• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2008

Purpose: Lamivudine is known to be effective for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in adults. However, data on lamivudine therapy in pediatrics is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and durability of lamivudine therapy for chronic hepatitis B in Korean children. Methods: A total of 44 children (27 males and 17 females, ages 6 months to 14.8 years, mean age 6.7 years) with chronic hepatitis B who received lamivudine (3 mg/kg/day, max 100 mg) for at least 12 months were enrolled. We evaluated the serum AST, ALT and serological HBV markers (HBsAg and anti-HBs, HBeAg and anti HBe, and HBV DNA) periodically. Predictive three year cumulative seroconversion rates were obtained using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Twenty one (48%) of 44 children achieved seroconversion of HBeAg by three years, while 23 (42%) children did not. HBV DNA was cleared in 34 (77%) children and the serum ALT levels were normalized in 41 children (93%). The three year cumulative seroconversion rates were 60% for HBeAg, and the clearance rates were 76% for HBV DNA. Eighteen children who discontinued lamivudine after HBeAg seroconversion maintained the therapeutic response for three years (treatment duration 13~58 months mean 24 months). Viral breakthrough developed in 12 children (27%) during the therapy and the YMDD mutation was documented in 11 children (25%). The mean duration for the development of a mutation was 22.7 months. Loss of HBsAg occurred in 6 children (14%). The pretreatment ALT levels were higher in responders; however, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that lamivudine treatment had a favorable effect and durable therapeutic response in children with chronic hepatitis B. Long term follow-up and alternative therapy are warranted for those patients who do not respond to this treatment.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 2002

Purpose : This study analyzed the prognostic factors affecting the survival rate and evaluated the role of radiation therapy in muscle-invading bladder cancer. Materials and Methods : Twenty eight patients with bladder cancer who completed planned definitive radiotherapy in the Departments of Therapeutic Radiology and Urology, Chonnam National University Hospital between Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1998 were retrospectively analyzed. The reviews were peformed based on the patients' medical records. There were 21 males and 7 females in this study. The median of age was 72 years old ranging from 49 to 84 years. All patients were confirmed as having transitional cell carcinoma with histological grade 1 in one patient, grade 2 in 15, grade 3 in 9, and uninformed in 3. Radiation therapy was peformed using a linear accelerator with 6 or 10 MV X-rays. Radiation was delivered daily with a 1.8 or 2.0 Gy fraction size by 4 ports (anterior-posterior, both lateral, alternatively) or 3 ports (Anterior and both lateral). The median radiation dose delivered to the isocenter of the target volume was 61.24 Gy ranging from 59 to 66.6 Gy. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was peformed on the prognostic factors affecting the survival rate. Results : The survival rate was $76\%,\;46\%,\;33\%,\;33\%$ at 1, 2, 3, 5 years, respectively, with 19 months of median survival. The potential factors of age (less than 70 years vs above 70), sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hydronephrosis, 1-stage (T3a vs T3b), TUR, chemotherapy, total duration of radiotherapy, radiation dose (less than 60 Gy vs above 60 Gy), and the treatment response were investigated with uniand multivariate analysis. Un univariate analysis, the T-stage (p=0.078) and radiation dose (p=0.051) were marginally significant, and the treatment response (p=0.011) was a statistically significant factor on the survival rate. Multivariate analysis showed there were no significant prognostic factors affecting the survival rate. Conclusion : The treatment response and radiation dose are suggested as th은 statistically significant factors affecting the survival rate of muscle invasive bladder cancer. A Further prospective randomized study is needed to confirm these prognostic factors.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.660-667
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• 1998

