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PhD study investigates cannabis as potential cancer treatment

12 December 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo André Damons

A lecturer and researcher from the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Pharmacology hopes her research into the use of cannabis in reversing anticancer drug resistance is a step forward into treating various cancers especially in Southern Africa.

Dr Innocensia Mangoato graduated on Tuesday (10 December 2024) with the degree Doctor of Philosophy with specialisation in pharmacology at the Faculty of Health Sciences’ December graduation ceremony. She started her career as a research scientist in the area of African traditional medicines in 2018 and her research received both national and international recognition.

“It’s an amazing (feeling to graduate today). My PhD journey was smooth and beautiful and with mentorship of Prof (Motlalepula) Matsabisa, who groomed me well, I did not shed a tear,” said Dr Mangoato. Dr Gudrun S Ulrich-Merzenich from the University of Bonn in Germany, was her co-supervisor with Prof Matsabisa.

According to the graduation programme, Dr Mangoato, Lecturer and Researcher in the UFS Department of Pharmacology, with her thesis titled Investigating the anticancer and possible resistant reversal effects of cannabis sativa l. extracts in cervical cancer cell lines and modulation of ABC transporters comprehensively explored the therapeutic potential of Cannabis sativa L. in overcoming drug resistance in cervical cancer using in vitro and network pharmacology approaches.

A step forward for treating various cancers

The research looked at the chemical fingerprints and pharmacological targets of C. sativa L. extracts, highlighting its antiproliferative properties against normal non-cancerous cells, cervical cancer cells and the cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer cells. Through PCR analysis, distinct gene expression profiles were identified, revealing the potential effects of combination treatments to counteract cisplatin resistance by downregulating genes associated with drug transporters and crucial signalling pathways. This work provides valuable insights into innovative therapeutic strategies for improving cervical cancer treatment, highlighting new avenues for overcoming resistance and enhancing treatment efficacy though the possible use of plant extracts.

“I hope my research takes a step forward in treating various cancers – especially gynaecology cancers in the Southern Hemisphere in Africa. Hopefully the research can later transcend into clinical trials and hopefully influence more policymakers. We also hope to further develop cannabis to be used as an adjuvant therapy for those drugs that are failing to treat cancer,” says Dr Mangoato, who was the recipient of the Women in Science Master’s Student in 2018.

Her graduation was also a proud moment for Prof Matsabisa, an expert in traditional African medicine, who was like a father to her during her studies. “Prof identified me from my honours degree and walked this journey with me. He has been a great mentor, a father and an amazing supervisor.”

Dr Mangoato says she will for now focus on research only and helping and monitoring upcoming researchers, especially female researchers as there is a scarcity of them her field.

News Archive

"We cannot train for unemployment"

2009-11-16

The prestige forum was attended by, from the left: Prof. Dirk van Damme, Head of the Centre for Education research and innovation at OECD in Paris, France; Dr Saretha Brüssow of the Planning Unit: Teaching and Learning; Mr Francois Marais, Director of CHESD; Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor; Prof. Driekie Hay, Vice-Rector Academic Planning and the guest speaker; and Prof. Magda Fourie of the University of Stellenbosch.
Photo: Gerhard Louw

“We cannot train for unemployment. We must continuously look at what employers and the world want, and update,” Prof. Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector: Teaching and Learning at the University of Stellenbosch, recently said at a prestige forum for teaching and learning at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof. Fourie, former Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS delivered the second Magda Fourie Prestige Lecture at the forum. The forum was presented by the Centre for Higher Education Studies and Learning (CHESD) and the Planning Unit: Teaching and Learning. Various presentations were made on innovations in teaching and learning at the UFS.

Prof. Fourie said research has shown that the knowledge, skills, competencies and values of students are out of sync with the needs of the world out there. Higher Education must look at the context in which it operates and the relevance of its teaching and learning. “We are busy with the cultivation of humanity,” she said.

The UFS is doing excellent work with its bridging programmes and other universities will have to give attention to it. The UFS is also excellent in its extended programmes and have more women and foreign students than the national average. The UFS, however, has a lower percentage of black students than the national average.

The UFS is also excellent in terms of postgraduate students. The national average is 36%, with the UFS boasting 47%. Prof. Fourie expressed her concern for the low throughput in Business and Economics at the UFS where only 13% of those who enter the system graduate. “These are the people we need for this country’s economy.”

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