Nigerian Clinician-Scientist Advances Cancer Drug Safety Through Molecular Research

By Korede Omololu-David

From Lagos clinics to molecular laboratories in Wales, Dr. Olawale O. Taiwo is contributing to global efforts to make cancer treatment safer and more effective.

A Nigerian-trained Medical practitioner, Dr. Olawale O. Taiwo, is playing a growing role in international cancer research, contributing to advances in how anticancer drugs are tested for safety before reaching patients.

Dr. Taiwo, a registered member of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), began his medical training and early clinical practice in Lagos, Nigeria. He spent over six years working across different levels of the Nigerian healthcare system, gaining firsthand experience in patient care and disease management.

In 2019, he transitioned briefly into healthcare entrepreneurship, leading the establishment of a medical device company focused on the production of dental bridges and crowns. The company, developed in partnership with Chinese investors, was valued at approximately one million dollars and supplied dental prosthetics to clinics within and outside Nigeria.

However, clinical encounters with patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers prompted a shift in focus. According to Dr. Taiwo, many cancer survivors faced severe functional challenges following therapy, raising questions about the long-term safety and biological impact of existing treatment approaches.

“I became increasingly interested in understanding what happens at the molecular level during cancer treatment, beyond what we see in the clinic,” he said.

This interest led him to pursue further scientific training. He completed a certificate programme in Genetics and Genomics at Stanford University in the United States, before moving to the United Kingdom to focus on molecular medicine research.

Dr. Taiwo later joined the Northwest Cancer Research Institute (NWCRI) in Wales, where he worked in the laboratory of Dr. Edgar Hartsuiker and earned a research degree in Molecular Medicine. At the institute, he contributed to research aimed at improving how new anticancer and antiviral drugs are evaluated for DNA-related side effects.

His work formed part of a broader effort to develop more accurate genotoxicity and mutagenicity testing models. These methods are designed to better detect DNA damage caused by therapeutic compounds during early drug development, an area considered critical to reducing long-term treatment-related complications.

In addition to drug safety testing, the research group also investigated a novel molecule designed to increase cancer cells’ sensitivity to chemotherapy. The compound, currently at the preclinical stage, is expected to progress further in development and could potentially improve treatment outcomes by enhancing drug effectiveness.

A former colleague, Dr. Uchenna Egbunah, a maxillofacial surgeon, described Dr. Taiwo’s contribution as distinctive. “He combines clinical experience with scientific inquiry. That dual perspective brings practical relevance to laboratory research and helps bridge the gap between bench and bedside,” he said.

Dr. Taiwo’s work highlights the increasing presence of Nigerian-trained professionals in global biomedical research. His transition from clinical practice and entrepreneurship to molecular science reflects a broader trend of African health professionals contributing to advanced research and innovation abroad.

While currently based in the United Kingdom, Dr. Taiwo has expressed interest in applying his research experience to contexts relevant to Africa, particularly in improving cancer treatment safety and outcomes.

As cancer incidence continues to rise globally, including in low- and middle-income countries, contributions from clinician-scientists such as Dr. Taiwo are expected to play an important role in shaping safer and more effective therapies for patients worldwide