Background: This study is to evaluate the effectiveness and application of Lecompte procedure as a treatment for various complex cardiac anomalies with pulmonary outflow tract obstruction. Methods: Between July 1988 and December 1997, 44 patients underwent Lecompte procedure in Seoul National University Children's Hospital. The male to female ratio was 24 to 20 and the mean age was 29.2 months(range, 3 to 83). Of these patients, 28(63.6%) had transposition of great arteries with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis(or pulmonary atresia), 14(31.8%) had double outlet right ventricle with pulmonary stenosis(or pulmonary atresia), and so on. The principles of the technique are 1) extension of the ventricular septal defect or conal resection, 2) construction of a intracardiac tunnel connecting the left ventricle to the aorta, and 3) direct connection, without a prosthetic conduit, of the pulmonary trunk to the right ventricle. Results: There were 3 in-hospital deaths and their causes were sustained hypoxia, myocardial failure, and sepsis, respectively. There was 1 late death due to sepsis. Reoperations were performed in 6 patients who had pulmonary outflow tract obstructions(4 cases), residual muscular ventricular septal defect(1 case), and recurrent septic vegetation(1 case). The cumulative survival rates by the Kaplan-Meier method were 92.7%, 92.7%, and 92.7% at 1, 2, and over 4 years. The reoperation free survival rates were 92.7%, 92.7%, and 70.2% at 1, 3, and over 5 years. Among the risk factors for the operative death, aortic cross clamping time had statistical significance(p<0.05) and all the risk factors for the recurrent pulmonary stenosis such as age, pulmonary artery index, and materials used for the pulmonary outflow tract reconstruction had no statistical significance(p>0.05). Conclusions: Our review suggests that Lecompte procedure is an effective treatment modality for various complex cardiac anomalies with pulmonary outflow tract obstruction. Repair in early age is possible and the rates of mortality and morbidity are also acceptable.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.280-287
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• 2009

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), became an attractive therapeutic option for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Several studies suggested that there might be some different efficacy or response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. We compared the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib and erlotinib in Korean patients with advanced NSCLC and evaluated specific predictors of response for both gefitinib and erlotinib. Methods: We collected the clinical information on patients with advanced NSCLC, who were treated with gefitinib or erlotinib at the Ewha Womans University Hospital, between July 2003 and February 2009. Median survival times were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Eighty-six patients (52 gefitinib vs. 34 erlotinib) were enrolled. Patient median age was 64 years; 53 (62%) subjects were male. Out of the 86 patients treated, 83 received response evaluation. Of the 83 patients, 35 achieved a response and 12 experienced stable disease while 36 experienced progressive disease, resulting in a response rate of 42% and a disease control rate of 57%. After a median follow-up of 502 days, the median progression-free and overall survival time was 129 and 259 days, respectively. Comparing patients by treatment (gefitinib vs erlotinib), there were no significant differences in the overall response rate (44% vs. 39%, p=0.678), median survival time (301 days vs. 202 days, p=0.151), or time to progression (136 days vs. 92 days, p=0.672). Both EGFR-TKIs showed similar toxicity. In a multivariate analysis using Cox regression model, adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor of survival (p=0.006; hazard ratio [HR], 0.487; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.292-0.811). Analyses of subgroups did not show any difference in response predictors between gefitinib and erlotinib. Conclusion: Comparing gefitinib to erlotinib, there were no differences in the response rate, overall survival, progression-free survival, or toxicity. No specific predictor of response to each EGFR-TKI was identified.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.261-266
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• 2003

Background: Surgery of abdominal aortic aneurysm revealed high operative mortality. We reviewed our 11-years' experiences of abdominal aortic aneurysm operation and wish to obtain information on the treatment. Material and Method: From Jan. 1990 to Dec. 2000, 48 patients were operated due to abdominal aortic aneurysm in Yonsei Cardiovascular Center Mean age was $62.8{\pm}12.7$ and there were 40 males and 8 females. Among 48 patients, nine patients had ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, and mean aneurysm diameter of non-ruptured cases was $8.8{\pm}2.4$cm. Result: There were 6 early deaths, and early mortality was 12.5%. Among 9 patients of preoperative aneurysm rupture, three patients died (33.3%), and among 39 patients of non-ruptured cases, 3 patients died (7.7%). Among preoperative variables, age (p<0.05), preoperative BUN level (p<0.05), and DM (p<0.05) were risk factors of early mortality. Among discharged 42 patients, 40 patients were followed up (f/u rate=95.2%) and mean follow up was $3.6{\pm}0.2$ years. During follow up periods, five patients died (late mortality=11.9%), and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed $81.7{\pm}7.6$% survival rate at five and ten year. Linealized incidence of graft related event was 3.53% per patient-year. Conclusion: Surgical mortality of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm was higher than non-ruptured cases; therefore, early resection of the aneurysm can decrease the surgical mortality.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.178-183
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• 2007

