암 환자에의 침술 임상 연구는 종양학에서 새롭고 도전적인 분야이다. 임상 연구 결과는 환자와 종양학자들을 위한 임상적으로 타당한 답변을 우리에게 지속적으로 제공할 것이다. 침은 환자들에게 그들의 치료 계획에 활동적으로 참가할 수 있는 능력을 주면서 암과 암 치료관련 증상을 다루는데 안전하고 유효한 치료법이라는 일반적으로 이용될 수 있는 증거가 제시되었다. 미래의 연구는 임상 연구가, 임상의사, 그리고 환자의 연루를 요구한다. 혁신적 연구 방법의 발전 역시 중요하다. 더 많은 증거가 지속적으로 나오면서 종양 침술이 결국에는 종양학적 치료행위의 표준에 통합될 것이 기대된다. DFCI와 기타 주요 암 센터와 같은 주요 대학병원과 연구기관 에서의 침술의 성공적인 통합은 암 치료에 있어 침의 가치와 소용을 강조한다.

The roots and leaves of Angelica keiskei (AK) have been used for the treatment of various diseases including coronary heartdisease, hypertension, and cancer in the Korean folk medicine. However, the mechanism by which methylenechloride fraction (MF) from AK exerts anti-tumorigenic activity in human prostate cancer cells has not been fully understood. In the present study, we report the MF exerted the highest cytotoxicity against prostate cancer DU145 cells compared with other fractions. Especially, MF caused the accumulation of sub-G1 DNA contents of cell cycle and increased annexin V-positive apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation. MF down-regulated several proliferative (Cyclin D1) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, IAP-1/2, and survivin)gene products in these cells. Hence, MF induced apoptosis through the caspase-3 activation in DU145 cells. We further confirmed that caspase-3 plays an importance role in MF-induced apoptosis in DU145 cells by using caspase-3 inhibitor. Additionally, we observed that MF potentiated Dox-induced apoptosis in DU145 cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate the evidence that MF induces apoptosis depend on caspase-3 activation of and overcomes resistance to chemotherapy in human prostate cancer cells.

The anti-metastatic activity of water extract of Samguikoeuitang (WSGKE) consisting of Ginseng Radix, Angelicae Radix, Sophora flavescens and Coicis Semenwas examined. Ethanol extract of Samguikoeuitang (ESGKE) showed significant cytotoxicity against colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma cells, while WSGEK did not. However, WSGKE significantly increased the production of IL-6 and IL-12 in thioglycollate-induced macrophages from Balb/c mice, whereas ESGKE did not. WSGKE significantly increased natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity against effecter YAC-1 cells in an Effecter cells/Target ratio dependent manner. Also, WSGKE significantly suppressed lung metastasis after i.v. injection of colon26-M3.1 carcinoma cells. Inhibitory effect of WSGKE on lung metastasis totally abolished in NK cells-deficient mice by treatment with anti-asialo GM1 serum. In addition, the combination treatment of cisplatin and WSGKE (100 ${\mu}g$/mouse) prolonged the lifespan of mice inoculated by colon26-M3.1 cell. These findings suggest that WSGKE can inhibit lung metastasis and prolong life span via immunological enhancement as a Biological Response Modifier.

Bojungbangdocktang (BJBDT), a formula of eight Oriental herbs, is a modified herbal prescription of Bangdoktang and Bojungbangamtang. Recently, BJBDT was demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, enhance hematopoiesis and protect cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in normal MCF-10A breast cells. Nevertheless, there is no safety study of BJBDT before clinical trial so far. Thus, in the current study, we investigated the toxicity about ethanol-extracted BJBDT. Male and female Spraque Dawley (SD) rats were given orally by BJBDT at 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 4 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs and measured change of body weight, food consumption and water consumption were observed. In addition, we performed ophthalmologic, urinary, hematological, blood serum biochemical and histopathological examination. Any general toxicity was not found in BJBDT treated group. Also, there were no significant differences in the parameters such as body weight, food consumption and water consumption, a lot of urine and blood factor levels except HCT, MCHC, Ca, TG, Glucose and T-Bilirubin level compared with control group. Although HCT was elevated and TG was decreased in male rats, and MCHC, Glucose and T-Bilirubin were elevated and Ca and HCT were decreased in female rats, these were within normal ranges. Finally, we determined that maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was 1000 mg/kg and no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 500 mg/kg. Taken together, these results demonstrated that BJBDT is very safe to SD rats.

