• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.72-81
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• 2024

Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas constitute a major proportion of esophageal cancers in Korea. Conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the options for treating advanced/metastatic esophageal cancer, but the prognosis remains poor. Immunotherapy has significantly improved the prognosis of several advanced/metastatic cancers including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In Korea, immunotherapy is used to treat advanced/metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and treatment results are expected to further improve. Immunotherapy is a term used to describe a treatment modality involving a biological/targeted agent that aims to enhance and restore the ability of the immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells by modifying or blocking co-stimulating signals. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer treatment with the administration of a single agent (monotherapy) or combinations of multiple agents, with the three approved agents being anti-PD-1 (programmed death 1), anti-PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand 1), and anti-CTLA4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) monoclonal antibodies. Anti-PD-1 drugs including nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been mainly investigated for treating advanced/metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer. Studies on their effectiveness in a neoadjuvant setting, a curative adjuvant setting, or as the first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic setting are ongoing. This review describes the principle of action, summary of existing clinical studies, and prospects for immune checkpoint inhibitors used in the treatment of advanced/metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.406-414
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• 2005

암세포의 유전적 불안정성은 부적절하게 활성화된 DNA수복경로와 관련되어 있다. 전이성 암은 높은 유전적 불안정성을 나타내는데, 이와 관련하여 본 연구에서는 전이성 암세포에서의 중요한 DNA수복 단백질의 하나인 DN의존성 단백질 키나아제(DNA-PK)의 발현 변화를 조사하였다. 여러 종류의 전이도가 다른 암세포들을 대상으로 한 실험에서 전이성 암세포들은 각각의 모세포에 비하여 DNA-PK 성분의 조절 소단위인 Ku70/80의 발현 및 Ku의 DNA 결합 활성이 증강되어 있었다. 또한 DNA-PK의 촉매 소단위인 DNA-PKcs의 발현 및 whole DNA-PK복합체의 kinase의 활성도 전이도가 큰 암세포에서 그 모세포보다 증강되어 있음을 알 수 있어, 전이성 암세포의 증강된 DNA수복능은 부적절한 DNA수복을 일으켜 암의 진행 및 전이를 촉진시키는 원인이 될 수 있음을 시사하였다. 한편 암세포의 표피성장인자수용체의 신호전달의 증강은 암의 침윤과 전이에 관련되어 있으며, DNA-PK의 기 기능에도 영향을 줄 수 있는 가능성이 보고 된 바 있는데, 본 연구에서는 표피성장인자수용체의 신호전달과 DNA-PK의 관련성을 명확히 밝히기 위하여 새로 개발된 EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor인 PKI166의 DNA-PK의 활성에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. PKI166는 Ku70/80 및 DNA-PKcs의 발현을 억제하였고 이와 관련하여 전이성 및 항암제 다제내성 암세포에서 PKI166에 의하여 항암제에 대한 감수성을 증가시켜 항암제 내성을 나타내는 전이성 암세포 대한 치료법 연구에 DNA-PK가 분자적 표적이 될 수 있음을 밝혔다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.62.1-62.13
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• 2021

Background: Canine mammary gland tumor (MGT) is the most common cancer in aged female dogs. Although it's important to identify reliable metastasis or prognostic factors by evaluating related to cell division, adhesion, and cancer stem cell-related transcription factor (TF) in metastasis-induced canine MGT, but there are limited studies. Objectives: We aimed to identify metastasis prognostic factors and cancer stem cell-TFs in canine MGTs. Methods: Age-matched female dogs diagnosed with MGT only were classified into metastatic and non-metastatic groups by histopathological staining of MGT tissues. The mRNA levels of cancer prognostic metastasis molecular factors (E-cadherin, ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, HPRT1, RPL4 and hnRNP H) and cancer stem cell-related TFs (Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog) were compared between metastatic and non-metastatic canine MGT tissues using qRT-PCR analysis. Results: The mRNA levels of ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, hnRNP H, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog in metastatic MGT group were significantly higher than those in non-metastatic MGT group. However, mRNA level of RPL4 was significantly lower in metastatic MGT group. Loss of E-cadherin and HPRT1 was observed in the metastatic MGT group but it was not significant. Conclusions: Consistent expression patterns of all metastasis-related factors showing elevation in ICAM-1, PRR14, VEGF, hnRNP H, Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog, but decreases in RPL4 levels occurred in canine MGT tissues, which was associated with metastasis. Thus, these cancer prognostic metastasis factors and TFs of cancer stem cells, except for E-cadherin and HPRT1, can be used as reliable metastasis factors for canine MGT and therapeutic strategy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권19호
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• pp.8475-8478
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• 2014

Purpose: This systematic analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed-based chemoradiotherapy in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal cancer. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based regimens on response and safety for relevant patients were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rates (RRs) were calculated. Results: For pemetrexed-based regimens, 4 clinical studies including 47 patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal cancer were considered eligible for inclusion. Systematic analysis showed that, in all patients, the pooled RR was 51% (24/47). Major adverse effects of grade III/IV were esophagitis, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia anorexia, fatigue, diarrhea, dysphagia and vomiting. No treatment related death occurred with pemetrexed-based treatment. Conclusion: This systematic analysis suggests that pemetrexed based radiotherapy is associated with reasonable activity and good tolerability in treating patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal cancer.

