Non-communicable Diseases (NCD)()BDirectl Diseases Research
About NCD
The NCD activities at AHRI to date have principally involved cancer research, NCD risk factor screening in the context of the CEBHA international consortium, and Podoconiosis via the Welcome trust Brighton-Sussex medical school collaboration.
Research
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases and their risk factors are a growing threat to public health and development in Ethiopia. Recent studies in Ethiopia have confirmed that about half of all mortality in the country is due to non-communicable diseases, and of which the aforementioned diseases contribute significantly. The NCD research agenda has encompassed cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders, as well as the neglected tropical disease podoconosis study. The directorate research is managed by staff and PhD/MSc students.
Research Focus
- Cancer
In the field of cancer research, we are concentrating on hematologic malignancies, including acute and chronic leukemia, Non-Hodgkins and Hodgkins Lymphoma. Much of the work at AHRI has focused on improved diagnostics and prognostics, hence our plan has been to gain research experience in modern methods of cancer diagnosis, apply these in clinical scenarios, and wherever possible to assist in the implementation of these strategies to clinical diagnosis in clinical care centers in the country. The diagnostic and prognostic tests run in the research includes flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and PCR and sequencing approaches to identify genetic abberancies. In addition, we have been conducting pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetic studies on cancer chemotherapy drugs in order to better predict optimal therapeutic ranges of such drug with reduced toxicities.
- Cardiovascular disease risk
Our main project has been through the CEBHA consortium project involving multiple institutions throughout Africa. We are assessing new improved tools for cardiovascular disease risk screening at the community level. A second project is to define cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric co-morbities among persons with HIV, and explore barriers to adequate integration in the care of such patients. CEBHA is also exploring the impact of COVID 19 on care of patients with diabetic mellitus. Finally, the CEBHA team is actively engaged in capacity building for evidence-based health care approaches in the country.
- Podoconosis
Podoconiosis or non-filiarlial elephantiasis is a peripheral lymphoedema associated disease thought to be related to long term exposure of bare feet to red clay soil. Recent work exploring the genetics of podoconiosis has revealed a significant association with HLA-DRB0701 along with HLA-DQA201 and HLA-DQB201, all of which are in linkage disequilibrium. This strongly implies a T-cell mediated HLA class II restricted recognition of antigen presenting cells in the disease pathogenesis. Ongoing studies are aimed to define the activation status of T-cells and antigen presenting cells within patients, and also to assess the immune stimulatory properties of soil minerals such as silicates and beryllium in patients and matched controls.
Researchers at NCD
Rawleigh Howe MD,PhD
Senior Scientist, NCD Director
Email: rawleigh.howe@ahri.gov.et
Firaol Mesfin, MSc
Assistant Researcher,NCDRD Coordinator
Email: firaolmesfin8@gmail.com
Menberwork Chaneyalew, PhD
Researcher II
Email: menberwork chaneyalew@ahri.gov.et
Meaza Zeleke, MPH
Assistant Researcher
Email: meaza.zeleke@ahri.gov.et
Bezenash Geremew, MPH
Assistant Researcher
Email: bezi.geremew@gmail.com
Kiya Kedir, MPH
CEBHA project coordinator
Email: kiya.kedir@ahri.gov.et
Tigist Girma, MSc
Assistant researcher
Immunology Department
Email:tigistgirmateferi@yahoo.com
Haki Teklehaimanot, BA
Project Administration Officer
Email: hakiway@yahoo.com
Hailemichael Getachew, MSc
Graduate student
Email: hailemichael.getachew@ahri.gov.et
Publications
2021
Okop KJ,Murphy K, Lambert EV, Kedir K, Getachew H, Howe R, Niyibizi JB, Ntawuyirushintege S, Bavuma C, Rulisa S, Kasenda S, Chipeta E, Bunn C, Crampin AC, Chapotera G, King AC, Banchoff A,Winter SJ, Levitt NS. Community-driven citizen science approach to explore cardiovascular disease risk perception, and develop prevention advocacy strategies in sub-Saharan Africa: a programme protocol. Research Involvement and Engagement. 2021. In press.
Adam M, Bekuertsion Y, Abubeker A, Tadesse FT, Kwiencinska A, Howe R, Petros B, Jerkman M, Gebremedhin A. Clinical characteristics and histopathological patterns of Hodgkin lymphoma and treatment outcomes at a tertiary cancer center in Ethiopia JCO Global Oncology, 2021 in press.
2020
Ahmed JH, Makonnen E, Bisaso RK, Mukonzo JK, Fotoohi A, Aseffa A, Howe, R, Hassan M, Akililu E. Population Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacogenetic, and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Cyclophosphamide in Ethiopian Breast Cancer Patients. Front. Pharmacol., 23 April 2020.
Ahmed JH, Makonnen E, Yimer G, Seifu D, Bekele A, Assefa M, Aseffa A, Howe, R, Fotoohi A, Hassan M, Akililu E. CYP2J2∗7 Genotype Predicts Risk of Chemotherapy-Induced Hematologic Toxicity and Reduced Relative Dose Intensity in Ethiopian Breast Cancer Patients. Front. Pharmacology, 14 May 2019.
2019
Ahmed JH, Makonnen E, Fotoohi A , Yimer G, Seifu D, Assefa M, Tigeneh W, Aseffa A, Howe, R, Akililu E. Vitamin D Status and Association of VDR Genetic Polymorphism to Risk of Breast Cancer in Ethiopia Nutrients 2019 Jan 29; 11(2):289.
Postgraduate Students
PhD studies
Jemal Alemu
Assess the impact of Phenotyping by flow cytometry and Molecular Techincics diagnosis on clinical outcomes and therapy on leukemia patients.
Samuel Kinde
Gene Expression Profile of Bcr-Abl1 Fusion protein (P190, P210) versus Differential Sensitivity to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Drugs’ Therapy among Ethiopian Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Yohannes Giorges
Pharmacodynamic, Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacogenetic Study of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) with Emphasis on Imatinib Mesylate in the treatment of the Ethiopian Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) Patients
Awol Mekonnen
Genetic analysis of prognostic markers and Pharmacogenetic study of 6-Mercaptopurine in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients
Melatwork Tibebu
Flow and molecular analysis of Minimal Residual Disease for Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Makka Ali, Immunologic, Virologic and Genetic correlates of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in Ethiopia
Esmael Besufekad, Evaluation of hormone receptors and other biomarkers breast cancer by immunhistochemistry and molecular approaches
Contact
Rawleigh Howe MD,PhD
Senior Scientist, NCD Director
Email: rawleigh.howe@ahri.gov.et
rawcraig@yahoo.com
Tel:+251910865382