Machine learning for predicting colon cancer recurrence.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a global public health concern, ranking among the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide. Despite advancements in treatment modalities, the specter of CRC recurrence remains a significant challenge, demanding innovative solutions for early detection and intervention. The integration of machine learning into oncology offers a promising avenue to address this issue, providing data-driven insights and personalized care. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data from 396 patients who underwent surgical procedures for colon cancer (CC) between 2010 and 2021. Machine learning algorithms were employed to predict CC recurrence, with a focus on demographic, clinicopathological, and laboratory characteristics. A range of evaluation metrics, including AUC (Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic), accuracy, recall, precision, and F1 scores, assessed the performance of machine learning algorithms. RESULTS: Significant risk factors for CC recurrence were identified, including sex, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels, tumor location, depth, lymphatic and venous invasion, and lymph node involvement. The CatBoost Classifier demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving an AUC of 0.92 and an accuracy of 88 % on the test dataset. Feature importance analysis highlighted the significance of CEA levels, albumin levels, N stage, weight, platelet count, height, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, and gender in determining recurrence risk. DISCUSSION: The integration of machine learning into healthcare, exemplified by this study's findings, offers a pathway to personalized patient risk stratification and enhanced clinical decision-making. Early identification of individuals at risk of CC recurrence holds the potential for more effective therapeutic interventions and improved patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Machine learning has the potential to revolutionize our approach to CC recurrence prediction, emphasizing the synergy between medical expertise and cutting-edge technology in the fight against cancer. This study represents a vital step toward precision medicine in CC management, showcasing the transformative power of data-driven insights in oncology.

Assessing the prognostic value of IMDC risk score for nivolumab-treated patients with renal cancer and malignant melanoma.

BACKGROUND: The response of Renal Cell Cancer (RCC) to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has been well established. Although these stratifications have been established for TKI response and prognosis, these parameters have recently been used to predict immunotherapy response in RCC. We aimed to use a combination of clinical parameters of International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk groups and metastatic sites at the time of diagnosis to predict the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in malignant melanoma (MM). METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, we retrospectively analyzed the demographic information, metastatic sites, and IMDC risk group data. The blood parameters were included in the first cycle of nivolumab treatment. RESULTS: The OS was statistically different between the RCC and MM groups in terms of the IMDC. In univariate analysis of stage at diagnosis, CRP levels and bone and bone marrow metastases were confirmed to be prognostic factors in the MM population in terms of OS. Brain metastasis was a prognostic factor for RCC, whereas sex, line of treatment, LDH, bone, and splenic metastasis remained significant in patients with MM in terms of OS. Brain metastasis was prognostic in both cancer types in multivariate analysis in terms of PFS. In addition to brain metastasis, LDH levels and lung, liver, and splenic metastases also affect PFS in patients with MM undergoing nivolumab treatment. CONCLUSION: In our study, the IMDC was confirmed to be a prognostic factor for MM. The IMDC groups were similar, except for the favorable RCC and MM groups. Different metastatic sites were prognostic, similar to the IMDC risk group in the MM group.

Factors associated with development of an acute ischemic event during hospitalization for COVID-19 in cancer and non-cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 and solid cancer are both associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism. OBJECTIVES: Assess whether solid cancer is a risk factor for acute ischemic event development among patients with COVID-19. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort SETTING: A tertiary training and research hospital PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 for ≥3 days between 15 March 2020 and 30 March 2021 at Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Antalya, Turkiye. were included in the study. Independent predictors of the development of acute ischemic events during hospitalization were determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors for acute ischemic event development. SAMPLE SIZE: 538 patients. RESULTS: Patients diagnosed with solid cancer comprised 11.3% of the cohort (n=61). Forty-one (7.6%) developed an acute ischemic event at a median of 3 (range, 1-15) days after hospitalization. The presence of a solid cancer (OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.20-12.03, P=.023) along with length of hospital stay (OR 1.05 per day, 95% CI 1.01-1.09, P=.025) were independent predictors of acute ischemic event development during the course of COVID-19. Mortality was reported in 200 (37%) patients at a median of 5 (range, 3-10) days after hospitalization. The presence of solid tumor increased mortality 5.83 times (95% CI 3.19-10.63, P<.001) while this ratio was 4.59 (95% CI 2.29-9.23, P<.001) for patients who experienced an acute ischemic event. CONCLUSION: Patients with active cancer carry a significant risk for acute ischemic event development during the course of COVID-19 and such patients may require particular attention in terms of anticoagulation therapy. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design and small sample size. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Real-life experience of patients with sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: a multicenter retrospective study.

