Nese Guney

Serum IL-8 and IL-12 levels in breast cancer

Interleukins (ILs) are known to play a fundamental role in cancer. We investigated the serum levels of IL-8 and IL-12, in breast cancer patients, and their relationship with the prognostic parameters and therapy. Fortyeight patients with pathologically verified breast carcinoma and 21 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. Serum samples were obtained at baseline and after two cycles of chemotherapy. Serum IL-8 and IL-12 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There was no significant difference in the baseline serum IL-8 and IL-12 levels between breast cancer patients and healthy controls (p = 0.365 andp = 0.871, respectively), no significant correlation between the prognostic parameters and the serum IL-8, IL-12 levels. However, in the subgroup consisting of metastatic breast cancer patients, baseline serum IL-8 levels were significantly higher compared with non-metastatic disease (p = 0.047). Anthracycline-based chemotherapy and the addition of taxane did not change the levels of both serum IL-8 and IL-12. Serum IL-8 level may be useful in determining metastatic breast cancer. Larger studies are needed to confirm this finding.

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

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinicopathological prognostic features, factors and outcomes of chemotherapy in ovarian yolk sac tumours (YST). STUDY DESIGN We reviewed the medical records of 32 women with ovarian YST treated from 1990 to 2006 at two centres. RESULTS The median follow-up was 36 months. The median age was 22 (range, 9-68). Two patients were postmenopausal. The most common symptoms at diagnosis included abdominal swelling or mass (72%) and abdominopelvic pain (62%). The location of the tumour was bilateral in 2 cases. Eight patients were in stage I, 4 patients in stage II, 17 patients in stage III, and 3 patients in stage IV. Eighteen patients underwent unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, two bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and two cystectomy, while 10 patients had total abdominal hysterectomy and two bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Of 32 patients who received postoperative chemotherapy, 27 were treated with a bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin (BEP) regimen. Seventy-two percent of patients were alive at the last follow-up visit. Ten (31%) patients suffered from a recurrence of the disease with a median time to recurrence of 8 months (range, 6-28 months). The most common site of recurrence was the intra-abdominal space, with 8 patients. Only one patient who had recurrence could be salvaged. Fertility-sparing surgery was found at least as effective as radical surgery. While age, histology (mixed vs. pure), stage, tumour size, ascites, and marker levels were not found as prognostic factors, the presence of residual tumour (P=0.014) and BEP chemotherapy (P=0.016) were significant prognostic factors in univariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS In patients with ovarian YST, fertility-sparing surgery is as effective as radical surgery. Optimal cytoreductive surgery and standard BEP regimen are the most decisive prognostic factors. In these tumours, adjunctive therapeutic modalities to eradicate intra-abdominal disease and effective salvage therapy strategies are needed.

Serum and urine survivin levels in breast cancer.

This study was conducted to investigate the serum and urine levels of survivin in patients with breast cancer and the relationships with known prognostic parameters and therapy. Forty-three patients with breast cancer and 21 healthy control subjects were investigated. Serum samples were obtained on the first admission before adjuvant and metastatic treatment were given and after two cycles of chemotherapy. Serum and urine survivin levels were determined using enzyme immunometric assay (EIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. There was no significant difference in the baseline serum and urine levels between patients with breast carcinoma and healthy controls (p=0.19 and p=0.84, respectively). None of the prognostic parameters analyzed were significantly correlated with the urine survivin concentrations. This was also true for serum survivin values, except for nodal involvement. Serum survivin levels were significantly higher in the patients with nodal involvement compared with node negatives (p=0.043). However, serum survivin levels were not influenced by the number of involved nodes (p=0.77). No significant correlation was found between the serum and urine levels of survivin (r=0.15, p=0.27). Serum and urine levels did not change significantly after chemotherapy (p=0.59 and p=0.50, respectively). In conclusion, the result of this study suggested that serum survivin level could be a sensitive marker for detecting metastases in lymph nodes from breast cancer patients. However, much research continues in this field, and exciting new knowledge will ultimately emerge.

