• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.23
• /
• pp.10393-10396
• /
• 2015

Background: Endometral carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the female genital tract and the fourth most common cancer in women after breast, colorectal and lung cancers Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a key transcription factor that regulates cellular response to hypoxia HIF-1 plays important roles in the development and progression of cancer through activation of various genes that are involved in crucial aspects of cancer biology, including angiogenesis, energy metabolism, vasomotor function, erythropoiesis, and cell survival. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between HIF-1 1772 C/T polymorphisms and endometrial cancer. Materials and Methods: 75 patients with endometrial carcinoma and 75 patients whose underwent hysterectomy for non tumoral indication selected for evaluation of HIF-1 1772 C/T polymorphisms by PCR-RFLP and sequencing. Results: For the 1772 C/T polymorphism, the analysis showed that the T allele and genotype TT were significantly associated with endometrial cancer risk. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the C1772T polymorphism of the HIF-1a may be associated with endometrial cancers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.10
• /
• pp.4255-4259
• /
• 2014

Lactobacilli are probiotics shown to have antitumor activities. In addition, they can regulate gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to assess anti tumor activities of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus crispatus on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. The effects of culture supernatants were determined by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. Changes in expression of 5 cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), namely AKAP4, ODF4, PIWIL2, RHOXF2 and TSGA10, were analyzed by quantitative real time RT-PCR. The culture supernatants of the 2 lactobacilli inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation. In addition, transcriptional activity of all mentioned CTAs except AKAP4 was significantly decreased after 24 hour treatment with culture supernatants. This study shows that Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus crispatus have antiproliferative activity against MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, these lactobacilli could decrease transcriptional activity of 4 CTAs. Previous studies have shown that expression of CTAs is epigenetically regulated, so it is possible that lactobacilli cause this expression downregulation through epigenetic mechanisms. As expression of CTAs in cancers is usually associated with higher grades and poor prognosis, downregulation of their expression by lactobacilli may have clinical implications.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.14
• /
• pp.5727-5731
• /
• 2015

Background: There is a long standing interest in natural compounds especially those with a high polyphenolic content and high scavenging activity for hazardous free radicals. Cornus mas (CM) fruit is well known for its antioxidant activities; however, its toxicity against human cancers needs to be addressed. Here, we investigated selective anticancer effects of CM on different human cancer cells. Materials and Methods: A hydro-alcoholic extract of CM (HECM) was prepared and total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined by colorimetric assays. Antioxidant activity was assessed with respectto DPPH radical scavenging. MTT assays were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of different doses of CM (0, 5, 20, 100, 250, 500, $1000{\mu}g/ml$) towards A549 (lung non small cell cancer), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer) and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells. Results: Significant (P<0.05) or very significant (P<0.001) differences were observed in comparison to negative controls at all tested doses ($5-1000{\mu}g/ml$). In all cancer cells, HECM reduced the cell viability to values below 26%, even at the lowest doses. In all cases, $IC_{50}$ was obtained at doses below $5{\mu}g/ml$. The mean growth inhibition was 81.8%, 81.9%, 81.6% and 79.3% in SKOV3, MCF-7, PC-3 and A549 cells, respectively. Conclusions: Altogether, to our best knowledge, this is a first study that evaluated toxicity of a HECM with high antioxidant activity in different human cancer cells in vitro. Our results indicated that a hydro-alcoholic extract of CM possesses high potency to inhibit proliferation of different tumor cells in a dose independent manner, suggesting that an optimal biological dose is more important and relevant than a maximally tolerated one.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8247-8252
• /
• 2016

Background: The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) degrades a variety of proteins which attach to specific signals. The ubiquitination pathway facilitates degradation of damaged proteins and regulates growth and stress responses. This pathway is altered in various cancers, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and breast cancer. Recently it has been reported that expression of newly characterized human genes, UBE2Q1 and UBE2Q2, putative members of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family (E2), has been also changed in colorectal cancer. Epigenetics is one of the fastest-growing areas of science and nowadays has become a central issue in biological studies of diseases. According to the lack of information about the role of epigenetic changes on gene expression profiling of UBE2Q1 and UBE2Q2, and the presence of CpG islands in the promoter of these two human genes, we decided to evaluate the promoter methylation status of these genes as a first step. Materials and Methods: The promoter methylation status of UBE2Q1 and UBE2Q2 was studied by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) in tumor samples of 60 colorectal cancer patients compared to adjacent normal tissues and 20 non-malignant controls. The frequency of the methylation for each gene was analyzed by chi-square method. Results: MSP results revealed that UBE2Q2 gene promoter were more unmethylated, while a higher level of methylated allele was observed for UBE2Q1 in tumor tissues compared to the adjacent normal tissues and the non malignant controls. Conclusions: UBE2Q1 and UBE2Q2 genes show different methylation profiles in CRC cases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.17
• /
• pp.7671-7674
• /
• 2015

