• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5111-5116
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• 2013

Background: Early in the 21st century, cancers are the second cause of death worldwide. Colon cancer is third most common cancer and one of the few amenable to early diagnosis and treatment. Evaluation of factors affecting this cancer is important to increase survival time. Some of these factors affecting all diseases including cancer are social determinants of health. According to the importance of this disease and relation with these factors, this study was conducted to assess the relationship between social determinants of health and colon cancer survival. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study for patients with colon cancer registered in the Cancer Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, from April 2005 to November 2006, performed using questionnaires filled by telephone interview with patients (if patients had died, with family members). Data was analyzed with SPSS software (version 19) for descriptive analysis and STATA software for survival analysis including log rank test and three step Cox Proportional Hazard regression. Results: Five hundred fifty nine patients with ages ranging from 23 to 88 years with mean${\pm}$standard deviation of $63{\pm}11.8$ years were included in the study. The five year survival was 68.3%( 387 patients were alive and 172 patients were dead by the end of the study). The Cox proportional hazard regression showed 5-year survival was related to age (HR=0.53, p=0.042 for>50 years versus<50 years old) in first step, gender (HR=0.60, p=0.006 for female versus male) in second step, job (HR=1.7, p=0.001 for manual versus non manual jobs), region of residency (HR=3.49, p=0.018 for west versus south regions), parents in childhood (HR=2.87, p=0.012 for having both parents versus not having), anatomical cancer location (HR=2.16, p<0.033 for colon versus rectal cancer) and complete treatment (HR=5.96, p<0.001 for incomplete versus complete treatment). Conclusions: Social determinants of health such as job, city region residency and having parents during childhood have significant effects in 5-year survival of colon cancer and it may be better to consider these factors in addition to developing cancer treatment and to focus on these determinants of health in long-time planning.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.368-370
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• 1999

The protective role of Bifidobacterium spp. (B. breve K-110, B. breve K-111, and B. infantis K-525) isolated from the fecal samples of healthy Koreans was investigated on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced aberrant crypt foci(ACF) formation in mouse colon. In mice fed normal diet with DMH treatment, an average of 68.5 ACF/colon was formed, whereas in mice administered with B. breve K-110, B. breve K-111, and B. infantis K-525, the numbers of DMH-induced ACF decreased to 7.2, 10.9, and 6.6 ACF/ colon, respectively. The mean number of crypts/focus was not significantly altered. Fecal harmful enzymes, such as β-glucuronidase, tryptophanase, and urease, were effectively inhibited during the administration of these bifidobacteria to mice. These results suggest that bifidobacteria could prevent colon cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.281-288
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• 2017

Purpose: The serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level has been recognized as a prognostic factor in colorectal cancer, and associated with response of rectal cancer to radiotherapy. This study aimed to identify CEA-interacting proteins in colon cancer cells and observe post-irradiation changes in their expression. Materials and Methods: CEA expression in colon cancer cells was examined by Western blot analysis. Using an anti-CEA antibody or IgG as a negative control, immunoprecipitation was performed in colon cancer cell lysates. CEA and IgG immunoprecipitates were used for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Proteins identified in the CEA immunoprecipitates but not in the IgG immunoprecipitates were selected as CEA-interacting proteins. After radiation treatment, changes in expression of CEA-interacting proteins were monitored by Western blot analysis. Results: CEA expression was higher in SNU-81 cells compared with LoVo cells. The membrane localization of CEA limited the immunoprecipitation results and thus the number of CEA-interacting proteins identified. Only the Ras-related protein Rab-6B and lysozyme C were identified as CEA-interacting proteins in LoVo and SNU-81 cells, respectively. Lysozyme C was detected only in SNU-81, and CEA expression was differently regulated in two cell lines; it was down-regulated in LoVo but up-regulated in SNU-81 in radiation dosage-dependent manner. Conclusion: CEA-mediated radiation response appears to vary, depending on the characteristics of individual cancer cells. The lysozyme C and Rab subfamily proteins may play a role in the link between CEA and tumor response to radiation, although further studies are needed to clarify functional roles of the identified proteins.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.487-493
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: D. candidum is a traditional Chinese food or medicine widely used in Asia. There has been little research into the anticancer effects of D. candidum, particularly the effects in colon cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of D. candidum in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vitro anti-cancer effects on HCT-116 colon cancer cells and in vivo anti-metastatic effects of DCME (Dendrobium canidum methanolic extract) were examined using the experimental methods of MTT assay, DAPI staining, flow cytometry analysis, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: At a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL, DCME inhibited the growth of HCT-116 cells by 84%, which was higher than at concentrations of 0.5 and 0.25 mg/mL. Chromatin condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies were observed in cancer cells cultured with DCME as well. In addition, DCME induced significant apoptosis in cancer cells by upregulation of Bax, caspase 9, and caspase 3, and downregulation of Bcl-2. Expression of genes commonly associated with inflammation, NF-${\kappa}B$, iNOS, and COX-2, was significantly downregulated by DCME. DCME also exerted an anti-metastasis effect on cancer cells as demonstrated by decreased expression of MMP genes and increased expression of TIMPs, which was confirmed by the inhibition of induced tumor metastasis in colon 26-M3.1 cells in BALB/c mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that D. candidum had a potent in vitro anti-cancer effect, induced apoptosis, exhibited anti-inflammatory activities, and exerted in vivo anti-metastatic effects.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2010

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.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.3 s.54
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• pp.555-563
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• 1996

