OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, and to compare it with classical prognostic markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 70 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who had not been treated for the metastatic disease. The patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT as part of their routine diagnostic reevaluation. During the analysis, the value of the largest tumor diameter and SUVmax was determined for the lesion with the highest SUVmax observed. The values of CEA and CA 19-9 were recorded 7 days before the PET/CT analysis. RESULTS SUVmax and Carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9 were found to be independent prognostic markers of disease progression within 12 months. Based on the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, the patients could be divided into two groups: SUVmax≤4.1 vs. SUVmax>4.1. Patients with SUVmax values of 4.1 or less had significantly better progression-free survival within 12 months with an HR (95% CI) of 2.97 (1.4-6.3), relative to patients with SUVmax values above 4.1. CONCLUSION SUVmax may be used as a novel prognostic marker of disease progression among patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Values of SUVmax can be used to select patients with a more aggressive type of disease and higher risk for progression within 12 months of PET/CT analysis.

INCREASED BONE TURNOVER IN OBESE POSTMENOPAUSAL FEMALES

e12661Background: Neoadjuvant treatment is one of cornerstones of HER2 directed treatment in breast cancer. Today it is considered that patients with complete pathological response (pCR) to neoadjuvant therapy have a better disease-free survival and overall survival, especially with Her2-positive breast cancer. Current standard is use of dual anti-HER2 blockade, but this therapeutic approach in real life is often inaccessible, particularly in countries with limited resources. Aim of this study was to investigate neoadjuvant effects of trastuzumab + pertuzumab in patients with locally advanced Her2-positive disease in a country with limited resources. Methods: During the period 2017-2018, we identified 27 patients with locally advanced Her2 positive breast cancer. All patients were treated with neoadjuvant therapy that included trastuzumab and pertuzumab and conventional chemotherapy regimens. All patients underwent surgery and a pathologist evaluated pCR using MD Anderson Residual Burden Calculator (RCB)....

AIM To assess the utility of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting troponin elevation in patients with acute coronary syndrome. PATIENTS The total of 119 patients were divided into troponin-positive (n = 61) and troponin-negative (n = 58) patients. RESULTS CRP cut-off value ≥13.4 mg/l had the sensitivity of 68.1% and specificity of 62.5%, while the GGT cut-off value ≥61.5 IU/l had the sensitivity of 66.0% and specificity of 62.0% and combined use of both CRP and GGT had 71.4% sensitivity and 69.6% specificity in predicting troponin increase in acute coronary syndrome patients. CONCLUSION GGT might be used as an adjuvant marker for risk assessment patients who present with chest pain and are suspected to have acute coronary syndrome.