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC) is a rare variant of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and is associated with a poor prognosis. We reviewed the outcomes of patients from oncology centers in Turkey. Our aim is to share our real-life experience and to contribute to the literature. The demographic and clinical features, treatment, and survival outcomes of 148 patients with sRCC were analyzed. The median age at the time of diagnosis was 58 years (range: 19-83 years). Most patients (62.8%) had clear-cell histology. Most patients were in the intermediate Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) risk group (67.6%) and were stage 4 at the time of diagnosis (63.5%). The most common sites of metastasis were the lung (60.1%), lymph nodes (47.3%), and bone (35.8%). The patients received a median of two lines (range: 0-6) of treatment. The most common side effects were fatigue, hematological side effects, hypertension, and hypothyroidism. The median follow-up was 20.9 months (range: 1-162 months). The median overall survival (OS) was 30.8 months (95% confidence interval: 24.9-36.7 months). In multivariate analysis, high MSKCC scores, sarcomatoid differentiation rates >50%, having stage 4 disease, and having lung metastasis at the time of diagnosis were independent factors for poor prognosis affecting OS. No difference was observed between patients who received tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) as the first or second-line treatments. Similarly, no difference between TKI and immunotherapy as the second-line treatment. In conclusion, sRCC is a rare variant of RCC with a poor prognosis and response to treatment. Larger-scale prospective studies are needed to define an optimal treatment approach for longer survival in this aggressive variant.

The impact of adjuvant oxaliplatin and tumor sidedness on the overall survival of stage IIB colon cancer patients: a multicentre study.

The aim of this multicentre retrospective study was to compare the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens both with and without oxaliplatin and tumor sidedness in stage IIB (pT4aN0) colon cancer patients. This study included patients with stage IIB colon cancer who underwent curative surgery and received adjuvant chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups (one with and one without oxaliplatin) to compare the overall survival (OS) in right- and left-sided tumors. The study population included 298 patients with stage IIB colon cancer (median age: 57) of whom 69.1% were male. Forty-four per cent of these patients (n = 131) were diagnosed with right-sided colon cancer. The median follow-up duration was 35.9 months. In the entire population, a median OS was not reached, and the five-year OS was 83%. The median disease-free survival (DFS) was 12 months. There was no significant difference in terms of the five-year OS between right- (82%) and left-sided (84%) colon tumors (p = 0.67). In addition, the five-year OS of patients treated with and without oxaliplatin were 76% and 89%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.23). The five-year OS of the patients treated with and without oxaliplatin were 83% and 96.5%, respectively, (p = 0.8) in right-sided colon tumors, while it was 75% and 93% (p = 0.06), respectively, in left-sided colon tumors. Tumor sidedness and the addition of oxaliplatin to adjuvant chemotherapy were not found to be associated with the OS in stage IIB colon cancer patients in our study. Further large prospective studies that also include MSI, RAS and BRAF status data are warranted in colon cancer patients.

Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction Cancer patients are among the groups at high risk in the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we aimed to determine the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) during the pandemic period and examine the prognostic factors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Method Patients with stage I-III NSCLC were treated in our hospitals between 2020-2022. Treatment responses were evaluated in patients who underwent NACT. Prognostic factors and the nutritional and inflammatory indexes were investigated. Results Thirty-eight patients received NACT. 57.9% of patients were stage-III. The objective response rate was 57.9%. Pathological complete response was obtained in 10.5% of patients. No prognostic role of inflammatory indices was determined. 21.1% of patients developed a COVID-19 infection. Disease-free survival was 19 months. Survival decreased with large tumor size and presence of metastasis. Conclusion NACT has high response rates. NACT can be used as bridging therapy in suitable patients whose surgery is postponed during the pandemic period.

Proton pump inhibitors may reduce the efficacy of ribociclib and palbociclib in metastatic breast cancer patients based on an observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 20-33% of all cancer patients are treated with acid-reducing agents (ARAs), most commonly proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), to reduce gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms. Palbociclib and ribociclib are weak bases so their solubility depends on different pH. The solubility of palbociclib dramatically decreases to < 0.5 mg/ml when pH is above 4,5 but ribociclibs' solubility decreases when pH increases above 6,5. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effects of concurrent PPIs on palbociclib and ribociclib efficacy in terms of progression-free survival in metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative mBC patients treated with endocrine treatment (letrozole or fulvestrant) combined palbociclib or ribociclib alone or with PPI accompanying our observational study. During palbociclib/ribociclib therapy, patients should be treated with "concurrent PPIs" defined as all or more than half of treatment with palbociclib/ribociclib, If no PPI was applied, it was defined as 'no concurrent PPI', those who used PPI but less than half were excluded from the study. All data was collected from real-life retrospectively. RESULTS: Our study included 217 patients, 105 of whom received palbociclib and 112 received ribociclib treatment. In the study population CDK inhibitor treatment was added to fulvestrant 102 patients ( 47%), to letrozole 115 patients (53%). In the Palbociclib arm fulvestrant/letrozole ratio was 53.3/46.7%, in the ribociclib arm it was 41.07/58.93%. Of 105 patients who received palbociclib, 65 were on concomitant PPI therapy, 40 were not. Of the 112 patients who received ribociclib, 61 were on concomitant PPI therapy, 51 were not. In the palbociclib group, the PFS of the patients using PPIs was shorter than the PFS of the patients not using (13.04 months vs. unreachable, p < 0.001). It was determined that taking PPIs was an independent predictor of shortening PFS (p < 0.001) in the multivariate analysis, In the ribociclib group, the PFS of the patients using PPIs was shorter than the PFS of the patients not using (12.64 months vs. unreachable, p = 0.003). It was determined that taking PPIs was single statistically independent predictor of shortening PFS (p = 0.003, univariate analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that concomitant usage of PPIs was associated with shorter PFS in mBC treated with both ribociclib and especially palbociclib. If it needs to be used, PPI selection should be made carefully and low-strength PPI or other ARAs (eg H2 antagonists, antacids) should be preferred.