Nationwide incidence survey was conducted to estimate the annual incidence rates of colorectal cancer among Koreans between Jan 1, 1988 and Dec 31, 1989. The population of the incidence survey was the beneficiaries of Korea Medical Insurance Corporation (KMIC), which were about 4,500,000 persons. The medical records of patients with diagnosis of either ICD-9 153(colon cancer), 154(rectal caner), 197(secondary malignant neoplasm of digestive and respiratory system), or 211(benign neoplasm of digestive system) were abstracted for the period with the standard format. The diagnosis was confirmed by one oncologist through the review of these abstracts. The numerator of the rate was finally defined as the incident colorectal cancer cases diagnosed between July 1, 1988 and June 30, 1989. The crude annual incidence of colorectal cancer for men was 13.1 per 100,000 and 10.6 for women, which was still low when compared with those of Japan and China during the same period. Age-adjusted sex ratio was 1.2 for right-sided colon cancer and 1.9 for left-sided colon cancer. The excess of right colon cancer among postmenopausal women was remarkable, so further analytical approach would be needed to investigate which factors are related with this phenomenon.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.396-404
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• 2012

The aim of the study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of calcium against intestinal cancer in vitro and in vivo. We first investigated the effects of calcium treatment in HCT116 and HT29 human colon cancer cells. At the concentration range of 0.8-2.4 mM, calcium significantly inhibited cell growth (by 9-29%), attachment (by 12-26%), invasion (by 15-31%), and migration (by 19-61%). An immunofluorescence microscope analysis showed that the treatment with calcium (1.6 mM) for 24 h increased plasma membrane ${\beta}$-catenin but decreased nuclear ${\beta}$-catenin levels in HT29 cells. We then investigated the effect of dietary calcium on intestinal tumorigenesis in $Apc^{Min/+}$ mice. Mice received dietary treatment starting at 6 weeks of age for the consecutive 8 weeks. The basal control diet contained high-fat (20% mixed lipids by weight) and low-calcium (1.4 mg/g diet) to mimic the average Western diet, while the treatment diet contained an enriched level of calcium (5.2 mg calcium/g diet). The dietary calcium treatment decreased the total number of small intestinal tumors (by 31.4%; P < 0.05). The largest decrease was in tumors which were ${\geq}$ 2 mm in diameter, showing a 75.6% inhibition in the small intestinal tumor multiplicity (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed significantly reduced nuclear staining of ${\beta}$-catenin (expressed as nuclear positivity), but increased plasma membrane staining of ${\beta}$-catenin, in the adenomas from the calcium-treated groups in comparison to those from the control group (P < 0.001). These results demonstrate intestinal cancer inhibitory effects of calcium both in human colon cancer cells and $Apc^{Min/+}$ mice. The decreased ${\beta}$-catenin nuclear localization caused by the calcium treatment may contribute to the inhibitory action.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.161-172
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and has a high recurrence rate, which is associated with cancer stem cells (CSCs). β-carotene (BC) possesses antioxidant activity and several anticancer mechanisms. However, no investigation has examined its effect on colon cancer stemness. MATERIALS/METHODS: CD133⁺CD44⁺ HCT116 and CD133⁺CD44⁺ HT-29 cells were isolated and analyzed their self-renewal capacity by clonogenic and sphere formation assays. Expressions of several CSCs markers and Wnt/β-catenin signaling were examined. In addition, CD133⁺CD44⁺ HCT116 cells were subcutaneously injected in xenograft mice and analyzed the effect of BC on tumor formation, tumor volume, and CSCs markers in tumors. RESULTS: BC inhibited self-renewal capacity and CSC markers, including CD44, CD133, ALDH1A1, NOTCH1, Sox2, and β-catenin in vitro. The effects of BC on CSC markers were confirmed in primary cells isolated from human CRC tumors. BC supplementation decreased the number and size of tumors and delayed the tumor-onset time in xenograft mice injected with CD133⁺CD44⁺ HCT116 cells. The inhibitory effect of BC on CSC markers and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in tumors was confirmed in vivo as well. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BC may be a potential therapeutic agent for colon cancer by targeting colon CSCs.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.43-46
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• 2013

Gastrocolic fistula is a fistulous communication between the stomach and the colon. It is a passage between the gastric epithelium and the colonic epithelium. This uncommon complication is caused by benign and malignant diseases of the stomach or the colon. Its clinical manifestations include weight loss, diarrhea and fecal vomiting; occasionally, anemia, poor oral intake, fatigue and dizziness; and very rarely, gastrointestinal bleeding. In this paper, an unusual case of gastrocolic fistula accompanied by hematochezia, which was revealed to have been caused by colon cancer invasion, is described.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5141-5144
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• 2013

Background: This study aimed to determine clinical outcomes of local excision for early rectal cancer from a University Hospital in Thailand. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 22 consecutive patients undergoing local excision for early rectal cancer (clinical and radiological T1/T2) from 2005-2010 at the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok. Data were collected from patients' medical records, including demographic and clinical characteristics, pathological report and surgical outcomes. Results: This study included 10 males and 12 females, with average age of 68 years. Nineteen patients (86%) underwent transanal excision and the others had trans-sacral excision. Median operative time was 45 minutes. Postoperative complications occurred in 2 patients (9%); 1 fecal fistula and 1 wound infection following trans-sacral excision. There was no 30-day postoperative mortality. Median hospital stay was 5 days. Pathological reports revealed T1 lesion in 12 cases (55%), T2 lesion in 8 cases (36%) and T3 lesion in 2 cases (9%). Eight patients received additional treatment; one re-do transanal excision, two proctectomies, and five adjuvant chemoradiation. During the median follow-up period of 25 months, local recurrence was detected in 4 patients (18%); two cases of T2 lesions with close or positive margins, and two cases of T3 lesions. Three patients with local recurrence underwent salvage abdominoperineal resection. No local recurrence was found in T1/T2 lesions with free surgical margins. Conclusions: Local excision is a feasible and acceptable alternative to radical resection only in early rectal cancer with free resection margins and favorable histopathology.