Prof. Dr. Serkan Keskin: "The oral or intravenous administration of the right drug for the disease in a cancer patient alone cannot be considered a success. The secret lies in love and respect for the person. The effort to inspire hope, as well as the trust of the patient himself and his family, are also integral to successful treatment."
It is on this belief and the innovative methodologies used by Prof. Dr. Keskin that his professional success and well-established position as one of the top specialists in medical oncology are based.
What treatment methods does Prof. Keskin in his practice?
- Cancer genetic mapping - an innovative method other than genetic testing to help choose the right individual therapy.
- Target therapy with so-called "SMART MEDICATIONS"
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
What is the difference between genetic testing and genetic cancer mapping?
Genetic testing combines a family history study with an analysis of the genes in an individual's chromosomes and a calculation of the probability of developing a disease or inheriting it.
In genetic mapping, the goal is to select the most appropriate individual treatment. The basis of the study is not based on an examination of the possibility of inheritance. In genetic mapping, a blood or tumour sample is taken, after which the inside of the cancer cell is visualised, as well as the extent of damage. After the sample is taken, the technological time until the result is ready is about 1 month. With the help of genetic mapping, the most sparing treatment for the patient is selected and side effects are minimized, which supports the body's strength needed to cope with the disease.
What are smart drugs and how do they differ from traditional chemotherapy?
Why are they called "Smart Drugs"?
Because these drugs only target cancer cells without destroying and affecting healthy ones. Their mechanism of action involves blocking the signals that stimulate cancer cell division and multiplication.
Smart drugs contain within them small spherical molecules have several free ends to which other molecules can be attached - for example, a targeting agent that recognises the cancer cell and fights to destroy it. Smart drugs can have small and large molecules, with invasive forms of cancer using small molecules that go inside the tumour cell and destroy it.
Smart drugs are closely linked to genetic mapping, with the information from genetic mapping being used to assess whether a tumour type is indicated for targeted therapy and whether clinically actionable therapy is available.
Let us note, however, that not every gene mutation is identified in every person, and not every gene mutation has a smart cure. If the test identifies a genetic mutation that can be treated with a "smart drug", treatment is initiated when an appropriate drug is available. Usually smart drugs are taken in tablet or infusion form. During this time, it is desirable that the patient be monitored by the treating physician who will be able to assess how the treatment is being tolerated. In the event that this medication is not yet in clinical use, there are clinical trials with potential medications in which, at the discretion of the physicians, the patient may be enrolled.
Targeted therapy / treatment with smart drugs / can be combined with other treatments - standard chemotherapy, surgery or radiotherapy. Minimising side effects also makes it easier for the body to cope with the disease. Studies have shown that the percentage ratio of good tolerability to prolonged disease progression-free survival is 75% at 11 months. The figures are double those of standard chemotherapy.
In which cases are "smart drugs" used?
In chronic forms of leukemia, breast cancer, colorectal tumors, head and neck cancer. Target therapy is also used for many other types of cancer, but the treatment option is determined after appropriate mapping and physician judgment. For example, for stage 1 and 2 colon cancer, postoperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy is not recommended. It is in this case that if DNA movement of tumor cells is detected in the blood, preventive treatment should be applied.
Immunotherapy /biological therapy/
Immunotherapy is an equally good method for treating cancer, but has a more specific effect than targeted therapy.
Immunotherapy stimulates the body's own cells to cope with disease by activating certain strong genes to suppress pathologically dominant ones. In this way, the body directs its forces against eliminating the tumor. This type of therapy is more commonly used when a gene mutation has been identified but no disease has developed, in milder stages of the disease, or in patients who are not suitable for other types of therapy.
It can also be applied to patients at an advanced stage and there have been cases of complete cure of the disease. Immunotherapy works by a mechanism impossible to achieve by other treatments.
It is usually administered by infusions every 2-3 weeks unless the attending physician adjusts to the individual patient's condition.
Immunotherapy is most commonly used for bladder cancer, brain tumors, breast cancer, cervical and ovarian cancer, colon cancer, kidney, liver and lung cancers, leukemia, prostate cancer, lymphomas.
