Evaluation of CD4<sup>+</sup>T cells, neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils in chemotherapeutic colorectal cancer patients, attending oncology unit, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of gastrointestinal cancers in Nigeria. It was once described as rare among Nigerians in the 1960s, but at present, the incidence of colorectal cancer is rapidly growing. The occurrence of colorectal cancer in Nigeria has been linked to both environmental and hereditary factors, with environmental factors playing a more significant role, due to economic impact, changes in dietary and lifestyles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of CD4 cells, neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils in chemotherapeutic colorectal cancer patient attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital. A total of 57 subjects consisting of 30 chemotherapeutic colorectal cases and 27 healthy controls were recruited in the research. Five (5) mls of venous blood was collected from each patient. The total leukocytes and differential counts were performed as well as the level of CD4+T-cells. The results indicated a statistically significant (P <0.005), increases in the levels of CD4+ T-cells, neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils in chemotherapeutic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. In the CRC patients on FOLFOX regimens, the CD4+, neutrophils and basophils were statistically significant at p-value 0.0001, while eosinophils have p-value of 0.0003, but in CRC on FOLFIRI regimen, CD4+, neutrophils were statistically significant at p-value 0.0001, while basophils have P-value 0.0006, and eosinophils have P-value 0.0023. In patients on CapeOX regimens, there was no statistically significancy in all the groups. In conclusion, statistical significance was observed in patients taking FOLFOX and FOLFIRI chemotherapeutic regimens on CD4+, neutrophils, and basophils in comparison with the CapeOX. The eosinophil was not statistically significant.