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C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic low-grade inflammation, is frequently elevated in essential hypertension and predicts cardiovascular prognosis independently of conventional risk factors. The risk profile of white-coat... more
C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic low-grade inflammation, is frequently elevated in essential hypertension and predicts cardiovascular prognosis independently of conventional risk factors. The risk profile of white-coat hypertension is not yet completely clear. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) in white-coat hypertensive subjects. Thirty-six age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched white-coat hypertensive subjects, 36 essential hypertensive patients, and 36 normotensive subjects were included in the study. Hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the essential hypertensive and white-coat hypertensive groups than in the normotensive group (0.66+/-0.29, 0.47+/-0.32, and 0.27+/-0.22 mg/dl, respectively, p<0.001). It was also higher in the essential hypertensive group than in the white-coat hypertensive group (p=0.014). Our data show that patients with white-coat hypertension have higher hs-CRP levels than normotensive patients and this may be an indication of increased risk.
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The study was planned to determine the hope levels of people with cancer and the variables affecting hope. Hope is essential for patient well-being and positively correlated with improved coping skill. A descriptive and exploratory... more
The study was planned to determine the hope levels of people with cancer and the variables affecting hope. Hope is essential for patient well-being and positively correlated with improved coping skill. A descriptive and exploratory design. The study sample included 240 consecutive patients treated with chemotherapy and attending the Day Chemotherapy Unit of a University Hospital in Turkey. The study was conducted between December 2009-January 2010. Personal Information Form and Herth Hope Scale were used for data collection. The determinants and subscales of hope were evaluated with univariate and multivariate regression analyses. These mean scores showed high levels of hope among the patients included in the study. It was found that net family income, knowledge level about the disease, feeling of improvement, perception of satisfactory family support by the patient, mouth ulcers, feeling anxious or worried and presence of fear were independently related with the total hope score. The study results showed high levels of hope among the participating patients. It is concluded that physical, financial and psychological well-being and information and support needs are directly and independently related with hope in people with cancer. These findings support the need for clinicians to continue to practise and implement hope fostering/hindering interventions among their patients.
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Objectives: We aimed to analyze the predictors of outcome in metastatic germ cell cancer (MGCC) patients treated with High-dose Chemotherapy (HDC) and stem cell rescue. Background: Various prognostic factors have been suggested in the... more
Objectives: We aimed to analyze the predictors of outcome in metastatic germ cell cancer (MGCC) patients treated with High-dose Chemotherapy (HDC) and stem cell rescue. Background: Various prognostic factors have been suggested in the treatment of metastatic germ cell cancer. However, there is no comprehensive evaluation of independent prognostic factors for the efficacy of HDC in published patient cohorts. Methods: Thirty-two published patient cohorts with MGCC (encompassing 2176 patients; 510 patients treated upfront and 1666 at relapse) were identified from PUBMED and Cochrane Registry of Clinical Trials. Weighted Regression Analyses of these trials were conducted to define prognosticators. Results: Independent correlates of overall survival (OAS) when all trials were considered were line of chemotherapy index, an indicator of line of HDC utilization (1st line: 71% vs 2nd or higher line: 40%, p < 0.001), and number of HDC cycles administered (1 cycle: 43%, 1 to 2 cycles: 43%, 2 or more cycles: 64%, p = 0.021). In cohorts having HDC for relapsed disease, lower line of chemotherapy index again (p = 0.004), and higher median age (p = 0.023) were independently associated with better OAS. In trials utilizing upfront HDC, higher number of chemotherapeutics in the HDC regimen was marginally linked with improved OAS (p = 0.047). Conclusion: The efficacy of various forms of HDC in MGCC patients with diverse prognostic factors may vary both as an initial or salvage therapy. Clinicians need to be aware of these factors for optimal patient selection for HDC in MGCC (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 54).
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Background: Stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) consists of T4N2M0 and TXN3M0 NSCLC. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment strategies on the survival of patients with radiologically... more
Background: Stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) consists of T4N2M0 and TXN3M0 NSCLC. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment strategies on the survival of patients with radiologically confirmed T4N2M0 NSCLC. Methods: A total of 145 patients were evaluated in three groups according to the treatment protocol: induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy (induction group); chemoradiotherapy (CRT group), and chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy (consolidation group). The groups were compared regarding survival. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.9, 10.8 and 17.1 months for the induction, CRT and consolidation groups, respectively (p = 0.021). The median overall survival (OS) was 17.6, 13.8 and 25.2 months for the induction, CRT and consolidation groups, respectively (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The patients with T4N2M0 NSCLC who were treated with chemoradiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy had the best outcome in terms of PFS and OS. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.
