• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.371-375
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• 2023

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells and play important roles as the first immune cells to recognize and kill cancer. In patients with advanced and terminal cancer, NK cells are often inactivated, suggesting that NK cells may play important roles in cancer treatment. In particular, the proportion of NK cells among immune cells infiltrating tumor tissues is often low, which suggests that NK cells do not survive in tumor microenvironment (TME). In order to overcome these hurdles of NK cells in cancer treatment, it is critical to develop strategies that enhance the proliferation and cytolytic activity of NK cells. We applied Vemurafenib to NK cells and measured the degree of NK cell proliferation and functional activation. We obtained unexpected results of increased NK cell numbers and anti-tumor activity after Vemurafenib treatment. Although further investigation is required to uncover the detailed mechanisms, our results suggest that Vemurafenib is a promising candidate to increase the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy using NK cells.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.65-68
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• 1998

The neuropathic pains are not well controlled by common analgesics and opioid drugs in terminal cancer patients. The types of these pains are divided within the two cages, one is due to continuous central sensitization and the other is due to paroxymal peripheral sensitization. The mechanism of continuous central sensitization is the activity of dorsal horn neurones that are activated by C-fiber input. The tricyclic antidepressants, non-tricyclic antidepressants, and oral local anaesthesia probably produce analgesic effects in neuropathic pains through suppression of this activity. The mechanism of paroxymal peripheral sensitization is the hyper-excitability of peripheral neurones. The neuropathic pains due to peripheral sensitization respond relatively the anticonvulsants and baclofen that stabilize membranes and suppress paroxymal electrical discharge. The patients was a 38-year-old female who complained of hyperthemia on upper right extremity. The symptom of this patient was improved with anticonvulsant(dilantin 600mg).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.782-791
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to conceptualize and clarify a concept of "preparatory grief" in terminal cancer patients. Method: A hybrid model of concept development was applied to develop a concept of preparatory grief, which included a field study carried out in Busan, Korea. Participants of this study were 8 cancer patients. Results: On the basis of our literature, research and clinical experience, the concept of preparatory grief emerged as a complex phenomenon playing an important role in five areas; physical, emotional, interpersonal, religious, and transcendental dimensions. Two new attributes were defined through a field phase; trust of the post-mortal world and a serene state of mind. Indicators reflected attitudes of sadness, worry, regret, capability to adapt and hope. The results of preparatory grief were loss of energy and interest, emotional chaos, contemplation, taciturnity and restoration. Conclusions : Differentiating among preparatory grief and other symptoms in cancer patients is essential because of therapeutic implications. Understanding preparatory grief is necessary in order to manage cancer patients for promoting quality of life so that its application may have a positive impact on the patient's life.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.476-485
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• 2023

Gastric cancer stem-like cells (GCSCs) possess stem cell properties, such as self-renewal and tumorigenicity, which are known to induce high chemoresistance and metastasis. These characteristics of GCSCs are further enhanced by autophagy, worsening the prognosis of patients. Currently, the mechanisms involved in the induction of stemness in GCSCs during autophagy remain unclear. In this study, we compared the cellular responses of GCSCs with those of gastric cancer intestinal cells (GCICs) whose stemness is not induced by autophagy. In response to glucose starvation, the levels of β-catenin and stemness-related genes were upregulated in GCSCs, while the levels of β-catenin declined in GCICs. The pattern of deubiquitinase ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L3 (UCH-L3) expression in GCSCs and GCICs was similar to that of β-catenin expression depending on glucose deprivation. We also observed that inhibition of UCH-L3 activity reduced β-catenin protein levels. The interaction between UCH-L3 and β-catenin proteins was confirmed, and it reduced the ubiquitination of β-catenin. Our results suggest that UCH-L3 induces the stabilization of β-catenin, which is required to promote stemness during autophagy activation. Also, UCH-L3 expression was regulated by c-Fos, and the levels of c-Fos increased in response to autophagy activation. In summary, our findings suggest that the inhibition of UCH-L3 during nutrient deprivation could suppress stress resistance of GCSCs and increase the survival rates of gastric cancer patients.

• 한국보건간호학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.06b
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• pp.136-136
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• 2006

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2173-2179
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• 2013

Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase 37 (UCH37, also called UCHL5), a member of the deubiquitinating enzymes, can suppress protein degradation through disassembling polyubiquitin from the distal subunit of the chain. It has been proved that UCH37 can be activated by proteasome ubiqutin chain receptor Rpn13 and incorporation into the 19S complex. UCH37, which has been reported to assist in the mental development of mice, may play an important role in oncogenesis, tumor invasion and migration. Further studies will allow a better understanding of roles in cell physiology and pathology, embryonic development and tumor formation, hopefully providing support for the idea that UCH37 may constitute a new interesting target for the development of anticancer drugs.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.106-110
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• 2008

