Clinicopathologic Analysis and Prognostic Factors for Survival in Patients with Operable Ampullary Carcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Experience.

Background and Objectives: In ampullary cancer, 5-year survival rates are 30-50%, even with optimal resection and perioperative systemic therapies. We sought to determine the important clinicopathological features and adjuvant treatments in terms of the prognosis of patients with operable-stage ampullary carcinomas. Materials and Methods: We included 197 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy to treat ampullary carcinomas between December 2003 and May 2019. Demographics, clinical features, treatments, and outcomes/survival were analyzed. Results: The median disease-free survival (mDFS) and median overall survival (mOS) were 40.9 vs. 63.4 months, respectively. The mDFS was significantly lower in patients with lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001) and lymph node involvement (p = 0.027). Potential predictors of decreased OS on univariate analysis included age ≥ 50 years (p = 0.045), poor performance status (p = 0.048), weight loss (p = 0.045), T3-T4 tumors (p = 0.018), surgical margin positivity (p = 0.01), lymph node involvement (p = 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001), perineural invasion (p = 0.007), and poor histological grade (p = 0.042). For the multivariate analysis, only nodal status (hazard ratio [HR]1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-3.65; p = 0.027) and surgical margin status (HR 2.61; 95% CI, 1.09-6.24; p = 0.03) were associated with OS. Conclusions: Nodal status and a positive surgical margin were independent predictors of a poor mOS for patients with ampullary carcinomas. Additional studies are required to explore the role of adjuvant therapy in patients with ampullary carcinomas.

Comparison of three equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate as predictors of cisplatin-related acute kidney injury in lung cancer patients with normal renal function.

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin-associated acute kidney injury is a common clinical event that causes increased morbidity and mortality in cancer patients even if they are categorized as having normal functioning kidneys. We aimed to determine predictive factors that can predict acute kidney injury associated with cisplatin therapy in patients with normal renal function by comparison of pre-chemotherapy estimated glomerular filtration rates calculated separately by Cockcroft and Gault (CG), the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations and accompanying patient-associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 200 patients diagnosed with lung cancer and determined to have normal functioning kidneys and considered cisplatin eligible by the attending physician before chemotherapy were included in this retrospective study. Acute kidney injury after cisplatin chemotherapy (c-AKI) was determined according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03. Pre-chemotherapy serum laboratory parameters and clinico-histopathological characteristics of patients were recorded from the hospital electronic system. The optimal cut-off for eGFR methods was determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) analysis. Predictive factor analysis for c-AKI was performed by regression analyses. RESULTS: C-AKI developed in 39 (19.5%) patients. In the univariate analysis, a significant correlation was observed between c-AKI and high body mass index (BMI) before treatment, older age (>62.5), female gender, eGFR by MDRD (≤94.5 mL/min) and eGFR by CKD-EPI (≤91.5 mL/min). There was no relation between eGFR by CG and c-AKI. Two different multivariate models were established. Model 1 showed that female gender (odds ratio [OR] =4.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-15.79, P = 0.008) and eGFR by MDRD less than or equal to 94.5 mL/min (OR = 3.52, 95% CI: 1.68-7.38, P = 0.001) were predictive markers for c-AKI. In Multivariate Model 2, female gender (OR = 5.51, 95% CI: 1.70-17.83, P = 0.004) and eGFR by CKD-EPI less than or equal to 91.5 mL/min (OR = 3.52, 95% CI: 1.67-7.42, P = 0.001) were found to be predictive markers for c-AKI. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that eGFR calculated based on MDRD (≤94.5 mL/min/m2) or CKD-EPI (≤91.5 mL/min/m2) before chemotherapy indicates a strong tendency for c-AKI. In addition, we detected a high risk of c-AKI for females compared to their counterparts. Although eGFR 60 mL/min is considered the threshold level to accept patients as cisplatin-eligible, we recommend close follow-up of high-risk patients for cisplatin nephrotoxicity we detected in our models.

