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The classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors by the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) has led to significant changes in tumor taxonomy. One of the most significant changes is that isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutant forms of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) have been differentiated into separate entities, no longer allowing entries to be classified as not otherwise specified (NOS). As a result, this entity only comprises the most aggressive adult-type tumors and established prognostic factors no longer apply. Glioblastoma (GBM) IDH-wildtype CNS WHO grade 4 typically presents necrosis and/or microvascular proliferation and molecular alterations. Herein, we aimed to classify glioblastoma cases to establish a patient survival pattern based on age, gender, the number of masses, tumor location, functional localization, presence of shift, the volume of edema and necrosis, extent of surgery, radiotherapychemotherapy protocol, and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) presence, affecting overall survival were determined retrospectively. A total of 433 patients >20 years old with primary GBM were treated in a single institution between 1996 and 2019. The median survival was 9±0.62 [95% CI 7.78-10.21] months and the survival rate after diagnosis was 39.4% in 1st year, 17% in 2nd year, and 5% in 3rd year. Statistically, age, tumor location, edema, and necrosis were indicated as independent preoperative predictors of prognosis, and younger age at diagnosis, the left temporal and the right occipital location, maximal tumor resection, and administration of temozolomide adjuvant chemotherapy were revealed favorable prognostic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to determine the predictive value of the systemic inflammation score (SIS) for radiation-induced trismus (RIT) and osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (C-CRT). LA-NPC patients (n= 188) who underwent C-CRT and pre- and post-C-CRT oral examinations from August 2010 to January 2022 were included. The three-tiered SIS groups were created using the serum albumin and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) measures obtained on the first day of C-CRT: SIS-0: Albumin ≥ 40 g/dL and LMR ≥ 4.44); SIS-1: Albumin < 40 g/dL and LMR < 4.44 or albumin ≥ 0 g/dL and LMR ≥ 4.44; and SIS-2: Albumin < 40 g/dL and LMR <4.44. The primary objective was to ascertain whether there were irrefutable associations between pretreatment SIS groups and the respective post-C-CRT RIT and ORNJ rates. RIT and ORNJ were diagnosed in 33 (17.6%) and 21 (11.1%) patients, respectively. There were 12 (32.4%), 13 (12.7%), and 18 (45.0%) cases diagnosed with RIT in the respective SIS-0, SIS-1, and SIS-2 groups (p< 0.001). Similarly, there were 1 (2.7%), 11 (9.9%), and 9 (22.5%) cases with ORNJ diagnoses in the corresponding SIS groups (p< 0.001). The multivariate analysis's findings revealed that the SIS grouping was an independent predictor of RIT (p< 0.001) and ORNJ incidence rates (p< 0.001). Our study's findings indicate that the novel pretreatment SIS grouping is a dependable biomarker-based system, which can accurately predict the rates of RIT and ORNJ in LA-NPC patients who receive definitive C-CRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We retrospectively evaluated the utility "over D1" or D1 dissections on outcome of gastric cancer patients with subsequent postoperative chemoradiotherapy. Sixty-five patients with gastric adenocarcinoma treated with postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were total or subtotal gastrectomy with a cut-point of =10 nodes dissected in the surgery without scheduled splenectomy and pancreatectomy. Nodal dissections grouped according to Japanese Research Society; N1 stations (1-6) as D1, and dissection of additional stations (7-9) as "over D1". The median follow-up was 30 months. Surgery was total gastrectomy in 32 patients and subtotal in 33. Nodal dissection was D1 in 36 (55.4%) patients and over D1 in 29 (44.6%). The 2-year overall, local recurrence free, distant metastasis free, and disease free survivals of the entire group of patients were 83.3%, 89.9%, 68.4%, 62.5% respectively. Two year distant metastasis free survival was %55 for D1 and %88.5 for "over D1" dissected patients (p= 0.06). Overall survival was significantly longer in "over D1" dissected patients (2 year overall survival: 72.3% for D1 and 96% for "over D1", p= 0.05). Moreover, disease specific survival was significantly longer in "over D1" dissected patients (2 year disease specific survival: 72.3% for D1 and 100% for "over D1", p= 0.02). No grade 3-4 acute or late toxicity was observed. In conclusion, our retrospective data showed that over D1 dissected patients treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy seemed to gain additional survival benefit in comparison to D1 dissected patients in this retrospective cohort with no significant extra toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study to demonstrate and compare the CXCR4 expression by means of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT in patients with multiple myeloma with standard clinical parameters and 18F-FDG PET/CT findings. Twenty-four (17 women, 7 men; mean age: 58.9±12.7) multiple myeloma patients who had undergone 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging to evaluate the disease activity were included in the study. 