Predictive role of midtreatment changes in survivin, GSTP1, and topoisomerase 2α expressions for pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced breast cancer.

Introduction: The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effect of change in the expression levels of survivin, glutathione-S-transferase P1 (GSTP1), and topoisomerase 2α (TOP2A) on the response to antracyclin-based and taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: This study included 32 locally advanced breast cancer patients. Tumoral expressions of survivin, TOP2A, and GSTP1 in serial biopsy specimens obtained before treatment, after sequential 4 cycles of doxorubicin+cyclophosphomide, and 4 cycles of docetaxel were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

The roles of surgery and EMA/CO chemotherapy regimen in primary refractory and non-refractory gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Purpose: To determine the characteristics and outcome of patients with refractory gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) after primary chemotherapy (CTx).

Methods: The outcome of low- and high-risk patients with refractory GTN (n = 14, 37%) was compared to those with non-refractory GTN (n = 24, 63%). Methotrexate treatment was used for patients with low-risk disease and EMA/CO for patients with high-risk disease.

Association of clinical and pathological variables with survival in thymoma.

Our aim was to evaluate clinical and pathological features in prognosis of thymoma patients with particular emphasis on patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). From 1995 to 2010, 140 thymoma patients (women/men: 63/77) with a median age of 46 years (11-80 years) were admitted to our institution. According to World Health Organization (WHO), there were 23 (17%) type A, 12 (9%) type AB, 24 (17%) type B1, 42 (31%) type B2 and 36 (26%) type B3.

Clinical and pathological features of breast cancer associated with the pathological complete response to anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective: Patients with breast cancer with a pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) have a better prognosis than patients with residual disease. The aim of the current study was to identify predictors of pCR.

Methods: This retrospective study included 388 patients treated with anthracycline-based NAC.

Paraoxonase-1 192/55 polymorphisms and the risk of lung cancer in a Turkish population.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible association of paraoxonase-1 (PON1) 192/55 polymorphisms with lung cancer (LC) risk in a Turkish population.

Materials And Methods: A population-based, case-control study was carried out, including 223 patients with LC and 234 controls. The frequencies of PON1 192/55 genotypes were compared in patient and control groups using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

The role of antibiotic prophylaxis in totally implantable venous access device placement: results of a single-center prospective randomized trial.

Background: This study evaluated whether prophylactic treatment with a cefazolin could prevent infections in patients who had a surgically inserted totally implantable venous access device (TIVAD).

Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing wound infection rates in 404 patients (203 received prophylactic cefazolin, 201 received a placebo) undergoing TIVAD insertion. Infections were evaluated 3, 7, 14, and 30 days after discharge and outcomes were compared and analyzed.

Weekly docetaxel and cisplatin with concomitant radiotherapy in addition to surgery and/or consolidation chemotherapy in stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and feasibility of a combination of weekly docetaxel and cisplatin administered concomitantly with radiotherapy followed by surgery in addition to consolidation chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin administered every 3 weeks in stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: A total of 31 histologically proven, locally advanced (stage IIIA-N2 = 9, stage IIIB-T4N0-2 = 22) NSCLC patients were investigated. After administration of 4-6 cycles of weekly docetaxel (20 mg/m(2)) and weekly cisplatin (20 mg/m(2)) concurrently with radiotherapy, patients underwent operation if their disease was appropriately downstaged.

Non-pharmacological interventions used by cancer patients during chemotherapy in Turkey.

Purpose: Although there are many non-pharmacological practices being recommended for symptom management, most patients prefer to use pharmacological interventions. This study assesses the non-pharmacological interventions used by cancer patients for symptom management during chemotherapy and the factors affecting its use.

Method: This study was conducted at the Istanbul University Institute of Oncology, Turkey, with 202 patients.

Effect of kefir on the quality of life of patients being treated for colorectal cancer.

Purpose/objectives: To determine kefir's effect on the prevention of gastrointestinal complaints and quality of life (QOL) in patients being treated for colorectal cancer.

Design: Randomized, controlled, prospective, interventional study.

Setting: Istanbul University Oncology Institute in Turkey.

Serum levels of interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in Turkish patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

There exists strong evidence that tumor growth can be actively controlled by the host immune system and interleukins are known to play a significant role in immune response regulation. Inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the pathogenesis of lymphomas. This study was conducted to investigate the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (A-NHL) and the relationships with prognostic parameters and therapy.

Factors related to recurrence after pathological complete response to postoperative chemotherapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Aims And Background: It has been appreciated for some time that the lack of detection of ovarian cancer at clinical and pathological (second-look laparotomy) evaluation is not synonymous with cure. The goal of this study was to define clinical risk factors for recurrence after complete pathological response to postoperative chemotherapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods: Fifty-seven patients who met the inclusion criteria of our study were evaluated.

Yolk sac tumours of the ovary: evaluation of clinicopathological features and prognostic factors.

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathological prognostic features, factors and outcomes of chemotherapy in ovarian yolk sac tumours (YST).

Study Design: We reviewed the medical records of 32 women with ovarian YST treated from 1990 to 2006 at two centres.

Results: The median follow-up was 36 months.

