Overall Survival with Pembrolizumab in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Background: In patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer, the phase 3 KEYNOTE-522 trial showed significant improvements in pathological complete response and event-free survival with the addition of pembrolizumab to platinum-containing chemotherapy. Here we report the final results for overall survival.

Methods: We randomly assigned, in a 2:1 ratio, patients with previously untreated stage II or III triple-negative breast cancer to receive neoadjuvant therapy with four cycles of pembrolizumab (at a dose of 200 mg) or placebo every 3 weeks plus paclitaxel and carboplatin, followed by four cycles of pembrolizumab or placebo plus doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide or epirubicin-cyclophosphamide.

The Clinical and Genetic Landscape of Hereditary Cancer: Experience from a Single Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Background/aim: The application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology in the genetic investigation of hereditary cancer is important for clinical surveillance, therapeutic approach, and reducing the risk of developing new malignancies. The aim of the study was to explore genetic predisposition in individuals referred for hereditary cancer.

Materials And Methods: A total of 8,261 individuals were referred for multigene genetic testing, during the period 2020-2023, in the laboratory, and underwent multigene genetic testing using NGS.

Case report: Immunotherapy guided by molecular profiling of tumors: illustrative cases and literature review.

Predictive biomarkers are necessary for the identification of immunotherapy-responsive patients. Tumor mutation burden (TMB), as determined by next-generation sequencing (NGS), and PD-L1 expression, as evaluated by Immunohistochemistry (IHC), are the biomarkers most frequently employed in clinical practice. In addition, microsatellite instability (MSI) was the first biomarker to demonstrate immunotherapy efficacy irrespective of the type of tumor and possesses a high predictive value.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in the second- or later-line treatment of patients with locally advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in Türkiye: a retrospective multicenter non-interventional registry study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nivolumab in the second-line (2L) or later-line (LL) treatment of patients with locally advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in real-life setting in Türkiye.

Methods: This study was designed as a national, multi-center, retrospective study. The study population was evaluated in two groups for the line of nivolumab therapy: those receiving nivolumab in the 2L (Group 2L) and third-line (3L) or LL (Group 3L/LL).

Only 32.3% of Breast Cancer Families with Pathogenic Variants in Cancer Genes Utilized Cascade Genetic Testing.

Background: Hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes are responsible for approximately 5-10% of all diagnosed cancer cases. In order to identify individuals at risk in a cost-efficient manner, family members of individuals carrying pathogenic alterations are tested only for the specific variant that was identified in their carrier relative. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical use and implementation of cascade family testing (CFT) in families of breast cancer patients with pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PVs/LPVs) in cancer-related predisposition genes.

Assessment High-Risk Breast Cancer in Older Patients: A Comparative Analysis of PREDICT Scores and TAILORx Risk Categorization.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PREDICT tool overall survival (OS) scores and high-risk patients according to TAILORx risk categorization in elderly hormone reseptor (HR) positive human epidermal growth factor negative early breast-cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, extracting data from medical records of 64 patients diagnosed with breast cancer. A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who had Oncotype Dx Recurrence Scores across five medical centers between 2017 and 2022.

Survival results according to Oncotype Dx recurrence score in patients with hormone receptor positive HER-2 negative early-stage breast cancer: first multicenter Oncotype Dx recurrence score survival data of Turkey.

Background: The Oncotype Dx recurrence score (ODx-RS) guides the adjuvant chemotherapy decision-making process for patients with early-stage hormone receptor-positive, HER-2 receptor-negative breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate survival and its correlation with ODx-RS in pT1-2, N0-N1mic patients treated with adjuvant therapy based on tumor board decisions.

Patients And Methods: Estrogen-positive HER-2 negative early-stage breast cancer patients (pT1-2 N0, N1mic) with known ODx-RS, operated on between 2010 and 2014, were included in this study.

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

Objective: Cisplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab is a frequently used treatment regimen for metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer, and carboplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab are also among the recommended regimens. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of these two regimens for the treatment of metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer.

Methods: Patients with metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer treated with cisplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab or carboplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab were retrospectively evaluated in this study.

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

Purpose: In this study, we looked for whether treatment-induced rash predicts treatment efficacy in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC treated with Cetuximab and chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and cetuximab for the first line treatment of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC were recruited. Presence of rash, hypomagnesemia, hypopotassemia, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia during treatment and treatment response, date of progression, date of last visit and death were recorded.

Pembrolizumab alone or combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy as first-line therapy for advanced urothelial carcinoma (KEYNOTE-361): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors are active in metastatic urothelial carcinoma, but positive randomised data supporting their use as a first-line treatment are lacking. In this study we assessed outcomes with first-line pembrolizumab alone or combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy for patients with previously untreated advanced urothelial carcinoma.

Methods: KEYNOTE-361 is a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial of patients aged at least 18 years, with untreated, locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic urothelial carcinoma, with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of up to 2.

Comprehensive tumor molecular profile analysis in clinical practice.

Background: Tumor molecular profile analysis by Next Generation Sequencing technology is currently widely applied in clinical practice and has enabled the detection of predictive biomarkers of response to targeted treatment. In parallel with targeted therapies, immunotherapies are also evolving, revolutionizing cancer therapy, with Programmed Death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), Microsatellite instability (MSI), and Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) analysis being the biomarkers employed most commonly.