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Research Interests: Breast Cancer, Immunohistochemistry, Medicine, Humans, Internal Medicine, and 15 moreFemale, Breast, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Metastatic Breast Cancer, Abdominal Fat, Hormone Therapy, Aromatase Inhibitor, Cohort Studies, Combined Modality Therapy, aromatase, Breast Neoplasms, and Disease Free Survival
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e16038 Background: The metabolic activity in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue have different metabolic risk profiles for colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of adipose tıssue... more
e16038 Background: The metabolic activity in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue have different metabolic risk profiles for colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of adipose tıssue distribution and metabolic activity in PET-CT and predict the overall survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods: A total of 83 patients diagnosed with mCRC between 2010-2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Pretreatment PET-CT images were reevaluated to determine adipose tissue distribution and metabolic activity. Volume and metabolic activity of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) on FDG PET-CT images were measured. SAT volume, SAT density (HU), SAT ratio (SAT volume/ SAT density) were calculated. The maximum standardized uptake (SUV) of tumor tissue was measured. The relationship between adipose tissue and overall survival was examined. Results: 53 patients died during follow-up and the median overall survival was 33.76 months (95% CI: 28.185-39.349). According to univariate analysis results, tumor location (HR:2.5; 95% CI 1.27-4.98, p = 0.008) and SAT ratio (HR:0.5; 95% CI 0.34-1.00, p = 0.053) were the significant parameters for the OAS. VAT volume (p = 0.774), VAT density (p = 0.899), VAT suv mean (p = 0.831) and SAT volume (p = 0.423), SAT density (p = 0.353), SAT suv mean (p = 0.575), tumor suv max (p = 0.589) values were not correlated with OAS. In the multivariate analysis, SAT ratio (p = 0.011) and tumor location (p = 0.001) were correlated significantly with OAS. The median OAS for the patients with SAT ratio value &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt; -1.1 and -1.1 were 38.5 (95% CI 31.54-45.58) and 24.5 (95% CI 14.13-34.93) months, respectively (p = 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that SAT ratio was an independent prognostic factor for OAS in patients with mCRC. We need prospective studies for to observe the relationship between adipose tissue distribution and response to treatment in mCRC.
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Research Interests: Genetics, Clinical Trial, Gene Therapy, Radiation Therapy, Cancer Research, and 15 moreApoptosis, Medicine, Molecular Mechanics, Signal Transduction, Lung Cancer, Humans, TNF, Programmed cell death, Transcription Factor, Clinical Sciences, Antineoplastic Agents, Lung Carcinoma, Signaling pathway, Genetic Therapy, and lung neoplasms
Research Interests: Chemotherapy, Medicine, Multivariate Analysis, Lung Cancer, Humans, and 15 moreMedical Oncology, Internal Medicine, Female, Male, Clinical Sciences, Aged, Great Britain, Middle Aged, Adult, General practitioner, Non small Cell Lung Cancer, Health Services Accessibility, Neoplasm staging, Neoplasm metastasis, and lung neoplasms
To examine the frequency and types of complementary and alternative medicine use in patients undergoing radiotherapy and to analyze the effects these therapies have on the toxicities of radiotherapy. A total of 210 consecutive cancer... more
To examine the frequency and types of complementary and alternative medicine use in patients undergoing radiotherapy and to analyze the effects these therapies have on the toxicities of radiotherapy. A total of 210 consecutive cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy were included. After radiation therapy, each patient completed a standard questionnaire, and the association between radiation toxicity and complementary and alternative medicine use was analyzed. Among the study population, 44.3% of patients reported using at least one form of complementary and alternative medicine during radiotherapy. The most commonly chosen complementary and alternative medicine was stinging nettle. Complementary and alternative medicine use decreased lower gastrointestinal (F = 3.26, P = .009) and genitourinary toxicities (F = 2.38, P = .043), while it increased laryngeal toxicity (F = 2.63, P = .028). A significant correlation between the type of complementary and alternative medicine used and the degree of these toxicities was not demonstrated. Use of complementary and alternative medicine among cancer patients during radiation therapy may affect the degree of radiation toxicity. Further randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to determine the benefits and risks of complementary and alternative medicine use during radiation therapy.
