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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

UFS staff get salary adjustment of 8,5%

2010-11-03

The University of the Free State’s (UFS) management and trade unions have agreed on a general salary adjustment of 8,5% for 2011. The negotiating parties agreed that adjustments could vary proportionally from a minimum of 7,5% to a maximum of 9,5%, depending on the government subsidy and the model forecasts.

The service benefits of staff will be adjusted to 10,66% for 2011. This is according to the estimated government subsidy that will be received in 2011.

The agreement was signed on Friday, 29 October 2010 by representatives of the UFS Management and the trade unions UVPERSU and NEHAWU.

An additional once-off, non-pensionable bonus of R3 000 will also be paid to staff with their December 2010 salary payment. The bonus will be paid to all staff members who were in the employment of the university on UFS conditions of service on 31 December 2010 and who assumed duties before 1 October 2010. The bonus is payable in recognition of the role played by staff during the year to promote the UFS as a university of excellence and as confirmation of the role and effectiveness of the remuneration model.

It is the intention to pass the maximum benefit possible on to staff without exceeding the limits of financial sustainability of the institution. For this reason, the negotiating parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Multiple-year, Income-related Remuneration Improvement Model used as a framework for negotiations. The model and its applications are unique and have as a point of departure that the UFS must be and remains financially sustainable.

Agreement was reached that 2% will be allocated for growth in capacity building to ensure that provision is made for the growth of the UFS over the last few years. A further 0,16% will be allocated to structural adjustments.

The implementation date for the salary adjustment is 1 January 2011. The adjustment will be calculated on the total remuneration package.

Prof. Johan Grobbelaar, Chairperson of the UVPERSU and NEHAWU mutual forum, is very pleased with the outcome and good spirit in which the negotiations, “that were concluded in a couple of hours”, took place. The 8,5% increase for 2011 means that for the past ten years the UFS staff has received a 38% increase above inflation in effect.

“Not only is this a major achievement in that the staff is much better off, but the salaries compare well with similar institutions in the country,” says Prof. Grobbelaar.

It is also with nostalgia that the negotiations took place this year, because Prof. Grobbelaar and Prof. Niel Viljoen, Vice-Rector: Operations, both retire in 2011. Prof. Viljoen was the chairperson of the UFS Council’s negotiation team for the past ten years.

Media Release

Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
3 November 2010

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