Mehmet Salih Iyikesici

Dr. Mehmet Salih Iyikesici

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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1 January 2019 in International Journal of Hyperthermia
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MIMehmet Salih Iyikesici
Mehmet Salih Iyikesici
Background: Previous evidence suggests that metabolically supported chemotherapy (MSCT), ketogenic diet, hyperthermia and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) could all target vulnerabilities of cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of this combination therapy in the treatment of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Forty-four NSCLC patients with distant metastasis that received MSCT (administration of chemotherapy regimen following induced hypoglycemia) plus ketogenic diet, hyperthermia and HBOT combination were included in this retrospective study. Survival and treatment response rates as well as toxicities were evaluated. Results: Overall response rate (ORR, complete response plus partial response) was 61.4%; whereas, 15.9% and 22.7% of patients had stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD), respectively. Mean overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was 42.9 months (95% CI: 34.0–51.8) and 41.0 months (95% CI: 31.1–50.9), respectively. A higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (ECOG ≥2) was associated with worse OS and PFS. Patients received chemotherapy cycles with acceptable toxicity and adverse events. No problems were encountered due to fasting, hypoglycemia, ketogenic diet, hyperthermia or hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Conclusions: Findings of this study suggest that MSCT combined with other modalities targeting multiple pathways and cellular vulnerabilities may bring about remarkable improvements in survival outcomes and treatment response rates in metastatic NSCLC, without additional safety concerns. Large comparative studies are warranted to draw robust conclusions.

17 September 2019 in Complementary Medicine Research
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Journal Article
Open access
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MIMehmet Salih Iyikesici
Mehmet Salih Iyikesici
Background: Despite introduction of new chemotherapeutic agents, outcomes of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer are still poor. Metabolically supported chemotherapy (MSCT) is a novel approach targeting dysregulated energy mechanism of the tumor cell. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the efficacy of metabolically supported administration of chemotherapy combined with ketogenic diet, hyperthermia, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Method: This retrospective observational study included 25 patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal carcinoma (stage IV) who received MSCT (either gemcitabine-based or FOLFIRINOX regimen administered concomitantly with induced hypoglycemia) plus ketogenic diet, hyperthermia, and HBOT combination. Survival outcomes were evaluated. Results: During the mean follow-up duration of 25.4 ± 19.3 months, median overall survival and median progression-free survival were 15.8 months (95% CI, 10.5–21.1) and 12.9 months (95% CI, 11.2–14.6), respectively. Age and gender did not have any effect on overall survival (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusions: MSCT administered together with ketogenic diet, hyperthermia, and HBOT appears to be a viable option with the potential to improve survival outcomes in patients diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Further research, particularly with larger comparative clinical trials, is warranted.

1 January 2020 in Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MIMehmet Salih Iyikesici
Mehmet Salih Iyikesici
Ional treatment modalities targeting multiple tumor cell vulnerabilities. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 patients diagnosed with stage III–IV locally advanced or metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma that received metabolically supported chemotherapy (MSCT) combined with ketogenic diet, local hyperthermia, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) between April 2014 and October 2017 were included in this retrospective study. Survival outcomes were evaluated. Results: In 22 patients (88.0%), complete response was achieved. Mean duration of follow-up was 23.9 ± 12.7 months. Mean overall survival was 39.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 28.1–51.0) and mean progression free survival was 36.5 months (95% CI: 25.7–47.2). No problems were encountered due to fasting, hypoglycemia, ketogenic diet, hyperthermia or HBOT. Conclusions: The combination treatment used in this study (MSCT together with a ketogenic diet, hyperthermia and HBOT) appears to be promising in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Further research and comparative clinical trials are warranted to support and standardize this novel treatment protocol....

26 April 2021 in Cureus
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Journal Article
Open access
MIMehmet Salih Iyikesici
Mehmet Salih Iyikesici
ASAbdul Kadir Slocum
Abdul Kadir Slocum
NWNasha Winters
Nasha Winters
MKMiriam Kalamian
Miriam Kalamian
TSThomas Seyfried
Thomas Seyfried
Breast cancer accounts for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Currently, treatment options in metastatic breast cancer consist of chemotherapy, along with endocrine, radiation, and/or biological therapies. Although advances in management have improved overall survival times, the treatment options for women with end-stage disease are mostly limited to supportive care. Herein, we present a case report that highlights the response of a 47-year-old premenopausal woman with end-stage (T4N3M1) breast cancer treated with metabolically supported chemotherapy (MSCT), ketogenic diet (KD), hyperthermia (HT), and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The patient first noticed a right breast mass in late 2016, which was initially evaluated and ruled out as a cyst. Skin ulceration was observed in the region of the suspected cyst in May 2017. Subsequent bilateral breast ultrasound identified masses in both breasts and an enlarged right axillary lymph node. The diagnosis following biopsy was grade 3, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), progesterone receptor-positive (PR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-), invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Initially, the patient refused to receive conventional chemotherapy because of its potential for side effects and toxicity, but she sought medical treatment in August 2018 following extensive disease progression and deterioration of general health. On reevaluation, the patient was considered ineligible for conventional treatment due to her advanced end-stage disease, poor performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score: 3), and advanced respiratory symptoms. Exploring other options, the patient was admitted to the ChemoThermia Oncology Center, Istanbul, Turkey in November 2018. At that time, the patient weighed 38 kg (body mass index: 18.1 kg/m2) and had extensive metastatic disease with lesions in the brain, lungs, mediastinum, liver, abdomen, and bones that were detected by magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (with contrast) and whole-body (18F)-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography-computed tomography. The patient received a six-month treatment protocol comprised of MSCT, KD, HT, and HBOT, which eliminated all detectable lesions. The therapeutic response was sustained for two years with maintenance treatment comprising KD, dietary supplements, and repurposed medications. This single case report presents evidence of a complete and durable response to a treatment protocol combining MSCT and a novel metabolic therapy in a patient with end-stage breast cancer.