Background: Overexpression of HER2-neu has been reported in many epithelial malignancies, including cancers of the breast, ovaries, lungs, prostate, bladder, pancreas, colorectum and stomach as well as osteosarcomas. The aim of this study was evaluation of expression of HER2-neu immunohistochemistry (IHC) status and clinicopathologic features in a series of colonic adenocarcinomas. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive and analytical study, we surveyed 211 samples of colon adenocarcinoma from 182 patients (86.3%) undergoing total or partial colectomy and 29 (7.13%) with biopsies by colonoscopy. A sufficient sample size was obtained from all cases and the slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and also by IHC (HER2) staining. Results: The mean age for the patients at diagnosis was 57.9 years (range, 15-88 years). One hundred and twenty one patients (57.3%) were male. Of all patients, 201 samples (95.3%) were conventional adenocarcinomas (159, 29 and 13 cases were well, moderately and poorly differentiated, respectively) and 10 (4.7%) were mucinous type. Out of 211 cases, 171 were checked for lymph nodes metastasis and 64 were positive. There is a correlation between HER2 scores and differentiation, most score 3 cases being well differentiated (P<0.05). Conclusions: In patients with advanced colon cancer, surgery alone is not curative and other forms of therapy may be required to prolong patient survival. HER2 overexpression was found in some cases and this could be a guideline to new adjuvant therapy for these patients.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.75-86
• /
• 2021

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the research trends in clinical studies on the traditional Korean medicine used for cancer treatment between 2011 and 2020. Methods We searched 7 Korean web databases (Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], Koreanstudies Information Service System [KISS], Korean Medical database [KMBASE], DBpia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information [KISTI], and KoreaMed) and classified collected papers dated between 2011 and 2020 by the year of publication, publication journal, study design, type of cancer affecting the patients, interventions used, evaluation system used, and combination with conventional medicine. Results A total of 167 papers were collected. More than 10 papers were published annually. The papers were mainly published in the Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology (28.7%). The predominant type of the study was case study (67.7%). The main type of cancer was breast cancer, affecting 262 patients. Most of the studies reported using multiple traditional Korean medicine treatments (55.1%). Eighty-nine studies reported using clinical laboratory tests for evaluation. Most of the patients took conventional medicine simultaneously (608 patients). Conclusions Research related to Korean medicine for cancer patients is at a rudimentary level. Therefore, for further clarity, high evidence-based researches, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies, should be conducted.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.64-72
• /
• 2004

Purpose: This research aims to assess the effect of a single session of group education of hospice program at Seoul National University Hospital for the advanced and terminal cancer patients and their family members. Methods: Response to questionnaires from 89 participants were evaluated using SAS and CHISQ analysis. The questionnaires included the following items: 1) the characteristics of participants; 2) the characteristics of patients; 3) the difficulties of patient care; 4) the satisfaction with the program Results: The participants consist of 33 patients (37.5%) and 56 family members (56.2%). Diagnosis included mainly stomach, lung, breast, and colon cancer. Participants of family members consisted of spouse, parent, children, daughter-in-law, and siblings (in decreasing order). The participants were interested in the medical information, nutrition, pain and symptom management, and psychosocial adaptation. They had difficulties in emotional problem, nutrition and symptom management. Even though it was a single session of group education, the level of satisfaction was high (95%). Conclusion: This research shows that even the single session of the group education for the advanced and terminal cancer patients and their family members is very helpful by giving them the necessary information. In order to develop comprehensive care-giving services, more specific informations, more opportunities to participate in such sessions and longer question-answer time is required.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.83 no.2
• /
• pp.344-359
• /
• 2022

