Hematological Profiles and Serum Cytokine Levels in Patients With Breast Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence.

@article{duneeh2026hematological,
  title = {{Hematological Profiles and Serum Cytokine Levels in Patients With Breast Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence.}},
  author = {Richard Vikpebah Duneeh and Otchere Addai-Mensah and Benedict Sackey and Ernest Adankwah and Edward Yaw Afriyie and Veronica Agyemang and Precious Kwablah Kwadzokpui and Emmanuel Ativi and Mercy Adzo Klugah and Francis Agyei Amponsah and Kenneth Ablordey},
  journal = {Health science reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1002/hsr2.73451},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948571},
  note = {CC BY},
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Hematological Profiles and Serum Cytokine Levels in Patients With Breast Cancer in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Evidence.
AU  - Richard Vikpebah Duneeh
AU  - Otchere Addai-Mensah
AU  - Benedict Sackey
AU  - Ernest Adankwah
AU  - Edward Yaw Afriyie
AU  - Veronica Agyemang
AU  - Precious Kwablah Kwadzokpui
AU  - Emmanuel Ativi
AU  - Mercy Adzo Klugah
AU  - Francis Agyei Amponsah
AU  - Kenneth Ablordey
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/27
JO  - Health science reports
DO  - 10.1002/hsr2.73451
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948571
AB  - Background and aim  Breast cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Hematological and inflammatory markers offer accessible, low-cost tools for patient assessment; hence, this study synthesized evidence on hematological parameters and serum cytokine levels in breast cancer patients from LMICs.Methods  Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2013 and December 2025 comparing hematological parameters or serum cytokine levels between breast cancer patients and controls in LMICs, the protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420261543115). Of 25 eligible studies identified, 22 were included in the meta-analysis. Data on complete blood count indices and inflammatory cytokines were extracted and pooled using random-effects models. Pooled effect sizes were calculated as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. Subgroup analyses were performed by treatment status, and heterogeneity, sensitivity, and publication bias were assessed. All statistical analyses were performed using R software (version 4.5.0).Results  Erythrocyte parameters were consistently lower, including red blood cell count (SMD = -1.83; 95% CI: -3.32 to -0.33), packed cell volume (SMD = -4.04; 95% CI: -8.08 to -0.00), mean corpuscular volume (SMD = -1.15; 95% CI: -2.64 to -0.34), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (SMD = -0.99; 95% CI: -2.19 to -0.20). Platelet-related parameters were elevated, including pretreatment platelet count (SMD = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.17-0.70) and mean platelet volume (SMD = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.07-0.81). Leukocyte profiles showed decreased lymphocytes (SMD = -1.07; 95% CI: -1.82 to -0.83) and eosinophils (SMD = -2.33; 95% CI: -5.90 to -1.25), with increased monocytes (SMD = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.29- 1.29). One study reported markedly elevated inflammatory cytokines in patients versus controls: IL-6 (20.6 vs. 4.4 pg/mL), IL-10 (8.8 vs. 2.8 pg/mL), and TNF-α (26.0 vs. 4.7 pg/mL); all p = 0.001.Conclusion  These findings support the integration of routine complete blood count parameters as accessible, low-cost tools for monitoring disease burden and systemic inflammation in resource-limited settings. Further research is needed to characterize cytokine profiles and establish normative reference data for LMIC populations.
SN  - 2398-8835
ER  -