Research Interests: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Radiation Therapy, Radiotherapy, Medicine, Phytotherapy, and 14 moreHumans, Toxicity, Complementary Therapies, Female, Male, Middle Aged, Questionnaires, Neoplasms, Radiation Injuries, Cancer Patient, Cross Sectional Studies, Urtica dioica, Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, and Medical and Health Sciences
Research Interests: Computed Tomography, Chemotherapy, Treatment Outcome, Medicine, Humans, and 15 moreMale, Clinical Sciences, Cisplatin, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Time Factors, Retrospective Studies, Three Dimensional, Shrinkage, Sensitivity and Specificity, Antineoplastic Agents, Germ Cell, Seminoma, Postoperative care, and Combined Modality Therapy
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ABSTRACT
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In this study, a third-generation cephalosporin with proposed immunomodulatory properties, cefodizime, was investigated to see if it has any effect on the chemotactic activity of human peritoneal monocyte and polymorphonuclear cell... more
In this study, a third-generation cephalosporin with proposed immunomodulatory properties, cefodizime, was investigated to see if it has any effect on the chemotactic activity of human peritoneal monocyte and polymorphonuclear cell populations ex vivo. Ten continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis were entered in the study. Monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells were isolated from the patients' peritoneal effluent prior to initiation of any antibiotic therapy. Chemotaxis was measured by the Boyden chamber method before and after 2-hour incubation with cefodizime (200 mg/2L). Following 2-hour incubation with 200 mg/2L cefodizime, monocyte chemotaxis was increased from 36.8 +/- 5.6 microns to 50.2 +/- 6.6 microns (P = 0.0005). A similar increase was observed in polymorphonuclear cells from 42.0 +/- 8.8 microns to 48.7 +/- 10.3 microns (P = 0.02). We conclude that cefodizime acts as a priming agent on peritoneal polymorphonuclear cells, particularly on mono...
Research Interests: Chemistry, Medicine, Humans, Incubation, Pubmed, and 11 moreCephalosporins, Chemotaxis, Aged, Middle Aged, Neutrophils, Adult, Monocytes, Cefotaxime, Peritonitis, Peritoneum, and Monocyte
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BACKGROUND The open-label randomized phase III IMELDA trial demonstrated that adding CAP to maintenance BEV until disease progression (PD) after initial BEV–docetaxel (DOC) provides statistically significant and clinically meaningful... more
BACKGROUND The open-label randomized phase III IMELDA trial demonstrated that adding CAP to maintenance BEV until disease progression (PD) after initial BEV–docetaxel (DOC) provides statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in both progression-free survival (PFS [primary endpoint]; hazard ratio [HR] 0.38 [95% CI 0.27–0.55]; log-rank p<0.001) and OS. We present OS in subgroups representing stratification factors and clinically important populations. METHODS Patients (pts) with HER2-negative measurable mBC, ECOG PS <2, and no prior chemotherapy for mBC were eligible. After 3–6 cycles of BEV–DOC, pts without PD were randomized to BEV alone or BEV–CAP (BEV 15 mg/kg q3w; CAP 1000 mg/m2 bid d1–14 q3w) until PD. Stratification factors were estrogen receptor (ER) status, visceral metastases, response status, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration. OS from randomization was a secondary endpoint. The planned sample size of 360 enrolled pts (290 randomized) ...
