Effect of HER2/CEP17 ratio on survival in metastatic HER2-positive gastric cancer, multicenter study.

AIM: HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer is still a highly fatal disease despite advances. We aimed to investigate the relationship between HER2/CEP17 ratio and survival in patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 99 patients from 8 different centers in Turkey were included in the study. Patients with HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer and whose HER2/CEP17 ratio was examined were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to HER2/CEP17 values, and survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: The median age was 64 (24-83) years. There were 74 (74.8%) male and 25 (25.2%) female patients. OS in the high HER2/CEP17 ratio group was 21.97 months (95% CI: 16.36-27.58), and in the low ratio group was 16.17 months (95% CI: 10.95-21.38) (p = 0.015). OS was 17.7 months (95% CI: 7.02-28.37) in the high HER2 gene copy number group and 10.13 months (5.55-14.71) in the group with low copy number (p = 0.03). PFS was 10.94 months (95% CI: 7.55-14.33) in the group with high HER2 gene copy number and 7.56 months (4.62-10.49) in the low copy number group (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Patients with both high HER2 gene amplification and high HER2/CEP17 ratio had better OS. The PFS of the group with high HER2 gene amplification was also better. To our knowledge, this is the first study in the literature showing that the HER2/CEP17 ratio affects survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer.

Syrian Refugee and Turkish Women with Breast Cancer: A Comparison on Clinicopathological Features and Survival.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a significant health problem for refugees and host countries. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among refugees. The subject of our study is to examine the clinical and pathological features of Syrian refugees with breast cancer and compare them with Turkish patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Data of patients with breast cancer between January 2018 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical and histological features, treatment modalities and overall survival were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total number of 338 women with breast cancer were included in this study. Ninety-nine of the 338 (29.3%) patients were Syrian refugees and 239 patients (70.7%) were Turkish. The median follow-up time was significantly lower in Syrian patients (P<0.001). Median OS was 146 months in Turkish and 116 months in Syrian group (P=0.022). Independent risk factors associated with long survival were receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.465; 95% CI 0.234-0.926; P=0.029), adjuvant radiotherapy (HR 0.372 95% CI 0.182-0.758; P=0.007), and adjuvant hormonotherapy (HR 0.367; 95% CI 0.201-0.669; P=0.001). The rates of receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiotherapy, and adjuvant hormonal therapy were significantly lower in the Syrian group (P=0.023, P=0.005, P=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Syrian refugees with breast cancer are more likely to receive suboptimal treatments. They have inferior survival compared to local patients. Our findings highlight the need for the provision of cancer therapy in such vulnerable populations. We suggest that more attention should be paid to breast cancer, as it is the most common cancer among refugees.

The effect of low HER2 expression on treatment outcomes in metastatic hormone receptor positive breast cancer patients treated with a combination of a CDK4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy: A multicentric retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: CDK4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy have significantly improved treatment outcomes for metastatic hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer patients. However, the impact of low HER2 expression on treatment response and progression-free survival (PFS) remains unclear. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 204 HR+ breast cancer patients treated with a combination of CDK4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy. HER2-zero disease was detected in 138 (68%) and HER2-low disease in 66 (32%) patients. Treatment-related characteristics and clinical outcomes were analyzed, with a median follow-up of 22 months. RESULTS: The objective response rate (ORR) was 72.7% in the HER2 low group and 66.6% in the HER2 zero group (p = 0.54). Median PFS was not significantly different between the HER2-low and HER2 zero groups (19 months vs.18 months, p = 0.89), although there was a trend toward longer PFS in the HER2-low group for first-line treatment (24 months progression-free survival rate 63% vs 49%). In recurrent disease, the median PFS was 25 months in the HER2-low group and 12 months in the HER2-zero group (p = 0.08), while in de novo metastatic disease, the median PFS was 18 months in the HER2-low group and 27 months in the HER2-zero group (p = 0.16). The order of CDK4/6 inhibitor use and the presence of visceral metastasis were identified as independent variables affecting PFS. CONCLUSION: Low HER2 expression did not significantly impact treatment response or PFS in HR+ breast cancer patients treated with a CDK4/6 inhibitor and endocrine therapy. Because of the conflicting results in the literature, further prospective studies are needed to evaluate the clinical significance of HER2 expression in HR+ breast cancer.

Does neoadjuvant chemotherapy provide any benefit for surgical de-escalation in luminal B, HER2(-) breast cancers?

