Is there any prognostic significance in pleural involvement and/or effusion in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC?

PURPOSE: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations occurs in approximately 3-5% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Pleural involvement/effusion is common in ALK-positive patients with NSCLC at baseline. The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of ALK-positive patients who have Ple-I/E. METHODS: In this multicenter study, patients with ALK-positive NSCLC who have Ple-I/E were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and demographic characteristics of the disease, response rates, median progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in 362 ALK-positive patients with NSCLC. RESULTS: Of the patients, 198 (54.7%) were male. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 54 (range 21-85) years. All patients' histology was adenocarcinoma (100%). At baseline, 57 (15.7%) patients had Ple-I/E. There was no association between Ple-I/E and gender, lung metastasis, or distant lymphadenopathy (LAP) metastasis. The frequencies of liver, brain, and bone metastases were significantly higher in ALK-positive patients without Ple-I/E compared to those with Ple-I/E (respectively 18.2% vs 4.8%, p = 0.008; 19.1% vs 4.8%, p = 0.001; 20.6% vs 8.9%, p = 0.002). The median PFS was longer in ALK-positive patients who had Ple-I/E (18.7 vs 10.6 months, p = 0.017). Similarly, the median OS was longer in ALK-positive patients who had Ple-I/E (44.6 vs 22.6 months, p = 0.051). CONCLUSION: Brain, liver, and bone metastases were lower in ALK-positive patients with Ple-I/E. Patients presented with Ple-I/E were prone to have better PFS and OS.

The effect of using adjuvant aromatase inhibitors on cognitive functions in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are effective treatment options for both early-stage and advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Because of AIs are used long term in adjuvant therapy, side effects are also very important. It is considered that AIs may affect cognitive functions by decreasing the level of estrogen in the brain. The purpose of our study is that evaluate the relationship between duration of treatment and cognitive functions in patients with breast cancer who use AIs in adjuvant therapy. Methods: Two-hundred patients diagnosed with breast cancer who were treated with AIs as adjuvant treatment were included. The patients were surveyed for demographic characteristics. Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (SMMT) tests were performed to evaluate patients' cognitive functions. The total scores of the tests and the orientation, short-time memory, visuospatial functions, attention, language, executive functions which are the MoCA subscales were evaluated separately. Patients were grouped as 0-6, 6-12, 12-24, 24-36, 36, and more months according to the duration of AIs using time. Results: The total MoCA and SMMT scores were affected by factors such as age, education level, and employment status. There was no relationship between duration of treatment and cognitive functions in patients with breast cancer who use AIs in adjuvant therapy (P > 0.05). In addition, no statistically relationship was found in the evaluation of MoCA subscales (P > 0.05). Discussion: Prolonged adjuvant treatment with AIs does not affect cognitive functions in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients.

The importance microRNAs as a biomarker in lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer (LC) is the most common cancer  in the world.Well known  causes are  long term  smoking, environmental influences and genetic variations. LC  is divided into two main types based on their histological phenotypes; small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The high specificity of these new screening methods, which are non-invasive, safe, inexpensive and simple to perform, is important in the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. MicroRNAs are  significant biomarkers on the diagnosis metastasis and targeted therapies of NSCLC. In our study, we aimed to investigate the potential of using microRNAs as a biomarker in the early diagnosis of lung cancer. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty patients diagnosed with lung cancer and  twenty healthy individuals of the same age and gender were selected as the control group.  Sixteen microRNAs were studied from blood samples. RESULT: Sixteen miRNAs (Let -7c, Let-7g, miR-1, miR-21, miR-29a, miR-31, miR-34a, miR 103a, miR-141, miR-155, miR-193b, miR-200b, miR-205, miR-340, miR-486, miR-708) were selected for tests and MiR 181 and miR 192 were used as the endogenous control group in line with their binding potentials and gene expression levels. The most specific and sensitive miRNAs were mirR-29a, miR-103a, and miR486 according to endogen controls in patients and healthy subjects. DISCUSSION: A meta-analysis study showed that circulating miRNAs could be promising biomarkers for early diagnosis of lung cancer. Overall, 17 studies were included evaluating 35 miRNA markers and 19 miRNA panels in serum or plasma. The potential role of circulating miRNAs for non-invasive lung screening has been highlighted. In conclusion, there is a need for further validation studies for the use of three  miRNAs as a biomarker in the early diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.

