Ilkay GULTURK

Dr. Ilkay GULTURK

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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18 February 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MGMurad Guliyev
Murad Guliyev
AGAli Kaan Güren
Ali Kaan Güren
EÖEmre özge
Emre özge
RÇRumeysa Çolak
Rumeysa Çolak
NANargiz Majidova Altuntash
Nargiz Majidova Altuntash
ÖAÖzkan Alan
Özkan Alan
Background/Objectives: CDK4/6 inhibitors have changed the landscape of hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer (BC) management. It is essential to identify predictive and prognostic factors for the efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitors. We aimed to investigate the differences in characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving first-line CDK4/6 inhibitors according to PgR status. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 351 patients treated with first-line CDK 4/6 inhibitors for HR-positive/HER2-negative metastatic BC. Patients were categorized based on their PgR expression levels, including the PgR-low (<20%) and PgR-high (≥20%) groups, and baseline characteristics, treatment responses, and survival outcomes were analyzed. Results: The median age was 57 years (range: 26–85). A total of 99 patients were premenopausal, and 252 patients were postmenopausal. There were 115 (32.8%) patients in the PgR-low group, while 236 (67.2%) were in the PgR-high group. The majority of patients (56.7%) presented with de novo metastatic disease. Visceral metastases presented in 44.2% of patients. Low PgR expression was significantly associated with lower estrogen receptor levels (p = 0.031), elevated Ki-67 levels (p = 0.002), a higher incidence of visceral metastases (p = 0.035), and recurrent disease (p = 0.019). In the multivariate analysis, low PgR expression was a significant independent predictor of worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Conclusions: We demonstrated that low PgR expression is independently and significantly correlated with shorter PFS and OS. These findings support low PgR expression as a valuable prognostic biomarker in metastatic BC patients treated with first-line CDK4/6 inhibitors.

13 April 2021 in Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
IGIlkay GULTURK
Ilkay GULTURK
MYMesut Yilmaz
Mesut Yilmaz
AOAykut Ozmen
Aykut Ozmen
STSeher Yıldız Tacar
Seher Yıldız Tacar
GEGülçin Sahingoz Erdal
Gülçin Sahingoz Erdal
DTDeniz Tural
Deniz Tural
Introduction: Among females, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer. Hormon receptor positive (HR+) subtype constitutes 75% of the diagnosed breast cancers. Combination of the cyclin D-cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor and endocrine therapy significantly improves overall survival and progression-free survival. Ribociclib is an oral CDK 4/6 inhibitor and some adverse effects are identified. According to MONALEESA 2-3-7 studies, no adverse effect (AE) were reported due to grade 3 or 4 acute kidney injury (AKI) that caused treatment discontinuation. Case report: We report a ribociclib-induced grade 3 AKI in an elderly woman who was treated for metastatic breast cancer. During first cycle of therapy, she was admitted to the oncology clinic with diagnosis of AKI. Management and outcome: Ribociclib treatment was discontinued and secondary causes of AKI were excluded. During the follow-up, kidney function values returned to the normal range spontaneously. Ribociclib treatment was re-initiated by reducing the dose (400 mg daily). Despite dose reduction; grade 3 AKI recurred when ribociclib was re-initiated and the drug was permanently discontinued. Discussion: According to MONALEESA 2-3-7 studies; no AE were reported due to grade 3 or 4 AKI. Despite these studies, the FDA reported that 20% of patients with ribociclib + letrozole combination therapy may have any stage elevation of creatinine. Ribociclib induced creatinine elevations are generally mild (grade 1–2) and can be managed by dose reduction or close monitoring of creatinine levels. We report the first case of grade 3 AKI that caused treatment discontinuation following administration of ribociclib.

7 April 2023 in Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
IGIlkay GULTURK
Ilkay GULTURK
MYMesut Yilmaz
Mesut Yilmaz
STSeher Y. Tacar
Seher Y. Tacar
OBOguz K. Bakkaloglu
Oguz K. Bakkaloglu
GSGulru B. Sonmezoz
Gulru B. Sonmezoz
DTDeniz Tural
Deniz Tural
Introduction: Naples prognostic score (NPS) based on nutritional and inflammatory parameters can predict response to chemotherapy and overall survival (OS) in many cancer types. However, its significance in metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) remains unclear. We evaluated the prognostic significance of the NPS in patients with metastatic PC receiving first line chemotherapy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 215 patients with metastatic PC receiving first line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. NPS’s were calculated using pre-chemotherapy laboratory data. Patients were divided into three groups according to their scores (NPS: 0; 1 & 2; 3 & 4 were grouped as 1, 2 and 3, respectively). The association of NPS with clinicopathological features and OS were evaluated. Results: Median age was 64 years, and median OS was 10.5 months. Hemoglobin levels were lower and Ca-19-9 values were higher with increasing NPS. Frequency of patients with bone and/or liver metastases, and with greater than 5 metastatic focus were higher in group 3. A lower NPS was associated with longer OS. The median OS in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 19.5, 12, and 8 months, respectively, and differed significantly. Univariate analysis revealed effect of NPS (3-4) on OS (HR: 2.38, 1.77–3.19). Other prognostic factors affecting OS were age, ECOG, liver, bone or lymph node metastases, number of metastatic foci (5), de-novo metastatic disease, and serum Ca-19-9 levels. NPS (3-4) was identified as an independent prognostic factor negatively affecting OS (HR: 1.89, 1.34–2.65) in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: NPS may be a useful prognostic marker for the prediction of OS in metastatic PC patients receiving systemic chemotherapy.