BACKGROUND: The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in less aggressive breast cancer (BC) is controversial. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER2 negative luminal B breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients between January 2016 and December 2021 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients were included in the study. Patients with pathological complete response (pCR) were younger and had higher ki67 levels. Cutoff levels for ki67 based on pCR and ypT status were ≤ 40% and ≤ 35%, respectively. According to pre-NAC magnetic resonance imaging findings, only mastectomy was viable in 90 patients, but after NAC breast-conserving surgery (BCS) was possible in 29 (32%). Moreover, 68.5% became eligible for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) after NAC. Since SLNB was positive in 45 (54.2%), axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was performed and the remainder, 38 (31.4%), avoided ALND. CONCLUSION: In patients with Luminal B, HER2(-) BC a low pCR rate should not discourage the use of NAC. The ki67 level is a guide for individualizing treatment. Especially in young patients with high ki67 levels, NAC increases the chance of breast-conserving surgery and may spare patients from ALND.

ANTECEDENTES: El uso de quimioterapia neoadyuvante (QTN) en cáncer de mama (CB) menos agresivo es controversial. OBJETIVO: Investigar el efecto de la quimioterapia neoadyuvante en el cáncer de mama HER2 negativo luminal B. MÉTODO: Se evaluaron retrospectivamente pacientes entre enero de 2016 y diciembre de 2021. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 128 pacientes. Los valores de corte para ki67 basados en el estado de respuesta patológica completa y el estadio tumoral tras la quimioterapia neoadyuvante fueron ≤ 40% y ≤ 35%, respectivamente. Según los hallazgos de la resonancia magnética previa a la quimioterapia neoadyuvante, la mastectomía solo fue viable en 90 pacientes, pero después de la quimioterapia neoadyuvante la cirugía conservadora de la mama fue posible en 29 (32%). Además, el 68.5% se volvieron elegibles para biopsia del ganglio linfático centinela después de la quimioterapia neoadyuvante, y se evitó la disección de ganglios linfáticos axilares en 38 pacientes (31.4%). CONCLUSIONES: En las pacientes con cáncer de mama HER2 negativo luminal B, una tasa baja de respuesta patológica completa no debe desalentar el uso de quimioterapia neoadyuvante. En especial en pacientes jóvenes con niveles altos de ki67, la quimioterapia neoadyuvante aumenta la posibilidad de una cirugía conservadora de la mama y puede evitar que las pacientes sufran disección de ganglios linfáticos axilares.

cERBB-2/Her-2 Neu Overexpression and Prognostic Significance in Uterine Carcinosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: There is not enough data in the literature regarding Her-2 overexpression in uterine carcinosarcomas or its association with the prognosis. The aim of this study was to determine the Her-2 overexpression rate in uterine carcinosarcoma and to evaluate its relationship with the prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Her-2 protein and gene status were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), respectively, in hysterectomy specimens from 51 patients with uterine carcinosarcoma. RESULTS: Her-2 protein expression in the epithelial component was negative in 42 patients (score 0 in 33 cases, score (+1) in 9 cases), score (+2) in 7 patients and score (+3) in 2 patients. None of the patients had Her-2 protein expression within the sarcomatous component of the tumors. Her-2 gene was not amplified in epithelial or mesenchymal tumor areas according to the FISH method. There was no difference between the Her-2 overexpression negative and positive groups in terms of disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Her-2 overexpression was significantly higher in tumors of patients diagnosed at 65 years or older (p=0.046). CONCLUSION: In our study, no relationship could be shown between Her-2 overexpression and prognosis in uterine carcinosarcoma. More comprehensive studies are needed to illustrate the relationship between Her-2 overexpression and carcinosarcoma prognosis.

CD47 (don't eat me signal) expression levels and its relationship with clinicopathologic features in early-stage prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is a cancer with poor host immune response and could be defined as a non-T-cell inflamed tumor. Therefore, immunotherapy treatments could not be included in the treatment of prostate cancer until recently. Inadequate antitumoral response is one of the main reasons why tumor cells multiply rapidly and cause lethal results. It was shown that CD47 molecule, which is secreted at high levels by leukemia cells, reduces macrophage-mediated phagocytosis and thus facilitates escape from the antitumoral immune response. The aim of this study was to show don't eat me signaling in prostate carcinoma tissues and its relationship with macrophage polarization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 263 patients with a diagnosis of prostatic adenocarcinoma after radical prostatectomy between 2015 and 2020 at our institute were included in the study. CD47, CD68, and CD163 expression levels were examined immunohistochemically (IHC) in these tissues. The relationship of these expression levels with unfavorable prognostic factors and survival for prostate carcinoma was investigated. RESULTS: In this study, all the operated prostate carcinoma cases had CD47 expression in tumor tissue, but only 52.5% had a high level of expression. Of 263 prostate cancer tissues, 135 (51.3%) showed high expression of CD68 protein and 189 (71.9%) showed high expression of CD163 protein. There was a statistically strong relationship between CD47, CD68, and CD163. CONCLUSIONS: The CD47 molecule is basically a molecule that inhibits macrophage activation. CD68 is mostly used for macrophage classification, while CD163 is used for tumor-associated macrophage classification. Unlike others, we IHC examined CD47, CD68, and CD163 expressions in the surgical materials of patients who were operated for prostate carcinoma. In addition, we concluded that strong CD47 expression was closely associated with strong CD68 and CD163 expression in all tumor samples. However, a significant relationship between these expression levels and survival could not be demonstrated.