Comparing the efficacy of regorafenib and 5-fluorouracil-based rechallenge chemotherapy in the third-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) after the second line is still controversial. Regorafenib has been the standard of care in this setting as it improved overall survival (OS) compared to placebo. In real-world practice chemotherapy rechallenge is also a preferred option even though supporting evidence is not enough. We aim to compare the efficacy of regorafenib and 5-fluorouracil-based (5-FU) rechallenge treatment in the third line setting of mCRC. METHODS: In this retrospective multi-institutional trial, mCRC patients from 21 oncology centers who progressed after 2 lines of chemotherapy were analyzed. Patients who were treated with regorafenib or rechallenge therapy in the third-line setting were eligible. Rechallenge chemotherapy was identified as the re-use of the 5-FU based regimen which was administered in one of the previous treatment lines. OS, disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity were analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-four mCRC patients were included in the study. 128 (32.5%) were in the rechallenge, and 266 (67.5%) were in the regorafenib group. Median PFS was 5.82 months in rechallenge and 4 months in regorafenib arms (hazard ratio:1.45,95% CI, p = 0.167). DCR was higher in the rechallenge group than regorafenib (77% vs 49.5%, respectively, p = < 0.001). Median OS after the third-line treatment was 11.99 (95% CI, 9.49-14.49) and 8.08 months (95% CI, 6.88-9.29) for rechallenge and regorafenib groups, respectively (hazard ratio:1.51, 95% CI, p < 0.001). More adverse effects and discontinuation were seen with regorafenib treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that higher disease control and OS rates were achieved with rechallenge treatment compared to regorafenib, especially in patients who achieved disease control in one of the first two lines of therapy.

Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Lobular and Rare Subtypes of Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive factors for the pathological complete response (pCR) in patients with non-ductal invasive breast cancer (ND-BC) receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Departments of Medical Oncology, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Sirnak State Hospital, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Marmara University, Bakirkoy Sadi Konuk Hospital, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura Hospital, Sakarya University, Balikesir Ataturk Hospital, Turkiye, from April 2016 to December 2022. METHODOLOGY: A total of 222 non-metastatic breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included in this retrospective multicentric study. The clinicopathologic data were obtained from the hospitals' electronic-record-system. The logistic regression models were used to identify predictive factors for pCR. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six patients (56.8%) had invasive lobular carcinoma and 28 patients (12.6%) had signet ring cell/mucinous carcinoma. A total of 45 patients (20.3%) achieved pCR. The pCR rate was 14.3% for lobular carcinoma and 17.9% for signet ring cell/mucinous carcinoma. The univariate analysis showed that estrogen receptor-negative tumours (p = 0.017), high Ki-67 (p = 0.008), high histologic grade (p<0.001), HER2+ expression (p<0.001), and non-lobular histologic type (p = 0.012) were predictive factors for pCR. The multivariate model revealed that HER2 expression (p<0.001) and Ki-67 (p = 0.005) were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy demonstrated effectiveness in ND-BC patients, leading to favourable pCR rates and enabling breast-conserving surgery. Predictive markers for pCR varied depending on histologic types, with HER2 expression, ER status, Ki-67, and histologic grade showing significance in non-ductal subtypes, while HER2 status alone was predictive in lobular carcinoma. KEY WORDS: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, Non-ductal breast cancer, Lobular carcinoma.

The safety and efficacy of first-line atezolizumab plus bevacizumab in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter real-world study from Turkey.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the real-world clinical outcomes of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) as the initial therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively analyzed 65 patients treated with Atez/Bev for advanced HCC from 22 institutions in Turkey between September 2020 and March 2023. Responses were evaluated by RECIST v1.1 criteria. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression model was employed to conduct multivariate analyses. The median age was 65 (range, 22-89) years, and 83.1% of the patients were male. A total of 1.5% achieved a complete response, 35.4% had a partial response, 36.9% had stable disease, and 26.2% had progressive disease. The disease control rate was 73.8% and associated with alpha-fetoprotein levels at diagnosis and concomitant antibiotic use. The incidence rates of any grade and grade ≥ 3 adverse events were 29.2% and 10.7%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 11.3 (3.4-33.3) months, the median PFS and OS were 5.1 (95% CI: 3-7.3) and 18.1 (95% CI: 6.2-29.9) months, respectively. In univariate analyses, ECOG-PS ≥ 1 (relative to 0), Child-Pugh class B (relative to A), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 2.9 (relative to ≤ 2.9), and concomitant antibiotic use significantly increased the overall risk of mortality. Multivariate analysis revealed that ECOG-PS ≥ 1 (HR: 2.69, P = .02), NLR > 2.9 (HR: 2.94, P = .017), and concomitant antibiotic use (HR: 4.18, P = .003) were independent predictors of OS. Atez/Bev is an effective and safe first-line therapy for advanced-stage HCC in a real-world setting. The survival benefit was especially promising in patients with a ECOG-PS score of 0, Child-Pugh class A, lower NLR, and patients who were not exposed to antibiotics during the treatment.

