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Evasion of apoptosis is associated with treatment resistance and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Various cellular processes are associated with evasion of apoptosis. These include overexpression of pro-apoptotic proteins (including p53 and PD-L1), anti-apoptotic proteins (BIRC7/Livin and Bcl-2), chemokine receptors (including DARC), and dysregulation of DNA mismatch repair proteins (including MSH2 and PMS2). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of folinic acid, 5-FU and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) as a single agent and aspirin plus FOLFOX in various combinations on the aforementioned proteins in human CRC, SW480 cell line and rat models of N-Methyl-N-Nitrosourea (NMU)-induced CRC. In addition, effects of the NMU-induced CRC and chemotherapeutic regimens on haematological and biochemical parameters in the rat models were studied. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and immunoblot techniques were used to study the expression pattern of the related proteins in the human CRC cells pre- and post-treatment. Double contrast barium enema, post-mortem examination and histological analyses were used to confirm tumour growth and the effect of the treatmentin vivoin rat models. Notably, we found in human mucinous CRC, a significant increase in expression of the BIRC7/Livin post-FOLFOX treatment compared with pre-treatment (p= 0.0001). This increase provides new insights into the prognostic role of BIRC7/Livin in evasion of apoptosis and facilitation of treatment resistance, local recurrence and metastasis particularly among mucinous CRCs post-FOLFOX chemotherapy. These poor prognostic features in the CRC may be further compounded by the significant suppression of DARC, PD-L1, PMS2 and overexpression of MSH2 and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and p53 proteins observed in our study (p < 0.05). Importantly, we found a significant reduction in expression of BIRC7/Livin and reactivation of DARC and PD-L1 with a surge in Annexin V expression in rat models of CRC cells post-treatment with a sequential dose of aspirin plus FOLFOX compared with other treatmentsin vivo(p

Background/Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now a major public health problem with heavy morbidity and mortality in rural Africans despite the lingering dietary fiber-rich foodstuffs consumption. Studies have shown that increased intake of dietary fiber which contribute to low fecal pH and also influences the activity of intestinal microbiota, is associated with a lowered risk for CRC. However, whether or not the apparent high dietary fiber consumption by Africans do not longer protects against CRC risk is unknown. This study evaluated dietary fiber intake, fecal fiber components and pH levels in CRC patients. Methods: Thirty-five subjects (CRC=21, control=14), mean age 45 years were recruited for the study. A truncated food frequency questionnaire and modified Goering and Van Soest procedures were used. Results: We found that all subjects consumed variety of dietary fiber-rich foodstuffs. There is slight preponderance in consumption of dietary fiber by the control group than the CRC patients. We also found a significant difference in the mean fecal neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin contents from the CRC patients compared to the controls (P

The African continent is facing enormous challenges from cancer crisis, and the lack of reliable population database on cancer incidence and mortality hinders high quality decision on prevention and management modalities. The objective of this study is to analyze the trend of malignant tumors in a population of rural Africans attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching (ABUTH) Hospital Zaria, Nigeria with particular emphasis on the first eighteen (18) frequently diagnosed cancers over a period of 46 consecutive years (1972 - 2019) excluding the year 1988. Histologically diagnosed cancers from the population-based cancer registry of the ABUTH Zaria were included in this study. There were 19, 884 histologically diagnosed cancers over 46 years in ABUTH Zaria with the following in descending order: Cervical cancer 2,335 (12%, [squamous cell carcinoma = 1, 809; others = 529]), Breast cancer 1,982 (10% [invasive ductal carcinoma = 1,589; others = 393]), Lymphoma 1,927 (10% [non–Hodgkin’s lymphoma = 1,335; Hodgkin’s lymphoma = 492]), Sarcomas 1,177 (6% [Kaposi sarcoma = 296; Rhabdomyosarcoma = 172; Osteosarcoma = 166; Dermatofibrosarcoma = 102; Fibrosarcoma = 83; others = 358]), Prostate cancer 1,073 (5%), Colorectal cancer 816 (4% [other