Nigerian Scientist Leads AI Research Into Safer Breast Cancer Treatment
A Nigerian scientist, Dr Elijah Kolawole Oladipo, has led an international research team in using artificial intelligence to identify potential molecules that could contribute to the development of safer and more targeted treatments for breast cancer.
The research brings together scientists from Nigeria, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom and the United States in an effort to address one of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment: attacking tumour cells while limiting damage to healthy tissue.
The study, published in the Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, combines artificial intelligence-powered drug discovery with advanced three-dimensional protein modelling.
Researchers used the technology to search for therapeutic peptides capable of targeting proteins associated with breast cancer progression.
The work could eventually contribute to the development of treatments that produce fewer side effects than some conventional approaches.
However, the researchers stressed that the findings remain at the computational stage and still require extensive laboratory and clinical testing.
AI Speeds Up Search for Potential Treatments
Oladipo, who is based at Adeleke University and the Helix Biogen Institute, said the research demonstrates the potential of artificial intelligence to accelerate the early stages of drug discovery.
Rather than manually testing thousands of compounds, the researchers used machine-learning systems to analyse a large collection of naturally occurring peptides.
The team screened more than 1,500 natural peptides derived from animals.
The AI system assessed the compounds based on factors including structural stability, toxicity and potential allergenic properties.
The screening process allowed the researchers to narrow the field to three promising candidates for further computational analysis.
This approach can significantly reduce the amount of time required to identify molecules that may warrant additional scientific investigation.
Researchers Target Key Breast Cancer Proteins
The shortlisted compounds were subsequently examined through virtual simulations against two proteins associated with breast cancer.
One of the targets was Matrix Metalloproteinase 1, commonly known as MMP1.
The protein is associated with processes that can enable cancer cells to spread.
The second target was Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor, or EGFR, which plays an important role in stimulating tumour growth.
The researchers wanted to determine whether the selected peptides could interact effectively with these proteins.
According to the study, one AI-optimised peptide inspired by the green shield bug, Metalnikowin IIA, produced particularly promising results in the computer simulations.
The researchers reported stronger binding affinity, greater precision and improved structural stability compared with Buserelin, the FDA-approved anticancer peptide used as a benchmark in the study.
Findings Still Need Laboratory Testing
Despite the encouraging computer-generated results, the researchers have emphasised that the work should not yet be interpreted as a new cancer treatment.
The molecules have not been validated in laboratory experiments or clinical trials.
This distinction is important because a compound that performs well in a computer simulation does not automatically demonstrate that it will work safely or effectively in humans.
Further research will be required.
The team plans to test the promising candidates in living cells and animal models before any consideration of human clinical studies.
Such stages are essential to determine whether the molecules are effective, safe and suitable for eventual therapeutic development.
International Collaboration Drives Research
The project demonstrates the growing role of international collaboration in scientific research.
Researchers from several institutions contributed to the study.
The Nigerian team included scientists from the Helix Biogen Institute, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research and other academic institutions.
International collaborators included researchers associated with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the University of Birmingham and Stony Brook University in the United States.
The collaboration combines expertise in artificial intelligence, molecular biology, drug discovery and biomedical research.
Researchers Seek Funding for Next Stage
The research team is now seeking international grants, pharmaceutical partnerships and global health collaborations to take the work beyond computer simulations.
Funding will be required to conduct laboratory validation and subsequent stages of research.
For the scientists, this represents the crucial step between identifying promising molecules digitally and determining whether they could eventually contribute to real-world cancer treatment.
Oladipo’s work also highlights the growing role of Nigerian scientists in international research involving artificial intelligence and biomedical innovation.
Potential for More Targeted Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer remains a major global health challenge.
Traditional treatment approaches can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
While these treatments can be effective, some can also affect healthy cells and may produce significant side effects.
Drug discovery approaches that can identify molecules capable of targeting cancer-related proteins more precisely could therefore have significant implications.
The current research is still at an early stage, but the use of AI could help scientists explore potential treatments more efficiently.
For Nigeria, the project also demonstrates the potential for local researchers to contribute to advanced global scientific research.
The next phase will determine whether the promising computational results can be reproduced through laboratory testing.
Until then, the researchers have cautioned that the findings should be viewed as an important early step rather than a ready-made cancer treatment.