Purpose: The prevalence and mortality of gastric lancer is high. We studied clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of the advanced gastric canter patients who had died in the hospice care unit. and our study is the basic report for efficient hospice and palliative care for the terminally ill patients with gastric cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 99 advanced gastric cancer patients who had died in a hospice rare unit from May 2004 to August 2007. The survival days during the hospice and palliative care were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method of SPSS version 13.0. Results: There were 62 males (63%) and 37 females (37%). Median age of patients was 60.9 years and liver metastasis was as high as 38 patients (38%) of all. The most prevalent symptom of admission was general weakness (97%) and poor or intake (86%). There were also bypoalbuminemia (88%), anemia (73%), and hyponatremia (61%). Palliative procedure was performed on 17 (63%) out of 27 patients with intestinal obstruction. Of these stents were inserted to 11 patients. The stores of ECOGPS and dyspnea were significantly correlated with the length of survival. The duration of median survival and hospitalization in the hospice and palliative care was 22 days and was 20 days respectively. Conclusion: We need to study more about clinical characteristics of advanced gastric rancor patients to predict the length of survival for an effective hospice and palliative care.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.328-333
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• 2002

Purpose : To analyze the treatment results of concurrent chemoradiation with oral 5-FU plus Gemcitabine or Paclitaxel for unresectable pancreatic cancer. Materials & Methods : The patients, who were diagnosed by imaging modalities or by explo-laparotomy, were treated with concurrent chemoradiation. Radiotherapy was delivered to primary tumor and regional lymph nodes, and the total dose was 45 Gy. Patients received Gemcitabine $1,000\;mg/m^2$ or Paclitaxel $50\;mg/m^2$ weekly and oral 5-FU daily The total number of cycles of chemotherapy ranged from 1 to 39 (median, 11 cycles). The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 36 months, Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results : Fifty-four patients between Jan. 1999 to Nov. 2001 were included in this study. Forty-two patients who completed the planned treatment were included in this analysis. The patients' age ranged from 37 to 73 years (median, 50 years) and the male to female ratio was 30:12. Treatment was interrupted for 12 patients due to: disease progression for 6 $(50\%)$, poor performance status for 4 $(33.3\%)$, intercurrent disease for 1 $(8.3\%)$, and refusal for 1 $(8.3\%)$. Response evaluation was possible for 40 patients. One patient gained complete remission and 24 patients gained partial remission, hence the response rate was $59\%$. The survival rates were $46.7\%\;and\;17.0\%$ at 1 year and 2 years, respectively with a median survival time of 12 months. Patients treated with Paclitaxel showed superior outcomes compared to those patients treated with Gemcitabine, in terms of both response rate and survival rate although this difference was not statistically significant. Grade III or IV hematologic toxicity was shown in 8 patients $(19\%)$, while grade III or IV non-hematologic toxicity was shown in 5 patients $(12\%)$. Conclusion : Concurrent chemoradiation with oral 5-FU and Gemcitabine or Paclitaxel improves both the response rate and survival rate in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. A prospective study should be investigated in order to improve both the patient selection and the treatment outcome as well as to reduce the toxicity.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.531-543
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• 2007

