Prognostic and predictive value of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in combination with systemic inflammatory markers in colon cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Systemic inflammatory indices and CD8(+) tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment are highly prognostic in colon cancer (CC) but combined assessment is less well studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic and predictive value of CD8(+) TILs in combination with systemic inflammatory indices in patients with resected stage II-III colon cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage II-III CC (n = 304) diagnosed between 2008 and 2016 were included. Pan-immune inflammation value (PIV) was used as a comprehensive inflammatory index and was calculated as: [neutrophil count × platelet count × monocyte count]/lymphocyte count. The mean density of CD8+ TILs in the periphery and center of the tumor was assessed and dichotomized at the 75th percentile. Combined inflammation score (CIS) was classified as "high" in patients with high PIV (>median) plus low mean CD8(+) TILs density, and CIS "low" in the remaining patients. RESULTS: 5-year DFS was 71% (78% in stage II, 63.4% in stage III). PIV was higher in right colon tumors, T4 tumors and in patients with obstruction / perforation. CD8(+) TIL density was lower in node positive tumors. High PIV and low CD8(+) TILs were associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS). In multivariate analysis; age > 65 years, stage III disease and high CIS (PIVhigh / CD8low) were associated with shorter DFS. Among patients with stage II disease, patients with high CIS (PIVhigh / CD8low) derived significant benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy while those with low CIS derived no benefit. CONCLUSION: Combined inflammation score may represent a new prognostic factor for localized colon cancer and predictor of chemotherapy response in patients with stage II disease.

Prognostic and predictive value of tumoral DNA damage repair protein expression in patients with resected pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: DNA damage repair (DDR) gene mutations gained interest in the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) patients, but their relevance in adjuvant setting is not well characterized. We assessed the prognostic and predictive potential of tumoral expression of DDR proteins along with clinical and tumor characteristics in patients with resected PC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with PC who underwent pancreatic resection in our institution between 2005 and 2017 were retrospectively retrieved. Tumoral expression of a panel of DDR proteins including BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, and p53 with immunohistochemistry was evaluated and association with patient and tumor features as well as prognosis was assessed. RESULTS: 130 patients were included in the study. The median age was 61 and 66% were males, 57% had lymph node involvement and 17% had a vascular invasion. 25 patients (19%) had thrombosis at the time of diagnosis. Median overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were 21.6 and 11.8 months, respectively. More advanced disease stage (HR: 3.67 95% CI 1.48-9.12, p = 0.005), presence of thrombosis (HR: 2.01 95% CI 1.04-3.89, p = 0.039), high BRCA1 expression (HR: 2.25, 95% CI 1.13-5.48, p = 0.023) and high post-operative CA 19-9 level (>100 IU/ml) (HR:2.61 95% CI 1.40-4.89, p = 0.003) were associated with shorter DFS. BRCA2, ATM, and p53 expression were not associated with DFS or OS. Adjuvant gemcitabine-cisplatin regimen was not associated with increased DFS or OS in the whole group, neither in low or high expressors of BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM or p53. CONCLUSION: Contrary to BRCA2, ATM, and P53, BRCA1 expression may be beneficial for prognosis in resected pancreatic cancer, while no predictive role was observed in terms of adjuvant platinum efficacy.

Real-life comparison of afatinib and erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer with rare EGFR exon 18 and exon 20 mutations: a Turkish Oncology Group (TOG) study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the survival of first- and second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with rare EGFR exon 18 and exon 20 mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated survival characteristics of 125 patients with EGFR exon 18 and exon 20 mutated NSCLC who received erlotinib or afatinib as first line treatment between 2012 and 2021 from 34 oncology centres. Since exon 20 insertion is associated with TKI resistance, these 18 patients were excluded from the study. RESULTS: EGFR exon 18 mutations were seen in 60%, exon 20 mutations in 16%, and complex mutations in 24% of the patients with NSCLC who were evaluated for the study. There were 75 patients in erlotinib treated arm and 50 patients in afatinib arm. Patients treated with erlotinib had progression-free survival time (PFS) of 8.0 months and PFS was 7.0 months in the afatinib arm (p = 0.869), while overall survival time (OS) was 20.0 vs 24.8 months, respectively (p = 0.190). PFS of exon 18 mutated arm was 7.0 months, exon 20 mutated arm was 4.3 months, and complex mutation positive group was 17.3 months, and this was statistically significant (p = 0.036). The longest OS was 32.5 months, seen in the complex mutations group, which was not statistically different than exon 18 and in exon 20 mutated groups (21.0 and 21.2 months, respectively) (p = 0.323). CONCLUSION: In this patient group, especially patients with complex mutations are as sensitive to EGFR TKI treatment similar to classical mutations, and in patients with rare exon 18 and exon 20 EGFR mutation both first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs should be considered, especially as first- and second-line options.