Prognostic values of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and prognostic nutritional index in carotid endarterectomy patients.

OBJECTIVES: C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are novel parameters with proven prognostic importance in the postoperative outcomes of coronary and peripheral vascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ability of CAR and PNI to predict major cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during the postoperative period of Carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: A total of 505 carotid endarterectomy patients were retrospectively evaluated. Of 505 patients, 23 patients who died and who experienced myocardial infarction or major neurologic complication in the first 30 days after the operation were included in MACCE group (Group 1). The remaining 482 patients were included in Group 2. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate preoperative serum albumin value, lymphocytes count, PNI, and CAR to predict the MACCE. The DeLong test was used to compare the area below the curve (AUC) with each of these parameters. RESULTS: CAR (2.48 ± 1.82 and 1.64 ± 1.37) and CRP (9.98 ± 7.42 and 6.81 ± 5.70) values are statistically higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. PNI (41.59 ± 3.11 and 43.54 ± 4.20) and albumin (40.43 ± 3.15 and 42.35 ± 4.15) values were significantly lower in Group 1 than in Group 2. The accuracy of albumin (AUC: 0.669) in the prediction of MACCE was found to be the highest among CAR (AUC: 0.631), PNI (AUC:0.667), and CRP (AUC:0.631). CONCLUSION: Preoperative nutritional and inflammatory status is significantly associated with post-operative outcomes. PNI and CAR can be used for preoperative evaluation, as CEA is recommended for patients who have low possibility of having postoperative major adverse events.

Crizotinib efficacy and safety in patients with advanced NSCLC harboring MET alterations: A real-life data of Turkish Oncology Group.

Crizotinib is a multikinase inhibitor, effective in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring mesenchymal-epidermal transition (MET) alterations. Although small prospective studies showed efficacy and safety of crizotinib in NSCLC with MET alterations, there is limited real-life data. Aim of this study is to investigate real-life efficacy and safety of crizotinib in patients with advanced NSCLC harboring MET alterations. This was a retrospective, multicenter (17 centers) study of Turkish Oncology Group. Patients' demographic, histological data, treatment, response rates, survival outcomes, and toxicity data were collected. Outcomes were presented for the study population and compared between MET alteration types. Total of 62 patients were included with a median age of 58.5 (range, 26-78). Major histological type was adenocarcinoma, and 3 patients (4.8%) had sarcomatoid component. The most common MET analyzing method was next generation sequencing (90.3%). MET amplification and mutation frequencies were 53.2% (n = 33) and 46.8% (n = 29), respectively. Overall response rate and disease control rate were 56.5% and 74.2% in whole study population, respectively. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 7.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8-10.5), and median overall survival (OS) was 18.7 months (95% CI: 13.7-23.7), regardless of treatment line. Median PFS was 6.1 months (95% CI: 5.6-6.4) for patients with MET amplification, whereas 14.3 months (95% CI: 6.7-21.7) for patients with MET mutation (P = .217). Median PFS was significantly longer in patients who have never smoked (P = .040), have good performance score (P < .001), and responded to the treatment (P < .001). OS was significantly longer in patients with MET mutation (25.6 months, 95% CI: 15.9-35.3) compared to the patients with MET amplification (11.0 months; 95% CI: 5.2-16.8) (P = .049). In never-smokers, median OS was longer than smoker patients (25.6 months [95% CI: 11.8-39.3] vs 16.5 months [95% CI: 9.3-23.6]; P = .049). The most common adverse effects were fatigue (50%), peripheral edema (21%), nausea (29%) and diarrhea (19.4%). Grade 3 or 4 adverse effects were observed in 6.5% of the patients. This real-life data confirms efficacy and safety of crizotinib in the treatment of advanced NSCLC harboring MET alteration.

