Clinical significance of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in malignant melanoma.

PURPOSE: Nutrition and inflammation play a crucial role in the development of cancer. The prognostic value of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) has been confirmed in some types of human cancers. However, few studies are available indicating its prognostic power in patients with malignant melanoma (MM). Thus, we aimed to identify baseline peripheral blood biomarkers to predict the outcome of MM patients MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data of 101 patients with MM were evaluated retrospectively. Associations between clinical and histopathological parameters with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared by the log-rank test. The optimal cutoff values were determined by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and PNI were grouped based on a cutoff points 2.18, 547.1, and 40.1, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess their prognostic values for overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Lower NLR ( < 2.18), SII ( < 547.1) and higher PNI ( ≥ 40.1) were linked with a longer PFS and OS in patients with MM, as reflected in the Kaplan-Meier analyses. In univariate analysis, TNM stage, Breslow thickness, Clark stage, ulceration, Ki67 status, LDH, NLR, SII, and PNI were significantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis identified TNM stage, ulceration, LDH and PNI as an independent predictor of OS in patients with MM. CONCLUSION: PNI can be regarded as a novel independent prognostic factor for predicting OS in MM.

End-of-study results of Turkish gastric cancer patients from the global REGATE study.

PURPOSE: Registry of Gastric Cancer Treatment Evaluation (REGATE) study was an international, prospective study including over 10000 patients from 22 countries, designed to describe the pattern of care in gastric cancer globally. The aim of this study was to summarize the data of the Turkish arm and compare them with the global results. METHODS: Ten centers from Turkey took part in the REGATE registry. Between 2004 and 2008, 395 patients (median age, 60 years; range, 18-91, 67.6% men) with newly diagnosed primary adenocarcinoma of the stomach were followed at initial visit and 8-10 months later, at the time of treatment completion. Data on patient demographics, medical history, histopathology, cancer stage, planned and realized treatments was prospectively collected. Data processing and analysis were conducted centrally. RESULTS: In Turkey, the majority of patients were diagnosed at an advanced stage, while the rate of surgery was lesser compared with the rest of the world. Realized treatment included more palliative-only therapy than initially planned (63.3%), while no therapy was recommended in 21.8%. Surgery involved total gastrectomy (46.3%) or distal subtotal gastrectomy (51.9%), with 87% R0 resection, 51.0% D1 and 44.9% D2 lymph node dissection. Combination chemotherapy was administered in more than half of the patients receiving palliative therapy (57.9%). Chemoradiotherapy was used in 66.7% of the cases receiving adjuvant therapy. Radiotherapy was applied to 32% of the cases receiving palliative therapy. CONCLUSION: Advanced stage gastric cancer is highly prevalent in Turkey. Increasing public awareness and implementing screening programs in high risk groups may help identify gastric cancer at earlier stages.