• 대한암한의학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Background : Integrative cancer treatment is a holistic approach embracing body, mind, and spirit incorporating conventional treatments of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and personalized complementary treatments. Wheel Balance Therapy (WBT) of East-West Cancer Center(EWCC), Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University was developed to balance out all factors involved in cancer care based on the traditional theories of oriental medicine. Objective : This work aims to analytically review literatures on WBT and its related components. Methods : Literatures published from January 1st, 1990 to April 30th, 2011 were reviewed focusing on 4 main components of WBT; herbal medicine, immune activation, anti-cancer diet, and breathing/meditation. Data were retrieved from medical search engines and electronic data bases including Pubmed, Research Information sharing Service (RISS), Korean-studies Information Service System (KISS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Korea's National Digital Library (KNDL). Results : In this review, EWCC's most commonly prescribed formulas are explored. The composition of the formulas, their use in clinical settings as well as the background studies and other therapeutic efficacies are explained. Information on incorporating anti-cancer dietary support and breathing and meditation techniques, other therapies practiced as part of the center's integrative cancer care are also covered. Conclusion : WBT based on holistic theories of oriental medicine embracing body, mind, and spirit is expected to further contribute in promotion of cancer patients' quality of life and prolonged survival time.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.69-73
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• 2013

Background: An increasing trend of cytotoxic drug use, mainly in cancer treatment, has increased the occupational exposure among the nurses. This study aimed to assess the change of nurses' safety-related knowledge as well as attitude levels and subsequently to assess the change of cytotoxic drug handling practices in wards after a series of pharmacist-based interventions. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study with a before and after design requested a single group of 96 nurses in 15 wards actively providing chemotherapy to answer a self-administered questionnaire. A performance checklist was then used to determine the compliance of all these wards with the recommended safety measures. The first and second assessments took 2 months respectively with a 9-month intervention period. Pharmacist-based interventions included a series of technical, educational and administrative support measures consisting of the initiation of closed-system cytotoxic drug reconstitution (CDR) services, courses, training workshops and guideline updates. Results: The mean age of nurses was $32.2{\pm}6.19$ years. Most of them were female (93.8%) and married (72.9%). The mean knowledge score of nurses was significantly increased from $45.5{\pm}10.52$ to $73.4{\pm}8.88$ out of 100 (p<0.001) at the end of the second assessment. Overall, the mean practice score among the wards was improved from $7.6{\pm}5.51$ to $15.3{\pm}2.55$ out of 20 (p<0.001). Conclusions: The pharmacist-based interventions improved the knowledge, attitude and safe practices of nurses in cytotoxic drug handling. Further assessment may help to confirm the sustainability of the improved practices.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권24호
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• pp.10597-10601
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• 2015

Up-regulation of multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) is regarded as one of the main causes for multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumor cells, leading to failure of chemotherapy-based treatment for a multitude of cancers. However, whether silencing the overexpressed MRP1 is sufficient to reverse MDR has yet to be validated. This study demonstrated that RNAi-based knockdown of MRP1 reversed the increased efflux ability and MDR efficiently. Two different short haipin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting MRP1 were designed and inserted into pSilence-2.1-neo. The shRNA recombinant plasmids were transfected into cis-dichlorodiamineplatinum-resistant A549 lung (A549/DDP) cells, and then shRNA expressing cell clones were collected and maintained. Real time PCR and immunofluorescence staining for MRP1 revealed a high silent efficiency of these two shRNAs. Functionally, shRNA-expressing cells showed increased rhodamine 123 retention in A549/DDP cells, indicating reduced efflux ability of tumor cells in the absence of MRP1. Consistently, MRP1-silent cells exhibited decreased resistance to 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and DDP, suggesting reversal of MDR in these tumor cells. Specifically, MRP1 knockdown increased the DDP-induced apoptosis of A549/DDP cells by increased trapping of their cell cycling in the G2 stage. Taken together, this study demonstrated that RNAi-based silencing of MRP1 is sufficient to reverse MDR in tumor cells, shedding light on possible novel clinical treatment of cancers.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.319-331
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate current criteria for insurance coverage by Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) on the systemic therapy used in the treatment of advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC), by reviewing all available clinical evidences including a variety of clinical practice guidelines. Methods: We searched clinical databases and collected data from published phase 1 through 3 randomized clinical trials on all systemic therapies used in RCC, including novel targeted therapies. Additionally, current clinical practice guidelines on the management of kidney cancer or RCC were reviewed. Based on the collected data we evaluated the appropriateness of the HIRA criteria for insurance coverage on the systemic therapy of RCC whether they are evidence-based and up to date. Results: On the basis of the collected data we concluded that there was a need for a revision in HIRA criteria for systemic therapy of RCC. Despite recent emerging therapeutic advances and changes in therapeutic strategies of management of RCC, some of anticancer regimens were inappropriately listed even though they were not proven to provide efficacy or safety superior to those of other therapies. We thus proposed an updated recommendation based on current clinical evidences. Conclusion: Systemic therapy of RCC is being rapidly changed with the advancement of understanding of the molecular biology of cancer. Consequently newly developed targeted therapies are becoming the standard therapy in the management of medically or surgically unresectable advanced or metastatic RCC. To provide effective and safe therapy to patients with RCC, the criteria for insurance coverage should be made carefully taking into consideration of most up-to-date and high-quality clinical evidences, and should be continuously reviewed so as to reflect evidence-based clinical practice.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제84권5호
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• pp.1094-1109
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• 2023