The effect of telephone triage on symptom management in patients with cancer undergoing systemic chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Patients with cancer experience chemotherapy-related symptoms in the home after treatment in the hospital. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the telephone triage on symptom management, quality of life, and self-care management in patients with cancer undergoing treatment of systemic chemotherapy. METHODS: The study was conducted as a single-blind randomized controlled trial. The sample consisted of 65 patients who were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. A telephone symptom triage protocol (TeleTRIAGE) was applied to the patients in the intervention group during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cycles of chemotherapy treatment. The control group received standard nursing care. Pretest and posttest data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale, the FACT-G Quality of Life Scale and the Self-Care Agency Scale. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the patients in the intervention group showed a decrease in appetite change, symptom severity, and the degree of discomfort in feeling pessimistic and sad (p < 0.05), and their mean quality of life and self-care management scores increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the TeleTRIAGE protocol applied to patients with cancer undergoing treatment of systemic chemotherapy improved symptom management, quality of life and self-care management. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov, NCT04162717.

Clinical outcomes of concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors and regorafenib in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a multicenter study.

AIM: To compare survival outcomes, response rates, and adverse events (AEs) in proton pump inhibitor (PPI) user and non-user patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with regorafenib. METHODS: We included 272 patients with mCRC treated with regorafenib in this study. Patients were divided into two categories according to their status of PPI use. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were time to treatment failure (TTF), response rates, and safety. To exclude immortal time bias in survival analyses, we compared PPI non-user patients and all patients. RESULTS: There were 141 and 131 patients in the PPI non-user and user groups. Baseline characteristics were similar in each group. Pantoprazole was the most used PPI. At the median 35.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 32.6-37.9) months follow-up, the median OS was similar in PPI non-user and all patients (6.9 months (95% CI: 5.3-8.5) and 7.7 months (95% CI:6.6-8.8), p = 0.913). TTF was also similar in PPI non-user and all patients (3.3 months (95% CI: 2.7-3.9) and 3.5 months (95% CI: 3.0-4.0), p = 0.661). In multivariable analysis, no statistically significant difference was observed between PPI user and non-user groups in OS and TTF (hazard ratio (HR), 0.99; 95% CI, 0.77-1.28; p = 0.963 for OS; HR, 0.93; 0.77-1.20, p = 0.598 for TTF). The objective response rates (ORR) were similar in the PPI non-user and user groups (19.8% and 16.8%, p = 0.455). The rates of any grade AEs were also similar in each group. CONCLUSION: This study found no worse outcome in the combined use of PPI and regorafenib among patients with mCRC.

Use of MicroRNAs as biomarkers in the early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a common type of cancer in western countries and prominent cause of mortality in men. The aim of the study was to analyze circulating miRNAs as biomarkers in the sera of healthy individuals and prostate cancer cases without biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty prostate cases, age (mean and range) 61,4±12.1 (45-73), and twenty healthy men, age 59,3±11.2 (44-70) were included to the study. The mean and range of prostate spesific antigen (PSA) in cancer cases and healthy individuals were 6.79±2.84 ng/ml (2.25-14.7) and 3.8±2.2 ng/ml (1.3-7.8) respectively. RESULTS: Seven miRNAs including two internal controls (Let7c, miR125b, miR141, miR145, miR 155, miR181 ve miR192) were evaluated in two groups. The level of miR141 was significantly lower in PCa cases than healthy individuals (p=0,004), and miR155 was significantly higher (p=0,005) in PCa cases. Both miRNAs were explored sensitive and spesific in the ROC analysis. Tumor mass were found to be associated with the level of miR-125b and miR-145. Conclusion; validation studies are required in wider patient groups in the subject of tumor effect and miRNA biomarkers in prostate cancer.