Objective : The aim of this present study is to evaluate the inhibitory effect of allergen removed Rhus verniciflua (ARV) on Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) which is considered to have a clinically important role in tumor metastasis. Methods : The inhibitory effects of standardized extract of ARV on the MMP-2, MMP-9 were investigated by spectrofluorometer while the inhibitory effects on the active MMP-2, pro MMP-2, pro MMP-9 were investigated by zymography. Antimetastatic effect of standardized extract of ARV was investigated in vitro on human fibrosarcoma cell (HT1080)'s invasion through Matrigel. Results : The standardized extract of ARV showed inhibitory effects on the active MMP-2 (IC50, $1.01{\mu}g$/ml), active MMP-9 (IC50, $2.5{\mu}g$/ml) depending on concentrations which was determined by spectrofluorometer. The standardized extract of ARV showed inhibitory effects on the active MMP-2, pro MMP-2, pro MMP-9 depending on concentrations which was determined by zymography. However its inhibitory effect on pro MMP-9 was relatively weaker rather than active MMP-2, pro MMP-2. The standardized extract of ARV showed inhibitory effects in vitro on human fibrosarcoma cell (HT1080)'s invasion through Matrigel according to concentration. Conclusions : These results indicate that standardized extract of ARV has antimetastatic effect through inhibit again MMP-2, MMP-9. Also its inhibitory effect is more powerful on active MMP-2, pro MMP-2 than on active MMP-9, pro MMP-9. It is necessary to conduct further studies on other MMP families, TIMP, and each component of standardized extract of ARV.

We report a case of an 85-year old man with an adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid colon (clinical stage II). Though tumor was resectable, the patient was considered to be inoperable because of old age and comorbidities such as asthma, diabetes and old myocardial infarction. He wanted to receive alternative care, so he was exclusively treated with standardized Allegern-removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes (aRVS) extract and other herbal medicine such as BOJUNGIKGI-TANG GAMIBANG. During 18 months, he has shown good performance status without transfusion. This report suggests that herbal treatment including standardized aRVS for rectosigmoid colon cancer could be an alternative treatment option when it is unabled to be treated by surgical resection.

This case report documents a case in which the administration of an herbal product, an extract of the lacquer tree, Rhus verniciflua Stokes was related with a prolonged survival in a elderly advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) patient. A 79-year-old man who had been diagnosed with advanced NSCLC refused conventional therapy and treatment with the allergen-removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes(aRVS) had continued from September 2007 to July 2010. He had survived for 35 months after the administration of aRVS and maintained good performance status with European Cooperative Oncology Group performance status(ECOG PS) of 1. This case suggests that aRVS be alternative treatment for the elderly advanced NSCLC patients.

Objectives : Quality of life(QoL) in patients with lung cancer usually goes down after pneumoectomy, and the pain is the most common cause. Uncontrolled postoperative pain can restrict the movements of shoulders resulting in frozen shoulder. This case report is to report the effect of herb medicine, Ohjuksan on a 49-year-old female lung cancer patient with shoulder pain after lobectomy. Methods : The patient was treated with Ohjuksan for 10 days. The patient's symptoms were assessed by range of motion(ROM) of shoulder, Visual analogue scale(VAS) of shoulder pain and abdominal diagnosis. Results & Conclusions : The patient showed improvement of ROM, VAS and abdominal diagnosis. As the shoulder pain is relieved from VAS6 to VAS3, ROM of abduction, adduction and internal rotation were increased. Also discomfort of abdomen was disapeared to a certain degree. This suggests that herb medicine, Ohjuksan is effective for treating postoperative pain of shoulder for a Lung cancer patient.

