Fourty-five breast cancer patients and 50 apparently healthy sex matched controls from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital were enrolled in this study. Plasma D-dimer and fibrinogen were found to be significantly higher than controls; APTT was significantly shorter than the controls. D-dimer and fibrinogen were also significantly positively correlated with ECOG, disease stage, lymph node involvement and tumour size. On multivariate analysis, D-dimer and fibrinogen were found to be independently related to lymph node involvement. This study shows that plasma D- dimer and fibrinogen levels are elevated in breast cancer patients, and both are markers of disease progression.

Polyphenols are one of the largest plant-derived natural product and they play an important role in plants’ defense as well as in human health and disease. A number of them are pleiotropic molecules and have been shown to regulate signaling pathways, immune response and cell growth and proliferation which all play a role in cancer development. Hematological malignancies on the other hand, are cancers of the blood. While current therapies are efficacious, they are usually expensive and with unwanted side effects. Thus, the search for newer less toxic agents. Polyphenols have been reported to possess antineoplastic properties which include cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis via multiple mechanisms. They also have immunomodulatory activities where they enhance T cell activation and suppress regulatory T cells. They carry out these actions through such pathways as PI3K/Akt/mTOR and the kynurenine. They can also reverse cancer resistance to chemotherapy agents. In this review, i look at some of the molecular mechanism of action of polyphenols and their potential roles as therapeutic agents in hematological malignancies. Here i discuss their anti-proliferative and anti-neoplastic activities especially their abilities modulate signaling pathways as well as immune response in hematological malignancies. I also looked at clinical studies done mainly in the last 10–15 years on various polyphenol combination and how they enhance synergism. I recommend that further preclinical and clinical studies be carried out to ensure safety and efficacy before polyphenol therapies be officially moved to the clinics.

Haematological malignancies account for more than one million cases of all cancers yearly worldwide. While survival has improved due to newer drugs used in their management, relapsed/refractory disease remains a challenge, and treatment modalities come with side effects and morbidities. The management of leukaemias with medicinal plants and their natural products remain a viable option. Numerous studies have shown the potentials and viability of medicinal plants and their natural products as good options against leukaemias. However many of these natural products face peculiar challenges such as low systemic bioavailability, hydrophobic nature and displayed toxicities when given at different pharmacologic doses, while the medicinal plants face the threat of extinction. The development of semi-synthetic analogues and better regulations have helped overcome some of these challenges. This review briefly analyzes four medicinal plants and their different natural products that are used traditionally in the management of cancers, and have been scientifically proven to have some form of activity against leukemia. These plants include Tanacetum parthenium, Garcinia hanburyi, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Combretum caffrum. This review discusses these medicinal plants and their natural products under the following headings: ethnobotany, phytochemistry, mechanism of action, antileukaemic activity and toxicity.

To assess the relationship between nutritional status and inflammatory markers of breast cancer patients, and to identify predictors of malnutrition in these patients. This is a cross-sectional stu...

Neuropathic pain is a major challenge in supportive care management among cancer patients. This study aims to evaluate neuropathic pain in Nigerian cancer patients. This is a cross-sectional study with 126 cancer patients recruited from the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital and are 18 years and above. Medical records were collected from their medical files and the patients. The painDETECT questionnaire (PDQ) and the numeric rating scale (NRS) were used to determine the level and form pain. Neuropathic pain in the target populace of cancer patients was 23% in prevalence. The mean age of the cancer patients in the study was 53 years; 69.8% were females. A considerable association was seen between neuropathic pain and performance status (p < 0.001), morphine and pregabalin use (p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis, performance status (b = 18.00, p = 0.009) and use of morphine (b = 11.52, p < 0.001) and pregabalin (b = 18.09, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with neuropathic pain. Performance status, and morphine use (p < 0.001) were associated with pain severity. This being the first study in Nigeria, neuropathic pain incidence in Nigerian cancer patients is a work in progress. Performance status and some pain modifiers are predictors of neuropathic pain in Nigerian cancer patients.

The lipid profile and atherogenic risk indices in Nigerian breast cancer patients are largely unknown. This study evaluated the lipid profile and atherogenic risk indices of breast cancer patients in Nigeria. This study involved 45 primarily diagnosed breast cancer patients and 50 normal control subjects. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated according to Friedewald formula. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Atherogenic coefficient (AC), TC/HDL-C (Castelli I) and LDL-C/HDL-C (Castelli II) risk indices were all calculated. The Framingham risk assessment was calculated and categorized. The study group had significantly higher triglycerides (TG), and atherogenic indices than the control group (p < 0.001), while HDL-Cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower in the study group (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) had a significant positive correlation with age (r = 0.283, p < 0.018; r = 0.272, p < 0.023); TG was significantly positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.320. p < 0.007; r = 0.334, p < 0.005); HDL-C had a significant negative correlation with BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.252, p < 0.035; r = -0.29, p < 0.015; r = -0.329, p < 0.005). The lipid ratios (TC/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C) were significantly positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The Framingham Risk Score showed that only 2 subjects in the study group (4.4%) were at a high risk of having a cardiovascular event. Breast cancer patients have a higher prevalence of dyslipidaemia, and cardiovascular risk than the normal population.