Palliative sedation has been used in patients who undergo intractable suffering at the end of life. Its implementation, however, may be complicated due to resistance of clinicians and barrier of bioethical issues. Here, we present 50-year-old man with stomach cancer and multiple bone metastasis who was treated with palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He suffered from refractory pain on the whole body even after standard analgesics and multidisplinary effort to relieve. Upon shared decision for sedation, he was given midazolam until discharge. Literature reviews reveal cases similar to the present case.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.286-294
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• 2014

Mammalian polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) has been studied intensively as a key regulator of various cell cycle events that are critical for proper M-phase progression. The polobox domain (PBD) present in Plk1's C-terminal noncatalytic region has been shown to play a central role in targeting the N-terminal kinase domain of Plk1 to specific subcellular locations. Subsequent studies reveal that PBD binds to a phosphorylated motif generated by one of the two mechanisms - self-priming by Plk1 itself or non-self-priming by a Pro-directed kinase, such as Cdc2. Here, we comparatively review the differences in the biochemical steps of these mechanisms and discuss their physiological significance. Considering the diverse functions of Plk1 during the cell cycle, a better understanding of how the catalytic activity of Plk1 functions in concert with its cisacting PBD and how this coordinated process is intricately regulated to promote Plk1 functions will be important for providing new insights into different mechanisms underlying various Plk1-mediated biological events that occur at the multiple stages of the cell cycle.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.385-411
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• 2008

The goal of medicine is to contribute to promoting national health by preventing diseases and providing treatment. The scope of modern medicine isn't merely confined to disease testing, treatment and prevention in accordance to that, and making experiments by using the human body is widespread. The advance in modern medicine has made a great contribution to valuing human dignity and actualizing a manly life, but there is a problem that has still nagged modern medicine: treatment and healing for terminal patients including cancer patients. In advanced countries, pain care and hospice medicine are already universal. Offering a helping hand for terminal patients to lead a less painful and more manly life from diverse angles instead of merely focusing on treatment is called the very hospice medicine. That is a comprehensive package of medical services to take care of death-facing terminal patients and their families with affection. That is providing physical, mental and social support for the patients to pass away in peace after living a dignified and decent life, and that is comforting their bereaved families. The National Hospice Organization of the United States provides terminal patients and their families with sustained hospital care and home care in a move to lend assistance to them. In our country, however, tertiary medical institutions simply provide medical care for terminal patients to extend their lives, and there are few institutional efforts to help them. Hospice medicine is offered mostly in our country by non- professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, pastors or physical therapists. Terminal patients' needs cannot be satisfied in the same manner as those of other patients, and it's needed to take a different approach to their treatment as well. Nevertheless, the focus of medical care is still placed on treatment only, which should be taken seriously. Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Affairs and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service held a public hearing on May 21, 2008, on the cost of hospice care, quality control and demonstration project to gather extensive opinions from the academic community, experts and consumer groups to draw up plans about manpower supply, facilities and demonstration project, but the institutions are not going to work on hospice education, securement of facilities and relevant legislation. In 2002, Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Affairs made an official announcement to introduce a hospice nurse system to nurture nurse specialists in this area. That ministry legislated for the qualifications of advanced nurse practitioner and a hospice nurse system(Article 24 and 2 in Enforcement Regulations for the Medical Law), but few specific plans are under way to carry out the regulations. It's well known that the medical law defines a nurse as a professional health care worker, and there is a move to draw a line between the responsibilities of doctors and those of nurses in association with medical errors. Specifically, the roles of professional hospice are increasingly expected to be accentuated in conjunction with treatment for terminal patients, and it seems that delving into possible problems with the job performance of nurses and coming up with workable countermeasures are what scholars of conscience should do in an effort to contribute to the development of medicine and the realization of a dignified and manly life.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.116-129
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, caregiving performance, stress levels, and mental health of family caregivers of terminal cancer patients with delirium, insofar as these characteristics are relevant for delirium. Methods: Between May 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020, 96 family caregivers of terminal cancer patients with delirium completed a structured survey, the results of which were analyzed. Results: The average correct answer rate for delirium-related knowledge was 53.2% across all subcategories, which included knowledge of causes (41.5%), symptoms (65.4%), and caregiving (51.7%). The average score for family caregivers' performance of caregiving for delirium was 2.60±0.5, with subcategories including caregiving for patients without delirium (2.16±0.95), caregiving for patients with delirium (2.84±1.01), and stress related to caregiving for delirium (39.88±16.55), as well as categories such as patient-related caregiving (44.32±28.98), duty-related caregiving (44.21±30.15), and interpersonal relationship-related caregiving (22.35±25.03). For mental health, the average score among family caregivers was 1.96±0.70, with the highest score being for the category of additional items (2.28±0.84). Family caregivers of patients with hyperactive delirium as the delirium subtype had higher scores for caregiving performance than caregivers of patients with mixed delirium. Conclusion: Scores for the delirium-related knowledge and caregiving performance of family caregivers were low, while their caregiving stress levels were high due to their lack of knowledge and experience. This indicates the importance of delirium-related education for family members of patients with delirium and the necessity of developing nursing intervention programs to help manage stress and promote mental health among family caregivers.