Backgrounds : Gastric cancer is one of the most frequent causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Gastric cancer patients frequently exhibit distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis and at present, there is no standard regimen after operation or chemotherapy to prevent metastasis and recurrences. Aims : The objective of the study was to compare the overall survival and disease free survival in patients treated with wheel balance therapy (WBT) with patients treated with WBT alone or the combination of WBT and conventional therapy and see if there were any significant improvements in survival between the two groups. Setting & Design : East-West Cancer Center at Daejeon University: retrospective study. Materials & Methods : We retrospectively analyzed 62 patients with stage III (40 patients) and stage IV (22 patients) gastric cancer who have received operation or chemotherapy 2 months prior to beginning WBT. The patients followed the WBT protocol which includes herbal medicine such as PSM capsules, OnePlus syrup, or HAD capsules which prevent metastasis and recurrences. Overall survival and disease free survival were analyzed and the patients were treated for 89.55 weeks and 49.27 weeks (median value) for stages III and IV, respectively. Statistical analysis used : Overall survival and disease free survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the WBT and combination treatment arms were compared using the log rank test. Results : For stage III, the 3 year overall survival was 78.5% and disease free survival was 78.3%. Metastasis and recurrence occurred in 13 of 40 patients (32.5%). For stage IV, the 2 year overall survival was 18.2% and disease free survival was also 18.2%. Metastasis and recurrence occurred in 19 of 22 patients (86.4%). No significant difference was found statistically between the WBT alone and combination treatment arms though the combination regimen showed superiority (overall survival p=0.5093, disease free survival p=0.5175). Conclusions : WBT yielded satisfactory results in prolonging survival and preventing metastasis and recurrence in gastric cancer patients. The major treatment unit of WBT is composed of herbal medications (HAD, PSM capsules, OnePlus syrup) and a randomized, prospective study should be carried out using only this treatment unit in the future.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2007

Purpose: The prevalence of lung cancer is increasing continuously these days. We studied clinical characters of the terminal lung cancer patients who had died in hospice units and our study is the basic report for efficient hospice and palliative care to the lung cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 129 terminal lung cancer patients who had died in Sam Anyang Hospice Unit from March 2003 to December 2006. The survival days during the hospice and palliative care were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method of SPSS 13.0. Results: There were 93 males (72%) and 36 females (28%), and median age of patients was 68 years (range $37{\sim}93$). Eighty two patients (64%) took analgesics, the others 47 (36%) not. The most prevalent reason for admission was dyspnea (47 patients, 36%) and it was different from the terminally ill cancer patients being hospitalized because of pain. And the most common symptom was general weakness (103 patients, 80%). One hundred twenty of the paitents (93%) were administered opioid analgesics, and IV morphine shots were mostly used (103 patients, 80%). Sedation was used in 87 patients (67%), and midazolam was mostly used (68 patients, 53%). The median survival in hospice and palliative care was 35 days and the median hospitalization was 24 days. Conclusion: It is very important to manage dyspnea in terminal lung cancer patients. The length of hospice and palliative care for the terminal lung cancer patients is still short. Therefore continuous education and promotion of hospice and palliative care is needed for an effective care for the patients, their families and doctors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.409-415
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• 2001

Background : Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB) in patients is mainly caused by acquired drug resistance. However, a small proportion of MDR-TB is caused by initial drug resistance(IDR), which may be somewhat different from acquired drug resistance. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of IDR in MDR -TB patients to use the results as basic data in managing the disease. Methods : A retrospective study of 30 IDR cases in MDR-TB patients from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 1998 was performed. In order to analyze the clinical characteristics, the age, sex, family history, duration of negative conversion, number of resistant drugs, treatment regimens, duration of treatment, extent of disease and cavitary lesion on the chest X-ray was examined. In order to analyze the level of improvement, the extent of the disease and cavitary lesion on the chest X-ray, tested by Wilcoxon signed rank sum test, and the disease free interval rate of 1-year and 4-year was examined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results : The mean age of the patients was 46.6 years and the sex ratio 1:1. Six(20%) patients had a family history. The mean negative conversion of the sputum AFB stain was 2.6 months. The number of resistant drugs was 7.6 and the number of used drugs 3.6. Twenty-three(67%) patients were treated for less than 12months and 28(93%) patients were treated with first-line drugs. The extent of the disease and the cavitary lesion on the chest X-ray improved after treatment(p<.05). Among 13 patients who were followed up for 22.6 months, 2(15%) patients relapsed and the disease free interval rate of I-year and 4-year was 85%. Conclusion: It is recommended that the duration of treatment of IDR in MDR-TB with first-line drugs be 9-12 months even if the extent of disease and cavitary lesion on the chest X-ray improves.