Efficacy of subsequent treatments in patients with hormone-positive advanced breast cancer who had disease progression under CDK 4/6 inhibitor therapy.

BACKGROUND: There is no standard treatment recommended at category 1 level in international guidelines for subsequent therapy after cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6) based therapy. We aimed to evaluate which subsequent treatment oncologists prefer in patients with disease progression under CDKi. In addition, we aimed to show the effectiveness of systemic treatments after CDKi and whether there is a survival difference between hormonal treatments (monotherapy vs. mTOR-based). METHODS: A total of 609 patients from 53 centers were included in the study. Progression-free-survivals (PFS) of subsequent treatments (chemotherapy (CT, n:434) or endocrine therapy (ET, n:175)) after CDKi were calculated. Patients were evaluated in three groups as those who received CDKi in first-line (group A, n:202), second-line (group B, n: 153) and ≥ 3rd-line (group C, n: 254). PFS was compared according to the use of ET and CT. In addition, ET was compared as monotherapy versus everolimus-based combination therapy. RESULTS: The median duration of CDKi in the ET arms of Group A, B, and C was 17.0, 11.0, and 8.5 months in respectively; it was 9.0, 7.0, and 5.0 months in the CT arm. Median PFS after CDKi was 9.5 (5.0-14.0) months in the ET arm of group A, and 5.3 (3.9-6.8) months in the CT arm (p = 0.073). It was 6.7 (5.8-7.7) months in the ET arm of group B, and 5.7 (4.6-6.7) months in the CT arm (p = 0.311). It was 5.3 (2.5-8.0) months in the ET arm of group C and 4.0 (3.5-4.6) months in the CT arm (p = 0.434). Patients who received ET after CDKi were compared as those who received everolimus-based combination therapy versus those who received monotherapy ET: the median PFS in group A, B, and C was 11.0 vs. 5.9 (p = 0.047), 6.7 vs. 5.0 (p = 0.164), 6.7 vs. 3.9 (p = 0.763) months. CONCLUSION: Physicians preferred CT rather than ET in patients with early progression under CDKi. It has been shown that subsequent ET after CDKi can be as effective as CT. It was also observed that better PFS could be achieved with the subsequent everolimus-based treatments after first-line CDKi compared to monotherapy ET.

Real-Life Analysis of Efficacy and Safety of Everolimus Plus Exemestane in Hormone Receptor-Positive, Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients: A Turkish Oncology Group (TOG) Study.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of everolimus (EVE) plus exemestane (EXE) in hormone-receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in real-life settings. METHODS: Overall, 204 HR+, HER2- MBC patients treated with EVE + EXE after progressing following prior endocrine treatment were included. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and safety data were analyzed. RESULTS: The objective response rate, median PFS, and median OS were 33.4%, 8.9 months, and 23.4 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that negative progesterone receptor status was a significant determinant of poor treatment response (p = 0.035) and PFS (p = 0.024). The presence of bone-only metastasis was associated with better treatment response (p = 0.002), PFS (p < 0.001), and OS (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: We confirmed the favorable efficacy and safety profile of EVE + EXE for HR+, HER - MBC patients.

Prognostic factors of perioperative FLOT regimen in operable gastric and gastroesophageal junction tumors: real-life data (Turkish Oncology Group).

BACKGROUND: Perioperative FLOT regimen is a standard of care in locally advanced operable gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma. We aimed to determine the efficacy, prognostic factors of perioperative FLOT chemotherapy in real-life gastric and GEJ tumors. METHODS: The data of patients who were treated with perioperative FLOT chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed from 34 different oncology centers in Turkey. Baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, pretreatment laboratory values, histological and molecular characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 441 patients were included in the study. The median of age our study population was 60 years. The majority of patients with radiological staging were cT3-4N(+) (89.9%, n = 338). After median 13.5 months (IQR: 8.5-20.5) follow-up, the median overall survival was NR (95% CI, NR to NR), and median disease free survival was 22.9 (95% CI, 18.6 to 27.3) months. The estimated overall survival at 24 months was 62%. Complete pathological response (pCR) and near pCR was achieved in 23.8% of all patients. Patients with lower NLR or PLR have significantly longer median OS (p = 0.007 and p = 0.033, respectively), and patients with lower NLR have significantly longer median DFS (p = 0.039), but PLR level did not affect DFS (p = 0.062). The OS and DFS of patients with better ECOG performance scores and those who could receive FLOT as adjuvant chemotherapy instead of other regimens were found to be better. NLR was found to be independent prognostic factor for OS in the multivariant analysis. At least one adverse event reported in 57.6% of the patients and grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in 23.6% patients. DISCUSSION: Real-life perioperative FLOT regimen in operable gastric and GEJ tumors showed similar oncologic outcomes compared to clinical trials. Better performance status, receiving adjuvant chemotherapy as same regimen, low grade and low NLR and PLR improved outcomes in real-life. However, in multivariate analysis, only NLR affected OS.

