• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2006

In previous studies, it has been discovered that cancer cells not only overexpress regulatory subunit I (Rl)/protein kinase type I (PKA-I) but also secrete outside the cell an extracellular form of PKA (ECPKA) and that the ECPKA secretion detected in patients' serum is obviously greater than that found in non-cancer patients or healthy subjects. We now found that ECPKA elicits the formation of serum autoantibodies that can serve as a cancer diagnostic and prognostic marker. To measure the presence of anti-ECPKA autoantibody in the human sera, basic methodology for ECPKA assay was established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We obtained serum samples from 199 patients with different types of cancer, and also obtained 31 serum samples to compare with ECPKA concentrations from non-cancer patients and 119 normal volunteers. Compared with normal or non-cancer patient sera, we found that the frequency of anti-ECPKA autoantibody was significantly higher in cancer patients (88%) than in those without cancer (17%). Furthermore the presence of anti-ECPKA autoantibodies in the serum of cancer patients was highly correlated with the site of metastasis. The immunoassay developed for anti-ECPKA antibodies is highly sensitive and specific. Therefore, this discovery of an autoantibody-based cancer diagnostic may have serious clinical application and may become an important advance over current technology.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.22-33
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• 1994

The author presented several points of experienced materials obtained from the joint meetings of consultation-liaison Psychiatric division with oncologic department in Kyung Hee University Hospital. The joint meetings which have been held regularly every other week were very helpful not only for the psychiatrist but also for the cancer department stags to manage the cancer patients actively. The joint meetings have been progressed into more cohesive and active communication as time goes by. Most of the subjects discussed in the meeting was focused on the psychological and behavioral problems of the cancer patients. Besides, the difficulties arising from the chemotherapy were discussed. Probably the most difficult task for the treatment team was to provide complete information while respecting the patient's right to deny their situation The liaison psychiatrist usually gave comments to the charge doctor and/or nusing staff how to evaluate the patient's behavior and what would be the influential factors in developing the doctor-patient relationship. It was found that many cancer patients and their family members had their own peculiar illness behavior and disease concept which led patients to take non-medical or moreover, anti-therapeutic care. The family members were found to play an influential role in the choice of treatment method and progression of the disease. Another role of the liaison psychiatrist in the oncology ward was to encourage the treatment team members. In the practical point of view, it was not easy for the liaison psychiatrist to have time regularly for the cancer patients to encourage the liaison activities. And it seems to be fundamental that the consultation fee for the liaison psychiatrist should be set up at the resonable level.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.83-86
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• 2015

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), accounting for approximately 25% of NHL cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the BCL6 and MUM1 gene expression and patient prognosis and stage. Materials and Methods: After ethical approval, in a cross-sectional study, tissue samples of 80 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were analyzed for BCL6 and MUM1 gene expression. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with division into categories of 0-5%, 5-25%, 26-50%, 51-75% and more than 75%. Other clinical and histological information such as lymph node involvement, T-stage, B symptoms and patient outcome were also recorded. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 16 and a P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The patient mean age was $46.9{\pm}10.5$ years ($47.6{\pm}10.7$ and $46.1{\pm}9.6$ for males and females, respectively). A significant association was seen between lymphoma stage and BCL6 (p=0.045) but not MUM1 expression (p=0.09). However, the latter was associated with mortality (p=0.006) as was also the BCL6 level (p=0.006). Conclusions: : Overexpression of MUM1 and BCL6 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6941-6943
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of pregnancy on prognosis of thyroid cancer. Methods: A total of 72 patients aged between 15-45 years who underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomy and subsequently radioablation were followed up under suppression. Individuals who had term pregnancies after diagnosis of cancer (group 1, n: 36) and who were non-pregnant (group 2, n:36) were included in the study. Both groups were compared in terms of scintigraphic relapse and metastasis, ultrasonographic relapse, stage change of lympadenopathy at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results: Relapse was detected in 4 out of 36 pregnant patients (11.1%) and in 5 out of 36 non-pregnant patients (13.9%) with no significant difference between groups (p=1.00). Pathologic lymphadenopathy was detected in 2 out of 36 pregnant patients (5.6%) and in 2 out of 36 non-pregnant patients (5.6%) (p=1.00), and metastasis in 3 (8.3%) and in 1 (2.8%), respectively (p=0.61). While stage change was detected in only one pregnant patient (2.8%), and none of the non-pregnant again there was no significant difference (p=1.00). Conclusions: We conclude that pregnancy does not have an influence on prognosis of thyroid cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2012