PROPSEA, safety evaluation of palbociclib and ribociclib in older patients with breast cancer: A prospective real-world TOG study.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, the toxicities and management of palbociclib and ribociclib in older patients (≥65 years) with metastatic breast cancer patients were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among older patients receiving palbociclib and ribociclib, Geriatric 8 (G8) and Groningen Frailty Index were used to evaluate frailty status. Dose modifications, drug withdrawal and other serious adverse events (SAEs) were recorded and analyzed according to baseline patient characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients from 28 centers in Turkey were included (palbociclib = 76, ribociclib = 84). Forty-three patients were ≥ 75 years of age. The most common cause of first dose modification was neutropenia for both drugs (97% palbociclib, 69% ribociclib). Liver function tests elevation (10%) and renal function impairment (6%) were also causes for ribociclib dose modification. Drug withdrawal rate was 3.9% for palbociclib and 6% for ribociclib. SAEs were seen in 11.8% of those taking palbociclib and 15.5% of those on riboclib. An ECOG performance status of ≥2 and being older than 75 years were associated with dose reductions. Severe neutropenia was more common in patients with non-bone-only metastatic disease, those receiving treatment third-line therapy or higher, coexistance of non-neutropenic hematological side effects (for ribociclib). Neutropenia was less common among patients with obesity. DISCUSSION: Our results show that it can be reasonable to start palbociclib and ribociclib at reduced dose in patients aged ≥75 years and/or with an ECOG performance status ≥2.

Decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rates in non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with crizotinib.

Introduction: Crizotinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, and there are uncertainties about its effect on kidney function. In this study, it was aimed to document the possible adverse effect of the drug on kidney functions. Materials and Methods: The estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) of the patients were calculated by creatinine-based Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration and compared by months using the paired samples t-test. Kaplan-Meier survival method was used for progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) analysis. Results: Twenty-six patients who received crizotinib were included in the study, and the median progression-free survival time with crizotinib was 14.2 months and the median OS time was 27.4 months. There was a significant reduction of eGFR after the 1st month of crizotinib treatment when compared to the rate before treatment initiation (P < 0.001). The eGFR values at the end of the 1st month and the 2nd month of treatment and the 2nd and 3rd months of treatment were statistically similar (P = 0.086, P = 0.663; respectively). This decrease in eGFR values was reversible, and there was no difference detected between pretreatment and posttreatment discontinuation (P = 0.100). Conclusion: A reversible decrease in renal functions was detected in patients using crizotinib. When the literature data are examined, it is thought that the reason for this decrease may be related to the increase in renal inflammation or a pseudo decrease due to the decrease in creatinine excretion. When evaluating renal functions in these patients, using noncreatine-based (iothalamate, etc.) calculations can give more accurate results.

