• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.131-133
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• 2016

Background: Combination chemotherapy regimes are common treatments for cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluation the effect of individual chemotherapeutic agents in comparison with a first line chemotherapy regime treatment in the AGS gastric cancer cell line by MTT assay. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, AGS cells were grown in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum and 100 IU/ml penicillin, and $10{\mu}g/ml$ streptomycinin, under a humidified condition at $37^{\circ}C$ with 5% CO2. All cells were washed with PBS and detached with trypsin, centrifuged and 8000 cells re-plated on to 96- well plates. LD50 doses of Epirubicin, Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were added to each well in mono or triple therapy. Anti-proliferative activities were determined by MTT assay after 24, 48 or 72 h. Results: Results of MTT assays showed that there were no significant differences among 3 drugs in monotherapy (p=0.088), but there was significant difference between combination therapy with epirubicin (P=0.031) and 5FU (p=0.013) on cell survival at 24 h. After 48 and 72 hours, cell viability showed significant differences between the 3 drugs (p=0.048 and P=0.000 for 48 and 72 h, respectively) and there was significant difference between combination therapy with epirubicin (P=0.035 and P=0.002 for 48 and 72 h, respectively). Conclusions: The results showed no significant differences between these chemotherapy drugs each given alone, but combination therapy with 3 drugs had significant effects on cell viability in comparison with epirubicin alone.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.685-689
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• 2013

Objective: To study the effects of down-regulation of HDAC6 expression on proliferation, cell cycling and migration of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells and related molecular mechanisms. Methods: ESCC cell line EC9706 cells were randomly divided into untreated (with no transfection), control siRNA (transfected with control siRNA) and HDAC6 siRNA (transfected with HDAC6 small interfering RNA) groups. Effects of HDAC6 siRNA interference on expression of HDAC6 mRNA and protein in EC9706 cells were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunocytochemistry methods. Effects of down-regulation of HDAC6 expression on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell migration were studied using a CCK-8 kit, flow cytometry and Boyden chambers, respectively. Changes of mRNA and protein expression levels of cell cycle related factor (p21) and cell migration related factor (E-cadherin) were investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting methods. Results: After transfection of HDAC6 siRNA, the expression of HDAC6 mRNA and protein in EC9706 cells was significantly downregulated. In the HDAC6 siRNA group, cell proliferation was markedly inhibited, the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase evidently increased and the percentage of cells in S phase decreased, and the number of migrating cells significantly and obviously decreased. The mRNA and protein expression levels of p21 and E-cadherin in the HDAC6 siRNA group were significantly higher than those in the untreated group and the control siRNA group, respectively. Conclusions: HDAC6 siRNA can effectively downregulate the expression of HDAC6 mRNA and protein in EC9706 cells. Down-regulation of HDAC6 expression can obviously inhibit cell proliferation, arrest cell cycling in the G0/G1 phase and reduce cell migration. The latter two functions may be closely related with the elevation of mRNA and protein expression of p21 and E-cadherin.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4993-4996
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• 2015

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel-based chemotherapy in treatment for patients with advanced esophageal cancer who failed in first-line chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: We collected29 advanced esophageal cancer patients who received albumin-bound paclitaxel-based chemotherapy fromJune 2009 to September 2013, and the efficacy and safety of the compound were evaluated. These patients were treated with $100-150mg/m^2$ nab-paclitaxel on days 1,8. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks. Clinical efficacy was evaluated every two cycles. Results: Of the 29 patients, two persons interrupted treatment because of adverse reactions, failed to evaluate efficacy effect. The rest of 27 patients who could be evaluated for short-term response, 10 patients (37%) achieved partial response, 2 (7.4%) remained stable disease, and 15 (55.6%) had progressivedisease. The objective response rate was 37%, and the disease control rate was 44.4%.The median time to progression was 6.6 months.The major adverse reactions includedalopecia (62.07%), neutropenia (65.5%), gastrointestinalreaction (10.3%) andsensory neuropathy(6.8%). Conclusions: The albumin-bound paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is efficacy and safety in treatment for patients with advanced esophageal cancer who failed in first-line chemotherapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.54-58
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• 2016

