Located within the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Health Sciences, the Pan African Cancer Research Institute (PACRI) is dedicated to cutting-edge, integrated translational cancer research, education and clinical care. Cancer is a major global public health problem, which is reported to be the second-most prominent cause of mortality worldwide. It is also emerging as an increasing threat in sub-Saharan Africa. 

Established in 2019 through the prestigious South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Precision Oncology Unit grant, PACRI focuses its attention on transforming the fight against cancer in Africa: from cancer control and prevention to novel therapeutics for improved health outcomes. 

Although advances in tumour prevention, diagnosis and therapy have revolutionised cancer treatment in developed countries, Africa also needs to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to developing an optimal therapeutic strategy for each patient and advance precision oncology and personalised care. Prof Zodwa Dlamini, founding director of PACRI, believes that such an approach can concentrate on the diversity of therapeutic modalities and the complexity of treatment options available to treat complex tumours. Prof Dlamini is also the Director of the SAMRC Precision Oncology Unit (PORU) and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI)/National Research Foundation (NRF) South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention (POCP) in the Faculty of Health Sciences. 

PACRI’s point of departure is its dedication to pushing the boundaries of precision oncology and cancer prevention, and introducing new approaches for early diagnosis and novel therapeutic agents. This will improve health outcomes, reduce health inequalities, and strengthen health systems in underserved and socio-economically disadvantaged communities. 

Underlying these activities is the pursuit of excellence by promoting collaboration between basic scientists and clinicians to reduce the incidence and progression of cancer, while contributing to the creation of personalised therapy. This is achieved by combining the efforts of clinicians and basic scientists to build a sustainable infrastructure for the dissemination of proven cancer prevention measures, which are critical for cancer control. 

Building effective and resource-sensitive preventative and curative interventions, and integrating them into health planning nationally in a tailored manner, can reduce the future burden and suffering of cancer patients in South Africa, the region and the world. It can also narrow evident cancer inequities or cancer health disparities.

The institute’s strategy to reduce the burden of cancer in South African populations is aligned with various national and international priority areas, as well as the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities and global partnerships. 

Future plans include the completion of a bio-specimen core laboratory dedicated to cancer research, and building the first whole cancer genome and transcriptome sequencing facility in Africa. This will provide state-of-the-art resources to African researchers. In the process, the institute will transcend disciplinary silos to create a genuine delivery continuum for cancer care and advance its slogan of “defeating cancer together”.