Prognosis of Liposarcoma Patients in Modern ERA: Single-Center Experience.

Objective Liposarcomas are relatively rare tumors. Prognostic and predictive factors and treatment options are limited. We herein presented our 10-year experience with liposarcomas. Materials and Methods Adult patients with liposarcoma treated between 2005 and 2015 in our center were included. Demographic and clinicopathologic features of patients were retrieved from patient files. Statistical Analyses Outcomes in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed along with potential prognostic factors using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results A total of 88 patients were included. The median age was 52. Rates of well-differentiated (WDLS), dedifferentiated (DDLS), myxoid (MLS), and pleomorphic liposarcomas (PLS) were 42, 9.1, 37.5, and 4.5%, respectively. Only 10% of patients had high-grade tumors and 93% had localized disease. Ninety-six percent of patients ( n = 84) underwent surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy was delivered to 16 patients. The most common regimen was ifosfamide-doxorubicin. Recurrences were observed in 30 patients, 21 had local, and 9 had distant metastasis. Five-year DFS of patients with the localized disease was 68%. All patients with PLS had relapses and those had the highest distant relapse rates among all subtypes. Multivariate analysis showed T stage and grade were associated with DFS. Five-year OS of the entire population was 68%. Five-year OS was 79, 76, 50, and 0% in WDLS, MLS, DDLS, and PLS, respectively ( p = 0.002). Conclusion Management of liposarcomas is still challenging. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. Novel effective therapies are needed, particularly in advanced disease settings.

The role of adjuvant chemotherapy in resected stage I non - small cell lung cancer: A Turkish Oncology Group Study.

PURPOSE: The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for tumors smaller than 4 cm is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy in high-risk stage I patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: This cooperative group study included 232 NSCLC patients who underwent curative surgery for stage I disease with tumor size 2-4 cm. Re ults: Median age at presentation was 63 years (range 18-90). The mean tumor size was 29.6 ± 7.3 mm. The frequency of patients with specified risk factors were: visceral pleural effusion (VPI): n: 82 (36.6%); lymphovascular invasion (LVI): n: 86 (39.1%); Grade 3: n: 48 (32.7%); Solid micropapillary pattern (SMP): n: 70 (48.3%). Adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy was administered to 51 patients. During a median follow-up period of 50.5 months 68 patients (29.3%) developed recurrence, 54 (23.3%) died from any cause and 38 (16.4%) of them died of lung cancer. Patients who received chemotherapy compared with the non-chemotherapy group had a longer 5-years relapse-free survival (RFS) (84.5 vs 61.1%). Also on multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was a significant independent prognostic factor for RFS. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy should be considered for patients with small tumors with adverse risk factors. Key words: adjuvant chemotherapy, lung cancer, oncology, lymphovascular invasion, solid-micropapillary pattern, platinum-based therapy.

Does Combined Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy Change the Outcome of Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas?

Background Radiotherapy (RT) with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) has yielded good responses in many cancers. We aimed to report the results of combined fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) and ICI in patients with recurrent high-grade glioma. Methodology Patients were treated with FSRT and nivolumab which were continued until progression or toxicity. The Response Assessment in Neuro-oncology and Immunotherapy Response Assessment in Neuro-oncology criteria were used to assess treatment response on magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment-related toxicity was noted in all patients. Results A total of eight patients were included. Recurrence was detected after a median of 5.8 months following the first RT, all in the treatment field. FSRT (3 × 8 Gy) was applied with neoadjuvant, concurrent, and adjuvant nivolumab. After a median follow-up of 21.3 months from diagnosis and 12.6 months from recurrence, one patient was alive and seven succumbed to the disease. The median overall survival was 20.9 months after diagnosis and 12.9 months after recurrence. The median progression-free interval was 2.3 months after FSRT. The local control (LC) rate was 62.5% with a median local recurrence-free survival of nine months. Progression in other regions of the brain was observed in four patients with a median progression-free survival of 2.1 months. Acute toxicity was not observed. ICI-related grade 3 late pneumonitis was observed in two patients, and grade 1 late thyroid toxicity in two patients. One patient with pneumonitis also developed osteoporosis and radiation necrosis. Conclusions A high LC rate was achieved with concurrent FSRT and ICI with a severe late toxicity rate of 25%. This combination can be an option in recurrent high-grade gliomas.