A New Mortality Prediction Model in Advanced Stage Cancer Patients Requiring Hospitalisation while Receiving Active Systemic Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To predict short and long-term mortality in patients who were admitted to the emergency department and then hospitalised unplanned in medical oncology-ward. STUDY DESIGN:  An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Medical Oncology, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University Hospital, Tekirdag, Turkiye, from May 2021 to May 2022. METHODOLOGY: Consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department with unplanned hospitalisation in the oncology ward, were included. Patients receiving treatment with the curative intent, patients hospitalised for febrile neutropenia, and terminally ill patients requiring intensive care unit follow-up at admission  were  excluded  from  the study.  Univariate  and  multivariate  logistic  regression  analyses were used to identify predictive factors for short and long-term mortality-dependent variables. RESULTS: This study included 253 advanced cancer patients. The number of patients who died in the ward within 10 days (short-term mortality) was 28 (11.1%). Ninety patients (35.6%) died afterwards anytime in the ward during the study (long-term mortality). In the multivariate analysis established for short-term mortality, higher ALT (OR = 6.75, 95% CI: 2.09 - 21.85, p=0.001), rapid deterioration in performance status (OR = 5.49, 95% CI: 1.81-16.67, p=0.003), higher CRP (OR = 5.86, 95% CI: 1.20-28.53, p=0.029), higher procalcitonin (OR = 7.94, 95% CI: 0.99 - 63.82, p=0.051), and higher lactate (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 0.94-6.51, p=0.067) showed significant predictive features. CONCLUSION: The decision of whether to continue treatment or not is challenging in cancer patients who require unplanned hospitalisation while receiving palliative systemic therapy. New mortality estimation models can be used in making the transition from life-long to palliative treatments. KEY WORD: Mortality prediction, Hospitalisation, Estimation of survival, Chemotherapy.

Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors: which one is the culprit of urinary incontinence in premenopausal breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant hormone therapy?

AIM: The primary aim of this study was to compare tamoxifen versus aromatase inhibitors (AI) in terms of urinary incontinence (UI) in premenopausal female patients receiving adjuvant hormone therapy for breast cancer. A secondary aim was to investigate the prevalence and the affecting factors of UI. METHODS: This study was designed as a multicenter, cross-sectional that included consecutive premenopausal breast cancer patients ≤50 years of age receiving tamoxifen (with/without LHRHa) or AI (with LHRHa) for at least 6 months, between June 2021 and September 2022. Patients with urinary incontinence before hormone treatments and metastatic patients were excluded from the study. Turkish validation of The International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ UI-SF) was used to determine the UI. Using logistic regression methods, we analyzed potential predictive factors for UI. RESULTS: A total of 206 breast cancer patients were included in this study. A total of 120 (58.2%) patients were receiving tamoxifen plus LHRHa, 40 (19.4%) patients were receiving aromatase inhibitor plus LHRHa, and 46 (22.3%) patients were receiving tamoxifen only. In this study, the prevalence of urinary incontinence was found to be 35.9% (n:74). 41% of the patients receiving tamoxifen and 15.0% of those receiving aromatase inhibitors had complaints of urinary incontinence. There was a statistically significant difference between patients receiving tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor in terms of urinary incontinence (p=0.001). In the univariate analysis established to predict UI, parity (≥2 vs <2) (OR = 3.23, 95% CI: 1.62-6.46, p= 0.001), tamoxifen (vs AI) (OR = 3.97, 95% CI: 1.58-9.98, p= 0.003), age ( ≥40 vs. <40) (OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.37-5.71, p= 0.005), vaginal deliveries (≥2 vs. <2) (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.44-7.46, p= 0.005), hypertension (OR = 3.59, 95% CI: 1.43-9.02, p= 0.007), diuretic use (OR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.09-5.95, p= 0.031) ), and body mass index (≥25 vs <25) (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.05-3.63), p= 0.034) was found to be predictive. Tamoxifen (OR = 4.71, 95% CI: 1.77-12.56, p= 0.002), hypertension (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.27-9.52, p= 0.015), and age (OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.10-5.02, p= 0.027) remained independent predictors for incontinence in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: We found that tamoxifen had increased the risk of urinary incontinence compared to aromatase inhibitors in patients receiving hormone therapy for breast cancer. In addition, we showed that age and hypertension were also independent predictors for UI. In the context of quality of life, we recommend close follow-up of these patients, as drug adherence may be affected in the event of urinary incontinence.