Worse patient-physician relationship is associated with more fear of cancer recurrence (Deimos Study): A study of the Palliative Care Working Committee of the Turkish Oncology Group (TOG).

OBJECTIVE: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is an important psychological trauma associated with reduction in the quality of life, disruptions in the level of adjustment, emotional distress and anxiety. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of patient-physician relationship on FCR. METHODS: The study was designed as a multicentre survey study. The cancer survivors, who were under remission, were evaluated with structured questionnaires. Patient-physician relationship (PPR) scale in which higher scores indicate better relationship and FCR inventory was used. RESULTS: Between January and April 2019, 1,580 patients were evaluated. The median age was 57.0 (19-88), and 66% were female. There was high level of FCR scores in 51% of participants. There was a negative correlation between PPR and FCR scores (r = -.134, p < .001). In multivariate analysis, young age, female gender, history of metastasectomy and worse PPR were associated with high levels of FCR. CONCLUSION: It is the first data showing the adverse impact of worse PPR on FCR. The strategies to improve the PPR should be practised. In addition, the cancer survivors, who are under the risk of FCR, should be evaluated and managed.

Real-world data on the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab emtansine in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with pertuzumab: Turkish oncology group multicenter study.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab emtansine in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and taxane. We reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2) positive metastatic breast cancer and received pertuzumab and then TDM-1 between January 2014 and January 2021 from twenty- five cancer centers. The Kaplan- Meier method estimated progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Additionally, objective response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), and safety were evaluated. One hundred fifty-three patients were included,79.1% of the patients received TDM-1 in the second line, 90.8% had visceral metastasis, and 30.7% had central nervous system involvement. The PFS and OS of TDM-1 were evaluated according to the number of previous lines (on the 2nd line or more than two lines) metastatic sites (visceral and non-visceral) and the presence of central nervous metastasis. In TDM-1 therapy, PFS in second line therapy was ten months (95% CI: 7.7 - 12.2); this was statistically higher than later-line PFS, which was six months (95% CI: 3.3 to 8.6) (p = 0.004). The median OS time was 25 months (95% CI: 21.0 to 28.9) in patients treated with TDM-1 in the second line and 19 months (95% CI: 12.3 to 25.6) in patients who received later than the second line(p = 0.175). There were no significant differences in PFS time of patients with and without visceral and central nervous metastases. Our study showed that TDM-1 was also effective in patients using pertuzumab, contributes significantly to PFS when used in the second line compared to its use in the later line, and does not make any difference in OS.

The prognostic factors in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: impact of treatment sequencing.

