Africa HepatoPancreatoBiliary Cancer Consortium

About This Grant

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HPB) cancers are a group of rapidly fatal malignancies with poorly understood etiology and biology. These cancers are often diagnosed at a late stage, precluding curative therapy. To address the increasing problem of higher incidence and mortality of HPB cancers in Africa, there is a pressing need to (1) identify and empower cancer researchers and clinicians with the most current knowledge and research skills in the field to contribute meaningfully to understanding the etiology and prognostic factors associated with these cancers, and (2) help develop sustainable, practical actions to reduce the incidence and mortality of these cancers in Africa. There is also an urgent need to harness our collective expertise and resources in the United States with African investigators to advance the science of HPB cancers in Africa. This proposal is a renewal of a successful three-year conference series of the Africa HepatoPancreatoBiliary Cancer Consortium, as supported by R13CA265018. These conferences include hands-on skills workshops in surgery, advanced endoscopy, ultrasound, pathology, and patient advocacy, followed by plenary and discussion sessions on the pathobiology of hepatopancreatobiliary cancers, scientific writing, mentorship, designing joint research projects among investigators in Africa and the United States, prevention and early detection, clinical care in low-resource settings, project management training for research coordinators, and training in new laboratory techniques/technology, among other topics. The past three years have led to the initiation of multi-national collaborative research projects, clinical training opportunities, and mentorship programs. The funding of this R13 grant will allow us to harness the momentum we have created to further these existing efforts. At the conclusion of the two-year R13 grant, we will have enhanced the expertise in Africa and the United States to address the increasing mortality rates from hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. Through this project, we will continue to develop a vibrant and collaborative group of investigators equipped with appropriate skills to meaningfully contribute to the advancement of the science of HPB cancers. The results of our research collaborations will not only improve our understanding and treatment of HPB cancer etiology and biology in Africans, but also of all persons in the United States.