CANTAM 1
CANTAM is the first regional network of excellence supported by EDCTP in Sub-Saharan Africa for the conduct of clinical trials on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in compliance with ICH/GCP standards. Four, two, one and one institutions established in Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Gabon and Germany, respectively were partners.
Aims
(i) Developing human resources in skills required to conduct safe clinical trials including GCP/GLP training, preparation and development of clinical and standardized protocols from recruitment of participants and treatment of biological samples;
(ii) Strengthen ethics review boards and regulatory authorities in needy collaborating sites;
(iii) Strengthen laboratories to be able to perform relevant tests;
(iv) Establish effective community liaison at each site and to collect baseline data necessary for future interventions;
Specific Objectives
CANTAM1 had the following specific objectives in summary form:
SO1. To develop infrastructure
SO2. To develop Human resources
SO3. To collect baseline data necessary for future interventions
SO4. Networking & Fund raising
Strategy
The established institutions had the role to bring the emerging ones to a higher level through transfer of techniques, mentorship and training programs, supervision and fund raising. The indicators of success were set on the emerging institutions.
Achievements
Baseline studies:
In Cameroon and Congo, epidemiological studies for collecting data on HIV, Malaria and TB infections (prevalence, genotypes of strains, level of resistance to drug, age-distribution,) were materialized by 8 publications.
Training:
A total of 06 MSc and 9 PhD students were trained at the different institutions in collaboration with Northern Partners. Staff also gained skilled through short term training of lab technicians, nurses, etc.
Networking:
CANTAM consolidated its collaborations with other regional and international networks by sharing knowledge and training activities.
Results And Outcomes
SO1. To develop infrastructure:
Renovation and equipment for the following structures were established in Cameroon and Rep of Congo. Tuberculosis Laboratory of University of Yaoundé1
Malaria research Unit at Hospital of makélékélé , Brazzaville, Republic of Congo Molecular biology and Parasitology labs at the Fcaulty of Health Sciences, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
SO2. To develop Human resources
SO3. To collect baseline data necessary for future interventions
See list of publications
SO3. Networking
- Local institutions
- Regional (EDCTP NoEs, AMANET, CAMBIN, CAEN)
- International (WWARN,DAAD,IP,ARCEAU,…)
- Public & Private PartnershipPfizer, Malaria Clinical Trials Cameroon
- Total E&P partnership Congo
- OMS, CNLS, UNAIDS, Congo
With the successes of CANTAM1, we however faced challenges and gaps in HIV and Tuberculosis. In CANTAM2, it is important to participate in common interventions and synergize for instance on the number of patients that could be enrolled as a consortium.
In order to increase HIV and Tuberculosis expertise, it is necessary to expand the network and invite new partners with a Tuberculosis/HIV expertise, emerging and re-emerging diseases with TB Host directed therapies.
Face with these challenges, we were awarded the opportunity to venture CANTAM2. In order to improve communication with stakeholders and communities, CANTAM2 coordination team has to be strengthened by a communication officer. In collaboration with project managers, they will elaborate a new website; new communications supports and improve intra network communication.