• 대한세포병리학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.111-115
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• 1998

Although the characteristic cytologic features of melanoma have been well described the diagnosis of metastatic melanoma by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) may be difficult in the case of amelanotic melanoma and in the absence of awareness of clinical history. Furthermore, when the breast is the site of initial presentation, it could simulate a primary breast carcinoma leading to misdiagnosis. The recognition of metastatic malignant melanoma in FNAC material is essential to avoid an unnecessary mastectomy and to ensure appropriate chemotherapy. We experienced a case of metastatic melanoma of breast which presented as solitary breast mass in a 56-year-old woman. She had a history of surgical excision of right foot for melanoma one year ago. The cytologic smears were composed of noncohesive epithelioid cells with round or eccentric nuclei, bi-or multi-nucleation, prominent nucleoli, fine chromatin, and intranuclear inclusions. The cytoplasm of tumor cells had scanty melanin pigment but were diffusely positive for S-100 protein.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.155-160
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• 2011

Lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor in cervical cancer patients. We report THz imaging for detecting micro-metastatic foci in the lymph nodes of early-stage uterine cervical cancer patients. Five paraffin-embedded metastatic lymph nodes from two cervical cancer patients were imaged using a THz time-domain spectroscopy system in the reflection mode. The size and shape of the tumor regions were compared with those from histopathologic examinations. The metastatic portions of lymph nodes as small as 3 mm were well delineated by THz imaging. The reflected peak amplitudes were lower in metastatic portions than in the normal portions of lymph nodes, and the difference in their peak-to-peak amplitudes was ~5%.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2004

Studies of oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer showed that oxaliplatin dose intensity is important prognostic factor for objective response rates and progression-free-survival (PFS). To evaluate response rates, PFS and toxicity according to oxaliplatin dose intensity, we retrospectively analyzed data from patients with metastatic colorectal cancer received oxaliplatin,5-fluorouracil, leucovorin regimens. Sixty-three patients were reviewed in this study, 42 patients received low dose intensity oxaliplatin (LDI: $\leq85\;mg/m^2/2wks$) and 21 patients high dose intensity oxaliplatin (HDI: $>85\;mg/m^2/2wks$). Objective responses occurred in 10 $(47.7\%)$ HDI patients and 9 $(21.4\%)$ LDI patients (p = 0.014). Median PFS was 24.7 weeks in HDI group, with $45.1\%$ of HDI patients progression free at 6 months, and 20.5 weeks in LDI group, with $33.5\%$ of LDI patients progression free at 6 months (p = 0.344). Increased oxaliplatin dose intensity was not associated with neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy, nausea and vomiting. This study showed that oxaliplatin dose intensification significantly improves objective response rate in pretreated metastatic colorectal cancer without increasing severe toxicity.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제20권6호
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• pp.539-544
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• 1997

Anti-metastatic activities of IH901, an intestinal bacterial metabolic derivative formed from Ginseng protopanaxadiol saponins, was determined in vitro and in vivo. Under in vitro conditions, IH901 inhibited the migration of bovine aortic endothelial cells 25 times stronger than suramin and suppressed the invasion of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells into reconstituted basement membrane components of Matrigel 1000 times stronger than RGDS peptide. IH901 also showed inhibitory effect on type-IV collagenase secretion from HT 1080 cells and platelet aggregation. When the anti-metastatic activity of IH901 was evaluated in comparison with that of 5-FU using a spontaneous lung metastatic model of Lewis lung carcinoma, the administration of IH901 (10 mg/kg p. o.) to tumor-bearing mice led to a significant decrease in lung metastasis (43% of untreated control), which was slightly more effective than that obtained with 5-FU (56% of control). Thus, IH901 seems to exhibit its anti-metastatic activity partly through the inhibition of tumor invasion which results from the blockade of type IV collagenase secretion and also through anti-platelet and anti-angiogenic activities.

• 대한두개안면성형외과학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.66-70
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• 2021

Isolated head and neck metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is relatively rare and metastasis to the temple area is very rare. Here, we present the case of a 51-year-old man who was diagnosed with RCC 2 years earlier and had a contralateral metastatic temple area lesion. The patient who was diagnosed with renal cell cancer and underwent a nephrectomy 2 years ago was referred to the plastic surgery department for a temple mass on the contralateral side. In the operative field, the mass was located in the temporalis muscle with a red-to-purple protruding shape. Biopsy of the mass revealed a metastatic RCC lesion. Computed tomography imaging showed a lobulated, contoured enhancing lesion. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging showed high-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the right temporalis muscle. The patient underwent wide excision of the metastatic RCC including the temporalis muscle at the plastic surgery department. Skeletal muscle metastasis of head and neck lesions is extremely rare in RCC. Isolated contralateral temporalis muscle metastasis in RCC has not been previously reported in the literature. If a patient has a history of malignant cancer, plastic surgeons should always consider metastatic lesions of head and neck tumors. Because of its high metastatic ability and poor prognosis, it is very important to keep this case in mind.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

Pancreatic cancer treatment has advanced. In particular, effective chemotherapy regimen development has fundamentally altered the therapeutic concept and strategy for pancreatic cancer treatment. Consequently, the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer has gradually improved. Conversion surgery for locally advanced pancreatic cancer may offer long-term survival or even a full recovery in some individuals. In contrast, metastatic pancreatic cancer has long been considered a surgical contraindication because aggressive surgical resection of the metastatic lesions does not prolong patient survival. Unexpectedly positive benefits of anticancer therapy in recent clinical experience were observed even with metastatic pancreatic cancer. To date, little evidence presented the success of surgical resection for metastatic pancreatic cancer treatment in such rare cases. However, hope and concern are growing that surgical intervention, even in patients with metastatic cancer, may result in favorable outcomes. Several studies suggested different surgical intervention effects depending on metastasis sites and patterns. Thus, this review summarizes the current status of surgery in the multidisciplinary treatment of oligometastatic pancreatic cancer and discusses future perspectives.