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Abstract Highly selective inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6is) have emerged as a standart of care for first- and second-line therapies in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. It has been reported that combination therapy is more effective than ET alone and is safe in elderly patients as well as young patients. Nevertheless, elderly and very old patients with HR+/HER2-MBC treated with CDK4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) combinations are relatively underrepresented in randomized controlled trials. To contribute to the literature, we investigated the real-world efficacy, factors associated with survival and the rates of adverse events (AEs) of the treatment with palbociclib or ribociclib plus ET in the HR+/HER2- MBC patient cohort over the age of 65 for age subgroups. In this retrospective study, 348 patients were divided into subgroups: 65–69 years old, 70–79 years old and 80 years and older. Median PFS (mPFS) for whole group was 18.3 (95% CI,14.3–22.3) months. There was no significant difference in mPFS between age groups (p = 0.75). The estimated median OS (mOS) was 39.5 (95% CI, 24.9–54.1) months and there was no significant difference between age groups (p = 0.15). There was a meaningfull numerical difference that did not reach statistical significance in patients who received CDK4/6i treatment as the first line for MBC. Grade 3–4 AEs were reported in 42.7% for the entire group, and neutropenia was the most common (37.3%). It can be concluded that combination therapy with palbociclib or ribociclib with an ET partner has similar efficacy and is safe among subgroups of older patients diagnosed with HR+/HER2-MBC.

Background: Endocan, known as endothelial cell specific molecule (ESM), is a novel endothelial dysfunction marker. The aim of this study is to examine the plasma endocan level and its prognostic significance in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Methods: A total of 84 patients were enrolled the study. Plasma endocan level was measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELİSA) kit. Ethical approval and informed consent were attained. Results: At the time of diagnosis, 33 patients had stage 4 disease. The median plasma endocan level was 619.9 (min 259.9–2813.2) ng/L and its level was significantly higher in metastatic breast cancer group compared to non–metastatic breast cancer group. According to molecular sub-type of breast cancer, there is not statistical difference in plasma endocan level, but its level was higher in patients with Her-2 amplified and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Median follow-up time is 11 (1-30) months. Event free survival (EFS) was 15 months in patients with plasma endocan level lower than 620, while it was 4 months in patients with serum endocan level greater than 620 (p = 0.016). There was no difference between groups in terms of hypertension, age, Lymphovascular invasion (LVI), extra capsular extension (ECE), body mass index (BMI) and White blood cells (WBC), platelet count and plasma endocan level. Conclusion: Plasma endocan levels higher than non metastatic breast cancer. Patients with high plasma endocan levels are short EFS. Further studies would be useful to assess endocan level as a prognostic factor in breast cancer. Keywords: Endothelial cell specific molecule, Breast cancer, Prognosis