The effect of EML4-ALK break-apart ratio on crizotinib outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer harboring EML4-ALK rearrangement.

PURPOSE: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangement exists in approximately 3-7% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and more than 15% split or isolated red signals among 50 tumor nuclei scored in the FISH analysis defines as ALK-positive. The previous studies showed that the high EGFR mutational load related to better outcomes in EGFR mutant NSCLC. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of the ALK break-apart ratio on treatment outcome in metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC. METHODS: The patients (pts) who ALK-positive and treated with crizotinib were retrospectively enrolled. The 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% break-apart ratios were determined as a threshold value, and each of these was evaluated separately. Based on the results of these analyses, we detected the optimal threshold value and also performed further investigations. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in the study. The most significant decrease in the risk of the progression or death was detected at the 50% threshold value and it was accepted as the optimal threshold. The median PFS was 17.9 vs. 7.06 months (mo) in the pts with high ALK rearrangement than low (HR: 0.43, 95% CI 0.24-0.76, p 0.004). The median OS was also significant longer in high ALK rearrange group (44.6 mo vs. 16.8 mo; HR: 0.37, 95% Cl 0.1883-0.7315; p 0.004). The intracranial progression during crizotinib treatment was significantly frequent in the pts with high ALK rearrangement (62.5-32.5%, P 0.039) DISCUSSION: In this study, we found that the high break-apart ratio can predict the extent of benefit from targeted therapy in ALK-positive NSCLC patients. Based on the results of this study, the percentage of the ALK rearrangement can be used to predict treatment outcome and to choose the optimal targeted agent in the treatment of metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC.

Real-life comparison of the afatinib and first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors in nonsmall cell lung cancer harboring EGFR exon 19 deletion: a Turk Oncology Group (TOG) study.

BACKGROUND: The new second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have superior survival outcome and worse toxicity profile when compared with first-generation TKIs according to the results of clinical trials. However, there are limited studies that investigate the efficacy and safety of the new generation TKIs in real-world patients. Thus, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the afatinib, an irreversible inhibitor of ErbB family receptor, and first-generation TKIs in real-world patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who had EGFR exon 19del mutation and treated with afatinib or first-generation TKIs as upfront treatment between 2016 and 2020. All patient's information was collected retrospectively. The study cohort was divided as afatinib arm and erlotinib/gefitinib arm. RESULTS: A total of 283 patients at the 24 oncology centers were included. The 89 and 193 of whom were treated with afatinib and erlotinib/gefitinib, respectively. After 12.9 months (mo) of follow-up, the median PFS was statistically longer in the afatinib arm than erlotinib/gefitinib arm (19.3 mo vs. 11.9 mo, p: 0.046) and the survival advantage was more profound in younger patients (< 65 years). The 24-mo overall survival rate was 76.1% and 49.5% in the afatinib arm and erlotinib/gefitinib arm, respectively. Although all-grade adverse event (AE) rates were similar between the two arms, grade 3-4 AE rates were higher in the afatinib arm (30.7% vs. 15.2%; p: 0.004). DISCUSSION: In our real-world study, afatinib has superior survival outcomes despite worse toxicity profile as inconsistent with clinical study results and it is the good upfront treatment option for younger patients and elderly patients who have good performance status.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer patients with early cytokine intolerance: TURCOS, a Turkish national, prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Cytokines have been the mainstay of treatment in metastatic renal cell cancer (mRCC) for decades before the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which dramatically changed the therapeutic landscape in these patients. This observational study was designed to evaluate use of TKIs in the treatment of cytokine-intolerant mRCC patients. METHODS: A total of 151 cytokine-intolerant mRCC patients who were treated with TKIs (sunitinib, pazopanib and sorafenib) were enrolled in this prospective, non-interventional, multi-center observational study at 16 oncology centers across Turkey. Mean (SD) age was 61.3 (11.1) years and 74.8% were males. Data on duration of TKI treatment was the primary outcome measure. Additionally, overall response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and safety data were recorded. RESULTS: Median duration of treatment was 8.2 months at a median follow up of 17.9 months. ORR and disease control rate were 12.5% and 70.8%, respectively. Median PFS and OS were 7.5 months (95%CI: 6.4-10.4) and 27.3 months (95%CI: 17.6-27.3) with no significant difference among three TKI agents in terms of treatment duration, ORR, PFS and OS. The most common adverse events excluding progression-which was the protocol requirement were diarrhea (13.6%), asthenia (13.6%) and hand-foot syndrome (12.6%). Dose modifications were required in 30.5% of the patients and 15% discontinued TKIs because of toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the efficacy and safety profile of TKIs in the first-line treatment of mRCC patients intolerant to cytokine treatment. There was no significant difference among three TKI agents in terms of treatment duration, ORR, PFS and OS.Trial registration: TURCOS ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01585974. Registered April 25, 2012.