What Is Your Choice for Androgen Deprivation Therapy in Metastatic Prostate Carcinoma: Surgical or Medical?

OBJECTIVE: At the time of diagnosis, approximately 16.5% of prostate cancer patients are metastatic. The main framework of metastatic prostate cancer treatment is androgen deprivation therapy, which is performed surgically or medically. The aim of this study is to evaluate the attitudes of medical oncologists and urologists about orchiectomy as androgen deprivation therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 387 physicians working in the Departments of Urology (n=217) and Medical Oncology (n=170) were included in this descriptive study. Data were collected through an electronic survey. RESULTS: Only 7.5% of participants indicated that they offered surgical castration to their patients. Urologists preferred surgical castration more than oncologists for the treatment of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate carcinoma (P=.003). The reasons why medical oncologists preferred surgical castration less are that it is an invasive procedure, has risk of morbidity and mortality, high cost of hospitalization, and may cause deterioration of the patient's body image (P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that physicians were less likely to perform orchiectomy as an androgen deprivation therapy. Although the most important reason for this is the patient preference, the biased presentation of treatment options to patients, the lack of knowledge of physicians about orchiectomy, and the effect of the pharmaceutical industry should also be kept in mind.

Deficient Mismatch Repair and Lymphocytic Response to Tumor as Prognostic Markers in Stage II Colon Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between colon cancer (CC) subtypes defined by the status of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and mismatch repair (MMR) combination with clinicopathological features and survival. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Medical Oncology, Haydarpasa Numune Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from July 2010 to March 2020. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-three patients with operated stage II colon cancer were included in the study. Pathology, surgery and oncological treatment and follow-up information were obtained from patient files; and statistical analyses were performed on overall survival (OS). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and mismatch repair status was determined with the help of immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: TIL-high and deficient MMR (dMMR) status were detected in 26 patients (31.3%) and 21 patients (25.3%), respectively. Tumors were divided into four subgroups according to TIL and MMR status. TIL-high/dMMR tumors had the most favourable prognosis, while TIL-low/proficient MMR tumors exhibited poor OS. CONCLUSION: The combination of TIL and MMR could enable us to differentiate patients' survival outcomes in more details. Therefore, considering that the TIL and MMR status, evaluated by IHC, may be a cost-effective and effective option for risk classification in patients with stage II colon cancer. Key Word: Lymphocytic response, Mismatch repair, Prognosis, Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, Stage II cancer, Colon cancer.

The Effect of FDG-PET/CT on Clinical Prognostic Staging of Breast Cancer Patients being Planned Neoadjuvant Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of FDG-PET/CT in the radiological imaging of breast cancer (BC) patients planned for neoadjuvant treatment (NAT), on the clinical prognostic stage (CPS). STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, between June 2014 and September 2020. METHODOLOGY: Consecutive patients with stage I-III breast cancer (BC) who were planned for neoadjuvant treatment (NAT). The distribution of CPS detected by both conventional radiological methods (c-CPS) and FDG-PET/CT (PET-CPS) were compared. RESULTS: Significant upstaging on CPS was detected with the addition of FDG-PET/CT to conventional imaging methods in 25/121 (20.7%) patients (p <0.001). In the c-CPS stage, IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB patients, the stage change rate was 22.7%, 28.6%, 37.5%, 50%, and 9.1%, respectively. There was no change in patients with c-CPS stage IA and IIIC. There was a significant change in the cN stages (p <0.001), while no significant change was detected in the cT stages of the patients (p = 0.180). Upstaging was detected in 5/16 (6.3%, p=0.034), 14/71 (19.7%, p <0.01), 15 / 30 (50%, p <0.01) of initially cN 0, 1, 2 patients, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The change in CPS was due to nodal upstaging. The effectiveness of including FDG-PET/CT in the initial radiological imaging in patients planned for NAT should be evaluated with prospective studies evaluating treatment choices to be used in NAT. Key Words: PET scan, Breast cancer, Positron emission tomography, Neoadjuvant treatment, Cancer staging, Staging system, TNM.