Background: The greatest threats to the lives of cancer patients consist of both complications due to metastasis and the recurrence of original cancer. However, the existing forms of chemotherapy do not prevent these adverse events adequately because they suppress the patients' immune systems. A new methodology is required. Aim: To provide further validation for cancer immunotherapy (involving the use of traditional oriental herbal medicine). Method: Related articles, in both Korean and English were reviewed. Results: Cancer immunotherapy involving the use of traditional oriental herbal medicine can create inhospitable conditions for cancer cells and strengthen patients' immunological functioning. These effects are a demonstration of the principles of "strengthening healthy qi (扶正)" and "eliminating pathogens (祛邪)". As a result, immunotherapy protects against metastasis and original cancer recurrence by preventing the growth of cancer cells. This is very similar to the concept of a cancer dormancy therapy. Conclusion: It is strongly urged by the authors that more advanced studies be carried out on this promising therapy in the future in order to improve patients' quality of life and increase their survival time.

Objective: This study reports one case of polycythemia vera patient treated with oriental medicine in conjunction with conventional medicine. Methods: One patient who was diagnosed with polycythemia vera was treated using different modalities of herbs, acupuncture, and pharmacopuncture. An herbal formula, Yongdamsagan-tang was given three times a day with daily acupuncture treatment session, in addition to Soyeom and Jahageo pharmacopuncture injection which were administered three times a week. After treatment, patient's symptoms and blood test results were observed and analyzed. Results: After ten days of treatment, the patient had shown improvements in symptoms of headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and itchiness. Two months later, laboratory findings continued to be kept within the normal range and the intervals of phlebotomy therapy has extended to three months. Conclusions: This case study shows minimum evidence of safety and efficacy of oriental medicine for managing symptoms of polycythemia vera. Considering this is only a short term, single case study, further research is needed to confirm these results.

Background & Objectives: Colorectal Cancer is 10% of all cancer incidence and the motality from colorectal cancer is nearly 450,000 a year. Since chemopreventive agents from Herbal medicine is hot issue recently, to prove antitumor effecicacy of Rhus vernifciflua STOKES decoction (Chijong-dan), clinical study was carried out. Here we report one patient with colorectal cancer of stage IV. The patient had a colorectal cancer (Stage IV, T4N2M1), lymph node metastases and underwent chemotherapy. Methods: The patient visited Hana oriental medicine Clinic in 2009 and was treated using Chijong-dan for 1 year at Hana Oriental Clinic. Results: Chijongdan showed no side effect during its treatment and tumor size was retarded based on CT scanning. Overall, this case report suggests that Rhus vernifciflua STOKES decoction can be a potent cancer preventive agents for colorectal cancer but it is still required to verify the scientific and clinical evidences for Rhus vernifciflua STOKES decoction (Chijong-dan).

항암치료는 현재 암환자의 주요한 치료임에도 불구하고 항암제내성과 같은 문제점을 가지고 있다. 약물내성은 다양한 기전에 의해 발생하는데 수송단백질의 과발현, 비독성화발현, 손상유전자의 복구, 세포사멸신호의 변화, STAT-3와 NF-${\kappa}B$의 발현 등이 포함된다. 암세포는 저산소환경에서 발생하며 일반세포에 비해 무산소해당에 상대적 의존도가 높고 이는 암세포의 성장과 전이를 촉진하는 인자가 된다. 항암제가 효과를 내기 위해서는 산소가 필요한데 저산소환경은 이를 방해하며 또한 유전자의 불안정화로 인해 약물내성이 유도된다. NF-${\kappa}B$는 주요 전사인자 중 하나로서 각종 염증과 암에서 지속적으로 활성화되며 암세포의 변화, 증식, 침윤, 전이에 관여한다. 환경적 스트레스 등과 대부분의 항암약제들이 NF-${\kappa}B$를 활성화시키며 임상적으로도 암환자의 생존과 연관된 중요한 예후인자이다. NF-${\kappa}B$의 발현은 항암제로 인한 암세포의 자멸을 회피하게 만들고 수송단백질을 활성화시켜 항암제내성을 유도한다. 강황, 적포도, 고추, 건칠 등 다양한 천연물에서 NF-${\kappa}B$를 억제시키는 효능이 발견되었으며 이는 항암제내성을 억제시키고 항암제의 효과를 증대시킨다. 저산소환경의 개선과 NF-${\kappa}B$의 억제는 상호연관성을 가지고 있으며 항암제내성의 개선뿐만 아니라 암치료제 개발의 새로운 연구목표가 될 수 있다.