The prognosis of patients with advanced HCC can vary widely depending on factors such as the stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and treatment regimens. This study aimed to investigate survival outcomes and associated factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this retrospective study, data from 23 medical oncology clinics were analyzed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) values were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Prognostic factors associated with survival which were identified in univariate analysis were subsequently evaluated in a multivariate Cox-regression survival analysis was conducted using the backward stepwise (Conditional LR) method to determine the independent predictors of PFS and OS. Of 280 patients, 131 received chemotherapy and 142 received sorafenib, 6 received atezolizumab plus bevacizumab and 1 received nivolumab for first-line setting. The median follow-up time was 30.4 (95%CI 27.1-33.6) months. For-first line, median PFS was 3.1 (95%CI2.7-3.5) months, and it was significantly longer in patients who received sorafenib or atezolizumab-bevacizumab or nivolumab (PFS 5.8 (95%CI 4.2-7.5) than in those received chemotherapy (PFS 2.1 (95%CI 1.9-2.3) in the first-line setting (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that male gender (HR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.53-4.94, p = 0.01), poor ECOG performance score (HR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.10-3.21, p = 0.02), higher baseline AFP level (HR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.54-3.67, p < 0.001) and upfront sorafenib treatment (HR,0.38; 95% CI: 0.23-0.62, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with shorter PFS. The median OS was 13.2 (95%CI 11.1-15.2) months. It was significantly longer in patients who received sorafenib or atezolizumab-bevacizumab or nivolumab in the first-line setting followed by TKIs (sorafenib or regorafenib, OS 18.6 (95%CI 13.8-23.5)) compared to those who received chemotherapy (OS 10.3 (95%CI 6.6-14.1)) in the first-line setting. The multivariate analysis revealed that upfront chemotherapy treatment approach, male gender (HR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.07-2.94, p = 0.02), poor ECOG performance score (HR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.24-3.09, p = 0.004) and Child-Pugh score, presence of extrahepatic disease (HR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.09-2.18, p = 0.01), and higher baseline AFP value (HR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03-2.19, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, regarding of treatment sequence, upfront sorafenib followed by regorafenib showed a significantly lower risk of mortality (HR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.25-0.66, p < 0.001). Sorafenib followed by regorafenib treatment was associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality rather than upfront sorafenib followed by BSC group or upfront chemotherapy followed by TKIs. These findings underscore the importance of the optimal treatment sequences to improve survival in patients with advanced HCC.

The Effect of HER2-Low Status on Pathological Complete Response and Survival in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis conducted a comprehensive analysis of research investigating the correlation between HER2 expression levels and treatment outcomes in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. We systematically searched major databases for studies published up to January 01, 2023. The data from various studies examined the relationship between HER2-zero and HER2-low tumors in terms of pathological complete response (pCR) rates, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) outcomes. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by the number of events were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method to analyze pCR. The hazard ratio and 95% CI were calculated using the inverse variance method for DFS and OS. In all comparisons, I2 was 0% and no heterogeneity was detected. A total of 12 retrospective studies involving 4094 patients were included. Thirty-six percent of the patients were in the HER2-low group. All 12 studies were included in the pooled analysis for pCR, and there was no difference between HER2-zero and HER2-low (40% vs. 38%, respectively; pooled OR:1.01 95% CI 0.88-1.16; I2: 0%). Four studies were included in the pooled analysis for DFS and 3 in the OS analysis. DFS and OS were significantly better in the HER2-low group (pooled hazard ratio: 0.67 for DFS, 0.64 for OS). There was no difference between HER2-low and HER2-zero in terms of pCR in early-stage TNBC. However, HER2-low was found to be associated with prolonged DFS and OS. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023391002.

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.

Acrometastasis of Laryngeal Carcinoma to the Finger.

Distant metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma occurs at the rate of 4%-12%, with the most common sites being the lungs, liver and bone. Acrometastasis occurs rarely in cases of laryngeal carcinoma; to date, only three cases of acrometastasis have been reported. Herein, we describe a 66-year male, who was followed up for metastatic laryngeal carcinoma and developed paronychia. Hot compress was applied, antibiotic treatment was administered, and fine-needle biopsy of the lesion was performed. The lesion did not regress despite the administration of a broad-spectrum antibiotic. The results of cytological examinations were consistent with squamous cell carcinoma metastasis. Rarely occurring acrometastases indicate poor prognosis in cancer patients; expected survival is short and treatment is usually palliative. In such cases, finger amputation or local radiotherapy are recommended. Clinicians should be aware when treating metastatic laryngeal cancer that such atypical lesions as paronychia can be associated with the primary tumour. Key Words: Acrometastasis, Laryngeal carcinoma, Finger, Metastasis.

Trastuzumab ± Capecitabine Maintenance After the First-Line Treatment of HER2-Positive Advanced Gastric Cancer: Retrospective Observational Real-Life Data of Turkish Oncology Group.

