• Pledge support for local drug, vaccine manufacturing
The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in collaboration with researchers from the United States, has commenced a groundbreaking study investigating bone fractures and weakness among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who are on long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART).
The research is part of NIMR’s ongoing efforts to examine the lesser-known side effects of HIV treatment and identify causes of bone mineral loss, intendingto develop preventive strategies to safeguard bone health in patients on lifelong therapy.
This was disclosed during the October edition of NIMR’s Monthly Media Chat, where the institute reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local vaccine and drug manufacturing through evidence-based clinical research and trials.
The study, titled Predictors of Antiretroviral Immune-Reconstitution Bone Loss (IRBL), is a five-year collaboration between NIMR and Emory University, Atlanta, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Presenting the study, Senior Research Fellow and Head of Clinical Sciences at NIMR, Dr Mbanefo Ezeobi, explained that while ART has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition, long-term therapy has been linked to side effects such as reduced bone density, osteoporosis, and increased fracture risk.
“Our goal is to understand why some patients experience significant bone loss soon after starting treatment while others do not, and to find ways to prevent bone weakness and improve quality of life for people living with HIV,” Ezeobi said.
He added that the study focuses on identifying biological and drug-related factors responsible for bone loss, particularly among patients using Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, a key component of Nigeria’s first-line HIV regimen.
The IRBL project, which began in 2021, involves 150 adult participants, both treatment-naïve and experienced HIV-positive individuals, who undergo medical evaluations, blood and stool tests, and Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scans to measure bone mineral density.
“The data we are gathering will help us understand how antiretroviral drugs interact with bone cells and guide future interventions to prevent bone-related complications,” Ezeobi added.
He noted that NIMR’s ISO 15189-certified Central Research Laboratory, 10-bed clinical trial unit, secure biorepository, and NHREC-accredited Institutional Review Board position the institute as a leading hub for clinical and translational research in West Africa.
Ezeobi also highlighted NIMR’s two-decade contribution to HIV care and research, stating that its treatment centre has provided care for more than 26,000 patients since 2002, serving as a model for integrated HIV treatment and research.
Deputy Director of Research and Consultant Public Health Physician, Dr Ayoola Oladele, disclosed that NIMR is working to establish a national clinical trial network linking universities, teaching hospitals, and private-sector partners across the country.
“We are moving toward a future where Nigeria can conduct large-scale vaccine and drug trials locally,” he said. “Our vision is to strengthen collaboration, increase research literacy, and ensure local ownership of scientific innovation.”
Oladele noted that NIMR currently conducts Phase I–IV clinical trials on infectious and non-communicable diseases, including studies on hypertension, kidney disease, and COVID-19 therapies.
Also at the event, a Research Fellow at NIMR, Dr Agatha Wapmuk, presented the ACCESS-HPV Project (Actions for Collaborative Community-Engaged Strategies for HPV), locally known as 4GW – For Girls and Women. The U.S.-funded project promotes HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14 and cervical cancer screening for women aged 30–65.
She revealed that between January and August 2024, the project’s pilot phase across seven states achieved 99 per cent screening and 94.8 per cent vaccination uptake among participating mother–daughter pairs. It has now expanded into a randomised controlled trial covering 18 states, including Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, and Cross River.
“Cervical cancer is preventable. Innovative community-led strategies like ACCESS-HPV are vital to saving lives and helping Nigeria meet the WHO target of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030,” Wapmuk said.
Director-General of NIMR, Prof. Oladapo Obafunwa, commended the institute’s researchers for their commitment to advancing medical science and improving public health outcomes.
“From investigating hidden side effects of antiretroviral therapy to expanding access to women’s health interventions, our work shows how research can shape policy and enhance healthcare delivery,” he stated.
Obafunwa reaffirmed NIMR’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s capacity for local vaccine and drug production, stressing that sustained investment in research infrastructure and human capital remains crucial to achieving national health security.
