• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.119-124
• /
• 2009

Anti cancer agent 5-FU (Fluoro Uracil) is a prodrug that can be metabolized and then activated to interfere with RNA and DNA homeostasis. However, the majority of administered 5-FU is known to be catabolized in vivo in the liver where Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is abundantly expressed to degrade 5-FU. The biological factors that correlate with the response to 5-FU-based chemotherapy have been proposed to include uridine phosphorylase (UPP), thymidine phosphorylase (TPP), p53 and microsatellite instability. Among these, the expression of UPP is known to be controlled by cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL1 and $IFN-{\gamma}$. Our preliminary study using a DNA microarray technique showed that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) markedly induced the expression of UPP1 at the transcription level. In the present study, we investigated whether bFGF could modulate the expression of UPP1 in osteo-lineage cells and examined the sensitivity of these cells to 5-FU mediated apoptosis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.222-226
• /
• 2012

Background : Immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy and delayed breast reconstruction with post-supplementary treatment are the two types of breast reconstruction currently performed when treating breast cancer. Post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) not only reduces local recurrence but also improves overall survival. However, the complications and survival rates associated with PMRT need to be clear when determining the timing of breast reconstruction. Accordingly, we investigated the optimal timing of breast reconstruction by observing patients who underwent mastectomy followed by PMRT, based on their overall health and aesthetic satisfaction. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with PMRT between November 2004 and November 2010. We collected data regarding the various methods of mastectomy, and the modality of adjuvant therapy, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and radiotherapy. Telephone interviews were conducted to study the general and aesthetic satisfaction. Results : Patients who received PMRT after breast reconstruction showed a greater complication rate than those undergoing breast reconstruction after PMRT (P=0.02). Aesthetic satisfaction was significantly higher in the groups undergoing breast reconstruction after PMRT (P=0.03). Patients who underwent breast reconstruction before PMRT developed complications more frequently, but they expressed greater aesthetic satisfaction with the treatment. Conclusions : It is recommended that the complication rates and aesthetic satisfaction after breast reconstruction be carefully considered when determining the optimal timing for radiotherapy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.171-175
• /
• 2008

In the recently, increased concern has been focused on the pharmacology and clinical utility of herbal extracts and derivatives as a drug or adjunct to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Here we investigated the effect of the water extract of Loranthi Ramulus (LR) in production of inflammatory mediators and expression of toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, CD14 from peritoneal macrophage. We assayed the effect of LR water extract in cell proliferation in vitro and Th1/Th2 cytokine level in vivo. In peritoneal macrophages, water extract of LR water extract increased the production of Nitric oxide (NO) and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Also, LR water extract increased Con A-induced cell proliferation and IgG1, IgG2a level in serum. However, i.p. injection of water extract of LR water extract did not affect the level of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5 in serum of mice. These studies indicate that LR water extract induces macrophage activation and suggest the possible use of LR water extract in macrophage-based immunotherapies.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.410-414
• /
• 2008

In the recently, increased concern has been focused on the pharmacology and clinical utility of herbal extracts and derivatives as a drug or adjunct to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Here we investigated the modulatory effects of the extract of Zanthoxyli Pericarpium (ZP) in production of inflammatory mediators from Raw264.7 cells and expression of CD86, CD14, toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 from peritoneal macrophage. ZP enhanced the production of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ as well as mRNA expression of iNOS and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Treatment of peritoneal macrophage with ZP resulted in the enhanced cell-surface molecules expression of CD86, CD14 and TLR4. We assayed the effect of ZP in cell proliferation and production of $IFN-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$. ZP increased Con A-induced cell proliferation and production of $IFN-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$. These studies indicate that ZP induces macrophage activation and suggest the possible use of ZP in macrophage-based immunotherapies