A logarithmic model for hormone receptor-positive and breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive importance of the previously validated log(ER)*log(PgR)/Ki-67 predictive model in a larger patient population. METHODS: Patients with hormone receptor positive/HER-2 negative and clinical node positive before chemotherapy were included. Log(ER)*log(PgR)/Ki-67 values of the patients were determined, and the ideal cutoff value was calculated using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. It was analyzed with a logistic regression model along with other clinical and pathological characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were included in the study. The ideal cutoff value for pathological response was 0.12 (area under the curve=0.585, p=0.032). In the univariate analysis, no statistical correlation was observed between luminal subtype (p=0.294), histological type (p=0.238), clinical t-stage (p=0.927), progesterone receptor level (p=0.261), Ki-67 cutoff value (p=0.425), and pathological complete response. There was a positive relationship between numerical increase in age and residual disease. As the grade of the patients increased, the probability of residual disease decreased. Patients with log(ER)*log(PgR)/Ki-67 above 0.12 had an approximately threefold increased risk of residual disease when compared to patients with 0.12 and below (odds ratio: 3.17, 95% confidence interval: 1.48-6.75, p=0.003). When age, grade, and logarithmic formula were assessed together, the logarithmic formula maintained its statistical significance (odds ratio: 2.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-5.69, p=0.034). CONCLUSION: In hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the logarithmic model has been shown in a larger patient population to be an inexpensive, easy, and rapidly applicable predictive marker that can be used to predict response.

Real-life experience of patients with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: a multicenter retrospective study.

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC) is a rare variant of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and is associated with a poor prognosis. We reviewed the outcomes of patients from oncology centers in Turkey. Our aim is to share our real-life experience and to contribute to the literature. The demographic and clinical features, treatment, and survival outcomes of 148 patients with sRCC were analyzed. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 58 years (range: 19-83 years). Most patients (62.8%) had clear-cell histology. Most patients were in the intermediate Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) risk group (67.6%) and were stage 4 at the time of diagnosis (63.5%). The most common sites of metastasis were the lung (60.1%), lymph nodes (47.3%), and bone (35.8%). The patients received a median of two lines (range: 0-6) of treatment. The most common side effects were fatigue, hematological side effects, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The median follow-up was 20.9 months (range: 1-162 months). The median overall survival (OS) was 30.8 months (95% confidence interval: 24.9-36.7 months). In multivariate analysis, high MSKCC scores, sarcomatoid differentiation rates >50%, having stage 4 disease, and having lung metastasis at the time of diagnosis were independent factors for poor prognosis affecting OS. No difference was observed between patients who received tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as the first or second-line treatments. Similarly, no difference between TKI and immunotherapy as the second-line treatment. In conclusion, sRCC is a rare variant of RCC with a poor prognosis and response to treatment. Larger-scale prospective studies are needed to define an optimal treatment approach for longer survival in this aggressive variant.

Predictors of lymphovascular invasion in estrogen receptor positive/Her-2 negative breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is considered a high-risk factor for recurrence in early-stage breast cancer, hence examination of LVI in pathological samples is an absolute recommendation. We aim to investigate predictive factors of LVI in preneoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) molecular subtypes of breast cancer. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four patients treated with NAC were included in this study who were ER+/HER2-. The clinical characteristics of the patients, the data obtained from the core needle biopsy before NAC and the LVI status in the pathology that examined after breast surgery were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using the logistic regression model. RESULTS: An examination of the association between LVI and clinical-pathological patient characteristics showed that advanced age (>40 years old) (p = 0.021), ductal histology (p = 0.039), and presence of axillary lymph node metastasis (p = 0.005) were predictors of LVI. Independent predictors of LVI in a multivariate logistic model included advanced age (p = 0.037), and the presence of axillary lymph node metastasis prior to NAC (p = 0.006). The median RFS (Recurrence-free survival) time was 22.8 months for all patients. RFS was shorter in patients with LVI (log-rank p = 0.037). DISCUSSION: Independent predictors of LVI are advanced age and lymph node positivity at the time of diagnosis. Our study is the first study that evaluates pre-NAC predictive factors of LVI in ER+/HER2- breast cancer patients treated with NAC.