adenocarcinomas = 666, mucinous adenocarcinoma = 93; signet ring cell adenocarcinoma =14, others = 43]), Non- melanoma skin cancer 717 (4%), Eye/ Orbit cancer 537 (3% [retinoblastoma = 302; squamous cell eye cancer = 153; others = 82]), Bladder cancer 515 (3%), Liver cancer 481 (2% [primary liver cell carcinoma = 399; others = 79]), Salivary gland cancer 398 (2%), Melanoma 394 (2%), Ovarian cancer 278 (1%), Nasopharyngeal cancer 235 (1%), Kidney cancer 201 (1% [nephroblastoma = 113; renal cell carcinoma = 77; others = 11]), Esophageal cancer 145 (1%), Thyroid cancer 122 (1%), Pancreatic cancer 60 (0.29%) and Others 7,053 (33%). This total, exclude referred cancer cases to oncology department of ABUTH from other hospitals across the country which makes up 60% of cancer cases treated in institution and a handful of clinically diagnosed cases. The results show unusual change in trend with: 2 fold increase for cervical cancer, 6 fold increase for Breast cancer, 8 fold increase for Prostate cancer, 3 fold increase for colorectal cancer; 6 fold increase for Pancreatic cancer, 13 fold increase for Nasopharyngeal cancer and 16 fold increase for Oesophageal cancer when comparing incidence of cancer from 2011-2019 with 1972-1980. However, the results show 12 fold decrease for Liver cancer and 3 fold decrease each for Lymphoma and Non-melanoma skin cancer when comparing cancer cases from 2011-2019 with 1972 - 1980. Understanding the phenomenon behind the rapid change in trend of different cancer types in sub Saharan Africa may contribute to addressing cancer challenges and better policy decision on cancer in the continent. Citation Format: Faruk Mohammed, Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Sani Ibrahim, Yawale Iliyasu, Sirajo Mohammed Aminu, Ahmed Adamu, Adamu Abdullahi, Aishatu Maude Suleiman, Abdullahi Mohammed, John Idoko, Abdulkadir Lawal Rafindadi, Danladi Amodu Ameh, Bello Kumo, Ahmad Bello, Abdullahi Jubril Randawa, Usman Mohammed Aminu, Muhammad Manko, Tajudeen Olasinde, Mohammed Dauda Maigatari, Ahmed Mai, LMD Yusuf, Abdullahi Alfa Mohammed, Yahaya Ukwenya, Oguntayo Olanrewaju Adekunle, Maitama Yusuf Hussaini. Emerging demographic changes of first eighteen (18) most common cancers among West Africans in Zaria Nigeria (1972 – 2019) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-156.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has disproportionately overburden Africans with advanced stage at diagnosis and higher mortality rate due in part to issues that include grossly inadequate resources for management and poor understanding of the pathobiology of the disease. Accumulating evidences support the effectiveness of Aspirin in prevention and inhibition of CRC occurrence and cellular growth respectively. The utilisation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based regimens which include folinic acid, 5-FU and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) combination in CRC management have not completely halt the distant recurrences and poor prognosis of CRC. In this study, we highlighted evidences that prove Aspirin plus FOLFOX to be promising alternative for clinical trial in Black men with CRC. Our study aims in this research were: to identify the expression pattern of BIRC7 in human CRC cells, SW480 cell line and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU)-induced CRC in rat; to determine the relationship between BIRC7 and BCL2, p53, PDL-1, MSH1, PMS2, DARC and Annexin V expression in CRC. to examine the efficacy of Aspirin plus neoadjuvant FOLFOX on the BIRC7 in CRC cells in-vivo in rat. Results show significant (P = 0.0001) expression of the BIRC7 in the CRC tissues compared to normal sections. When comparing this expression with Data from TCGA data bank, we observed a significant increase in BIRC7 expression in Caucasian than the Black and Indian and The expression pattern of the BIRC7 was significantly higher (P = 0.0001) in CRC not otherwise specified compared to mucinous CRC histology. The SW480 cell line show increased expression of the BIRC7 protein in-vitro. There was significant expression of the BIRC7 in the NMU-induced CRC cells compared the normal colonic lesion. There was increased expression of the BCL-2 and reduced expression of p53 in the human CRC cases and in the NMU-induced CRC cells model. There was increased expression of the Annexin V, absence of the MSH1, PMS2, PDL1 and DARC protiens in the CRC sections. Aspirin plus FOLFOX may serve as an important adjuvant treatment component for colorectal cancer metastasis and local recurrence in Blacks, Caucasian and Asians. There is need to explore the potential of Aspirin plus FOLFOX for clinical trial in