Irem öner

Dr. Irem öner


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 February 2025 in Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
TÖTuğba Önder
Tuğba Önder
IÖIrem öner
Irem öner
CKCengiz Karaçin
Cengiz Karaçin
ÖAÖztürk Ateş
Öztürk Ateş
Aims and Objectives: The prognostic value of nutritional status in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6is) and endocrine therapy (ET) is unclear. Methods/Materials: The effect of PNI values before starting CDK 4/6i on patient prognosis was retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 431 patients were evaluated. After 35.7 months of follow-up, the median overall survival (mOS) was 46.3 months (95% CI, 29.7–62.8). The PNI-low group had decreased progression-free survival compared to the PNI-high group [16.6 vs. 30.5 months; univariate HR = 1.640, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.281–2.099, P < .001]. The PNI-low group's mOS was noticeably shorter than the PNI-high group (35.0 months vs. not reached; multivariate-adjusted HR: 2.082, 95% CI: 1.398–3.102, P < .001). When stratified by CDK4/6i line: In patients using CDK4/6i as the first line, mPFS for the PNI-low and PNI-high group was 24.6 vs. 35.6 months (P = .026), and survival probabilities at 24, 36, and 48 months in the PNI-low and PNI-high groups were 75%, 62%, 57%, and 88%, 80%, and 72%, respectively (P = .002). In patients using CDK4/6i as the second line and after, mPFS was 8.2 vs.12.0 months (P = .014), and mOS was 18.6 vs. 39.6 months (P = .001) for the PNI-low and PNI-high group, respectively. The ORR and DCR were significantly lower in the low-PNI group than in the high-PNI group (P = .018 and P = .017, respectively). The incidence of grade 3–4 side effects due to CDK4/6is (39.8% vs. 30.7%, P = .046) was significantly greater in the PNI-low group than in the PNI-high group. Conclusions: This study's results suggest that PNI is an easily measured and reliable indicator of prognosis in mBC patients treated with CDK4/6i and ET.

19 February 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
IÖIrem öner
Irem öner
HAHicran Anık
Hicran Anık
BİBediz Kurt İnci
Bediz Kurt İnci
PTPınar Kubilay Tolunay
Pınar Kubilay Tolunay
ÖAöztürk Ateş
öztürk Ateş
CKCengiz Karaçin
Cengiz Karaçin
Background and Objectives: Bone metastases in patients can cause significant quality-of-life declines due to skeletal-related events (SREs). SRE is defined as the occurrence of radiotherapy for bone pain, pathologic fracture, bone surgery, spinal cord compression, or hypercalcemia. Bone-modifying agents (BMAs), such as denosumab and zoledronic acid, are crucial in reducing the frequency and severity of SREs. The inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors has emerged as the standard treatment for hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, demonstrating significant improvements in survival outcomes. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of denosumab and zoledronic acid in preventing SRE in patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors with endocrine therapy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 328 patients diagnosed with bone metastatic breast cancer receiving first-line CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy (palbociclib or ribociclib). Patients were assigned to receive either subcutaneous denosumab or intravenous zoledronic acid every 4 weeks. Time to the first skeletal-related event post bone-modifying agent initiation, SRE incidence, and the safety data were evaluated. The data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, and Kaplan–Meier methods for time-to-event data. Results: In the denosumab group, the median time to the first skeletal-related event was significantly longer than in the zoledronic acid group (44.55 months and 29.16 months, respectively). Denosumab treatment was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the risk of developing the first SRE after bone-modifying agent initiation compared to zoledronic acid (HR: 0.56, p = 0.001). Additionally, ECOG PS and the number of metastatic bone sites were identified as independent prognostic factors for time to the first SRE. The safety profile was consistent with previous studies reported in the literature. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that when used with CDK4/6 inhibitors, denosumab is associated with a delay in SREs and a lower SRE incidence than zoledronic acid in patients with bone metastases. These findings support the efficacy of denosumab in preventing SREs and suggest that CDK4/6 inhibitors may have distinct effects on the bone microenvironment, particularly when combined with denosumab.

20 August 2025 in Healthcare
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PKPinar Karacin
Pinar Karacin
IÖIrem öner
Irem öner
Background and Objectives: This study aims to investigate female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and the clinical, pathological, and social factors affecting it in women diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The study included patients over the age of 18 who were followed up between January 2020 and December 2024, diagnosed with breast cancer at least 12 months previously, and treated. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and its six subheadings (desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain) were used to assess sexual dysfunction, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADs) was used to assess depression. Results: FSD was identified in 86.6% of the 217 patients (mean FSFI score: 20.38). Among women undergoing breast cancer treatment, being over 45 years of age (p = 0.003) and the use of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with reduced sexual desire. Conversely, premenopausal status (p = 0.012) was associated with increased sexual satisfaction. Independent risk factors for FSD included age, menopausal status, use of LHRH agonists, income level, and axillary dissection. Furthermore, depression was found to have a significant negative impact on sexual desire, lubrication, and orgasm. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that sexual dysfunction is common among women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and is influenced by numerous clinical and social factors. These findings highlight the need for strategic interventions to reduce the adverse effects of treatment processes on the sexual health of women with breast cancer.

