Berrak Mermit Ercek

Dr. Berrak Mermit Ercek


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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6 November 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NKNurhan Önal Kalkan
Nurhan Önal Kalkan
ZUZuhat Urakci
Zuhat Urakci
BEBerrak Mermit Ercek
Berrak Mermit Ercek
EBErkan Bilen
Erkan Bilen
HAHayati Arvas
Hayati Arvas
MAMehmet Hadi Akkuş
Mehmet Hadi Akkuş
Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in developed countries. While early-stage disease has favorable outcomes, advanced or recurrent EC remains associated with poor prognosis. Novel prognostic markers are needed to refine risk stratification. Systemic inflammation-based indices such as Pan-Immune Inflammation Value (PIV), Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI), and Systemic Immune Inflammation Index (SII) have shown prognostic potential in solid tumors. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 78 patients with endometrioid EC who had undergone hysterectomy with adnexectomy and lymphadenectomy. Demographic, clinicopathological, and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records. PIV, SII, and SIRI were calculated from the preoperative complete blood counts. Survival was assessed using Kaplan–Meier analysis, while prognostic factors were determined using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: The median age was 59 years, and 64.1% of the patients presented with early-stage disease. A high PIV (≥802) was significantly associated with a shorter overall survival (64 vs. 111 months, p < 0.001). PIV demonstrated the highest discriminatory accuracy (AUC = 0.776), followed by the SII (0.747) and SIRI (0.718). Univariate analysis identified that age, grade, LVSI, PNI, stage, distant metastasis, and high PIV, SII, SIRI, and NLR were predictors of poor survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed grade, distant metastasis and SIRI ≥ 1.5 as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: Inflammation-based indices, particularly PIV and SIRI, correlated with survival outcomes in patients with EC. The SIRI retained an independent prognostic value, whereas PIV showed a strong discriminatory capacity. Incorporating these indices into established risk models may improve prognostic precision and support individualized management.

13 February 2026 in Biomarkers
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
IBIsmail Beypinar
Ismail Beypinar
OBOnur Yazdan Balçık
Onur Yazdan Balçık
SUSemiha Urvay
Semiha Urvay
MÜMuslih Ürün
Muslih Ürün
BEBerrak Mermit Ercek
Berrak Mermit Ercek
AKAziz Kurtulus
Aziz Kurtulus
AimInflammation and immune dysfunction significantly impact cancer progression and treatment responses. This retrospective study investigated inflammatory parameters and ferritin in predicting immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.MethodsThe study included 199 patients with NSCLC who received nivolumab between 2018 and 2024 at five medical centers. Various inflammatory markers were also evaluated. Ferritin levels at diagnosis and pretreatment were also evaluated.ResultsROC curve analyses showed ferritin delta had high prognostic performance for PFS and OS, with AUC values of 0.70 and 0.73. PIV and PNI were significantly associated with PFS and OS. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, PNI was the most consistent prognostic factor. Low PNI (≤43.5) significantly associated with shorter OS (5.0 vs. 15.0 months, p = 0.001) and shorter PFS (4.0 vs. 8.0 months, p = 0.002). High mGPS (score 2) and elevated PIV showed significant prognostic value. In multivariate Cox regression, PNI demonstrated independent prognostic significance. Objective response rate was the strongest prognostic factor for PFS (HR = 0.188, 95%CI: 0.114-0.309, p < 0.001).ConclusionThese findings highlight the prognostic value of inflammatory and nutritional markers in patients with NSCLC receiving immunotherapy. PNI demonstrated the most consistent prognostic value across multiple analytical approaches and maintained significance in the multivariate analysis.