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT imaging was performed within an average period of 12 days after initial 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. 68Ga-Pentixafor PET and 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed focal pathological lesions in 13/24 (54%) and 16/24 (67%) patients, respectively. In 19/24 patients, both tracers showed concordant findings (CXCR4+ and FDG+ in 12 patients; CXCR4- and FDG- in 7patients). In the remaining 5 patients, findings were discordant. The number of focal lesions identified by means of 68Ga-Pentixafor and 18FFDG were 89 (44%) and 113 (56%), respectively. 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT showed more lesions in 2/12 (17%) patients, whereas 18F-FDG PET/CT was proved to be superior in 7/12 (58%) patients. In the remaining 3/12 (25%) patients, both tracers detected an equal number of lesions. There was no significant difference in appendicular and axial skeletal and extramedullary distribution ratios for both PET/CT examinations (p> 0.05). There was no statistically significant correlations between the 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT positivity and disease activity, MM subtype, ISS phase, light chain disease, beta2microglobulin, albumin, creatinine, LDH, FLC and M protein levels in during scans. 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT cannot replace 18F-FDG PET/CT for diagnostic imaging of patients with multiple myeloma, 68Ga-PET/CT seem to be a valuable probe for patient stratification in the context of CXCR4-targeted radioligand therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zoledronic acid has been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, metastasis and induce cancer cell apoptosis. Stromal Derived Factor- 1 (SDF-1) is a chemokine that has been reported to be expressed markedly high in the most common metastatic sites. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of zoledronic acid on SDF-1 mRNA expression of rats' tissues. Rats were randomised into two groups, each containing five rats. Zoledronic acid was administered 0.1 mg/kg subcutaneously to one group. Other group was used as the control group. Seven days later, all rats were sacrificed. Levels of SDF-1 mRNA expression in tissues were measured quantitatively with RT-PCR. The median of SDF-1 mRNA relative expression in the lung was 0.80 (0.49-1.00) in the control group and 0.90 (0.61-1.42) in the zoledronic acid group (p= 0.53). The median of SDF-1 mRNA relative expression in the liver was 0.90 (0.39-1.00) in the control group and 0.93 (0.77-1.29) in the zoledronic acid group (p= 0.35). In this study, we investigated the effect of zoledronic acid on the tissue SDF-1 mRNA expression for the first time in the literature. We observed that a single dose of zoledronic acid did not change SDF-1 expression in lung and liver of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial to identify Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients who may have resistance to treatment in order to choose the best risk adapted strategy at the time of diagnosis. We evaluated whether AMC (Absolute monocyte count), ALC (Absolute lymphocyte count), Lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), and Neutrophil Monocyte Ratio (NLR) were prognostic factors for HL. Sixty-five patients with classic Hodgkin Lymphoma were retrospectively reviewed. Initial peripheral blood tests were analyzed. Of the entire cohort, 96.9% (63) had complete or partial remission. The median overall survival was 144 and median progression free survival was 130.7 months. The median AMC and LMR for all patients were 0.8x10³/UL and 2.1. There were no statistically significant cut-off value for AMC, ALC and LMR. Median NLR was 3.9 and had a statistically significant cut-off value as 4.38 (p= 0.002). Mean overall survival time with NLR < 4.38 was 151.8 months versus 117.2 months for patients with > 4.38 NLR (p= 0.047). Mean progression free survival time was also significantly longer for patients with NLR < 4.38 versus >4.38 (145.6 vs 102.8 months, p= 0.005). Increased NLR sound to be a poor prognostic indicator in our cohort. NLR might be considered an additive parameter in management decision tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment blood count values, particularly WBC counts, in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The records of 186 patients with advanced stage (stage IIIB and IV) NSCLC were assessed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to WBC levels; ≤10000 /mm3 as Group 1, >10000 and ≤15000/mm3 as Group 2 and >15000/mm3 as Group 3. Patient and tumor characteristics as well as outcomes in terms of overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Median OS was 13.3 months in the whole population, 25.7 months in stage IIIB and 8.9 months in stage IV patients. According to the pretreatment leukocyte values, median OS was 17.9 months in Group 1, 11.2 months in Group 2 and 8.4 months in Group 3 (p= 0.003). Median OS values in WBC groups according to stages IIIB and IV were significantly different (p< 0.001). In multivariate analyses, ECOG-PS 2 or 3, stage IV disease, anemia and high WBC levels were associated with poorer OS. In this study, higher pretreatment WBC levels were associated with poorer OS in patients with advanced stage NSCLC. Pretreatment WBC counts may represent a simple prognostic factor and may aid in tailoring treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the in vitro effect of thalidomide and rhGM-CSF on energy metabolism rate in HL-60 cell lines. HL-60 cells were incubated with radiolabelled glucose for 4 hours. Following incubation, radiolabelled CO2 was isolated and collected in specially designed scintillation vials. The other end-products of carbohydrate catabolism collected via anion-exchange chromatography were analyzed using liquid scintillation. Protein and glycogen levels for each group were also determined. The study results indicated that the use of drugs for 2-days had no significant effect when compared with aerobic and anaerobic controls. However, groups treated with the drugs for 5 days showed significant differences. It was obvious that rhGM-CSF caused HL-60 leukemia cells to use aerobic glycolytic pathway for production of energy. When thalidomide and rhGM-CSF combination therapy results were compared with untreated control cells, it was observed that glycogen consumption was decreased by 50.37%, and CO2 production was increased by 94.03%. When compared with those of anaerobic controls, glycogen consumption and CO2 production rates were found to be decreased by 54.01% and increased by 96.59%, respectively. As a consequence, we found that those cell lines treated with combined use of Thalidomide and rhGM-CSF caused HL-60 leukemia cells to predominantly prefer aerobic glycolytic pathways for energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluated the efficiency and the toxicity of three dimensional conformal hemithoracic radiotherapy (3DCHRT) after extra pleural pneumonectomy (EPP). The median age of 14 patients were 51 years (range, 33-61 years). Most commonly seen histopathology was epitheliod type (79%). According to American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) 2002 staging system 9 cases (64%) were stage III. A total median dose of 50.4 Gy was applied to hemithoracic cavity. Eleven patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. 3DCHRT was generally well tolerated. The acute toxicities of 3DCHRT were grade I-II. After a median of 16 months follow-up, intrathoracic control was100%. Six patients (43%) developed abdominal relapse and one (7%) developed distant metastasis. Nine cases were dead with two of them being without the evidence of disease. Excellent local control with 3DCHRT after EPP seems to change the relapse patterns of MPM. More effective systemic treatment is needed to prevent the recurrences outside thorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluated the efficiency and the toxicity of three dimensional conformal hemithoracic radiotherapy (3DCHRT) after extra pleural pneumonectomy (EPP). The median age of 14 patients were 51 years (range, 33-61 years). Most commonly seen histopathology was epitheliod type (79%). According to American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) 2002 staging system 9 cases (64%) were stage III. A total median dose of 50.4 Gy was applied to hemithoracic cavity. Eleven patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. 3DCHRT was generally well tolerated. The acute toxicities of 3DCHRT were grade I-II. After a median of 16 months follow-up, intrathoracic control was100%. Six patients (43%) developed abdominal relapse and one (7%) developed distant metastasis. Nine cases were dead with two of them being without the evidence of disease. Excellent local control with 3DCHRT after EPP seems to change the relapse patterns of MPM. More effective systemic treatment is needed to prevent the recurrences outside thorax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of elderly persons is rapidly increasing worldwide. Most of the cancer patients are diagnosed at 65 years and older. In elderly patients, because of age related physiologic changes, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of chemotherapy agents have some differences from these of young patients. Generally, there is a tendency of under treatment the older patients with cancer. Several studies has been shown that elderly patients can obtain similar benefits from treatment and the toxicity rates were not more than young patients. Before decision of cancer treatment plan, comprehensive geriatric