20 March 2020 in ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MIMehmet Salih Iyikesici
Mehmet Salih Iyikesici
Aim: Systemic chemotherapy is a part of multi-modality treatment in patients with stage II-IV rectal cancer. In particular, patients not eligible for curative resection at the time of diagnosis require more efficient approaches to improve outcomes. Metabolically supported chemotherapy (MSCT) is a novel approach targeting dysregulated energy mechanism of the tumor cell. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of MSCT combined with ketogenic diet, hyperthermia and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with stage II-IV rectal cancer not eligible for surgery at baseline. Methods: Twenty-one patients diagnosed with stage II-IV rectal carcinoma who received metabolically supported chemotherapy (MSCT) combined with ketogenic diet, hyperthermia and HBOT were included. First-line chemotherapy regimen was oxaliplatin-based, whereas second line regimen was irinotecan-based. Overall survival and progression-free survival were estimated. Results: Mean duration of follow-up was 33.3±22.0 months. Mean overall survival was 58.6 months (95% CI, 43.3 - 73.9) and corresponding figure for progression-free survival was 45.1 months (95% CI, 28.9-61.2). Mean overall survival for patients with metastatic disease was 35.7 months. Multivariate analysis identified male gender and stage IV disease as independent predictors of worse progression free survival. No other parameter effected survival outcomes. Conclusion: Findings of this study are promising for potential use of this novel combinatorial protocol targeting multiple vulnerabilities of tumor cells in patients with advanced rectal cancer, particularly for patients with metastatic disease, without additional safety concerns. However, long term results are warranted to draw firm conclusion.

19 August 2026 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MIMehmet Salih Iyikesici
Mehmet Salih Iyikesici
OOOral Oncul
Oral Oncul
MHMetin Hallaç
Metin Hallaç
SSSena Sen
Sena Sen
ŞTŞirin Taflan
Şirin Taflan
TSThomas Seyfried
Thomas Seyfried
Background: Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma carries a dismal prognosis, and treatment options after progression on standard chemotherapy remain limited. We report a metabolic response in a patient with drug-resistant disease treated with a combined multimodal regimen that paired dose-reduced (“activated”) multi-agent chemotherapy with targeted agents and metabolic/microenvironmental support, set against an unusually long overall survival. Case Presentation: A 46-year-old man was diagnosed with inoperable, locally advanced/stage IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma in June 2023 and maintained disease control for approximately 2.5 years on a combined multimodal regimen, termed here metabolically controlled oncologic therapy (MCOT): dose-reduced chemotherapy given with regional hyperthermia, hyperbaric oxygen, and a carbohydrate-restricted diet. In February 2026 he developed local recurrence and diffuse liver metastases, and by May 2026 had deteriorated rapidly, with 18F-FDG PET/CT showing a peak SUVmax of 18.2 and CA 19-9 of 2788 U/mL. His regimen was intensified to a low-dose, multi-agent “activated” chemotherapy protocol combined with lenvatinib, everolimus, hyperthermia, and hyperbaric oxygen. Clinical Findings and Outcomes: One month later, his performance status had recovered from ECOG PS 2 to PS 0, CA 19-9 was 31 U/mL, and follow-up PET/CT showed a 63.7% decrease in SUVmax (from 18.2 to 6.6). Treatment-related adverse events included Grade 1 nausea, Grade 1 vomiting, and thrombocytopenia; no Grade 2 or higher non-hematological toxicity was observed. Conclusions: In selected patients who are considered to have exhausted standard options, a combined multimodal regimen pairing dose-reduced chemotherapy with metabolic and microenvironmental support may produce a well-tolerated metabolic response. As a single, uncontrolled observation, these findings cannot establish causality and require confirmation in prospective, controlled studies.