Background: A better understanding of the histopathology and molecular biology of lung cancer might improve our capability to predict the outcome for any individual patient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate several histopathologic and molecular markers in order to assess their prognostic value in stage I non-small cell lung cancer. Materials and Methods: One hundred ten patients at the Kyungpook National University Hospital were enrolled in the study. Histopathologic factors and molecular markers were selected. Results: Univariate analysis showed that the T stage, differentiation, visceral pleural invasion, and survivin expression were significantly associated with recurrence. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that differentiation and survivin overexpression emerged as independent prognostic factors of recurrence. Conclusion: In resected stage I non-small cell lung cancer, poor differentiation and survivin overexpression have been identified as independent predictors of poor disease-free survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.155-160
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• 2016

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer in the world and by far the most frequent cancer among women, with an estimated 1.67 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2012 (25% of all cancers). Polygene expression analysis is used to predict the prognosis and determine the most appropriate treatment regimen. The objective of this study was to examine the gene expression profiles of SIRT3, HRAS, LSP1, SCUBE2 and AP2A2 in Iranian women with BC.A total of 136 patients including healthy controls were categorized into three groups based on the relapse of the disease. Expression of desired genes in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues collected from all groups of participants was analyzed via the RT PCR method. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed then real-time quantitative PCR was carried out. Gene expression analysis revealed that the expression of SIRT3 was equal among patient and control groups. LSP1 was down regulated in all patient groups relative to controls but reduced expression in the metastatic group relative to the non-metastatic one was not significant. HRAS was significantly overexpressed in total and metastatic tumor samples versus normal but not in non-metastatic cases. SCUBE2 expression showed significant over-expression in both overall tumor samples and the non-metastatic group as compared to normal tissues. Gene expression level of AP2A2 in all groups was not detectable. Our data are compatible with a tumor suppressor role of LSP1 related to potential prognostic factor for tumor recurrence and outcome. This study for the first time assayed the prognostic value and changes in the expression of SIRT3, LSP1, HRAS, SCUBE2 and AP2A2 genes in women with breast cancer in the Iranian population and findings confirmed potential biomarker and prognostic capability of these genes. Such expression profiling data can critically improve prognosis and treatment decisions in cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2016

Background: Depression is the leading cause of lowering the quality of life of cancer patients and lung cancer is the most likely to cause depression. It is necessary to find out depression-related factors in lung cancer patients. Methods: The study was a retrospective cohort study using medical records, and was a non-equivalent comparison group design. It involved patients diagnosed of lung cancer at the Konkuk University Medical Center from January to December 2012. Between antidepressants prescription group and non prescription group, socio-demographic factors, clinical factors, treatment-related factors and other factors were analyzed statistically. Results: Antidepressant prescription group consisted of 23 people and non-prescription group of 206 people. Prescription rate of quetiapine was the highest 47.8% (11/23), followed by escitalopram (43.5%, 10/23), amitryptyline and trazodone (30.4%, 7/23). The prescription group was prescribed with an average of 1.9 antidepressants. Antidepressants were prescribed after average of 248 days from lung cancer diagnosis and prescription period per patient was average 177.5 days. According to the result of univariate logistic regression analysis between 2 groups, factors such as number of outpatient visit, number of admission, days of hospitalization, sleep disorder, and comorbidity were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, According multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that number of admission, days of hospitalization and sleep disorder were statistically significant (p < 0.05) excluding comorbidity. Conclusion: About 10% of lung cancer patients had received a prescription for antidepressants after lung cancer diagnosis. A sleep disorder, number of hospitalization and length of stay were identified as factors influencing the prescribing antidepressants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4729-4733
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• 2016

