Cardiac safety of ribociclib evaluated with 24-hour rhythm Holter electrocardiogram.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate cardiac safety profile of ribociclib with 24-h rhythm Holter ECG. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-two female metastatic breast cancer patients were included in the study. Rhythm Holter ECG was performed before starting treatment with ribociclib and after 3 months of the treatment initiation. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 56.36 ± 12.73. 52.4% (n = 22) of the patients were using ribociclib in combination with fulvestrant and 47.6% (n = 20) with aromatase inhibitors. None of the patients developed cardiotoxicity. When the rhythm Holter results before and in third month of the treatment were compared, there was no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: This is the first study evaluating effects of ribociclib treatment on cardiac rhythm with Holter ECG. The findings suggested ribociclib has a low risk of causing early cardiotoxicity.

The correlation between skeletal muscle index and anxiety in patients with lung cancer on the first day of chemotherapy.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between anxiety and skeletal muscle index (SMI) levels in lung cancer patients on the first day of chemotherapy. Materials & methods: This cross-sectional study included 108 patients. We analyzed patient characteristics, SMI levels, pain status and predicted anxiety factors. Results: Anxiety was detected in 61% of patients. SMI levels were significantly lower in the high anxiety group than the low anxiety group (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was observed between anxiety and SMI levels (r = -0.292; p = 0.002). Anxiety levels were significantly correlated with trait anxiety (r = 0.618; p < 0.001) and visual analog scale-pain (r = 0.364; p < 0.001). SMI (odds ratio: 0.94), trait anxiety (odds ratio: 1.12) and visual analog scale pain (odds ratio: 1.28) were independent risk factors for anxiety after adjusting for sex, stage and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status. Conclusion: Our study highlighted that higher anxiety scores were significantly correlated with lower SMI levels. We found that SMI, pain and trait anxiety were independent risk factors for anxiety.

The risk of malnutrition and its clinical implications in older patients with cancer.

AIM: Malnutrition is a common geriatric syndrome with multiple negative outcomes including mortality. However, there is a scarcity of literature that focuses on the relationship between malnutrition risk and its clinical implications on geriatric syndromes and mortality among cancer patients. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical importance of malnutrition risk in geriatric oncology practice. METHOD: 180 patients with cancer who were ≥ 65 years were included in the study. All patients were questioned in terms of geriatric syndromes, including polypharmacy, frailty, probable sarcopenia, fall risk, dynapenia, depression, cognitive impairment, insomnia, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Mini Nutritional Assessment scores > 23.5 and 17-23.5 were categorized as well-nourished and malnutrition risk, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 180 patients (mean age 73.0 ± 5.6 years, female: 50%), the prevalence of malnutrition risk was 28.9%. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, education, marital status, body mass index, and comorbidities except for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p > 0.05). After adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index; polypharmacy (odds ratio [OR]: 3.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-6.81), reduced calf circumference (OR: 3.72; 95% CI, 1.22-11.38), fall risk (OR: 2.72; 95% CI, 1.03-7.23), depression (OR: 6.24; 95% CI, 2.75-14.18), insomnia (OR: 4.89; 95% CI, 2.16-11.05), and frailty (OR: 2.44; 95% CI, 1.75-3.40) were associated with malnutrition risk compared to well-nourished patients (p < 0.05). Median survival in patients with malnutrition risk was 21.3 months (range 14.1-28.4 95% CI) and median survival in patients who were defined as well nourished was not reached (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The risk of malnutrition was associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality in older patients with cancer, and was associated with many geriatric syndromes, including polypharmacy, fall risk, frailty, insomnia, and depression.

The efficacy of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and CoronaVac vaccines in patients with cancer.