Purpose: We evaluated the characteristics of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) who presented with only fever and cervical lymphadenopathy on admission, and compared them with the characteristics of those who presented with typical features but no cervical lymphadenopathy. Methods: We enrolled 98 patients diagnosed with KD. Thirteen patients had only fever and cervical lymphadenopathy on the day of admission (group 1), 31 had typical features with cervical lymphadenopathy (group 2), and 54 had typical features without cervical lymphadenopathy (group 3). Results: The mean age ($4.3{\pm}2.1$ years) and duration of fever ($7.5{\pm}3.6$ days) before the first intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration were highest in group 1 (P=0.001). Moreover, this group showed higher white blood cell and neutrophil counts, and lower lymphocyte counts after the first IVIG administration as compared to the other groups (P =0.001, P =0.001, and P =0.003, respectively). Group 1 also had a longer duration of hospitalization and higher frequency of second-line treatment as compared to groups 2 and 3 (group 1 vs. group 2, P =0.000 and P =0.024; group 1 vs. group 3, P =0.000 and P =0.007). A coronary artery z score of >2.5 was frequently observed in group 1 than in group 3 (P = 0.008). Conclusion: KD should be suspected in children who are unresponsive to antibiotics and have prolonged fever and cervical lymphadenopathy, which indicates that KD is associated with the likelihood of requiring second-line treatment and risk of developing coronary artery dilatation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2771-2774
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• 2012

Aim: Tumors of upper gastrointestinal tract are among the cancers that have a quite lethal course. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is the most efficient therapeutic modality for metastatic gastric cancer. In patients who do not respond to first-line treatment, the response rate to second-line therapies is generally low and the toxicity rates high. This study concerned the efficacy and the side effect profile of second-line therapy with irinotecan in the patients who were being followed-up with the diagnosis of metastatic gastric cancer in $\dot{I}$zmir, Turkey. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and toxicity in 31 patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma who presented to the polyclinic of Medical Oncology of Izmir Ataturk Education and Research Hospital between May 2008 and July 2011. All received chemotherapy regimens containing cisplatin, fluoropyrimidine (5-FU) and docetaxel as the first-line therapy for late stage disease. Irinotecan as a single agent was given at a dose of 210 mg/$m^2$ on each 21 days. Irinotecan (180 mg/$m^2$ on day 1), 5-FU (500 mg/$m^2$ on days 1-2) and leucovorin (LV; 60 mg/$m^2$ on days 1-2) as a combined regimen were given over a 14 day period. Results: Median age was 54 (range, 31-70). Irinotecan was given as a combined regimen for median 6 cycles (range, 3-12) and as a single agent for median 3 cycles (range, 1-10). Metastases were detected in one site in six patients (19%), in two different sites in 17 patients (55%) and in three or more sites in eight patients (26%). Four patients (12.9%) showed partial response and six patients (19.3%) showed stable disease. Progression-free survival (PFS) was found to be 3.26 months (95% CI, 2.3-4.2). Median overall survival (OS) was found to be 8.76 months (95% CI, 4.5-12.9). The most commonly seen grade 3/4 side effect was neutropenia but the the therapy was generally well-tolerated. Conclusions: In this study, it was demonstrated that second-line therapy with irinotecan given following the first-line therapy with cisplatin, fluoropyrimidine (5-FU) and docetaxel was efficient and safe. Further studies are needed for confirmation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3255-3261
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• 2013

Background: The efficacy of erlotinib is controversial in patients with unknown EGFR mutational status. The aim of this study was to identify the clinicopathological factors that are predictive of erlotinob treatment outcomes for NSCLC patients with unknown EGFR mutational status. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 109 patients with advanced NSCLC who had previously failed at least one line of chemotherapy and received subsequent treatment with erlotinib (150 mg/day orally) was performed. A Cox proportional hazard model for univariate and multivariate analyses was used to identify the baseline clinical parameters correlating with treatment outcome, expressed in terms of hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals. Results: The median treatment duration was 15 weeks (range, 4-184). The disease control rate was 55%, including disease stability for ${\geq}3$ months for 40% of the patients. Median progression-free survival and median overall survival (OS) were 4.2 and 8.5 months, respectively. The Cox model indicated that an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) ${\geq}2$ (HR 3.82; p<0.001), presence of intra-abdominal metastasis (HR 3.42; p=0.002), 2 or more prior chemotherapy regimens (HR 2.29; p=0.021), and weight loss >5% (HR 2.05; p=0.034) were independent adverse prognostic factors for OS in NSCLC patients treated with erlotinib. Conclusions: This study suggests that NSCLC patients should be enrolled in erlotinib treatment after a first round of unsuccessful chemotherapy to improve treatment success, during which they should be monitored for intra-abdominal metastasis and weight loss.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10375-10379
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• 2015