22 November 2024 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
PTPınar Kubilay Tolunay
Pınar Kubilay Tolunay
BİBediz Kurt İnci
Bediz Kurt İnci
ŞUŞura Usta
Şura Usta
ATAli Topkaç
Ali Topkaç
BKBerkan Karabuğa
Berkan Karabuğa
ÜAÜlkü Yalçıntaş Arslan
Ülkü Yalçıntaş Arslan
Background/Objectives: Dose reductions in CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as ribociclib and palbociclib, are often necessary due to treatment-related toxicities in patients with advanced breast cancer. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the timing of dose reductions on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in a real-world cohort. Methods: This single-center, retrospective study included patients treated with ribociclib or palbociclib between 2019 and 2023 at a cancer center in Turkey. Dose reductions due to drug-related toxicities were recorded, and survival outcomes were analyzed. Patients were categorized based on the timing of dose reductions: within the first 3 months (early) and after 3 months (late). Results: Among 392 patients (mean age 57.13 years), 16.8% had dose reductions within 3 months, 21.7% had late dose reductions, and 61.5% had no dose reductions. The mPFS was 14.26 months for early dose reductions, 33.12 months for late dose reductions, and 20.6 months for no dose reductions (p < 0.001). The mOS was 37.12 months for early dose reductions, not reached for late dose reductions, and 57.76 months for no dose reductions (p < 0.001). Hematological toxicity, primarily neutropenia, was the most common cause of dose reductions. The ECOG performance status, line of therapy, and CDK4/6 inhibitor type were also significant predictors of PFS and OS. Conclusions: Early dose reductions in CDK4/6 inhibitors negatively affect PFS and OS, highlighting the importance of maintaining treatment intensity in the first 3 months. However, late dose reductions do not negatively affect progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS), with late dose reductions associated with better outcomes. Prospective studies in larger patient populations will further clarify our knowledge on this subject.

1 January 2022 in TURKISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CECihan Erol
Cihan Erol
ASAbdullah Sakin
Abdullah Sakin
TBTugba Basoglu
Tugba Basoglu
EÖErcan Özden
Ercan Özden
DCDevrim Cabuk
Devrim Cabuk
IHİlHan Hacibeki̇rOğlu
İlHan Hacibeki̇rOğlu
Background/aim: Perioperative FLOT regimen is a standard of care in locally advanced operable gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma. We aimed to determine the efficacy, prognostic factors of perioperative FLOT chemotherapy in real-life gastric and GEJ tumors. Materials and methods: The data of patients who were treated with perioperative FLOT chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed from 34 different oncology centers in Turkey. Baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, pretreatment laboratory values, histological and molecular characteristics were recorded. Results: A total of 441 patients were included in the study. The median of age our study population was 60 years. The majority of patients with radiological staging were cT3-4N(+) (89.9%, n = 338). After median 13.5 months (IQR: 8.5-20.5) follow-up, the median overall survival was NR (95% CI, NR to NR), and median disease free survival was 22.9 (95% CI, 18.6 to 27.3) months. The estimated overall survival at 24 months was 62%. Complete pathological response (pCR) and near pCR was achieved in 23.8% of all patients. Patients with lower NLR or PLR have significantly longer median OS (p = 0.007 and p = 0.033, respectively), and patients with lower NLR have significantly longer median DFS (p = 0.039), but PLR level did not affect DFS (p = 0.062). The OS and DFS of patients with better ECOG performance scores and those who could receive FLOT as adjuvant chemotherapy instead of other regimens were found to be better. NLR was found to be independent prognostic factor for OS in the multivariant analysis. At least one adverse event reported in 57.6% of the patients and grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in 23.6% patients. Conclusion: Real-life perioperative FLOT regimen in operable gastric and GEJ tumors showed similar oncologic outcomes compared to clinical trials. Better performance status, receiving adjuvant chemotherapy as same regimen, low grade and low NLR and PLR improved outcomes in real-life. However, in multivariate analysis, only NLR affected OS.

30 October 2024 in BMC Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
IÖIrem öner
Irem öner
ATAlper Türkel
Alper Türkel
BIBediz Kurt İnCi
Bediz Kurt İnCi
PTPınar Kubilay Tolunay
Pınar Kubilay Tolunay
ÖAÖztürk Ateş
Öztürk Ateş
CKCengiz Karaçin
Cengiz Karaçin
This study aimed to establish risk groups on the basis of CPS-EG scores, independent of pCR status, in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) to identify the prognostic impact of the CPS-EG score. Patient characteristics included age, menopausal status, clinical stage, pathological stage, estrogen receptor (ER) expression, nuclear grade, Ki-67 proliferation index, residual cancer burden (RCB) score, HER2 status, and other tumor characteristics. The CPS-EG scoring system included clinical stage, pathological stage, ER status, and grade. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of their CPS-EG scores ≤ 3 and > 3. A total of 148 patients who were diagnosed with TNBC and treated with NACT were included in the study. A total of 52.0% of the patients had a CPS-EG score of ≤ 3, whereas 48.0% had a score of > 3. The rate of patients who achieved pCR was 29.7% (n = 44). CPS-EG score (HR: 2.331; 95%CI; 1.179–4.608; p = 0.015), pCR (HR: 0.348; 95%CI; 0.144–0.844; p = 0.019), pre-treatment mKi-67 proliferation index (HR: 0.467; 95%CI; 0.251–0.871; p = 0.017), and RCB score (HR: 0.401; 95%CI; 0.174–0.923; p = 0.032) were identified as significant prognostic factors for 5-year DFS. For 5-year OS, significant prognostic factors were CPS-EG score (HR: 2.30; 95%CI; 1.036–4.799; p = 0.040) and pre-treatment mKi-67 proliferation index (HR: 0.484; 95%CI; 0.246–0.954; p = 0.036). The CPS-EG score, pre-treatment mKi-67 level, and the pCR and RCB score were practical prognostic markers for long-term survival. Conversely, the prognostic significance of pCR status was diminished, particularly in predicting OS. These findings underscore the importance of not only post-treatment pathological staging but also the initial tumor stage and biological characteristics of the tumor in predicting ultimate survival outcomes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in TNBC patients.