Although vaccination is efficacious and prevents infection in the general population, there is limited data about Coronavirus disease-19 (Covid-19) occurrence after vaccination in cancer patients. It was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and CoronaVac vaccines against Covid-19 in patients with cancer. In this single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study, the data of cancer patients referred to the medical oncology clinic of a university hospital were analyzed. The sample of the study consisted of cancer patients who had Covid-19 or were vaccinated against Covid-19. A total number of 2578 patients were included in the study. Of the patients, 2000 have never been infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and 578 patients have had a positive reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Covid-19. It was found that 2094 patients (81.2%) were fully vaccinated, and 484 patients (18.8%) did not receive full-dose vaccination. A statistically significant difference in Covid-19 occurrence was found between the patients who had full-dose vaccination or not (p = 0.000). In in-group comparisons of full-dose vaccinated patients, while no difference was observed between two doses of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and three doses of CoronaVac (p = 0.432), a statistically significant difference was observed between all other groups (p < 0.005). When the data of 578 patients who experienced Covid-19 was analyzed, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups who were full-dose vaccinated and those who were not (p = 0.000). It is recommended that this vulnerable patient group should be prioritized in vaccination programs, and full-dose vaccination (at least two doses of vaccines) should be completed as soon as possible.

Breast Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The prognosis of breast cancer patients with brain metastasis is poor. It was aimed to define the clinicopathological features of breast cancer patients with brain metastases and to determine the risk factors and survival outcomes associated with brain metastasis. This is a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study. A total number of 127 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and who developed brain metastasis between January 2011 and March 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The survival and clinicopathological data of these patients according to 4 biological subtypes were evaluated (luminal A, luminal B, HER-2 overexpressing, and triple-negative). The median overall survival for all patients was 45.6 months. The median time from the diagnosis of breast cancer to the occurrence of brain metastasis was 29.7 months, and the median survival time after brain metastasis was 7.2 months. The time from the diagnosis of breast cancer to brain metastasis development was significantly shorter in HER-2 overexpressing and triple-negative subtypes than in luminal A and B subtypes. The median time from breast cancer diagnosis to brain metastasis was 33.5 months in luminal A, 40.6 months in luminal B, 16.8 months in HER-2 overexpressing, and 22.8 months in the triple-negative groups (p=0.003). We found the worst median survival after brain metastasis in the triple-negative group with 3.5 months. Early and close surveillance of high-risk patients may help early diagnosis of brain metastasis and may provide to perform effective treatments leading to longer overall survival times for this patient population.

A case report of fulminant hepatitis due to ribociclib with confirmed by liver biopsy in breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Ribociclib is now frequently used in the treatment of metastatic hormone-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER 2)-negative breast cancer. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old woman with breast cancer presented at a clinic in November 2017 with multiple lung and bone metastases. After receiving multiple lines of treatment due to disease progression, ribociclib and fulvestrant were initiated. Grade 4 toxicity was observed due to ribociclib during follow-up, and ribociclib was discontinued permanently.Management & Outcome: Given that liver transaminases and bilirubin elevation persisted despite discontinuation of the treatment, other reasons for liver toxicity were investigated. Abdominal MRI showed no liver metastases, although there was acute hepatitis. A liver biopsy was performed to determine the etiology. The pathology result was compatible with drug-induced acute fulminant toxic hepatitis. After liver biopsy, prednisolone treatment was initiated, after which the laboratory findings normalized. DISCUSSION: Although there are reported cases showing improvement in liver enzymes after ribociclib discontinuation, in our case, no recovery from hepatotoxicity was noticed. The treatment was changed to another hormonal pathway therapy option, exemestane. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature reporting this rare side effect of ribociclib, which is a liver biopsy-proven fulminant hepatitis.

Anxiety levels of breast cancer patients in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aim: To assess the anxiety levels of breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials & methods: A total of 298 patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S and STAI-T) and the Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS) and VAS for Anxiety in COVID-19 (VAS-CoV). Results: 144 patients were in the high anxiety category for STAI-S, and 202 patients were in the high anxiety category for STAI-T. STAI-T score was significantly high in the metastatic group (p = 0.017). VAS-CoV score in the hormonotherapy group was significantly higher than in the no-treatment group (p = 0.023). There was a positive correlation between VAS-CoV and VAS levels (r = 0.708, p < 0.001), VAS-CoV and STAI-S and STAI-T scores (r = 0.402, p < 0.001; r = 0.185, p = 0.001, respectively), and a negative correlation between education years and STAI-T scores (r = -0.172, p = 0.003). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic is related to high anxiety levels in breast cancer patients.

