SUMMARY
Samuel O. Antwi, Ph.D., is a molecular cancer epidemiologist who studies the genetic, epigenetic and nongenetic origins of liver cancer and pancreatic cancer. Dr. Antwi seeks to understand how individual biological differences act independently or together with lifestyle factors to influence the risk of these cancers.
Dr. Antwi uses biospecimens from people with cancer and without cancer to perform genetic sequencing studies and mass spectrometry-based epigenetic analyses. He creates molecular assays to identify novel factors associated with liver and pancreatic cancers. Dr. Antwi also analyzes data from structured research questionnaires to identify nongenetic risk factors, such as smoking.
He then examines the combined effects of the nongenetic factors and biological differences on the risk of cancer development. A keen focus of Dr. Antwi's research is conducting biologically meaningful data analysis that contributes to practical actions that benefit patients and population groups.
In addition to his work in the research lab, Dr. Antwi acts as a reviewer for numerous research journals. He also was a founding member of the Africa Hepatopancreatobiliary Cancer Consortium in 2020.
Focus areas
Genetic and epigenetic factors in hepatocellular carcinoma
Dr. Antwi studies the role of several factors in hepatocellular carcinoma in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
These factors include:
- Inherited genetic variability.
- Acquired epigenetic modification to DNA, such as 5-methylcytosine and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine.
- Small molecules produced through the one-carbon metabolism pathway, such as S-adenosylmethionine and S-adenosylhomocysteine.
His findings may help improve strategies for risk assessment, risk stratification and early detection.
Genetic, molecular and nongenetic risk factors for pancreatic cancer
Dr. Antwi uses candidate gene-based and pathway-based approaches to study genetic variants in pancreatic cancer. He also studies whether molecular factors act independently or together to influence pancreatic cancer risk. These molecular factors include telomeres, the telomerase enzyme and telomere maintenance genes.
Dr. Antwi also studies interactions between inherited genetic variants and other factors, including obesity, cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, and their effects on the risk of pancreatic cancer development.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Antwi hopes to learn more about the origins of liver cancer and pancreatic cancer. His goal is to provide research evidence that can help clinical care for patients with these conditions. This will help create better ways to prevent cancer, detect it earlier and determine who is at higher risk.
Professional highlights
- Member, editorial board, World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2021-present.
- Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award, American Association for Cancer Research, 2013, 2015.