DPYD, TYMS and MTHFR Genes Polymorphism Frequencies in a Series of Turkish Colorectal Cancer Patients.

To access publisher's full text version of this article, please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field or click on the hyperlink at the top of the page marked DownloadFluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is extensively used for the treatment of solid cancers, including colorectal cancer. However, fluoropyrimidine-driven toxicities are a major problem in the management of the disease. The grade and type of the toxicities depend on demographic factors, but substantial inter-individual variation in fluoropyrimidine-related toxicity is partly explained by genetic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect ofDokuz Eylul University Research Foundatio

FOLFOX7 regimen in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer

Background/Aims: We aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of a FOLFOX7 regimen in the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients

Effectiveness of Palliative Care Workers in Patient Nutrition

Objective: It is important to evaluate the nutrition of patients in palliative care centers. Most patients are unrecognized and lacking treatment, as there is no consensus on ways to scan, diagnose, treat and follow the malnutrition, and the lack of adequate awareness and training of healthcare professionals. This study aims to evaluate the approaches and awareness of healthcare professionals in Turkey who Methods: A survey, prepared by researchers, conducted to assess the effectiveness of healthcare professionals in patient nutrition, was conducted on a virtual basis in all healthcare professionals who were fully employed, accessible and volunteered with palliative care patients. The data was evaluated through descriptive and analyzing statistical methods. Results: The average age of the 105 medical professionals who participated in our study was 36.4 +/- 9.3 (25-59), of whom 68 (64.8%) were women and 37 (35.2%) were men. Sixty-seven (63.8%) of the participants, most of whom were physicians, were specialists, 30 (28.6%) were assistants and general practitioners, and 8 (7.6%) were nurses. When asked how many of their patients they started feding products, 38 people (36.2%) said, with 41-60%. If you think you've got enough recognition of nutritional content, there were 28 people who said yes (26.7%), 30 people who said no (28.6%), and 47 people (44.8%) who said sometimes. When asked what they considered the most when planning a feeding product, 95 people (90.5%) said that they cared about the patient's request, compared to the calories and content of the product. Conclusions: Our study found that participants were largely absent from knowledge and awareness, and observed differences in patient attitudes. Most participants require neutral education and continuity in order to have awareness

Changes in the Attitudes and Behavior of Relatives of Breast Cancer Patients Concerning Cancer Prevention and Screening

Background: Changes in the attitudes and behavior of relatives of breast cancer patients concerning cancer prevention and screening after diagnosis in a loved one were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Forty-three questions were used to collect data from the relatives of the breast cancer patients who had been living with their relatives for at least one year. Results: The study group was composed of 171 female relatives (median age: 43, range: 17-82 yr). After the patients were diagnosed with breast cancer, changes in the attitudes and behavior of their relatives toward the prevention and screening of cancer were evident in 78 (45.6%) of the study participants (e. g. eating habits, quit or reduced smoking, exercise habits). In addition, it was noted that some characteristics of the relatives had different effects on different attitudes and behavior. Conclusions: Awareness on breast cancer among the relatives of breast cancer patients is useful for the management of health and social problems that can be seen in these individuals. At the same time, this information could help countries determine whether their actual level of healthcare for early cancer diagnosis, prevention, and screening are adequate

Two-Week Combination Chemotherapy with Gemcitabine, High-Dose Folinic Acid and 5 Fluorouracil (GEMFUFOL) as First-Line Treatment of Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancers

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (GEMFUFOL) chemotherapy regimen as first line treatment of metastatic biliary tract cancer. Materials and Methods: All patients received folinic acid 400 mg/m(2) on day 1, 5-fluorouracil bolus 400 mg/m(2) on day 1, IV infusion of 5-fluorouracil 2400 mg/m(2) over 46 hours, and gemcitabine 1250 mg/m(2) on day 1. Results: A total of 29 patients with metastatic biliary tract cancer received GEMFUFOL regimen as the first-line treatment. The mean follow-up was 22.1 months (95% CI, 12.5-31.8). One patient (3.4%) achieved complete response, 5 (17.2%) had partial response, and 4 (13.8%) had stable disease. The median progression-free survival was 3.3 months (95% CI, 2.9-3.7), and the median overall survival was 8.8 months (95% CI, 3.5-14). The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 58.6% and 30%, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 toxicity included neutropenia in 4 patients (13.7%), thrombocytopenia in 2 (6.8%), anemia in 2 (6.8%), and alopecia in 1 (3.4%). Two patients (6.8%) developed febrile neutropenia. A dose reduction was achieved in 8 patients (27.6%) while 5 patients had extended-interval dosage (17.2%) for toxicity. Conclusions: The GEMFUFOL chemotherapy regimen was generally efficacious and tolerable as a first-line treatment of metastatic biliary tract cancer