Lay abstract COVID-19 pandemic is related to rapidly rising anxiety levels worldwide. Because of the high mortality of COVID-19 in cancer patients, changing treatment routines and disruptions of the healthcare system, cancer patients are the most affected population in this situation. Anxiety among females and breast cancer patients tend to be high, although anxiety levels in cancer patients during the pandemic period varies according to the cancer type, treatment status and sociodemographic factors. This study assessed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer patients' anxiety levels according to treatment status and stage of the disease. A total of 298 breast cancer patients completed the universally validated anxiety questionnaires. Results demonstrated high trait anxiety in breast cancer patients, particularly in the metastatic group. The current findings highlighted the importance of intensive assessment and close monitoring of breast cancer patients' psychological situations. It is crucial to provide psychological support to breast cancer patients to contribute to both treatment and follow-up processes during the pandemic.

Efficacy of trastuzumab and potential risk factors on survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of trastuzumab and potential risk factors on survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer. Methods: We retrospectively included 138 patients who were given trastuzumab-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment and analyzed the relationship between clinical response rates and maintenance treatment status and survival outcomes. Results: In the whole group, the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 10.2 and 16 months, respectively. Clinical response was obtained in 79% of patients. The median overall survival was 16.9 months in follow-up group and 19.0 months in the maintenance group in patients with clinical response. Continuation of maintenance trastuzumab created a significant survival advantage (p = 0.021). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.02), grade 3 (HR: 1.78) and more than four metastatic lesions (HR: 1.67) were determined as risk factors for death. Conclusion: We recommend the continuation of maintenance trastuzumab in patients with clinical response, but those with identified risk factors may not benefit from treatment because life expectancy may be low.

Gastric cancer has a poor prognosis despite available treatments. Inclusive studies are still needed with real-life data. Our research retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of trastuzumab and potential risk factors on survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer who received trastuzumab-based chemotherapy as first-line therapy. In total, 138 patients were included in this study. Clinical response to trastuzumab-based chemotherapy was obtained in 79% of the patients. We also divided the patients who had a clinical response into two groups according to whether they received maintenance therapy. In the present study, trastuzumab administration had compatible survival outcomes with recent studies. Continuation of trastuzumab maintenance treatment provided a survival advantage in patients with clinical response. We suppose that maintenance trastuzumab may be recommended in patients with clinical responses to the first-line treatment. Furthermore, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status 2, grade 3 and having more than four metastatic lesions were determined as risk factors for death. Therefore, although we recommend maintenance of trastuzumab in patients with clinical response, those with identified risk factors may not benefit from treatment.

Pazopanib for metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma: A multicenter retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Soft tissue sarcomas are associated with a poor prognosis and low chemotherapeutic efficiency. Pazopanib is an orally available multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor that was explored in patients with non-adipocytic advanced soft tissue sarcomas. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the real life data of single-agent pazopanib efficacy and safety for soft tissue sarcomas in the Turkish population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated a total of 103 patients (41 males, 62 females) who received pazopanib for advanced non-adipocytic soft tissue sarcomas diagnosis in eight centers of Turkey, retrospectively. The pazopanib dose was 800 mg once daily. Progression-free survival, overall survival, and adverse events were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age was 50 years (range, 38-58). Majority of the patients had leimyosarcoma (41%). Median progression-free survival was 4.3 months, and the median overall survival was 10.1 months. The main common toxicities were fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, nausea, hypertension, and grade ≥3 toxicities were fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, and liver disorder. CONCLUSION: Pazopanib is an efficient and tolerable agent and is well tolerated in good performance status patients with relapsed, advanced non-adipocytic soft tissue sarcomas.