PURPOSE: In the ToGA trial for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer, cisplatin plus fluoropyrimidine was given for 6 cycles; trastuzumab was given until disease progression. However, there is a lack of real-life data about trastuzumab maintenance after 6 cycle chemotherapy. This study aims to present real-life data of trastuzumab ± capecitabine maintenance after 6 cycles of platinum, fluoropyrimidine, and trastuzumab in non-progressive patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective multicenter study of the Turkish Oncology Group. A total of 35 HER2-positive, inoperable locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma patients being non-progressive at the end of 6 cycle chemotherapy and being given trastuzumab ± capecitabine as maintenance treatment were included from sixteen oncology centers. Baseline characteristics, objective tumor responses, progression free and overall survival data, and toxicities were determined. RESULTS: About 68% of the patients were given CF, and 32% were given FOLFOX with trastuzumab as the first-line treatment. The best response in 6 cycle chemotherapy was complete 8 (22%), partial 24 (68%), and stable disease 3 (8%). All patients had trastuzumab maintenance (median cycle 13; range 7-51), and 49% of the patients had capecitabine with trastuzumab (median capecitabine cycle 6; range 2-30). The median PFS of the patients was 12.0 months (95% CI 10.3-13.7), and median OS was 17.4 months (95% CI 15.2-19.5). There were 2 patients with grade 1 cardiotoxicity. CONCLUSION: Trastuzumab maintenance ± capecitabine after 6 cycles of trastuzumab plus combined chemotherapy treatment revealed efficacy and safety in non-progressive HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer.

First-line treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer.

Fluoropyrimidine+cisplatin/oxaliplatin+trastuzumab therapy is recommended for the first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma. However, there is no comprehensive study on which platinum-based treatment should be preferred. This study aimed to compare the treatment response and survival characteristics of patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer who received fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and leucovorin (mFOLFOX)+trastuzumab or cisplatin and fluorouracil (CF)+trastuzumab as first-line therapy. It was a multicenter, retrospective study of the Turkish Oncology Group, which included 243 patients from 21 oncology centers. There were 113 patients in the mFOLFOX+trastuzumab arm and 130 patients in the CF+trastuzumab arm. The median age was 62 years in the mFOLFOX+trastuzumab arm and 61 years in the CF+trastuzumab arm (P = 0.495). 81.4% of patients in the mFOLFOX+trastuzumab arm and 83.1% in the CF+trastuzumab arm had gastric tumor localization (P = 0.735). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly higher in the mFOLFOX+trastuzumab arm (9.4 months vs. 7.3 months, P = 0.024). The median overall survival (OS) was similar in both groups (18.4 months vs. 15.1 months, P = 0.640). Maintenance trastuzumab was continued after chemotherapy in 101 patients. In this subgroup, the median OS was 23.3 months and the median PFS was 13.3 months. In conclusion, mFOLFOX+trastuzumab is similar to CF+trastuzumab in terms of the median OS, but it is more effective in terms of the median PFS in the first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic gastric and GEJ cancer. The choice of treatment should be made by considering the prominent toxicity findings of the chemotherapy regimens.

The relation between inflammation-based parameters and survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer.

AIM: We aimed to evaluate whether tumor markers and inflammation parameters effect on survival in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 170 patients with pancreatic cancer who were admitted to the oncology clinic at the metastatic stage. Basic patient demographic characteristics, chemotherapy (CT) that patients received in the first line, complete blood count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), albumin/globulin ratio (AGR), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], carbohydrate antigen 19-9 [CA19-9]), and survival were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine the optimum cutoff value of NLR, PLR, AGR, PNI, CEA, and CA 19-9, which could predict survival. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 63 years (range, 33-87). About 63.5% of the patients were male and 44.5% were female. 161 (94.7%) patients died, and the median overall survival (OS) was 8.0 months (95% confidence interval = 6.6-9.4) for all patients. In univariate analysis, age (P < 0.001), CT regime (P < 0.002), AGR (P < 0.006), PNI (P < 0.017), NLR (P < 0.001), PLR (P < 0.062), and CA19-9 (P < 0.002) were statistically significant. In multivariate analysis, age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.534 95% 1.079-2.182 P < 0.017) CA19-9 (HR1.410 95% 1.001-1.989, P ≤0.005) and, NLR (HR 1.569 95% 1.001-2.463, P < 0.049) were significant. CONCLUSION: We determined, age, CA19-9, and basal high NLR as independent adverse prognostic factors for OS in APC. Fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin CT resulted in a significant increase in OS.