assessment including functional test and laboratory evaluation should be done to determine life expectancy and functional reserve. In this review, we evaluated that age related physiologic changes and their effects on cancer treatment and analyzed treatment strategies of more frequent cancer types in elderly patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the potential of increasing target dose conformity and organ at risk (OAR) sparing of Hybrid Arc approach for patients with locally advanced rectum cancer (LARC) in comparison to VMAT and inverse IMRT. This study consisted of thirteen patients who had LARC, were treated with VMAT in 25 Gy in 5 fractions. Two different new plans for each patient were generated on Pinnacle TPS by inverse IMRT (7 fields) and Hybrid Arc technique (combining forward IMRT (3 fields) with 20% weight and VMAT (double full arcs) with 80% weight). Treatment plans; Hybrid Arc, VMAT and inverse IMRT, were assessed using dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of OARs doses for bladder, small bowel, femur heads and penile bulb in male patients' cases. Ad-ditionally, monitor units (MU), conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) for clinical target volumes (CTV) were compared for all three techniques. Most DVH parameters pertaining to OARs significantly favored Hybrid Arc technique compared to VMAT and inverse IMRT. Hybrid Arc provided significantly improved Bladder DVH parameters in comparison to IMRT & VMAT. The Hybrid technique provided significantly lower small bowel doses in comparison to inverse IMRT and VMAT for all DVH pa-rameters. Mean MU of inverse IMRT was the highest one (MUIMRT= 1803, p= 0.001 vs VMAT; p= 0.023 vs Hybrid Arc). The target dose conformity and homogeneity of VMAT were better than the other two techniques. Hybrid technique combined the advantages of forward IMRT and VMAT for better OAR sparing in comparison to VMAT and inverse IMRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to observe the relationship between age distribution and overall survival in glioblastoma multiforme. A series of 274 glioblastoma patients were analyzed retrospectively. Patients received chemoradiation with temozolomide. For the whole population, median overall survival time was 9.80 ±1.78 (95% CI, 6.31-13.28) months and 1-, 2- and 3- years survival rates were 38.3%, 16.1% and 8.4% respectively. Median survival time of the patients = 5th, 6th, 7th and = 8th decade 26.00±7.12, 14.42±3.07, 13.65±2.14 and 5.25±0.73 respectively. There were a statistically significant difference in median survival rates among the four groups (p< 0.001). GBM remains a poor prognosis and fatal brain tumor despite the availability of multimodal treatment options. Age can be considered as the most important prognostic factor in patients with GBM as elderly patients have an extremely poor prognosis. Further research is thus warranted for the selection of treatment options that can improve the OS as well as ensure quality of life in the adult patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT, step and shoot) is emerging as the standard of care in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patient treatments. Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) delivered with two arcs offers fast and homogeneous dose delivery with known limitations of increased volumes of low dose. The aim of this study is to define whether Hybrid volumetric arc IMRT (HA-IMRT: IMRT and VMAT combination) offers a superior dose distribution over IMRT without the limitations found in VMAT delivery alone. Ten (previously 4DCT planned) locally advanced NSCLC patients treated by IMRT to 70 Gy in 35 fractions were retrospectively re-planned using the HA-IMRT technique. Respiratory correlated imaging (3 mm slice thickness) were generated utilizing the Philips Large Bore 16 slice CT Scanner (Phillips, Inc.). Treatment planning was performed using The Philips Pinnacle Treatment Planning System v. 9.0 (Philips Medical, Cleveland, OH). The PTV was defined as the Integrated Tumor Volume (ITV= internal GTV contoured on all respiratory data sets plus 8 mm margin for all histologies) with a 4 mm margin added. Lung parenchyme was defined and contoured using the 50% phase. Conventional IMRT plans used 6:8 non coplanar or coplanar fields and VMAT plans were generated using two 1800 arcs. HAIMRT plans were generated using a combination of 60% conventional IMRT with 40% VMAT. The maximum dose (Gy) to the spinal cord, V5, V10, V20 for total lung, V20 and V30 for the ipsilateral lung, V30 for heart, V50and V70 for esophagus, and the V77 for the Clinical Treat Volume (CTV) were compared for all techniques utilizing the Dose Volume Histograms. In addition, total monitor units (MU), total treatment time (TT) and the conformality index (CI) were compared. . Conventional IMRT delivers less low dose to the lung compared to VMAT alone. (V5 VMAT (V5: 55.0% vs 63.0%, p= 0.005; V10: 41.4% vs 43.9%, p= 0.018). However, VMAT is superior in total lung V20 (V20:30.6% vs 29.3% p= 0.010), ipsilateral lung doses (V20:55.5% vs 52.8% p= 0.008; V30: 46.1% vs 42.9% p=0.012), and in heart sparing. (V30: 21.09% vs 17.78% p= 0.015; MHD: 15.92% vs 14.81% p= 0.021). It is also superior in conformality (CI 1.51 vs 1.26 p= 0.005) and treatment delivery is faster ( 293 min vs 108 min p= 0.005) with lower MUs (24805 vs 19141 p= 0.005). HA-IMRT was found to be superior to VMAT in terms of total lung low dose volumes (V5:58.1% vs 63.0%, p= 0.005; V10:42.2% vs 44.9%, p= 0.027), superior to IMRT for ipsilateral lung doses (V20: 53.6% vs 55.5%, p= 0.007; V30: 43.4% vs 46.1%, p= 0.018), and superior in treatment time (199 min vs 293 min, p= 0.005) with lower MU’s (22155 vs 24805, p=.005). Overall, HA-IMRT provides a more homogenous dose distribution (CTV: V77: 0.55% vs 2.1% vs 1.7%, p= 0.000) compared to IMRT and VMAT alone. All three plans provided comparable esophagus and spinal cord Organ at Risk (OAR) doses. HA-IMRT seems to combine the benefits of both conventional IMRT and VMAT; such as to deliver a faster, more conformal, homogeneous treatment in comparison to ssIMRT, and to deliver lower dose to lung in comparison to VMAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wingless Type (WNT) signaling pathway is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that is crucial for the cell fate determination, survival and expansion of lymphocyte progenitors. It has been demonstrated that deregulated WNT signaling is one of the participating mechanism underlying lymphoid leukemogenesis. Inactivating mutations and methylation in Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) gene, a negative regulator of WNT pathway, can cause ligand independent WNT pathway simulation. In this study, promoter methylation and expression of the APC gene is evaluated in childhood lymphoid and myeloid acute leukemia patients (n= 118) and representative cell lines by using methylation specific PCR (MS-PCR) and real time quantitative PCR (QRT-PCR). APC gene promoter found hypermethylated in the 56% of childhood acute leukemia patients [49.2% of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), 62.5% of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and 64.1% of Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)]. To evaluate the reflection of promoter methylation, APC mRNA levels were examined and found that all acute lymphoblastic leukemia subgroups have statistically lower APC expression levels compared to controls. Although there was no association with clinical parameters, promoter hypermethylation of APC gene seems to be a common epigenetic event in acute leukemia and leading to differential expression levels among different acute leukemia phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer is an important public health problem which comprises 10% of all cancers and 12% of all cancer related deaths all over the world. Because of the differences in patient populations and treatment schemes in various studies, standard practice for advanced stage gastric cancer has not been fully established. The aim of this study was to assess the use of cisplatin and capecitabine combination regimen in real-world clinical practice. Medical records of 76 male and 37 female metastatic gastric cancer patients treated with first-line cisplatin and capecitabine combination between February 2006 and December 2009 were retrospectively analyzed in 11 centers of the Anatolian Society of Medical Oncology. Patients previously treated with chemotherapy were excluded from the analysis. The median age of the patients was 64 years (range, 28-83). Seventy-six (67.2%) patients were males and 37 (32.7%) females. Most of the patients were metastatic (n= 85, 75.2%) at the time of initial diagnosis. The most common sites for metastasis were liver (65.9%), lung (11.3%), peritoneum (23.8%) and local recurrence (15.9%) with multiple metastases in 9.7% of the patients. The mean follow-up period of all patients was 41 months (range 12-61). Overall response rates was 33.6%, while disease control rate (DCR) was 72.6 %. Median Progression-free survival was 4.7 months (95%CI 3.75- 6.49) and median overall survival was 11.1 months (95%CI 5.58- 10.98). The most common grade 3-4 adverse events were anemia (8.3%), nausea-vomiting (3.8%) and diarrhea (1.8%). In terms of efficacy, toxicity and convenience, cisplatin and capecitabine combination is effective and well tolerated in Turkish patients with advanced gastric cancer, and could be one of the standard regimens for the first-line treatment in this cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the treatment results of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer (CLPC). Between June 1998 and December 2011, 577 patients with the diagnosis of CLPC were treated. ADT was started 3 months prior to radiotherapy (RT). 