Effect of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage III Cervical Cancer Patients Treated with Concurrent Chemoradiation: A Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: A significant proportion of cervical cancer (CC) patients are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the cornerstone of treatment for patients with locally advanced CC. However, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) after CCRT is controversial. In this study, we analyzed the efficacy of AC after CCRT in stage III CC patients. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective analysis of 139 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III CC patients treated with CCRT of whom 45.3% received AC. Our goal was to determine the impact of AC on survival in these patients. RESULTS: Five-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 37.5% and 16% in patients receiving CCRT with and without AC, respectively (p = 0.008). Median PFS was 30.9 months (CI 95% 14.8-46.9) and 16.6 months (CI 95% 9.3-23.9) in patients receiving CCRT with and without AC, respectively. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 78.2% and 28.4% in patients receiving CCRT with and without AC, respectively (p < 0.001). Median OS was 132.2 months (CI 95, %66.5-197.8) and 34.9 months (CI 95% 23.1-46.7) in patients receiving CCRT with and without AC, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that AC provides OS and PFS benefit in stage III CC patients. Larger studies are needed to identify subgroups of patients who would benefit from AC.

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. The clinical and demographic characteristics of patients in each group were evaluated. Median overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included. Overall, the numbers of patients with recurrent disease and metastatic disease were 159 and 91, respectively. The most common histologic subtype was squamous cell carcinoma (83.2%). The median duration of follow-up was 13.6 (range 0.5-86) months. The median progression-free survival was 10.5 (95% CI 9.0 to 11.8) months in the cisplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab group (group 1), and 10.8 (95% CI 8.6 to 13.0) months in the carboplatin-paclitaxel and bevacizumab group (group 2) (HR 1.20; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.63; p=0.25). The median overall survival was 19.1 (95% CI 13.0 to 25.1) months in group 1 and 18.3 (95% CI 15.3 to 21.3) months in group 2 (HR 1.28; 95% CI 0.91 to 1.80; p=0.15). CONCLUSIONS: There is no survival difference between cisplatin or carboplatin combined with paclitaxel and bevacizumab in metastatic or recurrent cervical cancer.

Efficacy and safety of trastuzumab emtansine in older patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer: a real-world study.

INTRODUCTION: Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is an antibody-drug conjugate and its survival advantage has been shown in advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer. However, clinical trials underrepresent patients ⩾65 years of age, leading to a lack of information in this population. We analyzed the real-world outcomes of older women who were treated with T-DM1 therapy. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, observational, retrospective analysis of patients aged ⩾65 years treated with T-DM1. A total of 93 patients from 10 cancer centers were involved in the study. Our goal was to determine the survival, response rates, and toxicity profile in T-DM1-treated patients, as well as the factors that influence survival. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 12.2 months. Objective response rate was 29%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 8.47 and 15.0 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score 2 was found to be an independent prognostic factor for worse PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.81, p = 0.032) and OS (HR 2.33, p = 0.006). Any adverse event (AE) was seen in 92.5% of patients; grade 3 or 4 AEs were seen in 30.1%. Dose reduction or treatment discontinuation rates were 11.8% and 6.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of T-DM1 was acceptable and it was generally well-tolerated among older patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer.

Analysis of socioeconomic status and other factors affecting patient-graft survival in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Background and Aim: Liver transplantation is performed in increasing numbers due to advances in surgical techniques and the introduction of diverse immunosuppressive drugs. The present study aims to analyze the effects of socioeconomic status and education level on patient and graft survival, in addition to all these factors. Material and Methods: All patients aged 18 years and above who underwent consecutive liver transplantation at the Liver Transplantation Unit of Department of General Surgery at the Dokuz Eylül University Hospital and whose data were available were included in this study. Results: Incompliance was noted in 68.3% of the 278 patients. On the other hand, patient compliance did not have a significant effect on graft and patient survival. However, decreased levels in the parameters, such as education status, vocational status and socioeconomic status, were found to be correlated with patient compliance. A significant correlation was not found between these factors and patient and graft survival. Conclusion: Although a direct effect of socioeconomic status on patient and graft survival could not be shown the significant association of vocational status and education status which determine socioeconomic level with parameters other than patient and graft survival may affect the success of liver transplants.

A diagnostic dilemma: A rare case of an ovarian carcinoma with signet ring cells hidden behind a substantial dermatomyositis.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a malignancy-associated inflammatory connective tissue disease which involves muscles and skin. It accompanies many cancer types. Herein, we aimed to present a 42-year-old patient with primary signet ring cell ovarian carcinoma which has not been seen hitherto. Presentation with DM induces rapid and aggressive progression and emphasizes the importance of more comprehensive malignancy screening in these patients.