• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2014

Beta-catenin (CTNNB1, catenin (cadherin-associated protein), beta 1) is involved in various biological processes, including embryogenesis, tumorigenesis, angiogenesis and progression of metastasis. CTNNB1, as a multifunctional and oncogenic protein, has important roles in adhesion between Sertoli cells through an N-cadherin-dependent manner and in various cancer types through its over-activation. In addition, CTNNB1 can interact with estrogen/estrogen receptor alpha complex, which regulates the transcription of WNT (wingless-type MMTV integration site family)/CTNNB1 target genes. Recently, we investigated the functional roles and expression pattern of CTNNB1 during the morphological changes of embryonic gonads of chickens and the estrogen-dependent regulation of CTNNB1 in oviduct development and potential functions as a biomarker of CTNNB1 in human epithelial ovarian cancer using the chicken as a biological research model. Therefore, in this review, we provide a new insight of potential role of CTNNB1 in the development of the female reproductive tract during early embryogenesis and ovarian carcinogenesis of laying hen models.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.598-602
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• 2011

A 4-year-old female Shih-tzu dog weighing 5.1 kg was referred with abdominal distension and diagnosed as cystic papillary adenocarcinoma with metastasis to serosal surface of abdomen by biopsy. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cisplatin (50 $mg/m^2$) diluted in normal saline (250 $ml/m^2$) was initiated following removal of ascites one month after ovariohysterectomy (OHE). Clinical response was great and had no side effects during the chemotherapy period (3 relapses, 33 months after diagnosis). However, pleural effusion occurred with ascites and renal failure at the end of treatment. Eleven treatments of cisplatin were performed during 35 months after diagnosis. Intraperitoneal cisplatin instillation has been effective to control malignant ascites and pleural effusion in ovarian cancers and could be a reasonable palliative treatment. This is the first case report describing intraperitoneal cisplatin chemotherapy in metastatic ovarian cyst papillary adenocarcinoma in Korea.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.603-606
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• 2010

Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis, a remote effect of cancer without nervous system metastasis, is rare, especially in childhood. Here, we report a case of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with an ovarian mature teratoma in an adolescent girl. The 15-year-old girl developed neuropsychiatric symptoms, memory loss, seizures, and unconsciousness. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were normal, while single photon emission computed tomography imaging showed hypoperfusion in both temporal lobes. Ultrasound and MRI of the abdomen revealed a left ovarian cystic mass. The patient experienced a significant recovery of cognitive function after surgical resection of the tumor, which was pathologically identified as a mature ovarian teratoma, and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.188-193
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• 2018

The aim of the current study was to demonstrate the potential therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol in oral cancer patients. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) intensifies cancer cell invasion and metastasis, whereas resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, possesses antitumor activity, suppressing cell proliferation and progression in various cancer cell lines (ovarian, gastric, oral, pancreatic, colon, and prostate cancer cells). In addition, resveratrol has been identified as an inhibitor of LPA-induced proteolytic enzyme expression and ovarian cancer invasion. Furthermore, resveratrol was shown to inhibit oral cancer cell invasion by downregulating hypoxia-inducible factor $1{\alpha}$ and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Recently, we demonstrated that LPA is important for the expression of transcription factors TWIST and SLUG during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in oral squamous carcinoma cells. In this study, we treated serum-starved cultures of oral squamous carcinoma cell line YD-10B with resveratrol for 24 hours prior to stimulation with LPA. To identify an optimal resveratrol concentration that does not induce apoptosis in oral squamous carcinoma cells, we determined the toxicity of resveratrol in YD-10B cells by assessing their viability using the MTT assay. Another assay was performed using Matrigel-coated cell culture inserts to detect oral cancer cell invasion activity. Immunoblotting was applied for analyzing protein expression of SLUG, TWIST1, E-cadherin, and GAPDH. We demonstrated that resveratrol efficiently inhibited LPA-induced oral cancer cell EMT and invasion by downregulating SLUG and TWIST1 expression. Therefore, resveratrol may potentially reduce oral squamous carcinoma cell invasion and metastasis in oral cancer patients, improving their survival outcomes. In summary, we identified new targets for the development of therapies against oral cancer progression and characterized the therapeutic potential of resveratrol for the treatment of oral cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4295-4300
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• 2012

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as a vaccine to induce an immune response and provide antitumor protection in a rat model. Methods: Cross-reactivity of antigens between hESCs and tumour cells was screened by immunohistochemistry. Fischer 344 rats were divided into 7 groups, with 6 rats in each, immunized with: Group 1, hESC; Group 2, pre-inactivated mitotic NuTu-19; Group 3 PBS; Group 4, hESC; Group 5, pre-inactivated mitotic NuTu-19; Group 6, PBS; Group 7, hESC only. At 1 (Groups 1-3) or 4 weeks (Groups 4-6) after the last vaccination, each rat was challenged intraperitoneally with NuTu-19. Tumor growth and animal survival were closely monitored. Rats immunized with H9 and NuTu-19 were tested by Western blot analysis of rat orbital venous blood for cytokines produced by Th1 and Th2 cells. Results: hESCs presented tumour antigens, markers, and genes related to tumour growth, metastasis, and signal pathway interactions. The vaccine administered to rats in Group 1 led to significant antitumor responses and enhanced tumor rejection in rats with intraperitoneal inoculation of NuTu-19 cells compared to control groups. In contrast, rats in Group 4 did not display any elevation of antitumour responses. Western blot analysis found cross-reactivity among antibodies generated between H9 and NuTu-19. However, the cytokines did not show significant differences, and no side effects were detected. Conclusion: hESC-based vaccination is a promising modality for immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2014

The chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) plays an important role in the growth, angiogenesis and metastasis of various cancers, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). However, the correlation between CXCR4 and the clinical response of EOC patients to chemotherapy remains unknown. 124 EOC patients were recruited to assess the relationship between CXCR4 and the response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The results showed that patients with a higher CXCR4 expression had a significantly lower chemosensitivity, a poorer progression-free survival and a lower overall survival than those with lower CXCR4 expression. In addition, knockdown of CXCR4 by small interfering RNA suppressed cell proliferation and resulted in G1/S arrest, increased apoptosis and chemosensitivity in both cisplatin-sensitive A2780 cells and cisplatin-resistant cell A2780/cis in vitro. Our data suggest that CXCR4 is one of the key molecules in cisplatin-based chemotherapy for EOC patients and that CXCR4 inhibition is a potential strategy to address the chemoresistance of EOC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.933-939
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• 2015

Malignant tumors are often accompanied by increased risk of hematological abnormalities. However, few studies have reported any prognostic impact of preoperative thrombocytosis, leukocytosis and anemia in epithelia ovarian cancer (EOC). This study aimed to investigate preoperative hematological parameters for anemia, leukocytosis and thombocytosis in relation to established prognostic factors and survival in EOC cases. A total of 816 Chinese women treated for EOC were retrospectively included in the study focusing on the relationship between preoperative hemoglobin, leukocyte and platelet counts, and a panel of clinicopathologic characteristics and outcome. Preoperative anemia was present in 13.4%, leukocytosis in 16.7% and thrombocytosis in 22.8%. Additionally, EOC patients with low differentiation grade, advanced stage, lymph node (LN) metastasis, residual disease ${\geq}1cm$, ascites volume >1,000ml, serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) >675U/ml, and disease recurrence had the higher prevalence of preoperative anemia, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis (all p<0.05). Moreover, EOC patients with older age or postmenopausal EOC patients had the higher prevalence of thrombocytosis (28.7% vs 17.3% or 26.0% vs 17.7%). Furthermore, in a Cox proportional hazard model, thrombocytosis was an independent factor for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (p<0.001). Conclusively, preoperative anemia, leukocytosis or thrombocytosis in EOC patients is closely associated with more malignant disease phenotype and poorer prognosis. Significantly, thrombocytosis may independently predict the disease-specific survival for EOC patients.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.185-189
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• 1997

A sex cord tumor with annnular tubules is a relatively rare ovarian neoplasm. The cytologic findings from a fine needle aspiration biopsy of neck metastasis of a sex cord tumor with annnular tubules are described. The origin of the neck metastasis was the right ovary, and the tumor was diagnosed six years ago. The cytologic findings were characterized by tumor cells arranged in solid or follicular patterns. The tumor cells formed rosette-like or complex tubular structures with central rounded or coalesced hyaline materials. It was difficult to distinguish this tumor cytologically from granulosa cell tumor, thyroid follicular neoplasm, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, and Brenner tumor, but complex tubular structures were helpful in discriminating between these tumors.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.149-152
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• 2015

An abnormally enlarged right ovary and a mass in fat surrounding the right kidney were discovered in a dairy cow during routine postmortem examination at slaughter. The ovary was dark reddish and multinodular in shape. Numerous cystic structures were identified in the mass. Histopathologically, the ovary was completely replaced with large, uniform, polyhedral neoplastic cells containing vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli. The mitotic index was high. In the lymphatic vessels, tumor emboli were observed. Another mass in the fat surranding the right kidney had the same histological features as the ovarian mass. This animal was diagnosed with malignant dysgerminoma and metastasis to other peritoneal organs.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2010

Malignant ovarian tumors in children are very rare, and consist of about 1 % of all childhood malignant tumors. The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis for children with malignant ovarian tumors. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children under 15 years of age with malignant ovarian tumors who had been treated surgically at Asan Medical Center between 1989 and March 2009. There were 32 patients, ranged in age at surgery from 2 to 15 years (mean; 10.4 years). The median follow-up period was 64.7 months (from 1 month to 188 months). Pathologic diagnosis were; immature teratoma (n=10), mixed germ cell tumor (n=10), and dysgerminoma (n=6). Tumor stage was classified by the staging system of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). The number of patients in stage I, II, III, and IV were 24 (75 %), 2 (6.2 %), 4 (12.5 %), and 2 (6.1 %), respectively. The tumor recurred in 4 patients. Seven patients of group 1 did not receive postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and in three of them, the tumor recurred. Twenty-five patients (group 2) underwent postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, and there was only one recurrence. One patient who did not receive postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and expired 10 months after operation because of tumor recurrence and distant metastasis. The overall 5-year event free survival (EFS) was 84.2 %: group 1 in 44.4 %, and group 2 in 95.7 %. Tumor recurrence was related to the postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.004). In conclusion, proper surgical procedures with relevant postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy might improve clinical results in children with malignant ovarian tumors.