Efficacy of second-line targeted agents in kras wild metastatic colorectal cancer patients who received prior targeted agent: First anti-epidermal growth factor receptor or vascular endothelial growth factor in right and left colon?

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the impact of first biological agents on second-line biological agents in kras wild-type metastatic colon patients in right and left colon. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients received anti-EGFR compared with anti-VEGF in right and left colon separately according to progression-free survival and overall survival in second line. RESULTS: A total of 84 patients were included in the study. In left colon, progression-free survival and overall survival were 9 and 14 months for anti-EGFR and 9 and 16 months for anti-VEGF in the second line. In right colon, progression-free survival and overall survival were 5 and 9 months for anti-EGFR and 4 and 6 months for anti-VEGF in the second line. CONCLUSIONS: Progression-free survival was higher in patients who received bevacizumab first followed by anti-EGFR than reverse sequencing in right colon. Overall survival was similar between two groups.

The prognostic value of the change in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio during first-line palliative chemotherapy in patients with metastatic gastric cancer: A retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Metastatic gastric cancer (mGC) is linked with worse prognosis, and tools are needed for predicting disease course and chemotherapy response. The value of the change in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) during first-line palliative chemotherapy on the outcomes in patients with mGC is not fully explained. This study aimed to investigate the importance of changes in NLR in predicting disease course and chemotherapy response in mGC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 194 patients diagnosed with mGC between August 2005 and November 2016. The NLR was assessed before and after chemotherapy to evaluate its relationship with survival. According to threshold values determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, the NLR was divided into two groups with <2.6 and ≥2.6. RESULTS: Elevated prechemotherapy NLR was significantly correlated with worse overall survival (OS) on univariate analysis (p=0.01). On multivariate analysis, elevated prechemotherapy NLR (HR 1.43, p=0.036) was an independent prognostic element for worse OS, but not for progression-free survival (PFS). Constantly elevated NLR or an increase in NLR after chemotherapy was correlated with poor OS, PFS and chemotherapy response. In the multivariate analysis, constantly elevated NLR was identified to be independent predictor of reduced OS and PFS. CONCLUSION: NLR change during chemotherapy is a better index than prechemotherapy NLR for predicting survival in patients with mCG.

Atypical diabetic ketoacidosis: case report.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus and can lead to death if untreated. It is a complex metabolic state characterised by hyperglycaemia, acidosis and ketonuria. Bonsai is one of the herbal incense products that contains synthetic cannabinoid and can be easily accessible via the internet in many countries. It cannot be detected in blood and urine studies using conventional methods. Synthetic cannabinoid abuse is associated with severe side effects, including tachycardia, high blood pressure, acidosis, excess sedation and coma. CASE REPORT: A 17-year-old male patient was brought to the emergency department with sudden onset of dyspnoea. Laboratory investigations revealed hyperglycaemia, acidosis and ketonuria. He was admitted to the intensive care unit with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis. He was not considered a typical case of diabetic ketoacidosis because of the tendency to hypokalaemia, persistent tachycardia and bronchoscopic findings. We learned from his friends that he had used cannabis for a week and used bonzai on the day that he was brought to the emergency service. CONCLUSION: Diabetic ketoacidosis with prolonged acidosis and tendency to hypokalaemia are investigated for the consumption of synthetic cannabinoids.