Clinical trials

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease with higher proportion of Blacks affected and in younger age groups. There is no targeted therapy unlike other types of breast cancer such as hormone positive and Human Epidermal Growth factor 2 (HER2) positive subtypes. Chemotherapy is therefore the main choice of systemic treatment with rapid development of resistance in most cases. At present, there is no blood test to monitor treatment response and disease relapse. This one-stage phase II study with a single arm design will determine the response rate of standard chemotherapy using Epirubicin (60mg/m2), Cyclophosphamide (600mg/m2) , Paclitaxel (120mg/m2) and Carboplatin (6AUC) in TNBC patients. We will measure the blood level of microRNA molecules and circulating tumor DNA during and after treatment to test if changes can be used to indicate drug failure in these patients. Disease status and tumor response will be assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) guidelines while toxicity will be assessed using CTCAE v5). The trial will be conducted as per the International Council on Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice (ICH GCP) Guidelines E6 (R1) and other applicable guidelines

Contemporary studies from South Africa and Nigeria have built on historical reports to demonstrate that the etiology and indeed case profile of acute HF (i.e. more women and younger individuals affected in the prime of their life) is different from high-income countries. As such, HF is now responsible for 7-10% of medical admissions in the region. These are entirely based on studies on acute HF and few on chronic HF. The nexus between endemic infections such as tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS and other non-communicable or non-infectious risk factors and HF in Africa is scarcely documented. This study will assess the long-term outcomes, risk factors, clinical phenotypes, and genomics of HF in Ibadan, Nigeria, estimate catastrophic healthcare cost associated with CHF and how it affects evidence-based care; understand cultural and social conceptions of HF in the city and by extension in Nigeria. Data from each subject shall be obtained using a uniform and standardized case report forms (CRF). A detailed clinical documentation on cases of HF will be undertaken. All variables will be summarized using appropriate descriptive statistics. Means and proportions will be estimated with two-tailed 95% confidence intervals. Specified patients' outcomes will also be summarized using proportions. Factors associated wit patient outcomes will be investigated using multivariable logistic regression models. Crude and adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) will be estimated. The primary event outcome of the study will be mortality by cause. Secondary event outcomes will include non-fatal major events (both resulting in and not resulting in admission).

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia (rhythm abnormality) encountered in clinical practice. It contributes significantly to the risk of cardiac symptoms, hospital admissions, cardiovascular related morbidity and mortality and increased healthcare cost. AF has significant impact on healthcare cost. The major drivers of the cost are hospitalisations, stroke and loss of productivity. Globally AF accounts for less than 1% of all deaths. However, because it co-exists with other conditions, it contributes to worse prognosis compared to persons who do not have AF. New onset AF in HF patients may be associated with particularly poor prognosis. Most of the published data and current knowledge on AF epidemiology are based on studies in Europe and North America. The information obtainable from previous studies in sub-Saharan Africa is limited. Many of the studies were retrospective. There is also paucity of information on burden of AF (both in hospital and community), clinical profile and outcome of AF in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. The primary objective of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics, outcome as well as cost genetic features of AF in Nigeria. The project will provide information on: i. Hospital and community burden of AF in Nigeria; ii. Clinical features, mode of presentation and risk factors for AF; iii. Provide data on AF related outcomes as well as prognostic factors.