colorectal cancer management in Blacks and other population using approach from our findings. Citation Format: Faruk Mohammed, Sani Ibrahim, Sirajo Mohammed Aminu, Ahmed Adamu, Adamu Abdullahi, Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Yawale Iliyasu, John Idoko, Abdullahi Jubril Randawa, Mohammed Sani Shehu, Atara Ntekim, Abdullahi Mohammed, Aishatu Maude Suleiman, Yahaya Ukwenya, Khalid Zahir Shah, Ahmad Bello, Sani Abubakar, Kasimu Umar Adoke, Cheh Augustin Awasum, Ahmad Mai, Hussaini Yusuf Maitama, Dauda Maigatari. Aspirin plus FOLFOX for colorectal cancer management: A promising alternative for clinical trial in Africans with the disease [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 720.

Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most common male gender cancer and present with a 5-year prevalence, incidence and mortality rate in Nigerian Black men. There is disproportionate prevalence and poor understanding of CaP in Black men globally. The Prostate Cancer Transatlantic Consortium (CaPTC) has documented significant CaP burden among Nigerian black men in Nigeria and in the Diaspora. Notably, African ancestry is one of the most important risk factors of CaP globally. Increased levels of cortisol, a stress-related catabolic hormone is significantly associated to prostate specific antigen and poor prognosis in prostate cancer patients. Cortisol causes degradation of muscle proteins into amino-acids. Amino acids such as leucine, serves as a source of fuel for aggressive prostate cancer cells in a Warburg effect model through the L-amino acid transporters (LATs). The annexins are calcium and phospholipid binding proteins implicated in cancer development and progression. Overexpression of annexin 1 is one of the mechanisms by which cortisol inhibit inflammation. Annexin V has a high affinity to phosphatidylserine and play important role of inhibiting engulfment of apoptotic cells by macrophages to increase the immunogenicity of tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. PD-L1 is an important membrane-bound costimulatory molecule that inhibits immune responses through its receptor, PD-1. Overexpression of PD-L1 results to cancer cells aggressively evading the host immune system. The Duffy Antigen/Receptor for Chemokines (DARC) is a 7-transmembrane protein atypical chemokine receptor expressed on erythrocytes and vascular endothelial cells that binds to and clears angiogenic chemokines. Expression pattern of DARC is associated to cancer growth and metastasis. In this study, we report the expression pattern of tissue Cortisol, Annexin V, PD-L1 and DARC proteins in relationship to Gleason score in Nigerian Black men with Prostate cancer using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. In addition, we assessed salivary cortisol levels by enzyme immunoassay and physical activity by a standardized CaPTC-AC3-MADCaP (C.A.M) CaP measures from 500 subjects recruited by via CaPTC cohort. Results showed significant expression of tissue and salivary cortisol in the CaP patients compared to the normal subjects (p > 0.05). The Tissue cortisol protein expression was higher in CaP cases with Gleason score 8. There was significant overexpression of Annexin protein in virtually the prostate cancer samples studied. We found a negative expression of PD-L1 and DARC proteins in all the CaP tissues studied. Cortisol and Annexin may serve as an important biomarker for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis in Nigerian Blacks. Citation Format: Faruk Mohammed, Folakemi T. Odedina, Sani Ibrahim, Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Ahmed Adamu, Abdullahi Adamu, Ahmad Bello, Surajo Mohammed Aminu, John Idoko, Aishatu Maude Suleiman, Solomon O. Rotimi, Ernie Kaninjing, Getachew A. Dagne, Clayton Yates, Yawale Iliyasu, Nissa Askins, Iya Eze Bassey, Renee Reams, Abdullahi Mohammad, Hussaini Yusuf Maitama, Dauda Maigatari, Mohammed Sani Shehu, Cheh Augustine Awasum, Abdulkadir Lawal Rafinadadi, Danladi Amodu Ameh, Serah Adewunmi, Ruth Agaba, Haruna Mohammad Muktar, Ahmad Mai, Saad Aliyu Ahmed, Ahmad Bello Kumo, Kasimu Umar Adoke, Ahmad Tijjani Lawal, Ahmad Muhammad, Omolora Fatiregun, Sunday Atawodi, Shehu Akuyam, Yusuf Abdulrashid, Mubarak Liman, Aliyu Muhammad, Abidemi Omonisi, Rebecca Gali, Hassan Dogo, Nkegoum Blaise, Anthonia Sowunmi, Titilola Akinremi, Emeka J. Iweala, Jigo Dangude Yaro, Badejo Adebukola Catherine, Akinwumi Oluwole Komolafe. Overexpressions of cortisol, annexin V and Lost in expression of PD-L1 and DARC proteins are associated with aggressive prostate cancer phenotypes in Black men: A CaPTC Cohort Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2638.