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Research Interests: Gastroenterology, Medicine, Multivariate Analysis, Humans, Internal Medicine, and 15 moreFemale, Male, Aged, Middle Aged, Neutrophils, Eosinophils, Adult, Antineoplastic Agents, Hemoglobins, Cohort Studies, Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, Disease Free Survival, Niacinamide, leukocyte Count, and Lymphocyte Count
e18521 Background: Identification of biomarkers that can be used for the prognostic evaluation of NSCLC patients is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential prognostic value of XRCC1, ERCC1, ERCC2 and, TP53 SNPs in... more
e18521 Background: Identification of biomarkers that can be used for the prognostic evaluation of NSCLC patients is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential prognostic value of XRCC1, ERCC1, ERCC2 and, TP53 SNPs in completely resected NSCLC patients. Methods: In total 130 patients, who had been surgically treated for NSCLC between 2000 and 2012, were included in this study. Analysis of SNPs from peripheral blood cells was performed by polymerase chain reaction. XRCC1 Arg399Gln, ERCC1 Asn118Asn, ERCC2 Lys751Gln and, TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms were evaluated in conjunction with clinical and pathological parameters and survival. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis were used. Results: In the univariate analysis for disease free survival (DFS) post operative stage (HR,0.50; 95%CI, 0.26-0.96; P=0.03), ERCC2 genotype (HR, 2.47; 95%CI, 1.28-4.78; P=0.007) and PET-CT staging (HR, 0.27;95%CI, 0.14-0.52; P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.001) were significant parameters. Adjuvant chemotherapy, age and the other SNPs were not significant. In the multivariate analysis post operative stage (HR, 0.40;95%CI, 0.20-0.81; P=0.01), ERCC2 genotype (HR, 2.66;95%CI, 1.35-5.27; P=0.005), PET-CT staging (HR, 0.24;95%CI, 0.12-0.47; P&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.001) retained their significance. The median DFS was 56.5 months (95%CI, 24.6-88.4 months) for the ERCC2 mutant (TT) and heterozygote (GT) genotypes, and 28.3 months (95%CI, 20.8-35.8 months) for the ERCC2 normal (GG) genotype (P=0.005). Conclusions: In addition to stage and PET-CT staging, ERCC2 genotype independently predicted DFS in resected NSCLC patients. Future prospective studies are needed for the further evaluation of potential prognostic SNPs in resected NSCLC.
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e11008 Background: The complexity of the relationship between obesity and breast cancer reflects important contributions of obesity-related factors in the adjuvant therapy. The efficacy of adjuvant AIs compared to tamoxifen is lower in... more
e11008 Background: The complexity of the relationship between obesity and breast cancer reflects important contributions of obesity-related factors in the adjuvant therapy. The efficacy of adjuvant AIs compared to tamoxifen is lower in obese postmenopausal women. Therefore, we aimed to identify whether the effect of AIs on estradiol, leptin, insulin, and IGF-1 serum levels with respect to the status of the obesity in breast cancer patients. Methods: A total of 34 postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant AIs were enrolled in the study. Pretreatment and 3 months after treatment body weight, height, waist-to-hip (WHR) ratio and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Blood samples for serum estradiol, leptin, insulin and IGF-1 were drawn after 12 hour starvation and stored in – 70o before and 3 months after the onset of AI treatment. Results: Median age and BMI were 61 years (range 49-84) and 31 (range 22-43), respectively. 18 (%52.9) patients were treated with letrozole and 16 (%47.1) patients were treated with anastrazole. There was no change in the 3 months period in weight, BMI and WHR. Estradiol levels were decreased significantly between the baseline and the 3rd month (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.01). There was a slight increase in the leptin levels between the basal and 3rd month (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;0.05). No significant change was detected in insulin and IGF-1 levels in the follow-up period. In the multivariate regression model, there was no difference between the effect of letrozole and anastrazole on estradiol levels. Pretreatment BMI did not alter the effect of AIs on estradiol levels. The only factor related with the effect of the AIs is the pretreatment estradiol levels. Conclusions: This study shows that the suppression of estrogen in obese breast cancer patients with AIs at the standard doses may not be different from non-obese patients. Further researches may show us other mechanisms for the obesity-related factors to improve outcome with aromatase inhibition in obese breast cancer patients.
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Research Interests: Oncology, Cancer, Breast Cancer, Immunohistochemistry, Metastasis, and 14 moreMedicine, Multivariate Analysis, Humans, Internal Medicine, Female, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Medical Records, Univariate Analysis, Predictive value of tests, Pathological, Breast Neoplasms, Neoplasm staging, and Neoplasm metastasis
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e19109 Background: DNA repair pathway genes are associated with lung cancer development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of XRCC1, ERCC1, ERCC2 and, TP53 SNPs with the stage at the diagnosis in NSCLC patients.... more
e19109 Background: DNA repair pathway genes are associated with lung cancer development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of XRCC1, ERCC1, ERCC2 and, TP53 SNPs with the stage at the diagnosis in NSCLC patients. Methods: In total 275 patients, who had been treated for NSCLC between 2000 and 2012, were included in this study. Analysis of SNPs from peripheral blood cells was performed by polymerase chain reaction. XRCC1 Arg399Gln, ERCC1 Asn118Asn, ERCC2 Lys751Gln and, TP53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms were evaluated in conjunction with clinical and pathological parameters. Logistic regression analysis were used. Results: In the univariate analysis for the metastatic stage at the diagnosis of patients XRCC1 genotype (Wald = 34.37; P<0.001), ERCC2 genotype (Wald = 5.15; P=0.07), TP53 genotype (Wald=10.06; P=0.007) and non-squamous histology (Wald=10.28; P=0.001) were significant parameters. ERCC1 genotype, age and smoking amount were not significant. In the multivariate analysis XRCC1 genotype (...