Sleep disturbances in patients with lung cancer in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep quality is known to be associated with the distressing symptoms of cancer. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of cancer symptoms on insomnia and the prevalence of sleep-related problems reported by the patients with lung cancer in Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Assesment of Palliative Care in Lung Cancer in Turkey (ASPECT) study, a prospective multicenter study conducted in Turkey with the participation of 26 centers and included all patients with lung cancer, was re-evaluated in terms of sleep problems, insomnia and possible association with the cancer symptoms. Demographic characteristics of patients and information about disease were recorded for each patient by physicians via face-to-face interviews, and using hospital records. Patients who have difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep (DIMS) is associated with daytime sleepiness/fatigue were diagnosed as having insomnia. Daytime sleepiness, fatigue and lung cancer symptoms were recorded and graded using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. RESULT: Among 1245 cases, 48.4% reported DIMS, 60.8% reported daytime sleepiness and 82.1% reported fatigue. The prevalence of insomnia was 44.7%. Female gender, patients with stage 3-4 disease, patients with metastases, with comorbidities, and with weight loss > 5 kg had higher rates of insomnia. Also, patients with insomnia had significantly higher rates of pain, nausea, dyspnea, and anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with moderate to severe pain and dyspnea and severe anxiety had 2-3 times higher rates of insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results showed a clear association between sleep disturbances and cancer symptoms. Because of that, adequate symptom control is essential to maintain sleep quality in patients with lung cancer.

Cystatin C is better than albuminuria as a predictor of pulse wave velocity in hypertensive patients.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial stiffness is important in the evaluation of the cardiovascular risk in both general population and hypertensive patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the associations of both serum cystatin C levels and albuminuria with arterial stiffness in healthy controls and hypertensive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-six healthy controls (male/female = 44/32) and 76 hypertensive patients (male/female = 43/33) were enrolled. Arterial stiffness parameters such as augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were non-invasively measured with the Arteriograph (Tensiomed Ltd., Budapest, Hungary). RESULTS: AIx (31.92 ± 14.31 vs. 27.95 ± 11.03, p = 0.03) and PWV (9.84 ± 1.62 vs. 8.87 ± 2.04, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in hypertensive patients compared to healthy controls. Patients with microalbuminuria had significantly higher AIx (43.47 ± 9.91 vs. 30.37 ± 14.13, p = 0.002) and higher serum cystatin C levels [0.76 (0.67-0.95) vs. 0.68 (0.62-0.78) mg/L, p = 0.03]. In the hypertensive group, AIx was significantly correlated with PWV (r = 0.519, p < 0.001), glomerular filtration rate (cystatin C) (r = -0.438, p = 0.003), mean arterial pressure (MAP) (r = 0.288, p = 0.015) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) (r = 0.386, p = 0.004). PWV was associated with serum cystatin C (r = 0.442, p = 0.003) and MAP (r = 0.377, p = 0.001). In the linear regression analysis (model r = 0.577, p = 0.006) for the prediction of PWV in hypertensive patients, MAP, urinary ACR, age and serum cystatin C levels were included as independent variables. Cystatin C was found to be the significant determinant of PWV in hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: Multivariate analysis revealed that serum cystatin C but not albuminuria was significantly associated with PWV in hypertensive patients. Serum cystatin C may be better than albuminuria as a predictor of arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.

Prevalence and co-incidence of geriatric syndromes according to the ECOG performance status in older cancer patients.