The Role of FDG PET/CT to Evaluation of Axillary Lymph Nodes after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of breast and axillary maximum standard uptake (SUVmax) values for predicting ypT0 and ypN0 separately. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Medical Oncology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, between May 2017 and September 2020.  Methodology: Consecutive patients with operated breast cancer (BC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were evaluated. SUVmax on FDG-PET/CT after NAC at both primary tumour (postSUVmax-T) and axillary lymph nodes (postSUVmax-N) were assessed to predict the ypT0 and the ypN0, respectively.  Results: Clinically meaningful correlation was detected between postSUVmax-N with ypN0 in patients with human epidermal receptor-positive (Her2+) and triple-negative (TN) BC (in Her2+ BC: r=0.596, p <0.001, in TN BC: r=0.782, p = 0.001). The postSUVmax-N predicted ypN0 with 90.5% positive predictive value (PPV) and 85.7% negative predictive value (NPV) in patients with Her2+ and TN BC. The postSUVmax-T predicted ypT0 with 87.5% PPV and 100% NPV in patients with TN BC (AUC: 0.938, P <0.01) Conclusion: According to this study's findings, the FDG-PET/CT may be an alternative to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) to protect patients from axillary lymph node dissection when the expected FNR of the SNB is high in patients with Her+ and TN BC. Key Words: Breast cancer, FDG PET/CT, Neoadjuvant therapy.

Prognostic factors in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have treated with Atezolizumab.

BACKGROUND: Atezolizumab (ATZ) has demonstrated antitumor activity and manageable safety in previous studies of patients with metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma. However, the response rate of Atezolizumab was modest. In the current study, we evaluated the pretreatment prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have progressed after first-line chemotherapy in the Expanded-Access Program of Atezolizumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, we present a retrospective analysis of 113 patients with urothelial cancer treated with ATZ after progression on first-line chemotherapy. Data of the patients was obtained from patient files and hospital records. Eligible patients included metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients treated with at least one course of ATZ. Univariate analysis was used to identify clinical and laboratory factors that significantly impact OS. Variables were retained for multivariate analysis if they had a statistical relationship with OS (p < 0.1), and then included a final model of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 23.5 months. Of the patients, 98 (86.7%) were male and 13.3% were female. The median age was 65 years of age (37-86). In univariate analysis, primary tumor location in the upper tract, increasing absolute neutrophil count (ANC), increasing absolute lymphocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 3, liver metastases, baseline creatinine clearance less (GFR) than 60 ml/min, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (1 ≥), and hemoglobin levels below 10 mg/dl were all the significantly associated with OS. Three of the five adverse prognostic factors according to the Bellmunt criteria were independent of short survival: liver metastases HR 3.105; 95% CI 1.673-5.761; p < (0.001), ECOG PS (1 ≥) HR 2.184; 95% CI 1.120-4.256; p = 0.022, and Hemoglobin level below 10 mg/dl HR 2.680; 95% CI 1.558-4.608; p < (0.001). In addition, NLR > 3 hazard ratio [HR] 2.092; 95% CI 1.031-4.243; p = 0.041 and GFR less than 60 ml/min HR 1.829; 95% CI 1.1-3.041; p = 0.02, maintained a significant association with OS in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This model confirms the Bellmunt model with the addition of NLR > 3 and GFR less than 60 ml/min and can be associated with clinical trials that use immunotherapy in patients with bladder cancer.