Development and evaluation of the efficacy of a web-based education program among cancer patients undergoing treatment with systemic chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to develop a web-based education program among cancer patients undergoing treatment with systemic chemotherapy and to evaluate the efficacy of the program on symptom control, quality of life, self-efficacy, and depression. METHODS: A web-based education program was prepared in line with patient needs, evidence-based guidelines, and expert opinions and tested with 10 cancer patients. The single-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted at a medical oncology unit of a university hospital. Pretests were applied to 60 cancer patients undergoing treatment with systemic chemotherapy, and the patients (intervention: 30, control: 30) were randomized. The intervention group used a web-based education program for 3 months, and they were allowed to communicate with researchers 24/7 via the website. The efficacy of a web-based education program at baseline and after 12 weeks was evaluated. The CONSORT 2010 guideline was performed. RESULTS: In the first phase results of the study, it was found that most of the patients with cancer wanted to receive education about symptom management and the side effects of the treatment. Expert opinions on the developed website were found to be compatible with each other (Kendall's Wa = 0.233, p = 0.008). According to the randomized controlled study results, patients who received web-based education reported significantly fewer symptoms (p = 0.026) and better quality of life (p = 0.001), but there was no statistically significant difference in the self-efficacy and depression levels during the 3-month follow-up period (p˃0.05). The most frequently visited links in the web-based education program by the patients with cancer were the management of chemotherapy-related symptoms (62.6%). CONCLUSION: A web-based education program was found to be efficacy in remote symptom management and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov , NCT05076916 (October 12, 2021, retrospectively registered).

The relationship between hope levels and unmet needs of caregivers of advanced cancer patients†.

AIM: The effects in cultural and health provisions can lead to different unmet support needs. Hope is seen as an important support, a supportive power, and an efficient coping strategy for cancer caregivers. The purpose of this study in Turkish society is to determine supportive care needs of caregivers of cancer patients, to determine the hope levels of those caring for cancer patients and foresee how variables and hope can trigger needs. METHODS: To identify the unmet needs and hope levels of caregivers of advanced cancer patients in Turkish society. Data were collected using the Supportive Care Needs of Caregivers Scale and Herth Hope Index. RESULTS: More than half of the advanced cancer caregivers (56.51%) reported unmet care needs. Their unmet needs and hope levels were above average. Regression analysis showed the total score for hope was related to health care and information needs, work-social needs. CONCLUSION: Hope was related to health care and information needs and work-social needs. Oncology nurses should focus on the unmet needs of caregivers, taking into account their cultural differences in order to raise their hopes.

Cisplatin plus paclitaxel and bevacizumab versus carboplatin plus paclitaxel and bevacizumab for the first-line treatment of metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab is a frequently used treatment regimen for metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer, and carboplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab are also among the recommended regimens. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of these two regimens for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer. METHODS: Patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer treated with cisplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab or carboplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab were retrospectively evaluated in this study. The clinical and demographic characteristics of patients in each group were evaluated. Median overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included. Overall, the numbers of patients with recurrent disease and metastatic disease were 159 and 91, respectively. The most common histologic subtype was squamous cell carcinoma (83.2%). The median duration of follow-up was 13.6 (range 0.5-86) months. The median progression-free survival was 10.5 (95% CI 9.0 to 11.8) months in the cisplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab group (group 1), and 10.8 (95% CI 8.6 to 13.0) months in the carboplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab group (group 2) (HR 1.20; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.63; p=0.25). The median overall survival was 19.1 (95% CI 13.0 to 25.1) months in group 1 and 18.3 (95% CI 15.3 to 21.3) months in group 2 (HR 1.28; 95% CI 0.91 to 1.80; p=0.15). CONCLUSIONS: There is no survival difference between cisplatin or carboplatin combined with paclitaxel and bevacizumab in metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer.