Comprehensive Analysis of Prognostic Factors in Advanced Gastric Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the strongest prognostic factors in advanced gastric cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Medical Oncology, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey, between March 2012 and April 2022. METHODOLOGY: Adult patients with metastatic cancer who had completed at least two months of chemotherapy, without any other comorbidity were included. Using Kaplan-Meier methodology and Cox regression methods, potential prognostic factors were analysed for overall survival. Two different models were created for multivariate analysis by using statistically significant factors in univariate analysis. RESULTS: The median overall survival in 216 patients was 7.8 months. The univariate analysis showed that body-mass index, performance status, liver metastasis, albumin, gamma-glutamyl transferase, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index, albumin-to-alkaline phosphatase ratio, sodium-globulin ratio (SGR) prognostic nutritional index (PNI), albumin-bilirubin ratio, and albumin-globulin ratio were associated with survival. In Model 1, which included only laboratory indices, multivariate analyses revealed that NLR (p=0.001), SGR (p=0.025), and PNI (p=0.032) were prognostic for overall survival. In Model 2, established with all parameters, NLR (p=0.003), albumin (p=0.003), performance status (p<0.001), and CA 19-9 (p<0.001) were found to be independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment NLR, SGR, PNI, albumin, performance status, and CA 19-9 are strong prognostic factors in patients with advanced gastric cancer. These prognostic factors, which are easily accessible in clinical practice, may be utilised as useful tools for clinicians. KEY WORDS: Gastric cancer, Prognosis, Overall survival, Chemotherapy, Metastasis, Prognostic biomarkers.

Real-world data on efficacy and safety of first-line alectinib treatment in advanced-stage, ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer patients: a Turkish Oncology Group study.

Aims: In this multicenter study, the authors aimed to determine the real-life efficacy and safety of first-line alectinib. Materials & methods: This retrospective trial included advanced-stage, ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer patients who were treated with first-line alectinib in terms of ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, regardless of previous chemotherapy. The co-primary end points were progression-free survival both for all patients and for the treatment-naive population. The secondary end points were overall response rate, overall survival, rate of CNS progression and safety. Results & conclusion: A total of 274 patients (n = 177 for treatment-naive patients) were enrolled in the study. The median progression-free survival was 26 and 28.8 months for all patients and the treatment-naive group, respectively. The overall response rate, CNS progression rate and 1-year overall survival ratio were 77.9, 12.4 and 77%. Alectinib is a highly effective therapy with a favorable safety profile.

The advancements in cancer treatment, particularly in the last two decades, have been promising. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most important diseases experiencing these promising developments. ALK positivity, which is caused by the rearrangement of different gene fragments between two chromosomes, affects about 5% of NSCLC patients. This provides a target for next-generation therapies. One of these targeted therapy drugs is alectinib. The authors examined the outcomes of 271 patients with body-disseminated NSCLC who received alectinib as initial targeted therapy. These patients were not chosen to participate in a clinical phase study. They were treated with an approved drug; the study also included 97 patients who had previously received chemotherapy. The median duration of survival without disease worsening was 26 months for all patients receiving alectinib treatment. This value was 28.8 months in 177 patients who had not received any treatment before alectinib. Regardless of disease status, 77% of all patients were found to be alive at the end of the first year. Alectinib treatment resulted in a significant improvement of the disease in approximately four out of five patients. The treatment's side effects were generally tolerable or manageable. Only four patients were reported to have discontinued their medication due to treatment-related side effects. These real-world findings are compatible with previous clinical research. Alectinib is an important first-line treatment option for patients with advanced, ALK-positive NSCLC.