Studies have shown improved/increased intake of dietary fiber and low fecal pH are associated with a lowered risk for colorectal cancer. This study aimed to compare dietary fiber intake, fecal neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content, acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and fecal pH level of colorectal cancer patients and matched apparently healthy control group in rural Africans in Zaria, Nigeria. Twenty-one subjects of mean age 44.7 years who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer by histology and 14 apparently healthy matched control groups with mean age 45.2 years were recruited for this study. A predefined semi structured food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to access the dietary fiber intake by the subjects. The fecal NDF content was analyzed by extracting 1 g of fecal sample with a mixture of ethanol/ether and refluxed with decalin and sodium sulphite. The extract was suctioned and washed with acetone to yield the total NDF. The NDF was refluxed with an acid detergent solution and dried overnight to yield the ADF. The differences in the NDF and ADF gave the total hemicelluloses. The differences in the weight of the ADF post-treatment with permanganate solution yielded the total lignin. The differences in weight of the permanganate residue post-treatment with 72% Sulphuric acid gave the cellulose content. A pH meter calibrated with buffers of pH 4 and 7 was used to measure the fecal pH of all the subjects. Results from the FFQ show all subjects consumed variety of dietary fiber food in significant amount. However, there was a significant difference in the fecal NDF, ADF, hemicellulose, lignin and cellulose contents from the colorectal cancer patients when compared with the control group (p Citation Format: Mohammed Faruk, Sani Ibrahim, Ahmed Adamu, Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Yahaya Ukwenya, Yawale Iliyasu, Abdullahi Adamu, Mohammed Sani Shehu, Danladi Amodu Ameh, Sirajo Mohammed Aminu, Saad Aliyu Ahmed, John Idoko, Atara Ntekim, Aishatu Maude Suleiman, Khalid Zahir Shah, Kasimu Umar Adoke. Dietary-fiber and fecal fiber contents including pH in rural Africans with colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR International Conference: New Frontiers in Cancer Research; 2017 Jan 18-22; Cape Town, South Africa. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(22 Suppl):Abstract nr A19.