목적 대장암 환자에서 선행화학요법(neoadjuvant chemotherapy; 이하 NAC)의 반응을 CT를 이용한 종양퇴행등급(CT-based tumor regression grade; 이하 ctTRG)으로 예측할 수 있는지를 알아보고자 한 연구이다. 대상과 방법 총 53명을 대상으로 NAC 전후 종양의 길이, 두께, 장벽의 패턴과 모양으로 ctTRG를 정하고 부피도 측정했다. 병리 종양퇴행등급(pathologic TRG; 이하 pTRG)을 반응 평가의 기준으로 ctTRG와 연관성을 평가했다. Rödel's TRG 2, 3 그리고 4를 반응군으로 분류하였다. ctTRG와 부피변화로 반응군 및 병리완전퇴행(pathologic complete remission; 이하 pCR)을 예측하는 성능을 비교하였다. 결과 ctTRG와 pTRG는 moderate의 연관성을 보였다(ρ = -0.540). 관찰자간 신뢰도는 substantial으로 보였다(weighted κ = 0.672). 반응군을 예측하는데 ctTRG와 volume 변화의 성능은 유의미한 차이를 보이지 않았다(ctTRG의 Az = 0.749, 반응기준: ctTRG ≤ 3, volume 변화의 Az = 0.794, 반응기준: ≤ -27.1%, p = 0.53). pCR을 예측하는 두 방법 간의 성능도 차이가 없었다(p = 0.447). 결론 ctTRG는 대장암에 NAC 후 반응을 예측할 수 있었고, 그 성능은 종양부피변화 방법과 차이가 없었다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제57권6호
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• pp.557-566
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• 2004

연구배경 : 비소세포폐암 중 IIIA병기는 같은 병기라도 다양한 임상적 경과를 밟고 어느 한가지 치료만으로는 치료 성적이 좋지 못하다. 이에 최근에는 다각적치료(항암, 화학치료, 방사선치료 및 수술적 치료)가 치료의 근간이 되고 있고 이에 대한 연구가 많이 시도되고 있으며 일부에서는 긍정적인 결과를 보고 하고 있다. 이에 저자들은 유도화학요법에 근간을 둔 다각적 치료의 효과를 살펴보고자 연구를 계획하였다. 방 법 : 1997.1월부터 2002.12월까지 충남대학교 병원에 내원하여 임상적으로 비소세포폐암 IIIA병기 진단을 받고 초치료로 유도화학치료를 시행받은 환자에 대하여 다각적 치료의 반응률, 재발율 및 생존기간등을 살펴보았다. 결 과 : 1) 유도화학요법은 74명에게서 시행되었고 반응률은 44.6%(완전관해 1.4% 및 부분반응 3.2%)였고, 고전적약(VPP)과 신약과의 반응률은 차이가 없었다(38.9%vs. 50%, p=0.506). 임파선의 반응률은 다발성 N2이상 병기로 수술적 치료에 어려움이 있다고 판단됐던 37명중 18명(54%)에서 단발성 N2이하로 병기하향을 보였고 이중 수술거부 6명과 폐기능문제 4명을 제외한 8명(21%)이 수술을 시행 받았다. 단발성 N2병기의 경우는 37명중 33명(89%)에게서 단발성 N2이하로 병기유지 내지 하향을 보였고 수술거부 7명과 폐기능문제 5명을 제외한 21명(56.7%)이 수술을 시행 받았다. 유도화학요법 후 다발성 N2였으나 수술적 절제가 가능하다고 판단됐던 4명의 경우에도 수술이 시행되어 전체 환자 중 수술적 치료는 33명(44.5%)에게서 시행되었으며, 완전절제는 30명(40.5%)이었고, 2명(2.6%)의 경우는 불완전 절제, 그리고 1명(1.3%)의 경우는 산소 포화도가 유지가 되지 않아 바로 봉합하였다. 2) 유도화학요법후 WHO기준 3이상의 호중구 감소증은 20명(25.7%)에서 발생하였고 이에 병발된 폐렴은 3명에게서 발생하였으나 이로 인한 사망은 없었다. 3) 수술적 절제가 불가능하여 방사선 치료를 시행하였던 27명의 반응률은 완전관해가 4.8%였고 부분반응은 11.9%였다. 4) 완전 절제되었던 군의 무병지속기간은 13.6개월이었고, 2년의 추적관찰기간 시점의 재발률은 52%였으며, 추가 방사선 치료군의 국소 재발율은 의미있게 적었다(0% vs. 40%, 0.02). 완전 절제되지 못하였거나 불완전 절제된 군의 무진행 질병기간은 11.2개월이었고, 2년의 추적관찰기간 시점의 병의 진행률은 66.7%였다. 5) 전체 대상환자의 중앙생존기간은 25.1개월이었고, 유도화학요법 후 수술 적으로 완전절제를 이루었던 군이 국소 치료로 방사선 치료를 시행하였던 군에 비하여 생존기간이 유의하게 길었지만(31.7개월 vs. 26.1개월, p=0.04), 완전절제 된 군의 추가 방사선 치료에 따른 생존 이득은 없었다. (34.9개월 vs. 32.2개월, p=0.48) 결 론 : 이상의 결과로 임상적 IIIA병기 비소세포폐암의 치료로 다각적 치료시 유도화학요법 후 가능하다며 수술적으로 완전절제를 이루는 것이 가장 좋은 치료라 생각된다. 하지만 전체적인 생존율은 그다지 높지 못하여 유도화학요법시 추가적인 방사선 치료, 수술 후 보조적 항암화학요법, 그리고 생물학적 치료제 등에 대한 보다 많은 3상 연구가 필요하리라 생각된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권10호
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• pp.4439-4445
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• 2015

