Abstract: Background: The therapeutic effects of Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP -1) inhibition are currently studied in a clinical trial that is recruiting African- American (A-A) women with breast cancer (BC). Although, A-A and West African women are likely to share the same ancestry, there are overwhelming evidences, that BC is undoubtedly heterogeneous which might influence results obtained in these Nationalities. Thus, this study aims to investigate PARP-1 expression in a large and annotated series of breast cancer from Nigerian women to determine its clinical and biological significance for the indigenous African women. Methods: PARP-1 protein expression was assessed immunohistochemically in 204 formalin fixed paraffin samples from Nigerian breast cancer women prepared as TMA. Results: PARP-1 was inversely associated with steroid hormone receptors (oestrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor), the Homologous Recombination marker BRCA1 associated ring domain 1 (BARD1) and p27. Conversely, a positive association was established between PARP-1 and high histologic grade, expression of basal markers (cytokeratins (CK) 5/6 and 14) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)), DNA damage-repair markers (protein inhibitor of activator signal transducer gamma (PIAS)), the BRCA1 inhibitor (metastasis tumour antigen-1 (MTA1), p53, the proliferation markers (KI-67, Phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3KCA)), the triple-negative and basal-like phenotypes. Outcome analysis indicated PARP-1 as a predictor of poor survival independent of tumour size, histological grade and lymph node involvement. Conclusion: These results provide evidence that PARP-1 plays an important role in Nigerian women with breast cancer. It is recommended that indigenous Black women from Africa are included in the ongoing clinical trial of PARP1 inhibitors that is aimed at determining the efficiency of the drug in black BC women outside United States.

Abstract: Long non-coding RNAs are a novel class of approximately 15,000 – 20,000 non-protein coding RNAs, having a base length of over 200 nucleotides and are the result of RNA Polymerase II activities. Long non-coding RNAs have only just recently been identified to play a major role in gene regulatory pathways for a wide spectrum of human disease conditions, including multiple cancer models. This review article serves to outline, through recent scientific evidence, the emerging importance of long non-coding RNAs as key biomarkers in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics within the clinical setting. Ultimately, there will be soon the establishment of long non-coding RNA expression profile signature analyses on a par level with other molecular diagnostic techniques such as mRNA and miRNA expression profiles for the identification and monitoring of tumour progression and sensitivity to treatment within the individual cancer patient.

Abstract: 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase is the key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. Statins are used in treatment of hypercholesterolemia as inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase. Cancer cells overexpress HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. Recent studies have demonstrated that statins may inhibit the proliferation of human breast cancer cells. Statins have proangiogenic effects in low therapeutic concentrations and angiostatic effects in higher concentrations. Statins induce apoptosis and reduce cell invasiveness in various cell lines, including malignant glioma, neuroblastoma and myeloid leukemia. The chemopreventive activity of statins against cancer is suggested to depend on inhibition of cholesterol synthesis together with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric intensity-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) are two commonly used modalities to treat lung cancer. VMAT has established increasing interest in treating cancer due to shorter treatment delivery time and less number of monitor units (MUs). The main purpose of this article was to review the relevant current literature on planning studies for lung cancer, with focus on IMRT and VMAT. Additionally, the article aims to point out the different factors, which may influence on the dosimetric results among different planning studies.

Abstract: High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is typically used for the treatment of lung, esophagus, breast, bronchus, and prostate cancer as well as gynecological cancers. In HDR brachytherapy, radiation is delivered to the tumor through the catheters placed in or adjacent to the tumor. The primary goal of this article is to provide the overview of current literature regarding the application of HDR planning and optimization techniques. A summary of commonly used optimization technique known as heuristics method (stochastic and deterministic) is also provided.