The impact of lymph node ratio on overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lymph node metastasis is a predominant prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer. Number of lymph nodes removed surgically was demonstrated to correlate with staging accuracy and oncological outcomes. However, number of lymph nodes removed depends on uncontrolled variables. Therefore, a more reliable prognostic indicator is needed. Calculation of ratio of positive lymph nodes to total number of removed lymph nodes may be an appealing solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of 156 Stage III colorectal cancer patients whom underwent surgery between 2008 and 2015. Patients' demographic characteristics, tumor grade, location, vascular-perineural invasion status, number of removed lymph nodes, and ratio of positive lymph nodes to number of removed lymph nodes were recorded. Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation coefficient while Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression model were performed for the prediction of survival and multivariate analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Number of removed lymph nodes did not correlate with survival, but it was inversely correlated with number of positive lymph nodes. Multivariate analysis showed that ratio of removed positive lymph nodes to the total number of lymph nodes was a significant prognostic factor for survival for a ratio equal or above 0.31 was a poor prognostic indicator (108 months vs. 34 months, hazard ratio: 4.24 [95% confidence interval: 2.15-8.34]; P < 0.019). Tumor characteristics failed to demonstrate any prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that positive lymph node ratio (PLNR) is an important prognostic factor for Stage III colorectal cancer. Although 0.31 can be taken as threshold for "PLNR," prospective trials including larger patient groups are needed to validate its role as a prognostic indicator.

Combination of trastuzumab and taxane-containing intensified chemotherapy in first-line treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: Taxane-containing combinations are recommended for the first-line therapy of advanced gastric cancer. It is not known which chemotherapy regimen is the best with trastuzumab for HER2-positive patients. The aim of this study was to compare taxane-containing intensified chemotherapy versus standard chemotherapy in combination with trastuzumab in the first-line treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: This study is a retrospective multicenter study of the Turkish Oncology Group. A total of 130 HER2-positive patients with inoperable locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma being given chemotherapy plus trastuzumab as the first-line treatment were included from 16 different oncology centers. Trastuzumab combination with intensified chemotherapy including taxane or standard chemotherapy was compared in terms of progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. RESULTS: There were 108 patients in the standard and 22 patients in the intensified chemotherapy group. PFS of the standard and intensified group were 5.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8-6.4) and 5.3 months (95% CI 2.6-8), respectively (p = 0.70). OS of the standard and intensified group were 11.1 months (95% CI 8.3-13.9) and 15.2 months (95% CI 12.7-17.7), respectively (p = 0.03). Repeated analysis excluding patients given any previous therapy revealed similar results. The intensified group had more fever and febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSION: Trastuzumab combination with intensified chemotherapy provides better OS in first-line treatment of HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer. Further large-scale studies should be performed in HER2-positive patients.

Lung involvement in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: what are the predictors?

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence, predictors and radiological findings of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS)-associated lung involvement. This retrospective cohort study included 123 patients with demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data who were diagnosed with pSS. Lung involvement was defined based on the presence of pulmonary signs/symptoms and/or impaired pulmonary function tests along with alterations in high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT). Thirty patients (24.4%) had pulmonary signs/symptoms at the initial presentation and/or during the follow-up period. Based on the criteria, 14 patients (11.4%) were defined as having pSS with lung involvement. The smoking rate, male/female ratio and the mean ages were found to be higher in patients with lung involvement (P < 0.05). Positive IgM-rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-La and anti-Ro results, the presence of hypergammaglobulinemia and lymphopenia had high specificity despite the low sensitivity rates to detect pSS-associated lung disease. A significant difference was found in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) results between the patients with and without lung involvement. Impaired FEV(1) had high specificity and positive predictive value compared to impaired FVC, particularly in non-smoker patients. The most frequent HRCT finding was ground-glass attenuation (64.3%). Other common findings were bronchiectasis, reticular pattern and honeycombing. The lesions involved predominantly the lower lobes. In conclusion, the presence of hypergammaglobulinemia and lymphopenia, positivity for RF, anti-La and anti-Ro, and impaired (FVC) and/or FEV(1) values could be the predictive parameters with a high specificity despite the low sensitivity rates. Smoking history, male gender and age are also risk factors. These parameters may be helpful to distinguish pSS-associated lung involvement from lung disorders unrelated to pSS.

