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In this study, serum carnitine (CRNT) and adiponectin (APN) levels and the correlation of these parameters in patients with breast cancer before and after treatment with radiotherapy (RT) were determined.

Objective: This study investigated pre- and post-treatment tumor and lymph node dimension response rates and differences between side-effect profiles in patients with locally advanced inoperable nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent chemotherapy (CT). Materials and Methods: A total of 30 inoperable patients who had not previously received RT and having a mean age of 58.73±8.65 years with sufficient hematological reserves and normal hepatic and renal functions were included in the study. Those with pleural effusion, supraventricular lymph node metastasis, and N3 lymph node involvement were excluded. Group I (n=15) received a 21-day 75 mg/m2 cisplatin (D1) and 15 mg/m2 vinorelbine (D1, D8), whereas Group II (n=15) received 45 mg/m2 paclitaxel and AUC2 carboplatin weekly. RT was administered using a linear accelerator device with the 3D conformal RT technique at 6-18 MV energy with a 1.8-2 Gy fraction for 6-7 weeks. Results: Patients were randomized into Group I receiving RT and concurrent cisplatin--vinorelbine and Group II receiving weekly paclitaxel--carboplatin CT. Pre- and post-treatment tumor and lymph node dimensions significantly differed in both groups (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). No significant change was observed in post-RT tumor and lymph node dimensions in terms of applied CT regimens (p>0.05). Conclusion: The significant response achieved with concurrent RT and CT in groups I and II in the local advanced stage of NSCLC is important for local tumor control. Responses to treatment in the group of two arms did not differ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Treatment planning is primarily based on the tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system for head and neck cancer (HNC). However TNM does not give sufficient information about biological aggressiveness, treatment response, and prognosis. New molecular markers are needed for individualized cancer treatment. Apelin is a bioactive peptide and an endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled receptor (APJ). Its expression is induced under hypoxic conditions. Apelin and its receptor APJ are important factors in physiological angiogenesis and may be novel targets for anti-angiogenic tumor therapies. This preliminary study aimed to investigate whether there was a difference in serum apelin levels between patients with HNC and control group and also to compare the serum apelin levels before and after radiotherapy Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients with HNC (patient group) and 30 healthy individuals (control group) were included in the study. In the patient group, blood samples were collected before and after radiotherapy Serum apelin-36 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum apelin-36 levels were significantly higher in patients with HNC than in the control group (p<0.001). Coverage of the measured apelin-36 levels showed a significant decrease after radiotherapy according to the levels before radiotherapy. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Apelin may be a potential therapeutic target and a novel biomarker. Additional studies are needed to reveal the relationships between serum apelin and radiotherapy in solid human tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]