9 July 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
VCVahit Can Cavdar
Vahit Can Cavdar
YGYALCİN GOKMEN
YALCİN GOKMEN
MAMERT ARİÇ
MERT ARİÇ
TATugba Altunkaya
Tugba Altunkaya
CECennet Gizem Erdem
Cennet Gizem Erdem
CACigdem Afsar
Cigdem Afsar
Background/Objectives: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, frequently diagnosed at a metastatic stage. The identification of accessible, cost-effective prognostic biomarkers is critical for optimizing treatment strategies. The Endothelial Activation and Stress Index (EASIX), calculated using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, and platelet count, reflects endothelial dysfunction and has shown prognostic value in hematological cancers. However, its utility in metastatic PC remains unexplored. This study is the first to evaluate the prognostic significance of the EASIX in patients with metastatic PC receiving first-line FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 204 patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma at Istanbul Training and Research Hospital between 2020 and 2025. All patients received FOLFIRINOX as first-line therapy. EASIX was calculated as LDH (U/L) × creatinine (mg/dL)/platelet count (109/L). A cut-off value of 1.33 was used to stratify patients into low and high EASIX groups. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and compared with the log-rank test. Results: The mean patient age was 63.0 ± 9.4 years; 61.8% were male. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups. Patients with EASIX ≥ 1.33 had significantly lower platelet counts and higher LDH and creatinine levels. Median OS was 14 months for EASIX < 1.33 and 8 months for EASIX ≥ 1.33 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: EASIX is a simple, inexpensive prognostic marker associated with overall survival in metastatic PC. Its integration into clinical practice may facilitate early risk stratification. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm its prognostic utility.

11 July 2025 in Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
VCVahit Can Cavdar
Vahit Can Cavdar
MAMERT ARİÇ
MERT ARİÇ
IRIbrahim Taskin RAKICI
Ibrahim Taskin RAKICI
IGIlkay GULTURK
Ilkay GULTURK
ZKZekiye Busra Karaca
Zekiye Busra Karaca
BBBasak Ballica
Basak Ballica
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide. In hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC), cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (CDK4/6i) are the standard treatment. Sarcopenia, characterized by progressive muscle loss, is increasingly recognized as a factor influencing cancer outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of preexisting sarcopenia on overall survival, progression-free survival, and treatment-related adverse effects in patients receiving CDK4/6i therapy. A retrospective analysis was conducted on hormone receptor-positive mBC patients treated with CDK4/6i at Istanbul Training and Research Hospital between 2020 and 2024. Patients were classified as sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic based on pretreatment computed tomography muscle mass measurements. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis, and treatment-related adverse effects, including dose reductions, acute kidney injury, liver function test abnormalities, and neutropenia, were compared between groups. Among 111 patients, 20 (18%) were identified as sarcopenic. Sarcopenia was associated with significantly lower overall survival and progression-free survival compared to non-sarcopenic patients (P = .000). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in treatment-related adverse effects, including the need for dose reduction, acute kidney injury, liver function abnormalities, and neutropenia (P > .05). Sarcopenia negatively impacts survival outcomes in hormone receptor-positive mBC patients receiving CDK4/6i therapy. Routine screening and targeted interventions, such as nutritional support and physical activity programs, may help improve patient resilience and treatment efficacy. Further research is needed to develop strategies to mitigate sarcopenia’s impact on survival in this patient population.

20 November 2024 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
FOFatih Ozbay
Fatih Ozbay
HHHAKAN HARPUTLUOĞLU
HAKAN HARPUTLUOĞLU
MKMustafa Karaca
Mustafa Karaca
OTOmer Tekin
Omer Tekin
MSMehmet Ali Nahit SENDUR
Mehmet Ali Nahit SENDUR
ATAli Murat Tatlı
Ali Murat Tatlı
Background and Aims: During liver transplantation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence remains a critical challenge for patient survival. Targeted therapies, such as sorafenib and regorafenib, have been utilized to manage relapsed HCC in this unique setting. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Sorafenib and Regorafenib in patients with HCC who experienced recurrence after liver transplantation. We focused on survival outcomes, treatment responses, and the management of side effects in this patient group. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 73 patients who experienced HCC recurrence post-liver transplantation between 2012 and 2022 across 11 oncology centers in Turkey. Patients were categorized according to Child–Pugh classification and treated with sorafenib as first-line therapy and Regorafenib in case of progression. Survival rates were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and risk factors were evaluated using Cox regression analysis. Results: Of the 73 patients included in the study, 62 were male (84.9%), and 11 were female (15.1%), with a mean age of 61.5 ± 10.9 years. All patients received sorafenib as first-line treatment. Among patients who experienced progression with sorafenib or discontinued treatment due to toxicity, 45.2% (n = 33) continued treatment with regorafenib. The median progression-free survival (PFS1) time with sorafenib was 5.6 months, and the one-year survival rate was 24.3%. The median progression-free survival (PFS2) time with regorafenib, which was administered as second-line treatment, was also calculated as 5.9 months. Overall survival (OS) duration was determined as 35.9 months. The most common side effects associated with both drugs included fatigue, hand and foot syndrome, and hypertension. Significantly better survival outcomes were shown in the Child–Pugh A group compared to other patients. Conclusions: These results suggest that Sorafenib and Regorafenib treatments offer a survival advantage in patients with relapsed HCC post-transplantation. However, individualized treatment strategies and close follow-up are crucial for optimizing outcomes. Further studies are needed to refine therapeutic protocols and enhance the care of this specific patient group.