Immunogenicity and safety of the CoronaVac vaccine in patients undergoing treatment for breast and lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare seroconversion for SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) specific IgG positivity against two doses of the CoronaVac vaccine in breast and lung cancer patients receiving systemic therapy, to determine the factors affecting seropositivity, and to observe long-term results up to a secondary booster vaccine. RESULTS: The analysis included 201 cancer patients (99 breasts, 102 lungs; median age: 59 years (range: 28-92), 42.3 % men) and 97 controls (median age: 62 years (range: 24-87), 38.1 % men). The seropositivity rate for RBD IgG after 2 doses of vaccine in the cancer group was 81.6 % (n=164) and 93.8 % (n=91) in the control group (p=0.005). The median IgG titer of cancer patients was significantly lower than in the control group (338 (IQR, 95-933) AU/mL vs 676 (IQR, 389-1270) AU/mL; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis of all the patients determined that having cancer (OR: 0.303, 95%CI: 0.123-0.750, p=0.010) and being over 60 years of age (OR: 0.447, 95%CI: 0.218-0.917, p=0.028) was associated with a reduced vaccine response. A subgroup analysis of cancer patients revealed that seroconversion was lower in men than in women (75.3 % vs 86.2 %, p=0.049) and lower in ≥60 patients than in <60 patients (75.9 % vs 89.4 %, p=0.014). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Cancer patients receiving an active systemic therapy with two doses of the CoronaVac vaccine had a lower antibody response than the non-cancer population, and deaths due to COVID-19 may occur in these patients despite the vaccine. Therefore, extensive protective measures should be taken to protect against COVID-19 in cancer patients aged 60 years and older, who have received two doses of the CoronaVac vaccine (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref. 27).

Soluble B7H3 level in breast cancer and its relationship with clinicopathological variables and T cell infiltration.

Aim of the study: Although early diagnosis of breast cancer (BC) is often associated with a good prognosis, there is currently no biomarker with high sensitivity serving this purpose. B7H3, a recently identified member of the B7 family, appears to inhibit antitumor immunity. We investigated the soluble B7H3 (sB7H3) level in BC and its relationship with clinicopathological variables and stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (sTILs). Material and methods: The study, which was designed as a cross-sectional trial between January 2020 and September 2021, included 93 BC patients, 20 patients with benign breast disease (BBD) and 14 healthy volunteers as the control group. Serum sB7H3 levels were measured using the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method and sTILs were measured by immunohistochemistry using Tru-cut biopsy materials. Results: sB7H3 levels in BC patients were significantly higher than those in patients with BBD and healthy volunteers. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results showed that sB7H3 level may be a potential biomarker for distinguishing patients with BC from those with BBD (AUC: 0.807; sensitivity: 0.786; specificity: 0.706) and from healthy volunteers (AUC: 0.731; sensitivity: 0.700; specificity: 0.692). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the relationship between sB7H3 and disease parameters in BC. We found that sB7H3 may be a clinically practical and meaningful biomarker in differentiating BC from BBD. In order to evaluate the relationship of B7H3 with clinical variables in BC, and especially with sTILs, tissue-based studies with higher numbers of patients are needed.

The diagnostic contribution of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of axillary metastasis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Sentinel lymph node dissection (SLND) is a reliable method that provides axillary staging in clinical node-negative (cN0) breast cancer patients before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). However, it is not a standard method on its own due to the high false-negative rates (FNR) reported in initially clinical node-positive patients (cN1-cN3). The contribution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to SLND after chemotherapy is not well understood. In our study, we aimed to investigate the contribution of post-NACT MRI to SLND in breast cancer patients receiving NACT. Between January 2014 and December 2020, patients who had MRI images including the axilla after NACT and had axillary lymph nodes evaluation performed simultaneously with SLND were included in the study. MRI images of all patients were re-evaluated by 2 experienced clinicians. MRI and SLND results were analyzed to detect axillary lymph node metastasis. 117 patients were included in the study. The median age of the patients was 49 years. Before chemotherapy, 108 patients (92.3%) had tumor metastases in their axilla pathologically confirmed by tru-cut biopsy. Axillary downstage was obtained in 48.1% (n=52) of the patients after NACT. Of the 56 patients with axillary node positivity, 3 patients had no metastasis in the SLND evaluation (FNR=5.4%). The sensitivity of post-NACT MRI in detecting node positivity was 69.6%, the specificity was 90.2%, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 86.7% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 76.4. SLND together with MRI predicted all node-positive patients (FNR=0%). In summary, SLND may not detect a group of patients with residual axillary lymph node metastases after NACT. We have shown that MRI can contribute to identifying these patients. If no metastases are detected by both methods (SLND and MRI), avoidance of axillary dissection may be an acceptable choice.