The mechanism of cancer resistance to chemotherapy regimen remains uncertain. Colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma is one of the distinct histological subtypes of the disease implicated in chemotherapeutic resistance associated with nodal and peritoneal metastases and worse disease-free survival as an index of poor prognosis. One of the important acquired capabilities used by the cancer cells to resist anticancer therapies is evasion of apoptosis possibly via inhibitor of apoptosis proteins for which Livin is one. This protein contains baculoviral IAP repeat domains in addition to a RING finger, a protein-protein motif important for binding and inhibition of active caspases that interfere with intrinsic and/or extrinsic pathway and the ensuing blockade of apoptosis. Thus, understanding the molecular events on how cancer cells of mucinous histology evade apoptotic death may provide a novel paradigm for a molecular targeted therapy in the management of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma. In this study, the expression pattern and prognostic value of IAP family protein, Livin, in colorectal cancer patients with mucinous histology pre and post-chemotherapy regimen was investigated. Tissue sections from advanced stage colorectal cancer patients who were treated or untreated with neo-adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy before curative resection were included in this study. The tissue sections were grouped according to colorectal adenocarcinomas showing mucinous histology and non-mucinous component. Histological study including Haematoxylin and Eosin, and immunohistochemistry for Anti-Livin and DNA mismatched repair proteins were carried out. Immunofluorescence study was performed to clarify the expression pattern of the protein using Anti-Livin antibody. Protein expression quantification study was also used. Results show significant cytoplasmic localisation and expression of Livin protein in the colorectal cancer cells. The Livin protein expression was found to be increased by more than a one-fold post-chemotherapy treatment when compared with pre-chemotherapy treated patients with mucinous histology of colorectal cancer. Younger patients were found to have a greater probability of colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma diagnosis and worse prognosis. Our findings show that Livin-induced inhibition of apoptosis activity can be a target for novel approaches to treatment and prevention of chemotherapy associated drug resistance in mucinous histology colorectal cancer since Livin overexpression has been associated with metastases and worse disease-free survival. More study is needed Citation Format: Mohammed Faruk, Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Sani Ibrahim, Surajo Mohammed Aminu, Surajo Mohammed Aminu, Ahmed Adamu, Ahmed Adamu, Yawale Iliyasu, Adamu Abdullahi, Mohammed Sani Shehu, Abdullahi Mohammed, John Idoko, Abdullahi Jibril Randawa, Abdullahi Jibril Randawa, Atara Ntekim, Saad Aliyu Ahmed, Aishatu Suleiman Maude, Almustapha Aliyu Liman, Abubakar Sani, Khalid Zahir Shah, Yahaya Ukwenya, Yahaya Ukwenya, Cheh Augustine Awasum, Kasimu Umar Adoke, James Olowu Enemari, James Olowu Enemari, James Olowu Enemari, Andrew Jonathan Nok. Is Livin a protagonist of mucinous adenocarcinoma histology in colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4918. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4918

Every environment is noted for its variability in incidences of various malignancies and subtypes. The objective of this study is to analyze the trend of malignant tumors in a population of rural Africans attending Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria with particular emphasis on the first ten most frequently diagnosed cancers over a period of 14 consecutive years (2001-2014). Histologically diagnosed cancers in the various cancer registries of the ABUTH Zaria were included in this study. The ten most commonly presenting cancers were extracted and their demographic characteristics and other relevant clinical data documented using a standardized questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0. There were 6,553 histologically diagnosed cancers over 14 years in Ahmadu Bello Unibersity Teaching Hospital Zaria with the following in descending order: Cervical cancer 1042 (15.90%), Breast cancer 788 (12.02%), Prostate cancer 496 (7.56%), Colorectal cancer 360 (5.49%), Lymphoma 306 (4.66%), Eye/orbit cancer 170 (2.59%), Bladder cancer 169 (2.45%), Nasopharyngeal cancer 139 (2.12%), Ovarian cancers 94 (1.43%), and Liver cancer 52 (0.79%). Cervical cancer tops the list as the most frequently diagnosed cancer however, this should be noted that it is a cancer exclusive to females so also breast cancers though rarely males may present with breast cancer. Prostate cancer is a male exclusive disease therefore the percentage would have been higher if the diagnosis would have excluded the females. Of the ten most frequently diagnosed cancers, liver cancer is the tenth despite the fact that complications of viral hepatitidis are known to facilitate liver carcinogenesis and the prevalence of hepatitis C and B in the Nigerian population is 5 and 20 respectively. Citation Format: Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Surajo Mohammed Aminu, Mohammed Faruk, Yawale Iliyasu, Abdullahi Mohammed, Sani Ibrahim, Ahmed Adamu, Mohammed Sani Shehu, Abdullahi Jubril Randawa, Adamu Abdullahi, Saad Aliyu Ahmed, Maitama Yusuf Hussaini, Danladi Amodu Ameh, Ukwenya Yahaya, John Idoko, Oguntayo Olanrewaju Adekunle, Almustapha Aliyu Liman, Abdulkadir Lawal Rafindadi, Aisha Maude Suleiman, Jigo Dangude Yaro, Ahmad Bello, Bello Kumo. First ten malignancies by ranking from a population of rural Africans in Zaria, Nigeria: A fourteen years review and report. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr B71.