The role of primary tumor resection in patients with stage IV colorectal cancer with unresectable metastases.

PURPOSE: Whether primary tumor resection (PTR) should be performed in patients with asymptomatic colorectal cancer (CRC) and unresectable synchronous metastasis is controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of initial primary tumor resection in patients with synchronous unresectable metastatic CRC. METHODS: The patients with unresectable synchronous metastatic CRC who had undergone primary tumor resection and then received chemotherapy were compared with the patients who received only palliative systemic chemotherapy. RESULTS: Survival analysis showed that median overall survival (OS) for all patients was 22.37 months. Primary tumor resection was associated with a significant survival benefit on unadjusted analysis (median survival 29.56 months vs. 14.25 months; p<0.001). Two-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 57%, 35%, 19% for the PTR group and 30%, 16%, 8% for the non-PTR group and all results were statistically significant and favored surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that primary tumor resection improves the survival of patients with metastatic CRC and unresectable synchronous metastasis.

Efficacy of Palbociclib and Endocrine Treatment in Heavily Pretreated Hormone Receptor-positive/HER2-negative Advanced Breast Cancer: Retrospective Multicenter Trial

Background: The synthesis of CDK4/6 inhibitors with endocrine treatment in two series of treatment has been widely accepted as the standard for patients with estrogen receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. In spite of this, the activity of CDK4/6 inhibitors in patients with metastatic breast cancer who have progressed despite receiving multiple lines of treatment is not well understood. Aims: To report the activity and safety of a CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib) in patients in whom at least three lines of treatment for ER+ metastatic breast cancer had failed. Study Design: Multicenter retrospective observational cohort study. Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study, we included 43 patients who received palbociclib after at least three lines of systemic treatment for ER+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer. Results: The median progression-free survival in our population was 7 months (25th-75th percentile, 4-10), and the median overall survival was 11 months (25th-75th percentile, 6-19). Although there were some adverse events, palbociclib was generally well tolerated, so dose reduction was needed for only six patients (14%). Conclusion: The efficacy of palbociclib among heavily treated hormone receptor-positive/HER2− patients with advanced breast cancer was acceptable in terms of clinical benefit, and it was generally well tolerated among this population.

Comparison of two different carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel schedule in elderly advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.

PURPOSE: In this study our aim was to compare efficacy and toxicity profiles of two different schedule of carboplatin-paclitaxel regimen in elderly advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS: Data from the charts of 59 elderly patients with metastatic NSCLC, treated with weekly paclitaxel combined with two different schedule of carboplatin were collected retrospectively from three medical oncology centers in Turkey between September 2002 to March 2018. No prior systemic therapy or radiotherapy was allowed. Brain metastases were not considered as exclusion criteria unless symptomatic. Patients were analyzed in two treatment groups; CP3 (who received 3 weekly carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel), and CP1 (weekly carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel). Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint of the study. Secondary end points were as follows: progression free survival (PFS), response rates (RR), grade 3-4 toxicities, skipped cycles, dose reductions, and treatment discontinuation rates. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients received 3 weekly carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel schedule (CP3) while weekly carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel schedule (CP1) was performed in 35 patients. CP3 had a median OS of 14 months whereas CP1 had 9 months of median OS (p = 0.084). Both treatments (CP3 vs CP1) had similar median PFS (7 months vs 4 months, p = 0.109) and objective RR (20.9% vs 29.4%, p = 0.465). There was an increased incidence of grade 3-4 anemia and grade 3-4 neutropenia in CP3 compared to CP1 (p = 0.003 in both), but no major differences in febrile neutropenia and infection toxicity profiles (p = 0.289 and p = 0.770, respectively). Weekly schedule (CP1) had a tendency of increased grade 3-4 neurotoxicity (33.3% vs 42.9%, p = 0.461). CONCLUSION: Weekly carboplatin and paclitaxel might be more tolerable and is as effective as 3 weekly carboplatin and weekly paclitaxel schedule in metastatic elderly NSCLC patients.