Atezolizumab in Patients with Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma Who Have Progressed After First-line Chemotherapy: Results of Real-life Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Atezolizumab (ATZ) has demonstrated antitumor activity and manageable safety in previous studies in patients with locally advanced or metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To compare the real-life experience and data of clinical trials on ATZ treatment in metastatic urothelial carcinoma. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients with urothelial cancer treated with ATZ after progression on first-line chemotherapy from an expanded access program were retrospectively studied. Data of patients were obtained from their files and hospital records. Safety was evaluated for patients treated with at least one cycle of ATZ. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). The secondary endpoints are overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response, and safety profile of patients. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to calculate median follow-up and estimate PFS and OS. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Data of 115 enrolled patients were analyzed. Most of the patients (92.3%, n = 106) had received chemotherapy regimen only once prior to ATZ. The median follow-up duration was 23.5 mo. The complete response rate, partial response rate, and ORR were 8.7% (n = 10), 20.0% (n = 23), and 28.7% (n = 33), respectively. The median duration of response was 20.4 mo (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.47-28.8). Of the 33 patients who responded to treatment, 60% (n = 20) had an ongoing response at the time of the analysis. PFS and OS with ATZ were 3.8 mo (95% CI, 2.25-5.49) and 9.8 mo (95% CI, 6.7-12.9), respectively. All-cause and any-grade adverse events were observed in 113 (98%) patients. Of the patients, 64% experienced a treatment-related adverse event of any grade and 24 (21.2%) had a grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse event. Limitations of the study included its retrospective design, and determination of treatment response based on clinical notes and local radiographic studies. CONCLUSIONS: In these real-life data, ATZ was effective and well tolerated in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have progressed with platinum-based first-line chemotherapy. ATZ is an effective and tolerable treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic platinum-resistant urothelial carcinoma in our study, similar to previously reported trials. PATIENT SUMMARY: Atezolizumab is effective and well-tolerated in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer who progressed with first-line chemotherapy, consistent with the outcomes of the previous clinical trials in this setting.

Prevalence of depressive symptoms in elderly cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and influencing factors.

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most prevalent causes of distress in the geriatric population. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in elderly cancer patients and to determine the possible associated factors. METHODS: Cancer patients 65 years or older and on active chemotherapy completed the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. We examined the relationship of depressive symptoms with age, gender, marital status, educational background, type of cancer, stage of disease, comorbidities, types of treatment for cancer, the duration after diagnosis of cancer, social support, and pain status. RESULTS: The study included 170 patients with a mean age of 71 years, and 47.1% were women. The prevalence of a high depressive symptom score was 19.4%. Of the patients who had a high depressive symptom score based on the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, 18.2% had already been diagnosed with depression and used antidepressants. The mean pain score was significantly higher in patients who had a high depressive symptom score compared to others (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in elderly cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was similar to that in the geriatric population without cancer. It was also consistent with previous studies on elderly cancer population. Pain was found to be a factor related to depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depression may be reduced by pain control. The treatment of depression may both improve the patient's quality of life and enhance their compliance with treatment.

Response to Cabazitaxel Beyond 20 Cycles in A Patient with Penile Metastasis of Prostate Cancer: A Case Report.

Penile metastases are extremely rare events and generally occurs at a late stage of primary disease. They mostlyoriginate from prostate and bladder in the genitourinary tract. Penile metastases have a dismal prognosis and verylow survival rates. We report a case of penile metastasis in 70-year-old geriatric male patient with prostatic adenocarcinomawho was treated with cabazitaxel chemotherapy beyond 20 cycles with a good response and acceptableminimal toxicity.

The Rate of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Use in Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer and The Approach of Urologists in Turkey.

PURPOSE: To investigate the proportion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) use in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer before radical cystectomy and the approach of urologists to this subject. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We invited 242 urologists during the 12th International Urooncology Congress in Turkey to answer a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions related to radical cystectomy, lymph node dissection and neoadjuvant chemotherapy that had been performed in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer by the urologist. RESULTS: The median number of radical cystectomy operations was 20 per year. 122 (50.5 %) of 242 urologists had used neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer before radical cystectomy. The mean rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy use by these urologists (n=122) was 28.46 %. The most common reasons for not using neoadjuvant chemotherapy by urologists in Turkey were as follows: (i) neoadjuvant chemotherapy might lead to a decrease in the cure rate of radical cystectomy due to delayed surgery (ii) complication rate of radical cystectomy might be elevated and the surgery might be complicated by NAC use. CONCLUSION: Although the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines panel on muscle invasive bladder cancer recommends using NAC in T2-T4a bladder, the rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy use was still found to be low in our country because urologists have concerns about adverse effects NAC on radical cystectomy. .

Prognostic Value of the Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors: An Izmir Oncology Group Study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies evaluating the prognostic factors of gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) have been published. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been accepted as prognostic factors for cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 132 patients diagnosed with GEP-NETs. Peripheral blood samples were collected before the pretreatment period. RESULTS: NLR and PLR were increased as the grade increased in NETs. The embryonic origin analysis revealed higher NLR and PLR rates in NETs of foregut origin. NLR and PLR were also higher in pancreatic NET patients compared to the gastroenteric NET patients. Analysis of NETs by TNM indicated that an advanced stage was accompanied by significantly higher NLR and PLR. We found a strong negative correlation between progression-free survival and NLR and PLR. CONCLUSION: The study verified that NLR and PLR are simple laboratory findings that can be used to identify NETs with a worse outcome.