Prospective comparison of the value of CARG, G8, and VES-13 toxicity tools in predicting chemotherapy-related toxicity in older Turkish patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND: In older patients with cancer, it is very important to choose the appropriate treatment because they are at high risk for chemotherapy toxicity. Our study investigated characteristics of Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG), Geriatric 8 (G8), and Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) screening tools for predicting chemotherapy-related toxicity (CRT) prospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 208 patients aged ≥65 years old for whom chemotherapy was planned to treat non-haematological cancer between February 2021-September 2021 were included in the study. The CARG, G8, and VES-13 toxicity tools were completed by the oncologist through face-to-face interviews before starting the first chemotherapy treatment. CRTs during chemotherapy were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03. Logistic regression models, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC), and correlation analyses were used for comparing questionnaires. RESULTS: Median age was 70.4 (range 65-86) years. Of the participants, 103 (49.5%) participants experienced grade 3-5 CRT (32.2% haematological, 28.4% non-haematological) during chemotherapy. ROC-AUC value of CARG was determined as 0.827 (95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.77-0.88, p < 0.001), it was determined as 0.744 (95% CI: 0.68-0.81, p < 0.001) for G8 and 0.726 (95% CI: 0.66-0.80, p < 0.001) for VES-13. In the univariate regression analysis, CARG (OR [odds ratio] = 13.57, 95% CI: 6.0-30.72, p < 0.001), G8 (OR = 3.19, 95% CI: 1.62-6.29, p = 0.001), and VES-13 (OR = 9.5, 95% CI: 5.01-17.89, p < 0.001) were found to be predictive for CRT. The multivariate analysis (included stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] performance status, presence of comorbid disease, platinum-based treatment regimen, taxane-based treatment regimen, CARG, VES-13, G8) showed that CARG (OR = 12.08, 95% CI: 5.11-28.56, p < 0.001), VES-13 (OR = 10.06, 95% CI: 4.92-22.98, p < 0.001), and G8 (OR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.04-4.69, p = 0.040) screening tools were strong predictors for CRT. The CARG and VES-13 questionnaires were predictive for reducing the initial treatment dose (p = 0.004, p = 0.004, respectively), interruption of treatment (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively), discontinuing treatment (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, respectively), and unexpected hospitalisation (p = 0.012, p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that all three CARG, G8, and VES-13 questionnaires are helpful tools in the decision-making process for ideal chemotherapy to predict severe CRT; however, CARG and VES-13 questionnaires appear more useful in daily oncology practice than the G8 questionnaire.

The influence of visual objects and music on anxiety levels of breast cancer patients scheduled to experience chemotherapy for the first time: a prospective randomized clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of music together with visual objects as an ambiance in the waiting room on anxiety levels of breast cancer patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy in outpatient setting for the first time. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Breast cancer patients planned to receive adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the first time between November 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021, were included. Two designs, including a standard waiting room (StWR) and an intervention waiting room (IWR) that was created by adding music and visual objects to the standard room, were constructed. These 2 designs were repeated sequentially in monthly periods, and a total of 104 patients with 52 in each group were randomized. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs) were used for assessments. Results of the patients in StWR and IWR groups were compared. RESULTS: Both HADs anxiety and STAI-state anxiety scale scores were lower in patients who waited in IWR compared to those who waited in StWR (p = 0.041, p = 0.012, respectively). In patients in the IWR group, mean heart rate was lower by 7.6 bpm (p = 0.009). No difference was found between the groups with regard to HADs depression score and STAI-trait anxiety score (p = 0.305, p = 0.535, respectively). For all patients, HADs anxiety scale (r = 0.400, p = < 0.001) and STAI-state anxiety scale (r = 0.475, p = < 0.001) scores increased as the waiting time increased. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The present study is the first to investigate the influence of adding music together with visual objects to the standard ambiance of the chemotherapy waiting room on anxiety levels of breast cancer patients. We propose that introduction of paintings, artificial plants, and music to the ambiance of the waiting room has a significantly positive effect on alleviating anxiety levels of cancer patients waiting for chemotherapy.