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

BackgroundBoth gemcitabine and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) are antineoplastic drugs with clinical activity in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of biweekly scheduled gemcitabine and PLD combination therapy in such patients.MethodsEighteen women with ovarian cancer that had recurred within 6 months after standard carboplatin and paclitaxel therapy were eligible for enrollment. Gemcitabine 2000 mg/m2 and PLD 20 mg/m2 were administered intravenously on days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle.ResultsHematological toxicity was mild. No severe (grade III/IV) leucopenia/neutropenia or thrombocytopenia was observed. Severe anemia was seen in only 3 (17%) patients. Several other severe nonhematological adverse effects were well tolerated and easily managed. The overall response rate was 28% (5 of 18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10%–54%) with 2 (11%) complete and 3 (17%) partial responses. The median overall survival time was 17 months (range, 1 to 25 months). The median survival for patients with clinical benefit including disease response or stabilization was 17 months (range, 3 to 26 months) compared to that of patients with progressive disease, which was 2 months (range, 1 to 11 months; P = 0.04).ConclusionA biweekly schedule of gemcitabine combined with PLD is an active and safe chemotherapy regimen with acceptable and easily manageable toxicities in women with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Lower Level of MAPK Expression Is Associated with Anthracycline Resistance and Decreased Survival in Patients with Hormone Receptor Negative Breast Cancer

Introduction: Hormone receptor negative breast cancer is encountered in about 30% of all patients with breast cancer and is considered as a prognostically unfavorable subset. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic impact of various molecular markers in patients with receptor negative breast cancer. Methods: Tumor specimens from 140 patients with receptor negative (ER, PR) breast cancer were analyzed for MAPK, Her-2/neu, EGFR and PI3K expression by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic significance of these molecular factors, in addition to various prognostic variables were determined with respect to disease-free and overall survival.Results: Nineteen (13.6%), 45 (32.1%), 16 (11.4%) and 47 (33.5%) patients had positive staining for EGFR, PI3K, Her-2/neu and MAPK, respectively. Twenty-three patients with positive MAPK (16.4%) had a high level of expression (score 4–7) and 24 (17.1%) had a low score (1–3). A lower percentage of MAPK expression was significantly associated with a poorer OS (p = 0.03) and a tendency for shorter DFS (p = 0.08) among those who were positive for MAPK. Anthracycline resistance remained the only independent significant variable for OS by Cox regression analysis (p = 0.001, HR:26.1). In patients with recurrent disease, median survival after initial relapse was 16.8 months. MAPK was determined as the only prognostic factor for this endpoint. Patients with higher level of MAPK staining showed significantly shorter survival following initial recurrence (p = 0.04). Conclusion: MAPK expression is a significant prognostic factor for non-metastatic patients with hormone receptor breast cancer. A lower level of staining is shown to be associated with with antracycline resistance and oveall survival, whereas a higher expression level is correlated with shorter survival following initial relapse, suggesting possible role of different molecular mechanisms pertaining to tumor progression once recurrence occurs. Further translational research is required to elucidate molecular mechanisms of the cross-talk between intracellular signaling and molecular pathways leading to drug resistance in patients with receptor negative breast cancer.

TA T1 Low and Intermediate Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder: Recurrence Rates and the Timing of Check Cystoscopies within the First Year

Introduction: The intensity of cystoscopic follow-up in the first year for patients with superficial bladder cancer has not been clearly defined. The cystoscopic follow-up of superficial bladder cancer accounts for a considerable workload for the urologist and is also an invasive procedure with high costs. We retrospectively reviewed our experience to determine any possible criteria which can lead to reduce the frequency of check cystoscopy. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was done on 427 patients with primary stage Ta and T1 bladder cancers treated between 1998 and 2005. The pattern of recurrence in the first year was assessed and recurrence rates calculated. Results: The recurrence rate was 22% at 3 months. The recurrence rates at 6 and 9 months were 8 and 13.6% respectively. The recurrence rate at 12 months was 9.4%. For tumors with no recurrence at 3 months, the recurrence rates at 6, 9 and 12 months were 6.6, 13.4 and 8.9% respectively. With respect to stages, there was a statistically significant difference in recurrence rate stages pTa and pT1 in the first and in the third control (p = 0.001, p = 0.003) respectively. According to the recurrence rate within the first year, the difference between G1 and G2 tumors was not statistically significant regardless of the stage (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with initial stage Ta or T1 grade 1 and 2 bladder cancers and negative first cystoscopy have a significantly lower recurrence rate than those with recurrence at first cystoscopy. There is a reason to change follow-up routines but in our opinion only in patients with initial low-grade carcinoma. If the third-month cystoscopy is clear, it is appropriate to perform the first check cystoscopy 1 year after initial resection.