Methods: In the present study, tumor molecular profile analysis was performed using a 161 gene NGS panel, containing the majority of clinically significant genes for cancer treatment selection.

Pembrolizumab for Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Background: Previous trials showed promising antitumor activity and an acceptable safety profile associated with pembrolizumab in patients with early triple-negative breast cancer. Whether the addition of pembrolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy would significantly increase the percentage of patients with early triple-negative breast cancer who have a pathological complete response (defined as no invasive cancer in the breast and negative nodes) at definitive surgery is unclear.

Methods: In this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned (in a 2:1 ratio) patients with previously untreated stage II or stage III triple-negative breast cancer to receive neoadjuvant therapy with four cycles of pembrolizumab (at a dose of 200 mg) every 3 weeks plus paclitaxel and carboplatin (784 patients; the pembrolizumab-chemotherapy group) or placebo every 3 weeks plus paclitaxel and carboplatin (390 patients; the placebo-chemotherapy group); the two groups then received an additional four cycles of pembrolizumab or placebo, and both groups received doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide or epirubicin-cyclophosphamide.

Hyperprogression after immunotherapy: A comprehensive review.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment with patient improved survival, quality of life, and a longer response. However, up to 30% of patients experience paradoxical accelerated tumor progression early after immune-checkpoint blockade therapy. This phenomenon is also known as hyperprogression (HP).

Cost effectiveness of Gene Expression Profiling in Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer in a Middle-Income Country, Turkey: Results of a Prospective Multicenter Study.

Objective: Breast cancer is a heterogenous disease, and genetic profiling helps to individualize adjuvant treatment. The Oncotype DX is a validated test to predict benefit of adjuvant systemic treatment. The aims of this study are to determine the costs of chemotherapy in government hospitals in Turkey and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the Oncotype DX from the national insurance perspective.

Isolated Superior Mesenteric Vein Tumor Thrombus in a Patient with Gastric Cancer.

Tumor thrombus in the portal vein can rarely originate from gastric cancer via hematogenous spread, with only few case reports published in the literature. Isolated superior mesenteric vein tumor thrombus in gastric cancer has not been previously reported. A 61-year-old male patient who had undergone distal gastrectomy and gastroenterostomy for gastric ulcer 20 years ago was diagnosed with an obstructive tumor originating from the gastroenterostomy anastomosis site on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy that was performed for complaints of fatigue, oral feeding problems, and anemia.

Primary splenic angiosarcoma diagnosed after splenectomy for spontaneous rupture.

Primary splenic angiosarcoma is a rare abnormality and has a bad prognosis. It has unknown pathogenesis. This abnormality is usually presented by splenic rupture.

Ginseng and cancer.

Derived from the Greek word Panacea that means 'cure for all', Ginseng (Panax) has had an important place in Chinese Medicine for many of years. As the name suggests, it is believed to be a miraculous plant effective in the treatment of many health problems. It is claimed to have many effects such as sedative, hypnotic, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, diuretic, and stimulating effects, and to be effective in the treatment of certain health problems such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, erectile dysfunction and infections.

Curcumin (Turmeric) and cancer.

Curcumin is a substance obtained from the root of the turmeric plant, which has the feature of being a yellow or orange pigment. It is also the main component of curry powder commonly used in Asian cuisine. Curcumin, a substance that has had an important place in traditional Indian and Chinese medicines for thousands of years, has been the center of interest for scientific studies especially in the field of cancer treatment for several years.

Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi Mushroom) and cancer.

Having a long historical past in traditional Chinese medicine, Ganoderma Lucidum (G. Lucidum) is a type of mushroom believed to extend life and promote health. Due to the increasing consumption pattern, it has been cultivated and marketed intensively since the 1970s.

Impact of Oncotype DX Recurrence Score on Treatment Decisions: Results of a Prospective Multicenter Study in Turkey.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among Turkish women and the rate of early stage disease is increasing. The Oncotype DX(®) 21-gene assay is predictive of distant recurrence in ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. We aimed to evaluate the impact of the Recurrence Score(®) (RS) on treatment decisions and physician perceptions in Turkey.

Retrospective analysis of third-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: First- and second-line chemotherapies have been demonstrated to be effective in treatment of patients with inoperable, advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although the role of third-line chemotherapy remains unclear. The present investigation assessed treatment outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC who received third-line and higher chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients with advanced NSCLC who received at least three lines of systemic chemotherapy.

Use of cryoablation beyond the prostate.

Unlabelled: Cryoablation has been used for many years as a surgical ablation technique in the prostate and kidney. However, since the introduction of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and robotic surgery for prostate tumours, its popularity in the urologic community has declined. In the early 2000s, innovations in cryoablation technology allowed the use of thinner probes, which were suitable for percutaneous application.

Correlations Between Oncotype DX Recurrence Score and Classic Risk Factors in Early Breast Cancer: Results of A Prospective Multicenter Study in Turkey.

Objective: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among Turkish women and the rate of early stage disease is increasing. The Oncotype DX 21-gene assay is predictive of distant recurrence in ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. We aimed to evaluate the correlations between Recurrence Score (RS) and routine risk factors.