The hematologic inflammatory index is a new prognostic marker in patients resected for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The role of the systemic inflammatory response in cancer has been shown in many studies. The present study aims to investigate the prognostic significance of a new hematologic index obtained by the combination of platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts in patients undergoing curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 95 consecutive patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January 2013 and December 2018. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff values for hematologic inflammatory index (HII). The optimal cutoff value for HII was 2.69. Baseline parameters categorized into two groups were compared with the Chi-square test. Variables were evaluated by the univariate analysis were further assessed by the multivariate analysis using Cox's proportional-hazards regression model. RESULTS: According to HII, 44 patients (46.3%) had values lower than 2.69 and 51 patients (53.7%) had values higher than 2.69. HII was significantly correlated with depth of tumor invasion (P = 0.009), tumor histologic type (P = 0.048), and need for adjuvant therapy (P = 0.04). Median disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.003, hazard ratio (HR), 0.423; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.234-0.762) and median overall survival (OS) (P = 0.002, HR, 0.385; 95% CI, 0.207-0.716) were found to be significantly shorter in the patient group where HII was higher than 2.69 compared to the patient group whose HII was lower than 2.69. When the multivariate analysis was performed, both DFS (P = 0.025, HR, 0.484; 95% CI, 0.257-0.912) and OS (P = 0.04, HR, 0.497; 95% CI, 0.255-0.970) were found to be independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, HII is independently associated with both DFS and OS in gastric cancer. HII is an inexpensive, powerful, and easily accessible prognostic marker.

Hypertrichosis, trichomegaly, and androgenic alopecia related to cetuximab treatment.

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies are mainly used in the treatment of advanced stages of solid tumors as a targeted therapy to inhibit tumor proliferation. They cause many dermatological adverse reactions through inhibition of EGFR pathway in the skin. A 39-year-old female patient diagnosed with metastatic colon adenocarcinoma received oxaliplatin, fluorouracil, and folinic acid regimen with cetuximab. The patient noticed increase in fairy hair especially at facial area as well as in the whole body beginning after the first few cycles of treatment, after 3 months. Obvious hypertrichosis, androgenic alopecia, and trichomegaly were observed. Blood tests for androgenetic alopecia and hirsutism were studied. Hormonal levels were in normal range. Upper abdominal imaging to rule out any adrenal lesion was also normal. Previous studies reported found that cetuximab may cause alopecia, hypertrichosis on face and body, and trichomegaly. We have not encountered a combination of hypertrichosis, androgenic type alopecia, and trichomegaly in the literature.

Predictors of Neoplasia in Colonic Wall Thickening Detected via Computerized Tomography.

Introduction Colonic wall thickening (CWT) is frequently observed incidentally via abdominal computerized tomography (aCT). Although the general approach to evaluating incidental CWT is a colonoscopic examination, there is a lack of definitive recommendation guidelines. Thus, we aimed to determine neoplasia rates and identify the factors predictive of neoplasia via colonoscopic examinations of patients with CWT incidentally diagnosed via aCT. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 5,300 colonoscopy reports. A total of 122 patients who had CWT incidentally observed via aCT were included in the study. CWT was graded as mild (3-5 mm), moderate (6-12 mm), or severe (≥12 mm). A logistic regression model was used to determine the predictive factors for neoplasia. Results The mean age of the patients was 60 years, and abnormal findings were noted in 52% of the colonoscopies. Neoplastic lesions were detected in 24 patients (19.6%), while colon adenocarcinoma was detected in 8 patients (6.5%). Multivariate analysis showed that moderate-severe, focal, and asymmetric CWT were independent factors for predicting neoplasia (p=0.049, p=0.033, and p=0.018, respectively). Conclusion Pathological findings can be noted via colonoscopic examination in cases of incidental CWT; therefore, patients with moderate-severe, focal, or asymmetric CWT require colonoscopic examination for the purpose of detecting neoplasia.