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.434-441
• /
• 2015

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are considered novel agents for cancer chemotherapy. We previously investigated MHY219, a new HDAC inhibitor, and its potent anticancer activity in human prostate cancer cells. In the present study, we evaluated MHY219 molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of prostate cancer cell migration. Similar to suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), MHY219 inhibited HDAC1 enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. MHY219 cytotoxicity was higher in LNCaP ($IC_{50}=0.67{\mu}M$) than in DU145 cells ($IC_{50}=1.10{\mu}M$) and PC3 cells ($IC_{50}=5.60{\mu}M$) after 48 h of treatment. MHY219 significantly inhibited the HDAC1 protein levels in LNCaP and DU145 cells at high concentrations. However, inhibitory effects of MHY219 on HDAC proteins levels varied based on the cell type. MHY219 significantly inhibited LNCaP and DU145 cells migration by down-regulation of matrix metalloprotease-1 (MMP-1) and MMP-2 and induction of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1). These results suggest that MHY219 may potentially be used as an anticancer agent to block cancer cell migration through the repression of MMP-1 and MMP-2, which is related to the reduction of HDAC1.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.138-145
• /
• 2018

Background: Presently, a multidisciplinary team of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and dietitians provides patient education to impart information on chemotherapy. However, studies on multidisciplinary education satisfaction are inadequate. In this study, we aimed to contribute to the improvement of quality of multidisciplinary education counseling for patients with cancer by developing a satisfaction questionnaire and analyzing the satisfaction survey. Methods: A questionnaire was developed by an expert group, and the responses were recorded using the 5-point Likert scale. After conducting a pre-test, factor analysis was performed to evaluate validity. The reliability of the questionnaire was measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. A satisfaction survey was conducted by self-administration method. Results: Based on the results of factor analysis, factors can be divided into two parts: "overall education" and "each team member's education" (total 14 questions). The construct validity and reliability of the questionnaire are sufficiently high. Fifty-one patients took the survey between January 2, 2018 and January 20, 2018. Twenty-six (51%) patients responded that they were "very satisfied" and 22 (43.1%) patients responded that they were "satisfied". Conclusion: By developing a questionnaire on multidisciplinary education counseling for patients with cancer, it is possible to perform evaluation and research of cancer patient education. This study will contribute to the management and improvement of quality of multidisciplinary education.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.419-430
• /
• 1995

There is a need to investigate folk remedies used by patients with breast cancer because there is little information about the subject, even though many Korean women with breast cancer have used folk remedies during and after their treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the phenomena and the meaning of folk remedies in order to better understand patients with breast cancer and to suggest directions for comprehensive nursing care. The Questions for the study were as follows What kinds of folk remedies do patients with breast cancer use\ulcorner What are the routes of knowing about folk remedies in patients with breast cancer\ulcorner What are the patterns of the usage of the folk remedies\ulcorner Why do patients with breast cancer use folk remedies\ulcorner What are the meanings of folk remedies to patients with breast cancer\ulcorner To answer these questions, a qualitative research method was used. Thirty-nine patients were recruited from university teaching hospitals from March, 1993 to November 1994. Many of them underwent either modified radical mastectomy or received various adjuvant therapy including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy. Data were collected by in-depth interviews, observations, medical records, and analyzed step-by-step using qualitative analysis. The results were as follows : 1. Patients with breast cancer have used many different kinds of folk remedies. 2. Patients with breast cancer did not know the exact effects of the folk remedies. Also the effects could not be exactly proven by the patients. 3. Patients with breast cancer received information about many kinds of folk remedies through various communication systems, such as other patients, their families and relatives, friends, and many types of mass media. 4. To use the folk remedies was one kind of illness behavior that was used by these patients. 5. Folk remedies were used to deal with not only anxiety by the patients themselves but also as the expression of affection and concern by families and relatives. 6. The use of folk remedies was one of the adaptation behaviors in patients with breast cancer whose disease was in the terminal stage. Based on the above findings, one suggestion was made : To continue further studies on folk remedies used by other patients with cancer in order to further explain health and illness behavior of Korean people.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.106-112
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To identify possible predictors of pathologic complete response (pCR) of rectal cancer after preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 53 patients with rectal cancer who underwent preoperative CCRT followed by radical surgery at a single center between January 2007 and December 2012. The median radiotherapy dose to the pelvis was 54.0 Gy (range, 45.0 to 63.0 Gy). Five-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy was administered via continuous infusion with leucovorin. Results: The pCR rate was 20.8%. The downstaging rate was 66%. In univariate analyses, poor and undifferentiated tumors (p = 0.020) and an interval of ${\geq}7$ weeks from finishing CCRT to surgery (p = 0.040) were significantly associated with pCR, while female gender (p = 0.070), initial carcinoembryonic antigen concentration of <5.0 ng/dL (p = 0.100), and clinical stage T2 (p = 0.100) were marginally significant factors. In multivariate analysis, an interval of ${\geq}7$ weeks from finishing CCRT to surgery (odds ratio, 0.139; 95% confidence interval, 0.022 to 0.877; p = 0.036) was significantly associated with pCR, while stage T2 (odds ratio, 5.363; 95% confidence interval, 0.963 to 29.877; p = 0.055) was a marginally significant risk factor. Conclusion: We suggest that the interval from finishing CCRT to surgery is a predictor of pCR after preoperative CCRT in patients with rectal cancer. Stage T2 cancer may also be an important predictive factor. We hope to perform a robust study by collecting data during treatment to obtain more advanced results.