The Relationship between Nutritional Parameters and Thrombosis Risk in Cancer Patients.

Venous thromboembolism which consists of pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis is one of the most important problems in cancer patients. The mechanisms of cancer-associated thrombosis are multi-factorial and still unclear. Nutrition is an important factor in the treatment and prognosis of cancer. Assessment of the nutritional status of cancer patients is multifactorial and it should be performed at each visit. We aimed to assess the relationship between nutritional status and thrombosis risk in various cancer types. It was a cross-sectional and single-center study and 582 cancer patients were included. Patients nutritional status was evaluated with their height, weight, BMI, triceps skinfold thickness, waist circumference, and upper arm circumference. It was found that there was a statistically significant relationship between the thrombosis risk and nutritional parameters such as weight, BMI, and waist circumference which are important anthropometric measurements. As a result, thrombosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Obesity and cachexia are both important conditions in cancer patients and should be well evaluated. It has been shown that increased weight, BMI, and waist circumference indicating obesity are important risk factors for thrombosis risk in cancer patients.

Response to first-line chemotherapy regimen is associated with efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapies in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Atezolizumab (ATZ) has demonstrated antitumor activity in previous studies in patients with metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma. However, the response rate of ATZ was modest. Therefore, finding biologic or clinical biomarkers that could help to select patients who respond to the immune checkpoint blockade remains important. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we present the retrospective analysis of 105 patients with urothelial cancer treated with ATZ after progression on first-line chemotherapy. Data of patients were obtained from patient files and hospital records. The association between response to first-line chemotherapy and ATZ was using Fisher's exact test. Median follow-up was calculated using the reverse Kaplan-Meier method. OS was estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 23.5 months. Forty (74.1%) of patients who experienced clinical benefit after firs-line chemotherapy also had clinical benefit after atezolizumab, while only 14 (25.9%) of patients with initial PD after first-line chemotherapy subsequently experienced clinical benefit with ATZ (p = 0.001). The median OS on ATZ of 14.8 and 3.4 months for patients with clinical benefit and progressive disease in response to first-line chemotherapy, respectively (p = 0.001). Three of the adverse prognostic factors according to the Bellmunt criteria were independent factors of short survival: liver metastases {Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.9; p = 0.04}, ECOG PS ≥ 1 (HR = 2.7; p = 0.001), and Hemoglobin level below 10 mg/dl (HR = 2.8; p < 0.001). In addition, patients with clinical benefit from first-line chemotherapy (HR = 0.39; p < 0.001) maintained a significant association with OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that clinical benefit from first-line chemotherapy was independent prognostic factors on OS in patients' use of ATZ as second-line treatment in metastatic bladder cancer. Furthermore, these findings are important for stratification factors for future immunotherapy study design in patients with bladder cancer who have progressed after first-line chemotherapy.

The Relationship Between Plexin C1 Overexpression and Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Turkish Oncology Group (TOG) Study.

PURPOSE: Plexin C1 is a transmembrane receptor and plexin C1 overexpression might have role in carcinogenesis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has poor prognosis because of its aggressive behavior and limited treatment options, especially in advanced stage. We recently documented that Plexin C1 was overexpressed in HCC. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of Plexin C1 overexpression in HCC in the present study. METHODS: Plexin C1 overexpression was evaluated immunohistochemically on paraffin-embedded blocks of the HCC patients. Plexin C1 immunohistochemical staining was scored. Plexin C1 overexpression staining intensity and prevalence were used for plexin scale staining evaluation and plexin scores were estimated according this staining scale. Plexin C1 score and its association with survival and clinicopathological features was assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-seven HCC patients with adequate tissue for pathological evaluation were included. Median age was 63 years with male predominance (male to female ratio was 4.75 (n 57/12). Well-differentiated HCC (53.7%) patients had higher plexin C1 overexpression (p < 0.05). Median OS was 22.1 months. Patients with lower plexin C1 score (< 12) had shorter OS (17.5 vs 30.1 months, p = 0.036). Neutrophil count, GGT, and PNR (platelet/neutrophil ratio) had prognostic significance (p = 0.047, p = 0.018, and p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Plexin C1 overexpression is inversely correlated with grade in HCC. The patients with lower rate of Plexin C1 overexpression have worse survival outcome. It might be a prognostic factor in HCC.

