Aldemir, M. N.; Turkeli, M.; Simsek, M.; Yildirim, N.; Bilici, M.; Dogan, C.; Tekin, S. B.

Objective: In metastatic gastric cancer (MGC), the goals of treatment are palliation and prolongation of overall survival (OS). Systemic chemotherapy, with docetaxel, cisplatin, infusional 5-fluorouracil (DCF) the most preferred regimen, is the mainstay of the treatment. We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of weekly DCF (wDCF) compared to standard DCF regimen. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 49 and 32 MGC patients treated with DCF and wDCF regimens as first-line treatment, respectively. The wDCF protocol included 25 mg/m(2) docetaxel, 25 mg/m(2) cisplatin and 750 mg/m(2) infusional 5-FU on day 1, every week. Each cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. Results: The patients in wDCF arm were significantly older (median 54 vs 72.5) and had poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) than patients in DCF arm (p < 0.001). Progression-free survival was 3 vs 5 months (p=0.75) and OS was 7 vs 9 months in wDCF and DCF arms (p=0.33), respectively. Overall response rate was observed in 28.5 and 31.2% of the patients in DCF and wDCF arms, respectively (p = 0.65). Haematologic toxicities were observed more common in wDCF arm. Conclusion: Weekly DCF is an effective and tolerable regimen and may be an alternative in patients who are elderly and have poor ECOG PS.

Ünver, E.; Karakeçili, F.; Çıkman, A.

Objective: To assess viral and atypical bacterial agents using polymerase chain reaction in patients presenting with signs of acute respiratory tract infection (RTI) to Erzincan Mengucek Gazi Education and Research Hospital, Turkey. Methods: Viral and atypical bacterial agents were explored in patients presenting with RTI between February 1 and June 1, 2017. Genomic isolation was performed using a SolMag ® 12 fully-automated nucleic acid isolation system and SolMag ® Virus Nucleic Acid Isolation Kit. Amplifications were performed using a SmartCycler-II thermocycler (Cepheid) device in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Results: Of the 120 patients, 44 (36.6%) were found to have at least one agent. Polymerase chain reaction detected influenza viruses in 28 patients, respiratory syncytial virus in seven, cytomegalovirus (CMV) in six, Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) in two, Chlamydophila pneumonia in two, Human Herpesvirus 6 in one, and Herpes simplex virus 2 in one. Also, coexistent HSV1 and CMV positivity was found in two cases. One patient had positivity in both influenza A and CMV. Among atypical bacterial agents, only two patients were found to have Chlamydophila pneumonia. There was at least one comorbid condition in 48 patients (40%). Of these subjects in whom an agent could be identified, 21 were found to have co-morbidity, while 23 were free of comorbid conditions. Antibiotherapy had been started in 109 (90.8%) of the patients after initial assessment. Sixty-four patients were admitted, and two patients died. Conclusion: Polymerase chain reaction allowed rapid detection of agents responsible for acute RTIs. We believe that this technique may contribute to appropriate use of antibiotics in patients diagnosed with atypical bacterial infection and may prevent unnecessary antibio-therapy in infections caused by viral agents.