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Review
. 2021 Mar:65:103260.
doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103260. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Non-communicable diseases pandemic and precision medicine: Is Africa ready?

Tinashe Chikowore  1 , Abram Bunya Kamiza  2 , Ovokeraye H Oduaran  2 , Tafadzwa Machipisa  3 , Segun Fatumo  4
Affiliations
Review

Non-communicable diseases pandemic and precision medicine: Is Africa ready?

Tinashe Chikowore et al. EBioMedicine. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill more than 41 million people every year, accounting for 71% of all deaths globally. The prevalence of NCDs is estimated to be higher than that of infectious diseases in Africa by 2030. Precision medicine may help with early identification of cases, resulting in timely prevention and improvement in the efficacy of treatments. However, Africa has been lagging behind in genetic research, a key component of the precision medicine initiative. A number of genomic research initiatives which could lead to translational genomics are emerging on the African continent which includes the Non-communicable Diseases Genetic Heritage Study (NCDGHS) and the Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP) Network. These offer a promise that precision medicine can be applied in African countries. This review evaluates the advances of genetic studies for cancer, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and body mass index (BMI) in Africa.

Keywords: Africa; Cancer; Diabetes; Genetics; Hypertension; Obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interests We have none to declare.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
Schematic outline of the progress, development and support of genetics research in Africa. Human Hereditary and Health in Africa (H3Africa) is ongoing and has recruited about 99,408 participants, African Partnerships of Chronic Disease Research (APCDR) has 7000 participants, and the Non-communicable Diseases Genetic Heritage Study (NCD-GHS) is planning to recruit 100,000 participants. The South African Human Genome Project (SAHGP) was funded by the government of South Africa.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Number of candidate genetic studies of selected NCDs that have been conducted in African countries from 2009 to 2019.DRC, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Fig 3
Fig. 3
NCDs and genetics consortia coverage in Africa. The Human Hereditary and Health in Africa (H3Africa), is the largest and widest consortium in Africa, to date (over 30 African countries). Non-communicable Diseases Genetic Heritage Study (NCD-GHS) is based in Nigeria. The African Partnerships of Chronic Disease Research (APCDR) is in Uganda, the Evolving Risk Factors for Cancers in African Populations (ERICA-SA) is underway in South Africa, the Africa Esophageal Cancer Consortium (AfrECC) is underway in six countries, and the Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate (MADCaP) recruitment is underway in four countries. The consortia coverage above is based on the study sites of the respective consortia.
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