Changes in the Attitudes and Behavior of Relatives of Breast Cancer Patients Concerning Cancer Prevention and Screening

Background: Changes in the attitudes and behavior of relatives of breast cancer patients concerning cancer prevention and screening after diagnosis in a loved one were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Forty-three questions were used to collect data from the relatives of the breast cancer patients who had been living with their relatives for at least one year. Results: The study group was composed of 171 female relatives (median age: 43, range: 17-82 yr). After the patients were diagnosed with breast cancer, changes in the attitudes and behavior of their relatives toward the prevention and screening of cancer were evident in 78 (45.6%) of the study participants (e. g. eating habits, quit or reduced smoking, exercise habits). In addition, it was noted that some characteristics of the relatives had different effects on different attitudes and behavior. Conclusions: Awareness on breast cancer among the relatives of breast cancer patients is useful for the management of health and social problems that can be seen in these individuals. At the same time, this information could help countries determine whether their actual level of healthcare for early cancer diagnosis, prevention, and screening are adequate

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase 85T>C mutation is associated with ocular toxicity of 5-fluorouracil: a case report.

Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), the mainstay of solid tumor chemotherapy over the past 40 years, induces grade III-IV toxicities in up to 15% of patients with polymorphisms in the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD), thymidylate synthase (TYMS), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes. These toxicities include mucositis, neutropenia, nausea, diarrhea, myelosuppression, hand-foot syndrome, and rare ocular adverse effects. Here, we present the case of a female patient with rectal cancer who received 5-FU-based chemotherapy and developed grade III hand-foot syndrome and rare acute ocular adverse effects. Genetic analysis revealed that the patient had an 85T>C mutation in the DPYD gene resulting in a DPYD9A allele. The clinical and molecular observations indicate that DPYD deficiency may be responsible for the severe ocular adverse effects observed in 5-FU-treated patients. Application of personalized therapy based on molecular testing should help clinicians provide the most effective chemotherapy agents and dose modifications for each patient, although further population-based pharmacogenetic trials for the 5-FU metabolism-related genes are necessary to minimize adverse effects and enhance clinical outcomes

Intra-Peritoneal Cisplatin Combined with Intravenous Paclitaxel in Optimally Debulked Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer Patients: An Izmir Oncology Group Study

Background: The advantage of intra-peritoneal (IP) chemotherapy (CT) in the initial management of ovarian cancer after cytoreductive surgery is well known. The feasibility and toxicity of a treatment regimen with an IP + intravenous CT (IPIVCT) for optimally debulked stage III ovarian cancer were here evaluated retrospectively. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients were treated in our institution between October 2006 and February 2011. Patients received IV paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) over 3 hours followed by IP cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) on day 1; they also received IP paclitaxel 60 mg/m(2) on day 8. They were also scheduled to receive 6 courses of CT every 21 days. Results: The median age of the patients was 55 years (35-77), and the majority had papillary serous ovarian cancer (63.3%). The patients completed a total of 146 cycles of IPIVCT. Twenty-eight were able to receive at least three cycles of IPIVCT and 18 (60%) completed the scheduled 6 cycles. Two patients discontinued the IPIVCT because of toxicity of chemotherapy agents and 6 had to stop treatment due to intolerable abdominal pain during IP drug administration, obstruction and impaired access. Grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (6 patients; 20%), anemia (2 patients; 6.7%) and nausea-vomiting (2 patients; 6.7%). Doses were delayed in 12 cycles (8%) for neutropenia (n=6), thrombocytopenia (n=3) and elevated creatinine (n=3). Drug doses were not reduced. The median duration of progression-free survival (PFS) was 47.7 months (95% CI, 38.98-56.44) and overall survival (OS) was 51.7 months (95% CI, 44.13-59.29). Two and five-year overall survival rates were 75.6 % and 64.8%, respectively. Conclusions: IPIVCT is feasible and well-tolerated in this setting. Its clinically proven advantages should be taken into consideration and more efforts should be made to administer IPIVCT to suitable patients