Prospective external validation of an updated algorithm to quantify risk of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients after a cycle of chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Febrile neutropenia resulting from chemotherapy is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. We had previously published the associates of the risk of febrile neutropenia, and this study now extends and modifies the previous model as well as tests its external validity. METHODS: We have recruited documented febrile neutropenia cases with solid tumors, in addition to a selected control group of cancer patients from one institution treated between 2015 and 2019. We then united our sample with our previously published original derivation group, to modify and update our previous model by logistic regression analysis. Additionally, consecutive cancer patients from 5 institutions were recruited in 2020 to test external validity of the resultant algorithm. RESULTS: A total of 4075 cycles of chemotherapy in 1282 cases were recruited in the updated, new model derivation group, and a total of 8 variables were selected for the updated algorithm. In the new external validation group, 653 cycles of chemotherapy in 624 patients were analyzed, to indicate that after cycles without prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) usage, the algorithm yielded a sensitivity value of 91%, specificity of 40%, and an area under curve (AUC) figure of 0.78, when a risk cutoff threshold value of ≥ 0.20 is chosen. This algorithm is now embedded in a web application for free clinical use. CONCLUSION: Our algorithm identifies and quantifies the risk of febrile neutropenia in cancer patients. Further studies are required to improve this model with additional predictors.

Cetuximab-induced rash is associated with overall survival in patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

PURPOSE: In this study, we looked for whether treatment-induced rash predicts treatment efficacy in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC treated with Cetuximab and chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and cetuximab for the first line treatment of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC were recruited. Presence of rash, hypomagnesemia, hypopotassemia, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia during treatment and treatment response, date of progression, date of last visit and death were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients' data were available for analysis. Any grade of rash was detected in 57 (44.5%) of the patients. The incidence of rash was significantly higher in patients with objective response than in patients with disease progression (%56.8 vs %14.3, p < 0.001). Progression free survival was 7.06 months (4.98-9.15) in patients treated with cetuximab and chemotherapy as first line treatment. In the multivariate analysis; rash was significantly correlated with longer PFS (HR 2.136; 95% CI 1.067-4.278; p = 0.032). Progression free survival was 9.65 months in patients who experienced rash, and 6.02 months in patients without rash, (p = 0.019, log-rank test). Overall survival was 11.24 months (9.65-12.82). In multivariate analysis, the survival of patients with rash was significantly longer than patients without rash (HR 1.954; 95% CI 1.162-3.285; p = 0.012). Overall survival was 15.08 months in patients who experienced rash, and 8.61 months in patients without rash (p = 0.05, log-rank test). CONCLUSION: Cetuximab-induced rash is associated with better ORR and longer PFS and OS in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC treated with Cetuximab and platinum-based chemotherapy.

Second Primary Tumors in Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Single-Center Experience.

