Baseline CECs levels might be an early predictive biomarker for treatment efficacy in advanced NSCLC patients. Our results suggest the change in CECs count after chemotherapy as a prognostic factor for tumor response and PFS in NSCLC.

Increased CEC counts were present in patients with newly diagnosed NSCLC compared with healthy subjects. Elevated levels of baseline CECs correlated with high-risk factors in NSCLC. In addition, increased CEC count during follow-up seems to be correlated with recurrence in NSCLC patients.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most frequent cause of cancer death. Several factors affect response to chemotherapy including nodal status, hormonal status and human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her-2). Aim of Study: The study is aiming at evaluating Caspase-3, 7 levels in serum of patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer and establishing the relation between Casepase level and response to chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: The study was performed at Al Bairouni University Hospital and the Faculty of Pharmacy (Damascus-Syria). We have included 60 patients with histologic confirmation of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast treated with the combination (Docetaxel + Doxorubicin) with Caspase-3, 7 levels to be evaluated before treatment and 24 hours after the first and third cycle. Results: Caspase-3 level increases in serum 24 hours after the 1 st cycle correlated with different kinds of response in 39 patients (P value 0.0002) with better results in those with Estrogen Receptors (ER) positive patients (P 0.005). In a similar manner, Caspase-7 level increases 24 hours after the 1 st cycle correlated with response in 40 patients (P 0.005). However, ER status had no impact on response in Caspase-7 group (P 0.2). Conclusion: Caspase-3 and 7 levels in serum are useful as a predictive marker of response to chemotherapy in both locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer especially when tittered 24 hours after the first chemotherapy.

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Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most frequent cause of cancer death. Several factors affect response to chemotherapy including nodal status, hormonal status and human epidermal growth factor receptor (Her-2). Aim of Study: The study is aiming at evaluating M30 antigen in serum of patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer and establishing the relation between M30 level and response to chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: The study was performed at Al Bairouni University Hospital and the Faculty of Pharmacy (Damascus-Syria). We have included 60 patients with histologic confirmation of invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast treated with the combination (Docetaxel + Doxorubicin) with M30 levels to be evaluated before treatment and 24 hours after the first and third cycle. Results: M30 level increase in serum 24 hours after the 1 st cycle correlated with different kinds of response in 39 patients (P value less than 0.03) with better results in those with Estrogen Receptors (ER) positive patients (P value 0.05). There was no correlation between Her-2 status and response (P value 0.3). Conclusion: M30 level in serum is a useful predictor marker of response to chemotherapy in both locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer.

Background: Her-2/neu is a member of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR) implicated in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Her-2/neu is known to be overexpressed in 30% of breast cancers.Objective: the study is aimed at determining the prevalence of Her-2/neu overexpression in Syrian women diagnosed with breast cancer. Material and Methods:The study included 10355 Syrian women diagnosed with breast cancer (invasive carcinoma NOS) during the period between 2007 and 2012 at Al Bairouni university hospital in Damascus (SYRIA).Both Her-2 (++ and +++) were checked by FISH, [Hercep test (DAKO Inc)] to determine Her-2/neu gene status.Results and Discussion: 2013 patients were found to be Her-2 positive (+++) forming 19.4% of the studied group, 2000 (19.3%) were (++) equivocal. On the other hand, 62% of patients were Her-2 negative (0 and 1+) scores. A further investigation of the positive and equivocal groups was performed by FISH showing positive results as follows: 1815/2013 of the (3+ patients) and 1143/2000 of the (2+ patients) respectively. In other word 57% of the (++) group were found to be FISH positive versus 9% negative FISH results in the (+++) group. Conclusions:The prevalence of Her-2/neu in Syrian women having breast cancer in this study is 28.5%. The study reflects the distribution of real Her-2/neu gene expression among the Syrian women since Her-2 amplification was detected by FISH in both ++ and +++ groups.

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