Purpose To develop a denoising convolutional neural network-based image processing technique and investigate its efficacy in diagnosing breast cancer using low-dose mammography imaging. Materials and Methods A total of 6 breast radiologists were included in this prospective study. All radiologists independently evaluated low-dose images for lesion detection and rated them for diagnostic quality using a qualitative scale. After application of the denoising network, the same radiologists evaluated lesion detectability and image quality. For clinical application, a consensus on lesion type and localization on preoperative mammographic examinations of breast cancer patients was reached after discussion. Thereafter, coded low-dose, reconstructed full-dose, and full-dose images were presented and assessed in a random order. Results Lesions on 40% reconstructed full-dose images were better perceived when compared with low-dose images of mastectomy specimens as a reference. In clinical application, as compared to 40% reconstructed images, higher values were given on full-dose images for resolution (p < 0.001); diagnostic quality for calcifications (p < 0.001); and for masses, asymmetry, or architectural distortion (p = 0.037). The 40% reconstructed images showed comparable values to 100% full-dose images for overall quality (p = 0.547), lesion visibility (p = 0.120), and contrast (p = 0.083), without significant differences. Conclusion Effective denoising and image reconstruction processing techniques can enable breast cancer diagnosis with substantial radiation dose reduction.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.95-104
• /
• 2007

The mechanism of acacetin-induced apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells was investigated. Acacetin caused 50% growth inhibition ($IC_{50}$) of MCF-7 cells at $26.4{\pm}0.7{\mu}M$ over 24 h in the MTT assay. Apoptosis was characterized by DNA fragmentation and an increase of sub-G1 cells and involved activation of caspase-7 and PARP (poly-ADP-ribose polymerase). Maximum caspase 7 activity was observed with $100{\mu}M$ acacetin for 24 h. Caspase 8 and 9 activation cascades mediated the activation of caspase 7. Acacetin caused a reduction of Bcl-2 expression leading to an increase of the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio. It also caused a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential that induced release of cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) into the cytoplasm, enhancing ROS generation and subsequently resulting in apoptosis. Pretreatment of cells with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced ROS generation and cell growth inhibition, and pretreatment with NAC or a caspase 8 inhibitor (Z-IETD-FMK) inhibited the acacetin-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and release of cytochrome c and AIF. Stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun $NH_4$-terminal kinase 1/2 (SAPK/JNK1/2) and c-Jun were activated by acacetin but extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) nor p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were not. Our results show that acacetin-induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells is mediated by caspase activation cascades, ROS generation, mitochondria-mediated cell death signaling and the SAPK/JNK1/2-c-Jun signaling pathway, activated by acacetin-induced ROS generation.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.37-48
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The most basic conditions of radiation therapy is to prevent unnecessary exposure of normal tissue. The risk factors that are important o evaluate the dose emitted to the lung and heart from radiation therapy for breast cancer. Therefore, comparing the dose factors of a normal tissue according to the radion treatment position and Seeking an effective radiation treatment for breast cancer through the analysis of the correlation relationship. Materials and Methods: Computed tomography was conducted among 30 patients with left breast cancer in supine and prone position. Eclipse Treatment Planning System (Ver.11) was established by computerized treatment planning. Using the DVH compared the incident dose to normal tissue by position. Based on the result, Using the SPSS (ver.18) analyzed the dose in each normal tissue factors and Through the correlation analysis between variables, independent sample test examined the association. Finally The HI, CI value were compared Using the MIRADA RTx (ver. ad 1.6) in the supine, prone position Results: The results of computerized treatment planning of breast cancer in the supine position were V20, $16.5{\pm}2.6%$ and V30, $13.8{\pm}2.2%$ and Mean dose, $779.1{\pm}135.9cGy$ (absolute value). In the prone position it showed in the order $3.1{\pm}2.2%$, $1.8{\pm}1.7%$, $241.4{\pm}138.3cGy$. The prone position showed overall a lower dose. The average radiation dose 537.7 cGy less was exposured. In the case of heart, it showed that V30, $8.1{\pm}2.6%$ and $5.1{\pm}2.5%$, Mean dose, $594.9{\pm}225.3$ and $408{\pm}183.6cGy$ in the order supine, prone position. Results of statistical analysis, Cronbach's Alpha value of reliability analysis index is 0.563. The results of the correlation analysis between variables, position and dose factors of lung is about 0.89 or more, Which means a high correlation. For the heart, on the other hand it is less correlated to V30 (0.488), mean dose (0.418). Finally The results of independent samples t-test, position and dose factors of lung and heart were significantly higher in both the confidence level of 99 %. Conclusion: Radiation therapy is currently being developed state-of-the-art linear accelerator and a variety of treatment plan technology. The basic premise of the development think normal tissue protection around PTV. Of course, if you treat a breast cancer patient is in the prone position it take a lot of time and reproducibility of set-up problems. Nevertheless, As shown in the experiment results it is possible to reduce the dose to enter the lungs and the heart from the prone position. In conclusion, if a sufficient treatment time in the prone position and place correct confirmation will be more effective when the radiation treatment to patient.