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We aimed to assess the efficacy of a metronomic regimen with cyclophosphamide and etoposide in heavily treated patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). A total of 77 patients with MBC used continuous oral cyclophosphamide 50 mg/day... more
We aimed to assess the efficacy of a metronomic regimen with cyclophosphamide and etoposide in heavily treated patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). A total of 77 patients with MBC used continuous oral cyclophosphamide 50 mg/day and oral etoposide given as 2 × 50 mg/day for 2 days per week, were analyzed retrospectively from Akdeniz University and Selcuk University. The patients with MBC are predominantly refractory to antracyclines, taxanes, and antimetabolites. The patients were treated and followed between May 2005 and June 2014. The median progression-free and overall survival (PFS and OS) were 7.03 (5.06-8.99) and 32.5 (22.5-42.4) months, respectively. No prognostic factor was found for OS. Metronomic treatment regimen with cyclophosphamide and etoposide is a novel and effective strategy in heavily pretreated MBC patients. This regimen can be used in early or late steps as independently from prognostic factors. Moreover, it has very low toxicity and is cheap. Impressive survival data and low cost may make this regimen a highly preferable option.
Research Interests: Oncology, Chemotherapy, Survival Analysis, Medicine, Comorbidity, and 15 moreHumans, Internal Medicine, Female, Male, Middle Aged, Adult, Cancer Therapeutics, Metastatic Breast Cancer, Regimen, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, Neoplasm grading, Breast Neoplasms, Neoplasm metastasis, and Medical and Health Sciences
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The object of this study was to investigate how the information status with regard to diagnosis, in addition to social and clinical factors, influenced emotional functioning and quality of life in a group of cancer patients in Turkey. A... more
The object of this study was to investigate how the information status with regard to diagnosis, in addition to social and clinical factors, influenced emotional functioning and quality of life in a group of cancer patients in Turkey. A consecutive sample of 100 cancer patients being treated for different diagnoses in a tertiary care centre were prospectively evaluated. Data on patient disease and social characteristics, clinical factors, and scores on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) were analysed by logistic regression models. A significant proportion (44%) of the patients did not know of their diagnosis of cancer. The scores on functional and symptom scales and global health status/quality of life according to QLQ-C30 did not differ according to the information given or not given on diagnosis. However, the independently significant determinants of good emotional functioning were male gender (P=0.002), low serum alanine transferase levels (P=0.025), good social functioning (P=0.002), and the absence of constipation (P=0.005). In Turkey, it is still common for cancer patients not to be informed of their diagnosis, and there is a great need to improve this situation. Honest disclosure of the truth does not worsen any dimension of quality of life in general or emotional functioning in particular. On the contrary, those with hepatic dysfunction, female gender, poor social functioning and constipation are the ones at increased risk of poor emotional functioning, and these patients may benefit from psychological screening.
Research Interests: Global Health, Adolescent, Medicine, Logistic Regression, Multivariate Analysis, and 15 moreHumans, Female, Disease, Male, Awareness, Medical Diagnosis, Aged, Middle Aged, Adult, Cancer Patient, Logistic Regression Model, Logistic Models, Cohort Studies, Alanine Transaminase, and Medical and Health Sciences
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Background: Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have improved survival compared to chemotherapy alone in advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This article aims to compare indirect evidence and rank the effect of different CPIs in this... more
Background: Checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have improved survival compared to chemotherapy alone in advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This article aims to compare indirect evidence and rank the effect of different CPIs in this setting. Materials and Methods: In this network meta-analysis, we searched for trials comparing CPIs in advanced NSCLC. Figures for survival endpoints were extracted. In addition, a network meta-regression analysis was carried out. Results: A total of 9220 patients from 16 trials were included in the analysis. In the first-line setting, for the overall survival endpoint, the chemotherapy + Pembrolizumab combination had the highest effectivity rank probability as compared to chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.788, 95% credential interval = 0.728–0.855). For the second-line setting, and also for the efficacy in terms of progression-free survival, various CPIs and their combinations were ranked. Conclusion: Some degree of differences in terms of efficacy exists between different types, dosages, settings, and combinations of CPI. We quantify these differences to guide clinical practice.