Background: XELOX plus bevacizumab (XELOX-Bev) and FOLFIRI plus Bevacizumab (FOLFIRI - Bev) treatments are an effective strategies patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).The aim of this study was to compare efficacy of first-line XELOX-Bev treatment vs FOLFIRI-Bev treatment for mCRC. Materials and Methods: A total of 409 patients with mCRC who received chemotherapy were included and divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n=298) received XELOX-Bev and Group 2 (n=111) FOLFIRI-Bev. Comparisons were made in terms of overall (OS) and progression-free (PFS) survival, response rate (RR), and grade 3-4 toxicity. Results: Median follow-up was 11 months in Group 1 and 15 months for Group 2. Complete remission was observed in 29 (9.7%) and 2 (1.8%) patients, partial remission in 139 (46.6%) and 27 (24.5%), stable disease in 88 (29.5%) and 49 (44.1%) and progressive disease in 42 (14.1%) and 33 (30.0%) patients in Group 1 and 2, respectively. Median OS was 25 months (range 2-57 months, 95%CI; 22.2-27.7) for Group 1 and 20 months (range 1-67 months, 95%CI; 16.8-23.1) for Group 2 (p=0.036). Median PFS was 9.6 months (range 2-36 months, 95%CI; 8.8-10.4) for Group 1 and 9 months (range 1-44 months, 95%CI; 7.4-10.5) for Group 2 (p=0.019). Objective RR was 56.4% in Group 1 and 26.1% in Group 2 (p<0.001). Conclusions: First-line XELOX-Bev is more effective with a better response rate, prolongation of median PFS/OS, and a superior safety profile compared with FOLFIRI-Bev.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.95-100
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• 2015

Treatment of schizophrenia is one of the most challenging areas in the field of psychiatry. There has been much improvement in psycho-pharmacotherapy, and at present, psycho-pharmacotherapy along with milieu therapy and social rehabilitation is the standard first-line treatment for schizophrenia. Healing environment, a concept which has arisen from the architectural field, has similarities in meaning to milieu therapy in psychiatry. In other words, healing environment may be an encountering point between psychiatry and architecture. In this encountering, each field can understand each other and expand its concept to aid the treatment of schizophrenia and to plan the build-up of the entire environment considering its social and psychological effects. In this paper, we aim to establish the basic concept of healing environment to alleviate the psychopathologies in schizophrenic patients. We worked under the premise that physical setting affects human behavior and mind, and that physical setting should play a role as a medium with therapeutic potential for patients with medical problems. The aims of this paper are as follows. First, theoretical discussion of the concept and the constructs of healing environment : second, understanding of the schizophrenic symptoms that may be affected by supporting environment : and third, discussion of supporting environment that may alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.4
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• pp.248-256
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• 2016

Somatic mutations that lead to hyperactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling are detected in approximately 50% of lung adenocarcinoma in people from the Far East population and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are now the standard first line treatment for advanced disease. They have led to a doubling of progression-free survival and an increase in overall survival by more than 2 years. However, emergence of resistant clones has become the primary cause for treatment failure, and has created a new challenge in the daily management of patients with EGFR mutations. Identification of mechanisms leading to inhibitor resistance has led to new therapeutic modalities, some of which have now been adapted for patients with unsuccessful tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment. In this review, we describe mechanisms of tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and the available strategies to overcoming resistance.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2006

SSRIs have been considered as the first line of treatment for patients with panic disorder since 1990s along with cognitive behavioral treatments. High potency benzodiazepines (e.g. alprazolam, clonazepam) have had advantages in anti-panic effects. However, these drugs have limitations of treating panic disorder because of their dependency, tolerance and withdrawal. Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine were introduced as antidepressants since 1990s. Recently, it is confirmed that SNRIs have the remarkable anti-panic effects although some concerns about its cost, tolerance, withdrawal, side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and hypertension have emerged. In this regard, further study is required to confirm the efficacy of long term treatment of panic disorder. Despite these concerns, venla-faxine extended-release is an effective treatment in patients with panic disorder.