Cracking the Cancer Code: Dr. Anthony Nduka Kokelu’s Fight Against Blood Cancers and Cancer Metabolism
Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
Cancer is a complex disease that continues to claim millions of lives worldwide. However, some researchers are working tirelessly to change this narrative. One such dedicated expert is Dr. Anthony Nduka Kokelu, a Nigerian-born medical doctor, hematologist, and translational scientist. His mission is to find better ways to manage blood cancers and investigate how cancer cells source energy and nutrients for rapid growth and survival.
Dr. Kokelu began his journey at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied Medicine and Surgery. He further specialized in Hematology and Blood Transfusion Medicine. He completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Blood Physiology at the University of Calabar and is currently advancing his research at Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA.
Over the years, Dr. Kokelu has managed and co-managed patients with complex blood diseases, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. He has performed numerous bone marrow aspirations and biopsies and administered chemotherapy to many patients. These hands-on experiences fuel his research, as he witnesses firsthand the suffering caused by cancer and is committed to improving treatment outcomes.
Cancer cells grow rapidly by hijacking the body’s energy systems. Dr. Kokelu studies cancer metabolism, focusing on how these cells alter their energy usage to survive, spread, and resist treatment. His research aims to develop therapies that target this altered metabolism and halt cancer progression.
In his recent research article, “The Interplay of Apoptosis, Angiogenesis, and Metastasis in Cancer Pathogenesis,” Dr. Kokelu and his team explored three critical processes that allow cancer to grow and spread:
Apoptosis (programmed cell death), Angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), Metastasis (spread of cancer to other parts of the body)
They explained how cancer cells avoid death, create their own blood supply, and invade other organs where they grow faster than normal cells. Normally, damaged or unhealthy cells die through apoptosis, but cancer cells learn to evade this process. Dr. Kokelu’s research shows how genetic mutations in genes like p53 and BCL-2 enable cancer cells to survive when they should die, contributing to treatment resistance.
To combat this, he investigates new treatments that can force cancer cells to self-destruct. These include:*
BH3 mimetics** – drugs that block cancer survival proteins, Death receptor agonists** – drugs that activate cell death signals, Caspase activators** – agents that trigger the cell death pathway.
Cancer cells also need a steady blood supply to access nutrients and oxygen. This process—angiogenesis—is hijacked by tumors to support their growth. Dr. Kokelu’s research highlights how proteins like VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) promote the formation of new blood vessels. Anti-angiogenic therapies that block VEGF can inhibit this process and starve tumors. He advocates for research that enhances these therapies and explores combination treatments to overcome resistance.
Cancer becomes most lethal when it spreads. Dr. Kokelu explains that cancer cells can break away from the original tumor, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and form new tumors in distant organs—a process called *metastasis. His work focuses on preventing this spread by studying how cancer cells resist death when detached (a phenomenon known as *anoikis resistance) and how they invade new tissues. He aims to develop drugs that interrupt these processes.
Dr. Kokelu challenges the conventional belief that cancer is purely a genetic disease. His research highlights how cancer can also result from the body’s attempt to repair itself, inadvertently aiding tumor growth. This perspective opens new treatment avenues focused on the tumor microenvironment.
He believes that sharing knowledge is key to conquering cancer. He has held various leadership roles, including committee memberships in the Nigerian Medical Association. He also volunteers for blood donation drives and health outreach programs.
Dr. Kokelu brings a unique and valuable perspective to global cancer research. He is committed to developing affordable and practical solutions for low-resource settings. His dream is a world where no one dies of cancer simply because of where they live.
He is also passionate about *precision medicine, using gene-editing tools like *CRISPR to target cancer at the genetic level and create treatments tailored to individual patient profiles. His work has been recognized at national and international conferences. He has published more than a dozen articles and serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for respected medical journals.
“Cancer is not a death sentence,” says Dr. Kokelu. “With the right research, the right drugs, and the right mindset, we can make it a manageable condition.”
Dr. Kokelu is not just studying cancer—he is battling it on all fronts. From hospital wards to research labs, from classrooms to international conferences, his voice and vision are shaping the future of cancer treatment. His journey is a testament to how science, dedication, and compassion can change the world.