14 April 2026 in Scientific Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
GAGözde Ağdaş
Gözde Ağdaş
DGduygu bayır garbioglu
duygu bayır garbioglu
ESElif Sahin
Elif Sahin
MCMuhammet Cengi̇z
Muhammet Cengi̇z
DGDeniz Can Guven
Deniz Can Guven
IKibrahim karadağ
ibrahim karadağ
Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab have brought meaningful benefits to patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), yet many patients still experience limited responses. Vitamin D is a key modulator of immune function, and deficiency is common in individuals with cancer. Given its potential role in shaping immunotherapy response, we retrospectively assessed whether baseline vitamin D levels were associated with clinical outcomes in advanced NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab. We retrospectively analyzed patients with stage IV NSCLC treated with nivolumab across multiple centers, predominantly as second-line therapy. Prior to nivolumab initiation, all patients were confirmed to be negative for common driver mutations, including EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and other actionable genomic alterations. Baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured prior to nivolumab initiation, and patients were categorized as having severe deficiency (< 10 ng/mL), deficiency (10–20 ng/mL), or sufficient levels (≥ 20 ng/mL). The presence of liver metastases was recorded at baseline. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log-rank tests. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, ECOG performance status, liver metastasis, and other metastatic sites were used to evaluate the independent prognostic value of vitamin D status. Objective response rates (ORR) were assessed in patients with available radiologic data. A total of 890 patients were screened, and after excluding those with missing baseline vitamin D data, 305 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 64 years (range 34–85), and 68% of patients were male. Vitamin D levels were < 10 ng/mL in 30%, 10–20 ng/mL in 44%, and ≥ 20 ng/mL in 26% of patients. Patients with severe vitamin D deficiency were numerically older (median age 65 vs. 63 years) and had higher rates of ECOG PS ≥ 2 (15.1% vs. 7.5%) and squamous histology (37.6% vs. 27.5%), though these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05 for all). Liver metastases were present in 54 patients (17.7%), and the distribution was similar across vitamin D groups (p = 0.92). Median PFS was shortest in patients with severe vitamin D deficiency (3.4 months), intermediate in the 10–20 ng/mL group (5.2 months), and longest in patients with sufficient levels (8.1 months). Median OS ranged from 8.6 months in the < 10 ng/mL group to 15.8 months in the ≥ 20 ng/mL group. Patients with liver metastases had significantly shorter OS compared to those without (median OS 9.8 vs. 13.6 months, HR 1.48, p = 0.006). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with significantly worse PFS and OS on univariate analysis. In multivariable analysis, vitamin D levels < 20 ng/mL remained independently associated with poorer OS. ORR was numerically higher in patients with sufficient vitamin D levels (30% vs. 14%). Lower baseline vitamin D levels were associated with inferior clinical outcomes in advanced NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab. Patients with vitamin D levels ≥ 20 ng/mL demonstrated longer PFS and OS and a trend toward higher response rates. These findings support a prognostic role for vitamin D status in immunotherapy-treated NSCLC; however, prospective studies are required to determine whether vitamin D optimization can causally enhance immunotherapy efficacy.

19 February 2025 in European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
IBIsmail Beypinar
Ismail Beypinar
SUSemiha Urvay
Semiha Urvay
MÜMuslih Ürün
Muslih Ürün
BEBerrak Mermit Ercek
Berrak Mermit Ercek
HDHACER DEMİR
HACER DEMİR
OBOnur Yazdan Balçık
Onur Yazdan Balçık

8 May 2026 in Scientific Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MCMuhammet Cengi̇z
Muhammet Cengi̇z
OBOKTAY BOZKURT
OKTAY BOZKURT
ACAyse NURANSOY Cengiz
Ayse NURANSOY Cengiz
DGDeniz Can Guven
Deniz Can Guven
ESElif Sahin
Elif Sahin
MOMetin Ozkan
Metin Ozkan
Nivolumab is currently widely used in the treatment of lung cancer. Studies have been conducted using flat doses of 240 mg and 3 mg/kg. In fact, studies involving a small number of patients have begun to explore low-dose immunotherapies. The literature on the optimal dose of immunotherapy, the use of weight based, or fixed doses is very recent and has become a one of the subject of ongoing research. This multicenter study included 716 patients with NSCLC. Patients receiving standard doses of 3 mg/kg and 240 mg of nivolumab were divided into subgroups based on their weight. Patients weighing 80 kg have already received a flat dose. However, patients weighing < 80 kg who received a flat dose were considered to be receiving high-dose therapy. Conversely, patients weighing more than 80 kg who received a flat dose were maintained on a low dose. Therefore, overall survival, progression-free survival, and toxicity were examined according to weight-based usage. The median progression free survival (PFS) for those receiving a 3 mg/kg dose was 6 months, whereas it was 9.8 months for those receiving a flat dose (p < 0.001). The median (metastatic overall survival) OS for those receiving a 3 mg/kg dose was 12 months, whereas it was 14 months for those receiving a 240 mg dose (p = 0.03). This study was based on real-world data. Therefore, our results may be instructive regarding the nivolumab dose, which is a commonly used treatment for NSCLC patients. Our results suggest that a flat dose may be preferred in all groups and as a subgroup, especially in patients weighing < 80 kg.

1 January 2021 in Eastern Journal Of Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
BÇBuket Mermit Çilingir
Buket Mermit Çilingir
ASaysel sunnetcioglu
aysel sunnetcioglu
HYHanifi YILDIZ
Hanifi YILDIZ
BEBerrak Mermit Ercek
Berrak Mermit Ercek
NBNuruban Delal Baykal
Nuruban Delal Baykal