Oncology Research Unit
Director:
Prof Vikash Sewram
E-mail: vikash.sewram@mrc.ac.za
 The Oncology Research Unit is a newly established Unit focusing on research that combines the disciplines of cancer epidemiology, clinical biochemistry, analytical chemistry and toxicology to bring about an understanding in the relationship between lifestyle and the environment on cancer risk. Research is also aimed at finding out the causes of cancers and in particular the role of complementary and alternative medicines including African traditional medicines in cancer prevention, cancer risk, cancer treatment and cancer management.
These studies are early efforts to bridge the gaps in knowledge and familiarity that currently divides the domains of biomedical science research with public health research.
Research undertaken within the Unit will cut across the cancer continuum in the following way:
- Understanding the role of lifestyle, the environment and the use of plant-based natural products and dietary supplements in cancer prevention, cancer risk, cancer treatment and cancer management.
- Identify and develop new therapeutics to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells or cancer-causing agents to prevent primary and secondary cancers.
- Predicting tumor progression and metastatic capacity.
- Improving existing in-vitro diagnostic technology to detect changes that indicate the remission, emergence or growth of tumours.
- Train scientists, clinicians, and other health professionals in cancer research.
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