• Perinatology
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.189-194
• /
• 2018

Congenital neuroblastoma is a rare disease. Placental metastasis is extremely rare and poor prognosis has been reported in neonates. Mirror syndrome could occur in mother with placental metastasis with possibilities of hypertension and edema. We report a case of detection of left suprarenal mass in fetus at $31^{+5}weeks^{\prime}$ gestation. Mother presented with palpitation, edema, headache, and hypertension. Maternal 24 hours urine vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and normetanephrine (NME) level at 34 weeks' gestation were elevated. Consequently, emergent cesarean section was done. Based on abdominal ultrasonography and whole body magnetic resonance imaging, left adrenal tumor with liver metastasis was suspected. Neuroblastoma was confirmed by liver and placenta biopsy. Chemotherapy was started with Pediatric Oncology Group 9243 at day 7 and changed into Children's Oncology Group 3961 due to cholestasis and poor response during 2nd cycle. Plasma exchange was done for aggravated direct hyperbilirubinemia. The baby expired at 73 days due to multi-organ failure. Maternal symptoms were completely resolved in 2 weeks after delivery along with normalization of the elevated level of VMA and NME. We report a first case of mirror syndrome in Korean mother and fetus resulting from metastatic congenital neuroblastoma to placenta.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.331-342
• /
• 2019

Objectives: Samul-tang is commonly used to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy. This study aimed to establish an efficient method of extracting ACTS002 based on Samul-tang using the yield, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and antioxidant assay. Methods: ACTS002 was extracted from each extraction solvent, and the contents of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF), paeoniflorin, and ferulic acid were quantitatively analyzed and compared using HPLC. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of ACTS002 were measured using total flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), and Ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP). Results: All of the components were set as the index contents because they were easy to process. The antioxidant activity of total flavonoids was the highest in 70% ethyl alcohol extracts, and total phenolic compounds were the highest in 50% ethyl alcohol extracts. In DPPH, 50% ethyl alcohol extracts showed the highest activity, and in ABTS 70% ethyl alcohol extracts were the highest. In FRAP, 70% ethyl alcohol extracts showed the highest activity. Conclusions: ACTS002 can control quality by setting 5-HMF, paeoniflorin, and ferulic acid as the index contents. The antioxidant activity measurement was relatively high in the 50% and 70% ethyl alcohol extracts. Our results can predict the possibility of a pharmacological activity and the standardization of ACTS002.