Background: Geriatric syndromes may be more common in older cancer patients than in those without cancer. Geriatric syndromes can cause poor clinical outcomes. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) is often used as a clinically reported functional status score in oncology practice. Methods: Our study was designed as a cross-sectional study and included 218 older cancer patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and relationship of geriatric syndromes according to the ECOG-PS in older cancer patients. Results: The mean age of 218 participants was 73.0 ± 5.6 years, with 47.7% being women and 52.3% men in our study. ECOG-PS 0, 1, and 2 groups contained 51, 39, and 10% of the patients, respectively. The mean number of geriatric syndromes in the ECOG 0, 1, and 2 groups was 2.3 ± 2.2, 4.3 ± 2.4, and 5.7 ± 2.1, respectively (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, it was determined that dynapenia was 2.9 times, probable sarcopenia was 3.5 times, frailty was 4.2 times, depression was 2.6 times, malnutrition was 3.3 times, insomnia 2 was.2 times, falls was 2.5 times, and the risk of falling (TUG) was 2.4 times more likely in those with ECOG-PS 1 compared to those with ECOG-PS 0. In addition, it was found that dynapenia was 6 times, probable sarcopenia was 6.8 times, frailty was 10.8 times, depression was 3.3 times, malnutrition was 6.3 times, the risk of falling (Tinnetti Balance) was 28 times, and the risk of falling (TUG) was 13.6 times more likely in those with ECOG-PS 2 compared to those with ECOG-PS 0. Conclusion: Our study found that the prevalence of geriatric syndromes increased as the ECOG-PS increased. Geriatric syndromes and their co-incidence were common in older cancer patients, even in normal performance status. Oncologists should incorporate geriatric syndromes into the decision-making process of cancer treatment to maximize the impact on clinical outcomes in older patients with cancer.

Local interventions for colorectal cancer metastases to liver and lung.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is a common cause of cancer-related deaths. About 1/3 of all cases present with distant metastasis, with the liver as the leading site and the lung as the most common extra-abdominal site. AIMS: It was aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the outcomes of colorectal cancer patients with liver or lung metastasis who had received local treatments. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive study. The study was performed with colorectal cancer patients that referred to the medical oncology clinic of a university hospital between December 2013 and August 2021. RESULTS: A total number of 122 patients who have received local treatments were included. Radiofrequency ablation was applied in 32 patients (26.2%), metastasis was surgically resected in 84 patients (68.9%), and stereotactic body radiotherapy was preferred in six patients (4.9%). At the first follow-up control after completion of local or multimodal treatment, no residual tumor was determined with radiological assessment in 88 patients (72.1%). The median progression-free survival (16.7 months vs 9.7 months) (p = .000) and the median overall survival (37.3 months vs 25.5 months) (p = .004) of these patients were significantly better than the patients with residual disease. CONCLUSIONS: Local interventions that are applied to highly selected patients may improve the survival of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. A close follow-up after local therapies is important to diagnose recurrent disease because repeated local interventions may be possible to achieve better outcomes.

Real-world outcomes of pazopanib in metastatic soft tissue sarcoma: a retrospective Turkish oncology group (TOG) study.

AIM: Description of patient characteristics, effectiveness and safety in Turkish patients treated with pazopanib for metastatic soft tissue sarcoma (STS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter study is based on retrospective review of hospital medical records of patients (≥ 18 years) treated with pazopanib for non-adipocytic metastatic STS at 37 Oncology clinics across Turkey. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated with further analysis of data on the three most common histological subtypes (leiomyosarcoma [LMS], undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma [UPS], synovial sarcoma [SS]) in the cohort. RESULTS: Data of 552 adults (57.6% women, median age: 52 years) were analyzed. DCR and ORR were 43.1% and 30.8%, respectively. Median PFS was 6.7 months and OS was 13.8 months. For LMS, UPS and SS, median PFSs were 6.1, 5.9 and 7.53 months and median OSs were 15.03, 12.87 and 12.27 months, respectively. ECOG ≥ 2 was associated with poor PFS and OS. Liver metastasis was only a factor for progression. Second-line use of pazopanib (vs. front-line) was associated with better PFS, its use beyond third line predicted worse OS. Adverse events (AE) occurred in 82.7% of patients. Most common AEs were fatigue (58.3%) and anorexia (52.3%) which were graded as ≥ 3 in 8.2% and 7.4% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pazopanib is effective and well-tolerated in treatment of non-adipocytic metastatic STS. Its earlier use (at second-line), good performance status may result in better outcomes. Worldwide scientific collaborations are important to gain knowledge on rarer STS subtypes by conducting studies in larger patient populations.

The effect of sarcopenia on erlotinib therapy in patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.

Erlotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown to improve the survival of patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer. Sarcopenia is a status with increasing importance in lung cancer, and it may predict a poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia on erlotinib therapy and prognosis in patients with EGFR-mutated (exon 19 or 21 L858R) metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. Sarcopenia was defined as skeletal muscle index ≤39 cm2/m2 for women and ≤55 cm2/m2 for men. The patient characteristics, inflammation parameters, clinical and survival outcomes of the erlotinib therapy were examined according to sarcopenia status. We also analyzed the erlotinib treatment-related toxicity. Seventy-two patients were included in our retrospective study, and the mean age of the patients was 63.7 years. A total of 39 (54.2%) patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had a poor prognosis and had a shorter median progression-free survival (PFS) than patients without sarcopenia (10.5 months vs. 21.8 months, p=0.002). Sarcopenia (HR 2.08) and C-reactive protein > 6.5 mg/L (HR 2.57) were determined as independent poor prognostic factors for PFS of erlotinib therapy. Treatment-related toxicity occurred in 34.7% of patients treated with erlotinib, and sarcopenia did not significantly affect treatment-related toxicity. We also found that sarcopenia significantly affected the response to erlotinib. The expected survival outcomes may be low when erlotinib therapy is used in patients with sarcopenia and metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. This study showed that survival and clinical outcomes could be better predicted by detecting sarcopenia in patients with lung cancer using erlotinib.

The Efficacy and Safety of Treatment Regimens Used in the First-Line Setting in Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Multicenter Real-Life Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of 3 chemotherapy regimens used as first-line treatments in the real-life management of metastatic pancreatic cancer. METHODS: A total of 218 patients were included in this multicenter study. Gemcitabine (Gem, n = 71), gemcitabine-cisplatin (Gem-Cis, n = 91), and FOLFIRINOX (a combination of leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin [FFX], n = 56) treatments were compared. RESULTS: Overall response rate was significantly higher in the FFX group (50.0%) than in the Gem (28.2%) and Gem-Cis (27.5%) groups (P = 0.010). Median progression-free survival (8.4 vs 4.6 and 5.5 months, respectively, P < 0.001) and overall survival (16.4 vs 8.1 and 8.7 months, respectively, P = 0.002) were significantly longer in the FFX group than in the Gem and Gem-Cis groups. Toxicity of any grade was noted in 46 (64.8%), 56 (61.5%), and 49 (87.5%) patients in the Gem, Gem-Cis, and FFX groups, respectively (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, FFX regimen provides a significant advantage over the other treatment regimens in terms of response rates and survival. Treatment toxicity was more frequent but manageable with the FFX regimen.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Can Discriminate the Primary Cell Type of Intracranial Metastases for Patients with Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE: Histopathological differentiation of primary lung cancer is clinically important. We aimed to investigate whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters of metastatic brain lesions could predict the histopathological types of the primary lung cancer. METHODS: In total, 53 patients with 98 solid metastatic brain lesions of lung cancer were included. Lung tumors were subgrouped as non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) (n = 34) and small cell carcinoma (SCLC) (n = 19). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and Fractional anisotropy (FA) values were calculated from solid enhanced part of the brain metastases. The association between FA and ADC values and histopathological subtype of the primary tumor was investigated. RESULTS: The mean ADC and FA values obtained from the solid part of the brain metastases of SCLC were significantly lower than the NSCLC metastases (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). ROC curve analysis showed diagnostic performance for mean ADC values (AUC=0.889, P = < 0.001) and FA values (AUC = 0.677, P = 0.002). Cut-off value of > 0.909 × 10-3 mm2/s for mean ADC (Sensitivity = 80.3, Specificity = 83.8, PPV = 89.1, NPV = 72.1) and > 0.139 for FA values (Sensitivity = 80.3, Specificity = 54.1, PPV = 74.2, NPV= 62.5) revealed in differentiating NSCLC from NSCLC. CONCLUSION: DTI parameters of brain metastasis can discriminate SCLC and NSCLC. ADC and FA values of metastatic brain lesions due to the lung cancer may be an important tool to differentiate histopathological subgroups. DTI may guide clinicians for the management of intracranial metastatic lesions of lung cancer.