Background: Because there is no clear consensus for the prognostic implication of KRAS mutations in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), we conducted a meta-analysis based on 12 randomized trials to draw a more accurate conclusion. Materials and Methods: A systematic computer search of articles from inception to May 1, 2014 using the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted. The enrollment of articles and extraction of data were independently performed by two authors. Results: Our analysis was based on the endpoints overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Nine records (All for OS, 7 for PFS) comprising 12 randomized trials were identified with 3701 patients who underwent a test for KRAS mutations. In the analysis of the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for OS (HR: 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.56) and PFS (HR: 1.33; 95% CI 1.17-1.51), we found that KRAS mutations are related to poor survival benefit for NSCLC. According to a subgroup analysis stratified by disease stage and line of therapy, the combined HRs for OS and PFS coincided with the finding that the presence of a KRAS mutation is a dismal prognostic factor. However, the prognostic role of KRAS mutations are not statistically significant in a subgroup analysis of patients treated with chemotherapy in combination with cetuximab based on the endpoints OS (P=0.141) and PFS (P=0.643). Conclusions: Our results indicate that KRAS mutations are associated with inferior survival benefits for NSCLC but not for those treated with chemotherapies integrating cetuximab.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제59권5호
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• pp.447-455
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• 2021

Vivax malaria incidence in Korea is now decreased and showing a low plateau. Nowadays, vivax malaria in Korea is expected to be successfully eliminated with anti-malaria chemotherapy, primaquine, and vector control. The glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is associated with potential hemolytic anemia after primaquine administration. This inborn disorder has a pivotal polymorphism with genetic variants and is the most prevalent X-chromosome-linked disorder. The prevalence of G6PD deficiency was previously reported negligible in Korea. As the population of multicultural families pertaining marriage immigrants and their adolescents increases, it is necessary to check G6PD deficiency for them prior to primaquine treatment for vivax malaria. The prevalence of G6PD variants and G6PD deficiency in multicultural families was performed in 7 counties and 2 cities of Jeollanam-do (Province), Gyeonggi-do, and Gangwon-do. A total of 733 blood samples of multicultural family participants were subjected to test the phenotypic and genetic G6PD deficiency status using G6PD enzyme activity quantitation kit and PCR-based G6PD genotyping kit. The G6PD phenotypic deficiency was observed in 7.8% of male adolescent participants and 3.2% of materfamilias population. Based on the PCR-based genotyping, we observed total 35 participants carrying the mutated alleles. It is proposed that primaquine prescription should seriously be considered prior to malaria treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.52-55
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• 2002

A extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma is a very rare disease, and a primary pleural manifestation is extremely rare. A diagnosis of a small cell carcinoma should be based on the cell morphology, histological pattern, and an immunohistochemical study. We recently experienced a case of small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the pleura in a 59-year-old man who had suffered from right pleuritic chest pain. A histopathological confirmation of SCC was made by a video-associated thoracoscopic lung biopsy. Systemic chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin was initiated.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제67권6호
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• pp.574-576
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• 2009

An intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) rarely develops in systemic cancer but is indicative of a poor prognosis. A 56-year-old man was admitted due to weakness of the lower extremities. He had received radiotherapy 3 months prior for a brain metastasis that had developed 1 year after achieving a complete response from chemotherapy for extended stage small cell lung cancer. Although the brain lesion had improved partially, ISCM from the cervical to lumbar-sacral spinal cords, which was accompanied by a leptomeningeal dissemination, was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging of the spine and cerebrospinal fluid cytology. Finally, he died of sudden cardiac arrest during treatment. This is the first case of ISCM involving the whole spinal segments. Physicians should be aware of the subsequent development of ISCM in lung cancer patients with a previously known brain metastasis who present with new neurological symptoms.