Dietary fiber (DF), the fermentation substrates for colonic bacteria, has acquired a crucial status in protection against colorectal cancer. DF consists of mucilage, beta-glucans and pectin (soluble fiber) and cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin (insoluble fiber) which, are cross-linked with proteins and phenolic compounds. DF improves optimal health through fecal quality, quantity and decreased carcinogenic colonic bacterial metabolites. One of the physico-chemical properties of DF attributed to these important health functions is the natural presence of salicylic acid (SA), an active component of Aspirin in our foodstuffs. However, the presence of SA has been recently reported to be gradually diminishing from our foodstuffs as a result of manmade activity. A large number of studies support the effectiveness of Aspirin in inhibition of colorectal cancer cells growth in-vitro and in-vivo. DF is not currently fortified with Aspirin, nor have the effects of Aspirin fortification on physico-chemical properties of DF been thoroughly studied. Of note, gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the effects associated with high dose aspirin use. This research aims to assess the efficacy of fortification of DF-rich foodstuffs with Aspirin in-vivo using the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea carcinogen-induced model of colorectal cancer in rats, with emphasis on the mechanism of biologic action. A total of 30 male Albino rats whose weight falls between 110-150g were used. They were grouped into 6 sets of 5 rats each and a soluble and insoluble DF feeding intervention was systematically employed in various combinations with Aspirin (1600mg/kg diet) and without Aspirin fortification for 80 days. NMU was administered at a dose of 2 mg/kg intra rectally every other day for 60 days until the development of colorectal cancer which, was confirmed by barium enema and histological analysis. Hemogram and other pertinent investigations were done ultimately including histological assessment of tumors. The tumors were processed for histological analysis and immunohistochemistry using Anti-p53 and Anti-Bcl-2 antibodies. Findings show no histologically detectable colorectal tumor in the group of rats fed with Aspirin-fortified mixture of soluble and insoluble DF foodstuffs. There was a considerable tumor regression in the group fed with Aspirin-fortified soluble/insoluble DF when compared to non-fortified group. The results show up-regulation of p53 and down-regulation of Bcl-2 proteins in Aspirin-fortified DF fed rats when compared with non-fortified group (p Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Mohammed Faruk, Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi, Sani Ibrahim, Surajo Mohammed Aminu, Ahmed Adamu, Yawale Iliyasu, John Idoko, Mohammed Sani Shehu, Adamu Abdullahi, Abdullahi Jubril Randawa, Atara Ntekim, Saad Aliyu Ahmed, Cheh Augustine Awasum, Kasimu Adoke, Andrew Jonathan Nok. Fortification of dietary fiber-rich foodstuffs with Aspirin and its effect on colorectal carcinogenesis in rats. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Colorectal Cancer: From Initiation to Outcomes; 2016 Sep 17-20; Tampa, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A27.

Cervical cancer is a common and important public health problem in developing countries. Even though many developed countries have achieved significant successes in reducing invasive cervical cancer burden, the burden in developing countries is still worrisome. Currently, cervical examinations and Papanicolaou (Pap) tests remain the screening method of choice for most women in many parts of Africa. Molecular diagnostic tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) can augment screening for cervical cancer when used in conjunction with the Pap smear. Due to the inherent limitations of morphologic interpretation and borderline cases, the atypical squamous cells (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance [ASCUS] and Atypical Squamous Cells cannot rule out High Grade [ASC-H]) were introduced and this led to significant colposcopic follow-up and/or treatment of these women. p16INK4a is an efficient triage method; the dual staining with Ki-67 was introduced mainly to increase reproducibility and specificity compared with stand-alone p16INK4a staining. Diffuse p16INK4a immunostaining is the hallmark of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions regardless of HPV status.