Successful retreatment with erlotinib after erlotinib-related interstitial lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effectively being used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Although most of their adverse effects are mild to moderate, they occasionally can cause life-threatening interstitial lung disease. We aimed to present a case of lung adenocarcinoma successfully re-treated with erlotinib after recovery with effective treatment of erlotinib-induced interstitial lung disease. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 54-year-old nonsmoking woman was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung. After progression with first-line chemotherapy, erlotinib 150 mg daily was initiated. On the 45th day of erlotinib treatment, interstitial lung disease occurred and erlotinib was discontinued. Clinical improvement was achieved with dexamethasone treatment and erlotinib was re-initiated. Ten weeks after re-initiation of erlotinib, 100 mg daily partial response was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of interstitial lung disease is higher in men, smokers, and patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Interstitial lung disease radiologically causes ground-glass opacity and consolidation. The physician should quickly evaluate new respiratory symptoms in patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, discontinue the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, and initiate corticosteroids if clinical diagnosis is interstitial lung disease.

Systemic Inflammatory Markers for Prediction of Bevacizumab Benefit in Glioblastoma Multiforme.

OBJECTIVE:  To evaluate the predictive significance of systemic inflammation markers (SIMs) in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), who were treated with bevacizumab (Beva). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was conducted at the Bezmialem Vakif University School of Medicine Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from January 2014 to September 2019. METHODOLOGY: A total of 107 patients, 49 (45.8%) female and 58 (54.2%) male, were retrospectively included in the study. The cut-off values for the SIMs-C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR), neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammatory index (SIII))-were defined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Overall survival (OS) was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was performed for univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: ROC analysis was performed to determine the optimal prognostic value of each parameter. CAR: 1.32, NLR: 2.9, PLR: 159, and SIII: 785 were determined as cut-off values for predicting OS based on the areas under the curve (AUC) in the ROC analysis. CAR at 0.626, had sensitivity of 67%, and specificity of 71% (p=0.129); NLR at 0.725 had sensitivity of 67%, and specificity of 79% (p=0.007); PLR at 0.675 had sensitivity of 67%, and specificity of 64% (p=0.036); and SIII at 0.685, had sensitivity of 56%, and specificity of 71% (p=0.026). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that CAR (p=0.006) and PLR (p=0.024) were independent prognostic factors for OS in patients with GBM, treated by Beva. CONCLUSION:  The present study's findings suggest that pretreatment CAR and PLR might be an independent predictive marker for patients with GBM, who are treated by Beva. Key Words: C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (AR), Glioblastoma multiforme, Neutrophil-to-lymphocyteratio (NLR), Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Predictive score.

Diagnostic performance of apparent diffusion coefficient values for the differentiation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate whether there is a difference between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) and liver metastases of gastrointestinal system (GIS) adenocarcinoma in terms of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2018 to January 2020, we retrospectively examined 64 consecutive patients with liver metastases due to gastrointestinal system adenocarcinomas and 13 consecutive IHCC in our hospital's medical records. After exclusions, fifty-three patients with 53 liver metastases and 10 IHCC were included in our study. We divided the patients into two groups as IHCC and liver metastases of GIS adenocarcinoma. For mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean) values, the region of interests (ROI) was placed in solid portions of the lesions. ADCmean values of groups were compared. RESULTS: The mean age of IHCC group was 62.50 ± 13.49 and mean age of metastases group was 61.15 ± 9.18. ADCmean values were significantly higher in the IHCC group compared to the metastatic group (p < 0.001). ROC curves method showed high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.879) with cut-off value of < 1178 x 10-6 mm2/s for ADCmean (Sensitivity = 90.57, Specificity = 70.0, positive predictive value [PPV] = 94.1, negative predictive value [NPV] = 58.3) in differentiating adenocarcinoma metastases from IHCC. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results suggest that ADC values have a potential role for differentiation between IHCC and GIS adenocarcinoma liver metastases which may be valuable for patient management.