Cukurova university faculty of medicine department of medical oncology, Turkey
Prof. Dr. İsmail Oğuz Kara is a distinguished medical oncologist serving at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine. He completed his medical degree at Hacettepe University in 1995 and earned specialization in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology from Çukurova University. With a career spanning over two decades, Dr. Kara has held several academic titles from Assistant Professor to Full Professor since 2013. His expertise lies in clinical oncology, translational cancer research, and leading clinical trials. He has served as a principal or co-investigator in numerous international and national clinical studies, particularly in melanoma, gastric, and hepatocellular carcinomas. Dr. Kara holds extensive certifications in Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and remains active in the Turkish Oncology Group. He has published impactful articles in prestigious journals and is committed to advancing evidence-based cancer therapies. His work continues to shape cancer treatment protocols and research across Turkey and beyond.
Professional Profile
Education
Prof. Dr. İsmail Oğuz Kara’s academic journey began at Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, where he obtained his Medical Doctorate in 1995. Following his graduation, he pursued a Specialization in Internal Medicine at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, completing it in 2002. He continued with subspecialty training in Medical Oncology and earned the title of Yandal Uzmanı (subspecialist) in 2005. In the same institution, he began his academic career as an Assistant Professor in 2006, promoted to Associate Professor in 2007, and finally became a Full Professor in April 2013. His educational trajectory reflects a robust focus on oncology, reinforced by continuous professional development through certified international trainings, including multiple ICH-GCP certifications. These qualifications have positioned him as an expert in both academic and clinical aspects of oncology, with a deep understanding of patient care, clinical trial management, and research-based education.
Experience
Prof. Dr. İsmail Kara has dedicated his career to clinical medicine and oncology research at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine. From 1996 to 2002, he served as a Research Assistant, followed by a Subspecialty Research Role until 2005. He became a Specialist Doctor in 2005, quickly advancing to Assistant Professor (2006–2007), then Associate Professor (2007–2013), and ultimately a Full Professor in 2013. Throughout his tenure, he has been instrumental in pioneering and leading clinical oncology practices and supervising numerous clinical trials as a Principal Investigator. Dr. Kara’s experience is enriched by collaborations with global pharmaceutical entities such as Pfizer, Bayer, MSD, and BMS, facilitating high-impact research on cancer therapies. His career reflects a synergy of clinical excellence, academic leadership, and research advancement, making him a key contributor to the field of medical oncology in Turkey.
Research Focus
Prof. Dr. İsmail Oğuz Kara’s research primarily focuses on clinical and translational oncology, particularly in melanoma, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and lung cancer. He is deeply involved in multicenter clinical trials examining second-line treatment efficacies, immunotherapy outcomes, and predictive biomarkers. He has investigated CEA/Albumin and CRP/Albumin ratios as novel prognostic tools in gastric cancer and led numerous GCP-certified clinical studies. His current work contributes significantly to identifying molecular predictors of treatment response and survival outcomes, aimed at personalizing oncology therapy. As part of the Turkish Oncology Group, he continuously collaborates with national and international experts, contributing to evidence-based practice guidelines. His future-oriented research aims to integrate cancer genetics and precision medicine into routine oncological care to enhance survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients.
Publication Top Notes
1.
📘 Title: Prognostic factors and outcomes of adjuvant and first-line metastatic treatments in melanoma: A Turkish Oncology Group study
👨⚕️ Authors: Majidova N., Arak H., Özalp F.R., Özgün A., Kostek O., Kara İ.O., et al.
📚 Journal: Scientific Reports
📅 Year: 2025
🔗 Summary: This study evaluated survival and prognostic variables in patients with melanoma receiving adjuvant and metastatic treatments. It emphasizes the clinical importance of baseline characteristics and genetic markers in improving melanoma management.
2.
📘 Title: Efficacy of Second-Line Treatments After Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Related Prognostic Factors
👨⚕️ Authors: Majidova N., Yaslikaya S.S., Mıldanoglu M.M., Yalçın S., Kostek O., Kara İ.O., et al.
📚 Journal: Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
📅 Year: 2025
🔗 Summary: This multicenter research assessed outcomes of second-line therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma following Atezolizumab-Bevacizumab failure. It identified key prognostic variables affecting progression and survival.
3.
📘 Title: Can the Pathological Response in Patients with Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Treatment Be Predicted by the CEA/Albumin and CRP/Albumin Ratios?
👨⚕️ Authors: Bayram E., Kidi M.M., Camadan Y.A., Kara I.Ö., Şahin B.S.
📚 Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine
📅 Year: 2024
🔗 Summary: Investigates inflammatory and tumor marker-based ratios as predictive tools for neoadjuvant treatment response in gastric cancer, providing a potential non-invasive diagnostic method.
Conclusion
Prof. Dr. İsmail Oğuz Kara is highly suitable for the Research for Best Faculty Award based on his deep academic foundation, long-standing and active involvement in clinical trials, and recent peer-reviewed publications. His commitment to oncology research, particularly in Turkey, positions him as a significant contributor to the field. With slight improvements in international visibility and citation metrics, his impact could become even more far-reaching.