A team of researchers from Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, has made a groundbreaking discovery linking specific genes to breast cancer in Nigerian women. Led by Professor Solomon Rotimi from the Department of Biochemistry, the team carried out the first fully indigenous study on how BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene variants contribute to breast cancer among Nigerians.
The study, titled “Screening of Germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 Variants in Nigerian Breast Cancer Patients”, was published in the Technology in Cancer Research and Treatment journal.
Covenant University announced the breakthrough in a statement released on Friday, highlighting that past studies on these genes had mostly focused on Western populations and often depended on foreign resources when conducted in Nigeria.
Prof. Rotimi’s team conducted all research processes—from DNA extraction to sequencing and data analysis—locally at the Covenant Cancer Genomics Laboratory under the Covenant Applied Informatics and Communication Center of Excellence (CApIC-ACE). They used DNA sequencing to examine BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in blood samples.
Key findings reveal that about 7% of breast cancer patients had harmful mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, specifically among those with triple-negative breast cancer and a family history of the disease.
These mutations were absent in healthy women. Furthermore, the team identified unique BRCA gene patterns—called haplotypes—distinct to Nigerian women, rarely found in other populations.
The study also uncovered several BRCA variants that may not be harmful alone but could contribute to cancer when combined with other risk factors. This local milestone highlights Nigeria’s capacity for advanced cancer genomics research and supports the need for population-specific genetic testing.
It emphasizes the importance of early screening, genetic counseling, and tailored treatment plans for Nigerian women at risk of breast or ovarian cancer.