Primary Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma of the Rectum

Primary rectal lymphoma is a very uncommon disease, therefore, it has received little attention in the literature. Because of their rarity, rectal lymphomas are generally included in the group of large intestine lymphomas. Case Report: We report here a case of primary rectal B-cell lymphoma in a 67-year-old woman. The tumor was originally located in the rectum without evidence of any other lymphoma-involved organ. Histological findings revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The clinical stage was IE according to the Ann Arbor system. International prognostic index (IPI) was I (low-intermediate risk). We preferred a non-surgical, organ-sparing treatment which started with chemotherapy followed by radiation. 12 months after the end of therapy, there is no sign of tumor recurrence in our patient. Conclusion: We suggest that histology-specific multidrug chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy seems to be a therapeutic approach that is appropriate fort this rare tumor.

Utility of Serum and Urine uPAR Levels for Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Malignant tumors have a capacity to degrade the extracellular matrix by controlled proteolysis. One system involved in these processes is the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system. uPAR levels are elevated in tumors from several types of cancer. Our study was planned to investigate serum and urine levels of uPAR in breast cancer patients (n=180) and healthy controls (n=60) by ELISA. Serum (p<0.001) and urine (p<0.001) uPAR values in the patients were both significantly elevated. High serum and urine levels of uPAR can be used as diagnostic tools in lymph node positive patients.

Ovarian Carcinoma with Simultaneous Breast and Rectum Metastases

Background: Metastatic involvement of the breast and the rectum from ovarian carcinoma are very rare events. Case Report: We report a case of ovarian carcinoma with metastasis to the breast and rectum simultaneously, 6 years after initial diagnosis. Results: Morphologic and immunohistochemical findings from pathologic samples of all involved sites confirmed the ovarian origin, which spared the patient unnecessary breast and rectal surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first case of ovarian carcinoma with simultaneous metastases to the breast and rectum reported to date. Conclusion: Accurate differential diagnosis from primary breast and rectal carcinoma is very important because the prognosis and treatment differ significantly.

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

BackgroundPegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is the only nonplatinum agent to significantly improve survival in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. The present study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of PLD plus cisplatin combination therapy in these patients.MethodsTwenty-two women (median age, 57 years) with ovarian cancer that recurred 6 months or more after standard carboplatin and paclitaxel therapy were eligible for enrollment. Cisplatin was administered intravenously as a 60-min infusion on day 1, at a single dose of 60 mg/m2, and PLD was given intravenously as a 1-h infusion on day 2, at a dose of 50 mg/m2. Treatment cycles were repeated on an outpatient basis every 28 days.ResultsHematological toxicity was mainly leucopenia/neutropenia, and this was the principal dose-limiting toxicity. Severe (grade III–IV) leucopenia/neutropenia was observed in 7 (32%) and 9 (41%) patients, respectively. Only 2 (9%) patients were complicated by febrile neutropenia. Grade III–IV anemia occurred in only 4 (18%) patients. Severe thrombocytopenia was not noted; only 5 patients (23%) had grade I–II toxicity. NO toxicity in biochemical parameters was noted. Several severe nonhematological adverse effects were managed according to standard protocols and were transient, as well as being well-tolerated. Twenty-one patients were evaluated for response. The overall response rate was 62% (13 of 21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 38%–82%), with four (19%) complete and nine (43%) partial responses. At the time of last follow-up, all of the 22 patients were alive. The median follow-up period was 8.5 months (range, 2 to 22 months).ConclusionPLD combined with cisplatin at the schedule and dosage used in this study is an active and safe second-line chemotherapy regimen with acceptable and easily manageable toxicities in women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.