The frequency and predictors of persistent amenorrhea in premenopausal women with colorectal cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea and associated factors thereof in premenopausal female patients diagnosed with colon cancer. Premenopausal female patients under the age of 50 years who were diagnosed with stages I, II, and III colon cancer were included. A questionnaire surveying personal history including menarche, comorbidities, drugs, other clinical features, and menstrual history during and after completion of chemotherapy was filled by the patients during outpatient visits. Patients who received pelvic radiotherapy were excluded from the study. A total of 60 patients were included in the study. Eleven patients had been treated with surgery alone, and 49 patients had received adjuvant chemotherapy with either fluorouracil (5-FU) alone (n=22) or 5-FU+oxaliplatin (n=27). The frequency of persistent amenorrhea 1 year after receiving chemotherapy was 20% in the whole group, 18% in patients who had received adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-FU alone, and 22% in patients who had received chemotherapy with 5-FU+oxaliplatin. Frequency of persistent amenorrhea was 3.5% in patients under the age of 44 years and 42.8% in patients aged 44 years and older. Multivariate analysis showed that age of 44 years and older (hazard ratio: 29.3; 95% confidence interval: 2.8-309.2, P=0.005) and menarche age of 14 years and older (hazard ratio: 7.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.2-49, P=0.076) were significantly associated with increased risk of persistent amenorrhea. In this study, we found that the frequency of persistent amenorrhea was 20% in patients who received 5-FU monotherapy or oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy protocols in colon cancer treatment. Older age and later menarche were the factors that increased the risk of persistent amenorrhea 1 year after chemotherapy.

Methylation status of TSHr in well-differentiated thyroid cancer by using cytologic material.

BACKGROUND: The role of methylation status of the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor gene (TSHr) in the discrimination of benign and malignant thyroid nodules has already been studied using paraffin blocks and cell lines. As cytological sampling plays an important role in assessment of thyroidal nodules, we have investigated the potential clinical use of TSHr methylation status of fine needle aspiration specimens reported according to Bethesda System. METHOD: Sixty nine patients who had both cytological and pathological diagnosis of the same nodule were selected. Four groups were composed according to cytological and pathological diagnoses: Benign (B), papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), atypia of unknown significance (AUS) and follicular neoplasia (FN). The latter 2 groups were further sub-classified into 2 as benign (AUS-B and FN-B) and malignant (AUS-M and FN-M) according to final pathological diagnosis. DNAs were isolated from the fine needle aspiration cytology specimens and the methylation status of TSHr promotor region was investigated by using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Overall, TSHr methylation was present in 58% of cases; 71% of malignant and 46% of benign nodules. PTC group showed the highest TSHr methylation rate (87%), followed by 61% in AUS, 44% in B, and 30% in FN (p = 0.016). TSHr methylation rate was significantly higher in PTC group when compared to B (p = 0.013) and FN-B (p = 0.004) groups; but not in FN-M (p = 0.115) or AUS (p = 0.096) groups. All 9 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma with lymph node metastasis showed TSHr methylation. Positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of TSHr methylation in determination of malignancy were calculated as 60, 66, 71 and 54%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The eminent ratio of TSHr methylation in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma against benign thyroidal nodules adduced that TSHr methylation status can be utilized as a tumor marker for well-differentiated thyroid cancer; however, it has a limited value. The determination of methylation status of TSHr gene had no efficiency on decision of the malignant potential for the nodules which are cytologically classified as atypia of undetermined significance.

Assessment of function in patients with rotator cuff tears: Functional test versus self-reported questionnaire.