Background and Objectives: In this study, we investigated the frequency and type of second primary malignant tumors (SPMTs) accompanying gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), patient and tumor characteristics, and follow-up and survival data. Materials and Methods: We included 20 patients with SPMTs from a total of 103 patients with GISTs in a single center in Turkey. At the time of GIST diagnosis, patient age, sex, presentation symptoms, localization, pathological features of the tumor, stage, recurrence risk scoring for localized disease, treatments received, time of SPMT association, follow-up times, and survival analysis were recorded for each patient. Localization, histopathology, and stage of SPMT accompanying GISTs were also recorded accordingly. Results: SPMT was detected in 19.4% of patients with GISTs. Of the patients, 50% were men and 50% were women. The mean age at the time of diagnosis of GIST was 63.8 ± 10.81 years (range: 39-77 years). Of the GISTs, 60% were localized in the stomach, 25% in the small intestine, and 70% were at low risk. Of the SPMTs, 60% were in the gastrointestinal system. SPMTs were diagnosed as synchronous with GISTs in 50% of the patients. The mean follow-up period of the patients from the diagnosis of GIST was 45.6 (0.43-129.6) months. When the data were finalized, 5% died due to GIST, 35% died due to SPMT, and 15% died due to non-disease-related causes. Conclusions: SPMT was detected in 19.4% of patients with GISTs. GISTs were frequently located in the stomach, and most of them were at low risk. The most common SPMTs were gastrointestinal system tumors, and their coexistence was found to be synchronous. Most patients died due to SPMT during follow-up.

Prognostic factors in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have treated with Atezolizumab.

BACKGROUND: Atezolizumab (ATZ) has demonstrated antitumor activity and manageable safety in previous studies of patients with metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma. However, the response rate of Atezolizumab was modest. In the current study, we evaluated the pretreatment prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have progressed after first-line chemotherapy in the Expanded-Access Program of Atezolizumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we present a retrospective analysis of 113 patients with urothelial cancer treated with ATZ after progression on first-line chemotherapy. Data of the patients was obtained from patient files and hospital records. Eligible patients included metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients treated with at least one course of ATZ. Univariate analysis was used to identify clinical and laboratory factors that significantly impact OS. Variables were retained for multivariate analysis if they had a statistical relationship with OS (p < 0.1), and then included a final model of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 23.5 months. Of the patients, 98 (86.7%) were male and 13.3% were female. The median age was 65 years of age (37-86). In univariate analysis, primary tumor location in the upper tract, increasing absolute neutrophil count (ANC), increasing absolute lymphocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 3, liver metastases, baseline creatinine clearance less (GFR) than 60 ml/min, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (1 ≥), and hemoglobin levels below 10 mg/dl were all the significantly associated with OS. Three of the five adverse prognostic factors according to the Bellmunt criteria were independent of short survival: liver metastases HR 3.105; 95% CI 1.673-5.761; p < (0.001), ECOG PS (1 ≥) HR 2.184; 95% CI 1.120-4.256; p = 0.022, and Hemoglobin level below 10 mg/dl HR 2.680; 95% CI 1.558-4.608; p < (0.001). In addition, NLR > 3 hazard ratio [HR] 2.092; 95% CI 1.031-4.243; p = 0.041 and GFR less than 60 ml/min HR 1.829; 95% CI 1.1-3.041; p = 0.02, maintained a significant association with OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This model confirms the Bellmunt model with the addition of NLR > 3 and GFR less than 60 ml/min and can be associated with clinical trials that use immunotherapy in patients with bladder cancer.

MicroRNAs as biomarkers for breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women and the most frequent cause of death due to cancer among women. The lack of standard biomarkers in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, microRNAs (miRNA) have been of interest recently. Although, miRNAs are 19-24 nucleotide-long non-coding RNA species, they have crucial roles in many areas from organogenesis to carcinogenesis. This study has been conducted to investigate miR 21, miR 27b, miR 125a, miR 155, miR 200c, miR 335 miR373 as biomarkers in the early diagnosis of breast cancer; a selection based on the literature. Two miRNAs, miR 181 and miR 192 were selected as the endogenous control. MiRNAs were obtained from 5 cc blood samples taken from 20 breast cancer patients and 20 healthy people. 10 microRNAs were studied using Real Time PCR method. As a result, the quantities of miR 21, miR155 and miR125 ​​were significantly higher in the breast cancer group than in healthy controls. We suggest that performing validation studies in wider populations can help the use of miRNAs as biomarkers in the early diagnosis of breast cancer.