Objectives: Lung cancer is a major public health problem and one of the most costly illnesses. The study aimed to estimate the economic burden of lung cancer in Iran in 2014. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the direct and indirect costs for patients with lung cancer using a prevalence-based approach. A human capital approach was employed to estimate the indirect costs. Data were obtained from several sources such as through patient interview using structured questionnaire, medical records, the GLOBOCAN databases, the Iranian Statistical Center, the Iranian Ministry of Cooperation, Labor and Social Welfare, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Results: The economic burden of lung cancer in Iran in the year 2014 was 3,225,998,555,090 IR. The main components of the cost were associated with mortality (81.9 %) and hospitalization (7.6 %). The costs of direct medical care, non-medical aspects, patient time, and mortality accounted for 10.8%, 2.7%, 4.5%, and 81.5% of the total cost, respectively. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicated that the economic burden of lung cancer is substantial both to Iran's health system and to society as a whole. Early diagnosis, strengthening cancer prevention, implementing new cancer therapy and medical technology, and effective smoking-cessation interventions could offset some of the costs associated with lung cancer in Iran.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.4031-4035
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• 2016

Background: In the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer, anthracycline and taxane based regimens can be used concomitantly or sequentially. The best order in the sequential regimens has yet to be well established. This study evaluated the feasibility of 4 cycles of adjuvant taxotere ($100mg/m^2$) every 3 weeks followed by 4 cycles of doxorubicin ($60mg/m^2$) and cyclophosphamide ($600mg/m^2$) every 3 weeks. The primary outcome was the safety profile. Secondary outcomes were disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Materials and Methods: This non-randomize prospective phase II stud was performed at Jordan University of Science and Technology and its affiliated King Abdulla Teaching Hospital between July 2009 and August 2010. Data collection was closed on May $31^{th}$, 2015 giving a median follow up period of 62 months. The study was approved by the institutional review board and a written informed consent was obtained for each patient. Results: Fifty patients were enrolled. The median age was 53.1 years (range 34-76). One patient (2%) had stage I disease, 17 (34%) stage II, and 32 (64.0%) stage III. Forty-six patients were evaluable for efficacy analysis. The completion rate was 95.7%. No dose modifications were needed. The incidences of grade 3-4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were 14 % and 10%. No grade 3-4 non-hematological adverse events were encountered. At a median follow up time of 62 months the OS and the DFS rates were 76.1% and 56.5%. Those for stages I and II combined were 100% and 75%. Conclusions: Taxotere first followed by doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide appears a feasible regimen as evidenced by an acceptable completion rate, a satisfactory safety profile, and an OS and DFS rates comparable to other studies.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.92-101
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the trend of non-compliance with treatment (NCT) among gastric cancer patients in the Korean population. Materials and Methods: Using data from the Korea Central Cancer Registry from 1999 to 2015, patients who did not receive any treatment for gastric cancer within 4 months after diagnosis were defined as the NCT group. The annual incidence rate, distributions according to age group and stage, and 5-year relative survival of the patients exhibiting NCT were analyzed. Results: The number of NCT patients was 5,871 (30.6%) in 1999 and continuously decreased to 4,434 (15.3%) in 2015. Between 2006 and 2015, the proportions of NCT patients decreased from 72.9% to 55.0% among those 80 years old or older and from 9.2% to 5.4% among patients younger than 40 years. In patients with distant metastases, this proportion decreased from 35.5% to 32.7%, and this proportion also decreased from 17.6% to 8.2% among those with localized disease. The 5-year relative survival rates of NCT patients between 2011 and 2015 were significantly lower than those of the treated patients in each stage (60.2% vs. 99.7%, 13.8% vs. 67.1%, and 2.0% vs. 8.3% among those with localized, regional, and distant disease, respectively). Conclusions: The proportion of NCT gastric cancer patients has decreased during the last 16 years. However, considerable numbers of elderly patients are still NCT. There must be a strategy to decrease NCT and improve the nationwide survival rate of patients with gastric cancer.