PURPOSE: The rotator cuff tears (RCT) are a well-known cause of shoulder pain and loss of upper extremity function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the upper extremity function using two different methods in patients with RCT and to determine the parameters that influence the upper extremity function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 38 patients (27-76 years; 10 men and 28 women) who were diagnosed with a chronic full-thickness RCT, confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), was studied. Upper extremity function was determined using Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) and 9 Hole Peg Test (9PEG). Other assessments included active range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, shoulder pain, and scapular dyskinesis. RESULTS: There was a weak association between WORC scores and 9PEG. A statistically significant, negative relationship was found between 9PEG and ROM in supination, as well as muscle strength of shoulder extensors, adductors, internal and external rotators. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the weak association between WORC and 9PEG, the difference between the parameters related to each method suggests that they should not be used interchangeably to determine the upper extremity function. We recommend the utilization of 9PEG instead of WORC in assessing the upper extremity function in the setting of loss of muscle strength. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic study.

Neoadjuvant chronomodulated capecitabine with radiotherapy in rectal cancer: a phase II brunch regimen study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of chronomodulated capecitabine administered according to a specific time schedule (Brunch Regimen: Breakfast and Lunch) as a part of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: Eighty-five patients with stage II and III rectal cancer were included. Patients received capecitabine (1,650 mg/m(2) per day; 60% dose at 8:00 AM and 40% dose at 12:00 noon) administered during pelvic radiation (total 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions, 1.8 Gy daily dose between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.). After chemoradiotherapy, patients underwent surgery. The primary endpoints were pathological complete response (pCR) rate and toxicity. RESULTS: In 17 patients (20%), total tumor regression was achieved according to Dworak pathological grading system. Grade III diarrhea occurred in nine patients (10.5%), while only one patient had grade 3 thrombocytopenia. Grade II or III proctitis were seen in nine (10.5%) subjects, and grade I or II cystitis in six (6.9%). Only three patients (3.3%) developed hand and foot syndrome (both grade I-II). There were no grade IV toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Brunch Regimen for locally advanced rectal cancer consisting of neoadjuvant chronomodulated capecitabine and concurrent radiation therapy is effective and well tolerated with good safety profile, particularly with regard to the occurrence of hand and foot syndrome, in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Bevacizumab + capecitabine as maintenance therapy after initial bevacizumab + XELOX treatment in previously untreated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: phase III 'Stop and Go' study results--a Turkish Oncology Group Trial.

OBJECTIVE: It was the aim of this study to evaluate maintenance therapy with bevacizumab + capecitabine following induction with bevacizumab + capecitabine + oxaliplatin (XELOX) versus bevacizumab + XELOX until progression as first-line therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). METHODS: Patients received either bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg) + XELOX (capecitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1-14 + oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 1 every 3 weeks) until disease progression (arm A) or the same doses of bevacizumab + XELOX for 6 cycles followed by bevacizumab + capecitabine until disease progression (arm B). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR) and safety. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-three patients were randomized. Treatment compliance was similar in both groups. Median PFS was significantly longer for arm B than for arm A (11.0 vs. 8.3 months; p = 0.002). There was no significant difference between the two arms for ORR (66.7 vs. 59.0%; p = 0.861) or median OS (23.8 vs. 20.2 months; p = 0.100). Tolerability was acceptable in both treatment arms; the most frequent grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events (arm B vs. arm A) were fatigue (6.6 vs. 16.1%), diarrhoea (3.3 vs. 11.3%), anorexia (3.3 vs. 11.3%), and neuropathy (1.6 vs. 8.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Maintenance therapy with bevacizumab + capecitabine can be considered an appropriate option following induction bevacizumab + XELOX in patients with mCRC instead of continuation of bevacizumab + XELOX.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma presenting with symmetric polyarthritis in pregnancy.

Anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a rare T-cell lymphoma and typically is seen in children and young adults. Primary bone infiltration of ALCL is exceedingly rare. Herein we report ALCL of bone in a pregnant admitted with symmetric polyarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis revealed soft tissue component of that destructive mass lesion on the right iliac crest after delivery. Excisional biopsy from the destructive mass showed anaplastic large cell lymphoma (CD 30 was positive and ALK negative). The patient was treated with combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) every 4 weeks. After the third cycle of chemotherapy, a marked improvement of her arthritis and right iliac pain was noted.

Renal cell carcinoma extending from superior vena cava into right atrium.

Tumoral invasion of inferior vena cava by renal cell carcinoma is reported to be relatively frequent. Usually the tumor grows intraluminally into the renal vein and inferior vena cava as an extension of primary tumor. In this report, we present an unusual case of venous system involvement, invasion of renal cell carcinoma into superior vena cava.