• Annals of dermatology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.668-675
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• 2018

Background: Drug survival, defined as the time until discontinuation, is a parameter reflecting real-world therapeutic effectiveness. Few studies have examined the influence of economic factors on the drug survival of biologic agents for psoriasis, particularly in Asian countries. Objective: To determine the drug survival for ustekinumab in real-life settings and investigate the factors affecting drug survival for psoriasis patients in Korea. Methods: We evaluated 98 psoriasis patients who were treated with ustekinumab at a single center. We analyzed the efficacy and drug survival of ustekinumab. Cox proportional hazard analysis and competing risk regression analysis were performed to reveal the factors affecting the drug survival of ustekinumab. Results: The overall mean drug survival was 1,596 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 904~2,288). Among the 39 cessations of ustekinumab treatment, 9 (23.1%) patients discontinued treatment after experiencing satisfactory results. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that paying on patients' own expense was the major predictor for the discontinuation of ustekinumab (hazard ratio [HR], 9.696; 95% CI, 4.088~22.998). Competing risk regression analysis modeling of discontinuation because of factors other than satisfaction of an event also revealed that ustekinumab treatment at the patient's expense (HR, 4.138; 95% CI, 1.684~10.168) was a predictor of discontinuation rather than satisfaction. Conclusion: The results of our study revealed that the cost of biologics treatment affects the drug survival of ustekinumab and suggested that economic factors affect the drug survival of ustekinumab treatment in Korea.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.153-163
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• 2010

Background: In addition to TCR and costimulatory signals, cytokine signals are required for the differentiation of activated CD8 T cells into memory T cells and their survival. Previously, we have shown that IL-12 priming during initial antigenic stimulation significantly enhanced the survival of activated CD8 T cells and increased the memory cell population. In the present study, we analyzed the mechanisms by which IL-12 priming contributes to activation and survival of CD8 T cells. Methods: We observed dramatically decreased expression of CD43 in activated CD8 T cells by IL-12 priming. We purified $CD43^{lo}$ and $CD43^{hi}$ cells after IL-12 priming and analyzed the function and survival of each population both in vivo and in vitro. Results: Compared to $CD43^{hi}$ effector cells, $CD43^{lo}$ effector CD8 T cells exhibited reduced cytolytic activity and lower granzyme B expression but showed increased survival. $CD43^{lo}$ effector CD8 T cells also showed increased in vivo expansion after adoptive transfer and antigen challenge. The enhanced survival of $CD43^{lo}$ CD8 T cells was also partly associated with CD62L expression. Conclusion: We suggest that CD43 expression regulated by IL-12 priming plays an important role in differentiation and survival of CD8 T cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2019

microRNAs regulate a diverse spectrum of cancer biology, including tumorigenesis, metastasis, stemness, and drug resistance. To investigate miRNA-mediated regulation of drug resistance, we characterized the resistant cell lines to 5-fluorouracil by inducing stable expression of miRNAs using lenti-miRNA library. Here, we demonstrate miR-551a as a novel factor regulating cell survival after 5-FU treatment. miR-551a-expressing cells (Hep3B-lenti-miR-551a) were resistant to 5-FU-induced cell death, and after 5-FU treatment, and showed significant increases in cell viability, cell survival, and sphere formation. It was further shown that myocyte-specific factor 2C is the direct target of miR-551a. Our results suggest that miR-551a plays a novel function in regulating 5-FU-induced cell death, and targeting miR-551a might be helpful to sensitize cells to anti-cancer drugs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2014

Non-small cell lung cancer harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sensitizing mutations has a distinct disease entity. Patients with this cancer have better prognosis, and frequently achieve long-term survival. EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is the drug of choice for this cancer; but the disease inevitably progresses, after durable response. The tumor is a mixture of EGFR-TKI sensitive clones and resistant clones, regardless of their molecular mechanisms. EGFR-TKI sensitive clones are very susceptible to this drug, but rarely eradicated; so, withdrawal of the drug permits rapid regrowth of drug sensitive clones, possibly causing "disease flare." Re-administration or continuation of EGFR-TKI can effectively suppress the expansion of drug sensitive clones, even when the total tumor volume continuously increases. Chemotherapy can definitely prolong the survival of patients experiencing EGFR-TKI failure. Prospective clinical trials are warranted to compare efficacies of chemotherapeutic agents. A few retrospective studies suggested that a taxanebased regimen may be superior to others. Here, we reviewed therapeutic options and clinical evidence about this unique disease entity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.313-321
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• 2018

