April 2025 and March 2026, the SAMRC
biology, systems oncology, digital pathology, and Precision Oncology Research Unit (PORU)
community-engaged research. Its work focuses on consolidated its leadership in infection-associated
identifying ancestry-linked molecular vulnerabilities and inflammation-driven cancer research. The
through the study of RNA splicing, non-coding Unit advanced systems oncology research in
RNA networks, tumour mutational profiles, and oesophageal, cervical, and colorectal cancers while
microbiome-immune interactions. expanding multi-omics, spatial biology, and non-
coding RNA studies in HIV-, HPV-, and helminth-
Aligned with national research priorities and co-infected cohorts to refine biomarker discovery
global efforts to decolonise cancer research, and identify novel therapeutic targets aligned with
PORU places African data and perspectives at the national precision medicine priorities.
centre of precision oncology. The Unit's research
programmes investigate the molecular mechanisms A major highlight was the hosting of the 4th
underlying cancer development and treatment PACRI International Annual Cancer Meeting in
resistance, integrate environmental and social Johannesburg, themed "Bridging Cancer Science
determinants of health into cancer research, and and Medicine in Africa." The meeting brought
advance drug discovery through patient-derived together African and international leaders to
models and innovative pathology technologies. address cancer inequities and foster collaboration.
PORU's Director served as Programme Co-Chair,
PORU has generated important findings in while Unit investigators contributed extensively to
oesophageal, cervical, and colorectal cancers, the scientific programme.

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