Quality of life and complementary and alternative medicine use among cancer patients in Turkey.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between quality of life and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Turkish cancer patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Istanbul University Institute of Oncology, Turkey. Two-hundred patients were invited and informed consent was obtained, however 179 cancer patients completed the study.

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: a single-institution experience.

Objective: To evaluate the clinicopathologic prognostic factors in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 70 patients treated from 1990 to 2006 at our center. Clinical data including demographics, stage, surgery, chemotherapy, survival, menses status, and fertility were collected from patients' charts.

Identification of patients who may benefit from the prophylactic cranial radiotherapy among breast cancer patients with brain metastasis.

Background: To identify the candidates for prophylactic cranial radiotherapy (PCI) among the patients with early and advanced-stage breast cancer.

Methods: The demographic, pathologic and clinical features and survival results of 182 brain metastatic breast cancer patients treated with cranial radiotherapy were examined.

Results: Early stage patients who progressed with isolated brain metastasis had longer survival (13 months vs.

Effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on integrity of free serum DNA in patients with breast cancer.

It is not known how chemotherapy-induced cell death influences the size distribution of circulating free DNA (cf-DNA) in serum or plasma of cancer patients. In the present study, we investigated the integrity of cf-DNA during adjuvant systemic therapy in patients (n= 41) with invasive breast cancer. Sera taken at the beginning and the end of the adjuvant chemotherapy were comparatively analyzed for the integrity of cf-DNA.

Chemotherapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and cisplatin in recurrent platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background: Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is the only nonplatinum agent to significantly improve survival in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of PLD plus cisplatin combination therapy in these patients.

Methods: Twenty-two women (median age, 57 years) with ovarian cancer that recurred 6 months or more after standard carboplatin and paclitaxel therapy were eligible for enrollment.

Lower level of MAPK expression is associated with anthracycline resistance and decreased survival in patients with hormone receptor negative breast cancer.

Introduction: Hormone receptor negative breast cancer is encountered in about 30% of all patients with breast cancer and is considered as a prognostically unfavorable subset. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic impact of various molecular markers in patients with receptor negative breast cancer.

Methods: Tumor specimens from 140 patients with receptor negative (ER, PR) breast cancer were analyzed for MAPK, Her-2/neu, EGFR and PI3K expression by immunohistochemistry.

A pilot study evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of biweekly gemcitabine and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer.

Background: Both gemcitabine and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) are antineoplastic drugs with clinical activity in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of biweekly scheduled gemcitabine and PLD combination therapy in such patients.

Methods: Eighteen women with ovarian cancer that had recurred within 6 months after standard carboplatin and paclitaxel therapy were eligible for enrollment.

Factors affecting the prognosis of breast cancer patients with brain metastases.

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to investigate the factors affecting the prognosis of brain metastases in breast cancer patients to identify subgroups which might benefit from prophylactic treatments in future. Seventy-three early and 13 advanced stage patients with known Erb-2 status were included. In 14% of the early stage patients, the first recurrence site was isolated brain metastasis.

Ovarian carcinoma with simultaneous breast and rectum metastases.

Background: Metastatic involvement of the breast and the rectum from ovarian carcinoma are very rare events.

Case Report: We report a case of ovarian carcinoma with metastasis to the breast and rectum simultaneously, 6 years after initial diagnosis.

Results: Morphologic and immunohistochemical findings from pathologic samples of all involved sites confirmed the ovarian origin, which spared the patient unnecessary breast and rectal surgery.

Circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and BCL-2 in malignant melanoma.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a critical regulator of angiogenesis that stimulates proliferation, migration, and metastasis of melanoma. In literature, all studies concerning influences of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and antiapoptotic proteins on VEGF-induced angiogenesis in melanoma patients have been performed in tissue scale in melanoma. The objective of this study was to determine the value of circulating serum VEGF and its possible mechanisms of angiogenesis by circulating VEGF, MMP-3, and Bcl-2 in patients with melanoma.

Prognostic and predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor and its soluble receptors, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 levels in the sera of small cell lung cancer patients.

Objectives: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has a rapid growth rate and is characterized by early metastases. Tumor growth is dependent on angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of angiogenesis.

Size distribution of circulating cell-free DNA in sera of breast cancer patients in the course of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Background: The integrity of circulating cell-free DNA (cf-DNA) in serum or plasma appears to be of diagnostic and prognostic value in cancer. Here, we investigated the dynamics of serum DNA levels and the size distribution of cf-DNA during adjuvant chemotherapy of patients with breast cancer (n=73).

Methods: By evaluating sera taken at the beginning and the end of the adjuvant chemotherapy, variations of serum DNA levels and the size distribution were analyzed, based on quantification of shorter apoptotic and longer non-apoptotic fragments from abundant genomic ALU fragments amplified by quantitative real-time PCR.

Effect of zoledronic acid on serum angiogenic factors in patients with bone metastases.

In this study we have investigated changes in circulating angiogenic factors after a single zoledronic acid intravenous infusion. Thirty consecutive patients who had histologically confirmed breast (n=20) and lung cancer (n=10) associated with confirmation of bone metastases were included in the study. Serum was also available from 10 healthy volunteers.