Anti-cancer drug resistance is a major problem in colorectal cancer (CRC) research. Although several studies have revealed the mechanism of cancer drug resistance, molecular targets for chemotherapeutic combinations remain elusive. To address this issue, we focused on the expression of cellular prion protein ($PrP^C$) in 5-FU-resistant CRC cells. In 5-FU-resistant CRC cells, $PrP^C$ expression is significantly increased, compared with that in normal CRC cells. In the presence of 5-FU, $PrP^C$ increased CRC cell survival and proliferation by maintaining the activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the expression of cell cycle-associated proteins, including cyclin E, CDK2, cyclin D1, and CDK4. In addition, $PrP^C$ inhibited the activation of the stress-associated proteins p38, JNK, and p53. Moreover, after treatment of 5-FU-resistant CRC cells with 5-FU, silencing of $PrP^C$ triggered apoptosis via the activation of caspase-3. These results indicate that $PrP^C$ plays a key role in CRC drug resistance. The novel strategy of combining chemotherapy with $PrP^C$ targeting may yield efficacious treatments of colorectal cancer.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.66-69
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• 2012

This study aims to assess the aggregate contribution of new drugs to the increase in life expectancy. We constructed a panel data combining mortality data in KOSIS and a drug dataset generated by assigning new drugs listed in 2000~2009 to their respective ICD codes. We found that 10% increase in stock of new drug led to 0.13~0.27% increase in the probability of survival to age 65. Due to lack of disease-specific life table, we used indirect approach to estimate the effect of new drugs on longevity. Using ordinary least squares, the estimate of the probability of survival to age 65 (logarithm) on life expectancy for all ages was 24.92. In conclusion, the increase in life expectancy of the entire population in Korea between 2000 and 2009 resulting from NMEs is 1.95 years, which explains 46.6% of real increase in life expectancy.

• International journal of thyroidology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.75-77
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• 2018

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor is known to prolong progression free survival in radioiodine refractory thyroid cancer patients. Fatigue/asthenia/malaise is one of most common adverse events by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, and management of the adverse event is important to keep the drug medication longer which is essential for the survival benefit. In the case report, a radioiodine refractory thyroid cancer patient receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitor experienced severe fatigue, and a pathologic fracture of right humerus occurred by slipping down which was tightly linked with the adverse event of the drug. The pathologic fracture was surgically well managed and the adverse event was well controlled by supportive managements combined with dose reduction of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor. The drug administration to the patient was kept more than 1 year without progression of the disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.647-650
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• 2014

Objective: To explore the efficiency of single application of lobaplatin in tran-scatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with a primary hepatic carcinoma who were unable or unwilling to undergo surgery. Methods: 173 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma diagnosed by imaging or pathology were randomly divided into experimental and control groups and respectively treated with lobaplatin and pirarubicin hydrochloride as chemotherapeutic drugs for TACE. The amount of iodipin was regulated according to the tumor number and size, and then gelatin sponge or polyvinyl alcohol particles were applied for embolisms. The efficiency of treatment in the two groups was compared with reference to survival time and therapeutic response. Results: The experimental group (single lobaplatin as chemotherapy drug) was superior to control group (single pirarubicin hydrochloride as chemotherapy drug) in the aspects of survival time and therapeutic response, with statistical significance. Conclusions: Single lobaplatin can be as a chemotherapy drug in TACE and has better efficiency in the aspects of mean survival time and therapeutic response, deserving to be popularized in the clinic.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.328.3-329
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• 2002

A convenient bioassay of nerve growth factor(NGF) is essential for assessing its potency during the course of product development and quality controls afterwards. We have set up a cell-based bioassay for determining the potency of recombinant NGF using rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Cell survival was measured by monitoring the reduction of the alamarBlue$^{TM}$ dye by living cells. (omitted)d)

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2008

Purpose: Currently lung cancer ranks second in cancer for incidence rate and is a disease that ranks first for a death rate by cancerous growth because it is already advanced at the time of diagnosis. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the factors that affect the effectiveness of and rash occurrence by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (EGFR TKI) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 100 patients, who took EGFR TKI (erlotinib, gefitinib) among patients who were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in a Hospital in Korea between May 2005 and February 2008, was conducted. The drug effectiveness was evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumor. Results: EGFR mutation was the only factor associated with drug response (complete response and partial response). When stable disease was added to drug response as the evaluation parameter, ECOG and rash as well as EGFR mutation were found to be important factors. Survival, however, was not affected by EGFR mutation. The factors influenced on survival were older age (${\geq}65$), low ECOG ($1{\sim}2$), adenocarcinoma and rash. In the case of rash, group with EGFR mutation or low ECOG showed significantly higher chance of occurrence. There was no significant difference in rash occurrence between gefitinib and erlotinib groups. Conclusions: Based on the results, EGFR mutation positive and low ECOG ($1{\sim}2$) were significantly important factors for both effectiveness of EGFR TKI and rash occurrence. Also, rash itself was found to be an independently significant factor for the disease control and survival. Therefore, while administering EGFR TKI, patients who have the factors associated with rash occurrence should be closely monitored for effective and safe drug therapy.