3DCRT was delivered to prostate and the seminal vesicles (SV) to a total dose of 70Gy. Additionally, patients with lymph node (LN) positivity received 50.4Gy RT to pelvic LN's. Median follow up time was 65 months. Five-ten years overall survival (OS), cause specific survival (CSS), PSA relapse-free survival (PSA-RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 92-74%, 97-91%, 77-55% and 94-88%, respectively. OS was negatively affected from LN positivity (p< 0.001). In the subgroup of patients with GS= 8, there was no significant difference between < 1 years and = 1 years of ADT in terms of CSS, PSA-RFS and DMFS. OS was better in patients with < 1 years of ADT (p= 0.01). Five year OS (p= 0.02), CSS (p= 0.05), PSA-RFS (p= 0.01) and DMFS (p= 0.07) rates were inferior in the high risk group patients that used ADT = 1 year. Acute and late RTOG grade III/IV gastrointestinal system toxicity rates were 1.7% and 5% and acute and chronic RTOG grade III/IV genitourinary system toxicity rates were 1.4% and 5%, respectively. 3DCRT and ADT combination is an effective treatment modality with acceptable toxicities in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to search critical renin-angiotensin system (RAS) elements in myeloid leukemic cell lines. Human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines, KG-1 and HL-60, were cultured. We searched for the gene expression of the major RAS components in KG-1 and HL-60 cell lines by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis (qRT-PCR). Angiotensin-converting enzyme I (ACE I) and ACE II mRNA expressions were detected in KG-1 AML cell line. Relative expression of ACE I was higher than ACE II expression in this myeloid leukemic cells. Likewise, RENIN, angiotensinogen (ANGTS), and ACE I mRNA expressions were detected in HL-60 promyelocytic cell line. Relative RENIN expression was the highest, whereas ACE I expression was the lowest in HL- 60 neoplastic myeloid cells. These findings indicate that there is a biologically active local RAS in the hematopoietic system in normal and pathological states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eventually, all patients with malignant gliomas recur or progress. Unfortunately, the optimal regimen in the salvage setting has not yet been defined. We retrospectively evaluated 52 patients with malignant gliomas who failed temozolomide therapy and were treated with a combination of intravenous carboplatin and oral cyclophosphamide. The median age of all patients, including those with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (n= 40) and anaplastic glioma (AG) (n= 12), was 45.5 years (range 23-68). All patients were treated with consolidation temozolomide after chemoradiotherapy. After temozolomide failure, second surgery was performed on 15, reirradiation on four and radiosurgery on three patients. The median number of chemotherapy cycles was 4 (range 1-8), the clinical benefit was 67.3%, a partial response was achieved in 26.9% and stable disease in 40.4%. In the GBM group, median progressionfree survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3 (95% CI, 2.31-3.69) and 8 (95% CI, 4.76-11.24) months, respectively. In the AG group, median PFS and OS were 5 (95% CI, 3.51-6.49) and 11 (95% CI, 6.38-15.62) months, respectively. The six-month PFS rate was 25%. Only one patient survived 18 months after treatment. Serious toxicity was mainly hematological. The combination of carboplatin and oral cyclophosphamide is a valuable option in temozolomide refractory patients with malignant glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV I), which has a worldwide distribution, is the first human retrovirus mainly to be associated with malignant diseases, such as adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Tip II (HTLV II), a retrovirus having genomic homology with the HTLV I, has not been proven to be a pathogenic virus so far. Hepatitis C virus (HCV), an RNA virus, is the cause of acute and chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV syn. HTLV III), is a factor in AIDS. Studies on the development of malignant diseases of these viruses are restricted in all over the world, there is no detailed study was found in our country as well. In this study, the seropositivity of HTLV I-II, HIV and HCV viruses in lymphoma and head and neck cancer patients and the relationship between these viruses and these cancers evaluated. As a result HTLV I-II seropositivity was found in 2 of 86 lymphoma and 2 of 80 head and neck cancer patients. There is a need for further large studies related to those and other viral agents caused malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the frequency of c-erb-B2 expression rate and its association with clinicopathological parameters in our gastric carcinoma series to make a contribution to emerging data on this oncogene. One hundred thirty-nine gastric adenocarcinoma patients underwent total gastrectomy between years 2006 and 2011 were selected to the study. C-erb-B2 expressions were determined by using immunohistochemical and/or chromogenic in situ hybridisation methods in tumor tissues. A total of 16 (11.5%) gastric adenocarcinoma cases were found positive for c-erb-B2 expression. Out of 16 positive cases, 13 had intestinal type adenocarcinomas. C-erb-B2 overexpression was significantly associated with histologic subtype (p= 0.001), and histologic tumor grade (p= 0.001). The frequency of overexpression in intestinal subtype (21.7%) was comparable with the known rates of overexpression in breast cancer. This results indicate that C-erb-B2 expression may identify a subgroup in gastric carcinoma cases which may benefit from targeted treatment modalities among Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolated adrenal metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a rare event. Nonsurgical treatment of a solitary adrenal metastasis is associated with poor survival. However, in the aspect of long-term survival, the role of adrenalectomy for isolated metastasis is unclear. Here, we reported our experience with surgical treatment of solitary adrenal metastasis in patients with NSCLC whose primary tumor control were achieved and reviewed current literature. Between the 2001 and 2009, five patients underwent curative adrenalectomy (in 1 patient it was bilateral) for suspected solitary adrenal metastasis after surgical treatment of NSCLC. The pathologic examination confirmed in 3 cases a NSCLC metastasis while in 2 cases it was a benign lesion. In the follow-up period, all of the 3 patients with adrenal metastasis had recurrence of NSCLC. Recurrence was local (in the operated adrenal bed) in 2 patients. Palliative radiotherapy focalized to adrenal bed was given to one of the patient with local recurrence. This patient is currently alive 51 months after the adrenalectomy. The other patient with local recurrence died 24 months after the adrenalectomy. Recurrence was systemic (brain and contralateral adrenal gland) in 1 patient who was treated with contralateral adrenalectomy and surgical resection of the cranial metastasis followed by cranial radiotherapy. The patient who underwent bilateral adrenalectomy for metastatic lung cancer died of wide-spread metastatic disease, 79 months after the adrenalectomy. In conclusion, survival benefit can be obtained after complete resection of isolated adrenal metastasis in patients with NSCLC. Therefore, resection of isolated adrenal metastasis should be considered if the primary NSCLC is resectable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cancer treatment, control of advanced stage disease and cure chances are increased after the introduction of new agents and combined treatments. Late side effects can be described as the effects that have not been recovering after treatment or developing after completion of treatment. Nowadays, patients who achieve long term cure are increasing therefore, thus many late side effects are more evident. These patients should be evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Detection and early diagnosis programs should be performed to cancer survivors lifelong. In this rapidly growing population, we need guidelines that follow and describe late side effects objectively about cancer and cancer treatment. In this way, complications of cancer treatment can be detected earlier. By preventing sequelae formation with early treatment, quality of life and long term survival can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years mortality of breast cancer was decreased with frequent useage of mammography and effective adjuvant treatment regiments. But unfortunately we can not see the same success in metastatic breast cancer. Because we can not achive curative treatment in metastatic breast cancer; the aim of the treatment is sympthomatic improvement and increse in survival. In this case we emphasize the role of hormonal treatment in metastatic breast cancer. We give consecutive chemotherapy and hormonal treatment and show that metastatic lesions disappeared after hormonal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Dosetaxel Induced Pericardial Effusion in Two Gastric Cancer Patients".

We investigated the associations between GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 polymorphisms and childhood cancer. Genotypes were analyzed with real-time PCR in 61 children with cancer and 157 healthy controls. Twenty nine of 61 patients were diagnosed of leukemia and 8 of lymphoma. The remaining patients had solid tumors. GSTM1 null genotype was associated with an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma (OR= 2.2, 95%CI= 1.1-4.6) (p= 0.03). Presence of at least one mutant allele of GSTP1 was related to an increased risk of solid tumor (OR= 3.3, 95%CI= 1.3-8.3) (p= 0.02). Moreover, CYP2C9*2 allele was a high risk for leukemia and lymphoma (p= 0.04). In conclusion, GSTM1, GSTP1, and CYP2C9 polymorphisms may play a role in the development of childhood cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 59-year-old man with a weight loss and a history of dyspepsia for six months. A diffuse thickening of gastric fundus and corpus wall was noted following abdominal computed tomography. A diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma was made following the consistency of the patient's morphologic and immunohistochemical features with such cancer. The patient died due to the progression of the disease.