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8175 Background: Although chemotherapy improves quality of life (qol) in patients with metastatic NSCLC, factors interacting with the change in qol remain unclear. METHODS 50 metastatic NSCLC patients starting 1st or 2nd line chemotherapy... more
8175 Background: Although chemotherapy improves quality of life (qol) in patients with metastatic NSCLC, factors interacting with the change in qol remain unclear. METHODS 50 metastatic NSCLC patients starting 1st or 2nd line chemotherapy were prospectively evaluated. EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaires were completed thrice during the 1st 2 cycles. Chemotherapy toxicity was graded according to the SWOG toxicity scale. The effect of chemotherapy (time) and its interaction with ECOG ps (=1 or 2) and line of chemotherapy administration on EORTC QLQ-C30 subscales were evaluated with Repeated Measures ANOVA models. RESULTS There have been significant changes with chemotherapy in some aspects of qol. Interestingly, both ps and line of chemotherapy administration (chemo) interacted with the change in insomnia scale (P=0.035 and 0.049, respectively), and line of chemotherapy administration with the change in fatigue scale (P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS These findings stress the importance of baseline ps and the line and type of chemotherapeutics used for palliation. [Figure: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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OBJECTIVE We present our data comparing retrospectively the efficacy of abiraterone and cabazitaxel in patients who progress after docetaxel treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 56 patients diagnosed with hormone-refractory... more
OBJECTIVE We present our data comparing retrospectively the efficacy of abiraterone and cabazitaxel in patients who progress after docetaxel treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 56 patients diagnosed with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer who were previously treated with abiraterone therapy at four oncology centers in Turkey. RESULTS With abiraterone, the patients had a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.9 months (95% confidence interval (CI) for hazard ratio (HR) (4.4-7.4)) and an overall survival of 13.4 months (95% CI for HR (5.5-21.3)). When we compared the disease-free survival (DFS) of reference patients treated with cabazitaxel as a second-line treatment with those receiving second-line abiraterone therapy, there was no significant difference. (PFS = 5.9 months with cabazitaxel vs. 6.7 months with abiraterone, P = 0.213). CONCLUSION This study has shown that in our experience abiraterone acetate is an effective agent in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) regardless of the line of treatment.
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We aimed to form a risk prediction model to assess the probability of intrahospital death in cancer patients at the time of hospitalisation. The medical records and the relevant clinical parameters of cancer patients who died in or who... more
We aimed to form a risk prediction model to assess the probability of intrahospital death in cancer patients at the time of hospitalisation. The medical records and the relevant clinical parameters of cancer patients who died in or who were discharged from a teaching hospital between 1997 and 2000 (n = 334) were reviewed to explore the determinants of intrahospital death, which later were verified prospectively (n = 131). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of four, short duration of disease (on a logarithmic scale), emergency admission, low haemoglobin (Hb) value (on a linear scale) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) value greater than 378 micro/ml were significantly and independently associated with the risk of intrahospital death. This model had a receiver operating characteristic area of 0.88 in the derivation cohort and 0.82 in the validation cohort. Using readily available clinical parameters, it is possible to devise an accurate and applicable risk prediction model for the hospitalised cancer patients.
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Relatively few studies have focused on T4N2 (stage IIIB) locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we tried to identify prognostic factors for patients with clinical stage T4N2 NSCLC. We retrospectively... more
Relatively few studies have focused on T4N2 (stage IIIB) locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we tried to identify prognostic factors for patients with clinical stage T4N2 NSCLC. We retrospectively identified 223 patients, of which 168 met the inclusion criteria. Patients treated with curative intent using concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with or without adjuvant chemotherapy, or concurrent CRT after induction chemotherapy, were included in this study. Relevant patient, treatment, and disease factors were evaluated for their prognostic significance in both univariate and multivariate analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 13 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.6-15.4). The median overall survival (OS) was 20 months (95% CI, 16.8-23.1), and 71, 40.3 and 28.2% of the patients survived for 1, 2 and 3 years after diagnosis, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed Eastern Cooperative Oncol...