• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.224-229
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• 2018

Background: The patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are known to have a high incidence of breakthrough nausea and vomiting due to the conditioning regimen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of antiemetic therapy for breakthrough nausea and vomiting in patients receiving HSCT and to propose an effective treatment regimen. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 109 adult patients. The collected data were used to identify (1) antiemetic and dosing regimens prescribed for controlling breakthrough nausea and vomiting, (2) the rate of patients who developed breakthrough nausea and vomiting, and (3) the percent of antiemetics prescribed on the day of symptom onset. Based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guideline, we assessed the suitability of antiemetics for breakthrough nausea and vomiting, and prescription timing. Results: All patients were prescribed pro re nata antiemetics. About 40.0%, 41.4%, and 18.6% of patients were using one, two, and three or more additional drugs for breakthrough nausea and vomiting, respectively. The most frequently administered drugs were intravenous metoclopramide (43.8%) and granisetron patch (36.2%). Breakthrough nausea and vomiting occurred in 87 patients (79.1%) and they developed symptoms 320 cases. About 220 cases (68.8%) were treated with additional antiemetics on the day of symptom onset and the rate of symptom resolution was only 10.3% (9 patients). Conclusion: The breakthrough nausea and vomiting in patients receiving HSCT occurred very frequently and was hard to control, thus requiring more rapid and aggressive treatments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.9015-9019
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• 2014

The study aimed to compare the 2 main types of insurance used by colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in a university hospital in Thailand: universal coverage (UC) and 'Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme' (CSMBS) in terms of hospital expenditure and survival outcomes. CRC cases in stages I-IV who were operated on and had completed their adjuvant therapy in Songklanagarind Hospital from 2004 through 2013 were retrospectively reviewed regarding their hospital expenditure, focusing on surgical and chemotherapy costs. Of 1,013 cases analyzed, 524 (51.7%) were in the UC group while 489 (48.3%) belonged to the CSMBS group. Cases with stage IV disease were significantly more frequent in the UC group. Average total treatment expenditure (TTE) was 143,780 Thai Baht (THB) (1 US$ =~ 30 THB). The TTE increased with tumor stage and the chemotherapy cost contributed the most to the TTE increment. TTE in the CSMBS group was significantly higher than in the UC group for stage II-III CRCs. The majority of cases in the UC group (65.5%) used deGramont or Mayo as their first line regimen, and the proportion of cases who started with a capecitabine-based regimen (XELOX or $Xeloda^{(R)}$) was significantly higher in the CSMBS group (61.0% compared to 24.5% in the UC group, p-value < 0.01). On survival analysis, overall survival (OS) and progress free survival in the CSMBS group were significantly better than in the UC group. The 5-year OS in the CSMBS and UC groups were 84.3% and 74.6%, respectively (p-value < 0.01). In conclusion, the study indicates that in Thailand, the type of insurance influences resource utilization, especially the choice of chemotherapy, in CRC cases. This disparity in treatment, in turn, results in a gap in treatment outcomes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1979-1985
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• 2016

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine has been highly appreciated as a supportive regimen for classical treatment strategies. Here we offer a nutrition-based adjuvant therapy for liver fibrosis, a major risk factor for cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Aim of the study: To evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effects of Jerusalem artichoke tubers (JAT) in combination with interferon and ribavirin. Materials and Methods: Twelve groups of rats were administered JAT, interferon and ribavirin either separately or in combination from day one of $CCL_4$ administration until the end of the study. Animals were killed after 8 weeks of $CCL_4$-induced hepatotoxicity. Results: Hepatocytes from rats treated with triple combination of interferon, ribavirin, and JAT showed more less normal architecture compared to $CCL_4$-treated rats. We also detected significantly higher hepatic protein expression levels of p53, BAX and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) in the $CCL_4$-intoxicated group compared to normal controls, as evidenced by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting analyses. Addition of JAT as a supportive regimen improved response to ribavirin and interferon and effectively participated in retaining normal histopathological and biochemical criteria and significantly lowered protein expression of p53, BAX, and TGF-${\beta}$. Conclusions: We suggest that addition of JAT as a supportive r egimen to interferon and ribavirin effectively potentiates their anti-fibrotic effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1837-1840
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• 2012

Background: In spite of the fact that platinum-based doublets are considered the standard therapy for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), no elderly-specific platinum based prospective phase III regimen has been explored. The aim of this retrospective singlecenter study was to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of cisplatin-based therapy specifically for the elderly. Methods: Patients receiving platinum-based treatment were divided into three groups. In the first group (GC), Gemcitabine was administrated at 1000 $mg/m^2$ on days 1, 8 and cisplatin was added at 75 $mg/m^2$ on day 1. In the second group (DC), 75 $mg/m^2$ docetaxel and cisplatin were administered on day 1. The third group (PC) received 175 mg of paclitaxel and 75 mg of cisplatin on day 1. These treatments were repeated every three weeks. Result: GC arm had 36, the DC arm 42 and the PC arm 29 patients. Grade III-IV thrombocytopenia was higher in the GC arm (21.2% received GC, 2.8% received DC, and 3.8% received PC), while sensory neuropathy was lower in patients with GC arm (3.0%, 22.2%, and 23.1% received GC, DC and PC, respectively). There were no statistically significant difference in the response rates among the three groups (p>0.05). The median Progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.0 months and the median Overall survival (OS) in each group was 7.1, 7.4 and 7.1 months, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion: The response rate, median PFS and OS were similar among the three treatment arms. Grade III-IV thrombocytopenia was higher in the GC arm, while the GC regimen was more favorable than the other cisplatin-based treatmetns with regard to sensory neuropathy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.899-904
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• 2014

Concurrent chemo-radiation (CRT) has been established as the standard of care for non-metastatic loco-regionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) but recently the addition of induction chemotherapy in the already established regimen has presented an attractive multidisciplinary approach. This retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by CRT for the management of loco-regionally advanced NPC. Between July 2005 and September 2010, 99 patients were treated with cisplatin based IC followed by CRT. Induction chemotherapy included a 2 drug combination; intravenous gemcitabine $1000mg/m^2$ on day 1 and 8 and cisplatin $75mg/m^2$ on day 1 only. Radiotherapy (RT) was given as a phase treatment to a total dose of 70 Gy in 35 fractions. Concurrent cisplatin ($75mg/m^2$) was administered to all patients on days 1, 22 and 43. All patients were evaluated for tumor response and adverse effects after IC and 6 weeks after the completion of the treatment protocol. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17 and Kaplan Meier estimates were applied to project survival. Median follow-up duration was 20 months. The 5-year overall survival (OS), loco regional control (LRC) and relapse free survival (RFS) rates were 71%, 73% and 50%respectively. Acute grade 4 toxicity related to induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemo-radiation was 4% and 2% respectively, with only 3 toxicity-related hospital admissions. We conclude that induction gemcitabine and cisplatin followed by chemo-radiation is a safe and effective regimen in management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, meriting further investigation in randomized clinical trials.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.519-525
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of neutropenia in patients with breast cancer who received chemotherapy and to identify the differences in incidence according to influential factors. We analyzed the medical records of 353 breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy at university hospital in Seoul, Korea from January 2010 to March 2016. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, $X^2-test$, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS 20.0. Among the 353 subjects, 33.1% had neutropenia, and the factors that showed significant difference according to neutropenia were exercise performance, RT status, and regimen. The results of this study suggest that it is important to predict the prevalence of neutropenia in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and to provide appropriate education and nursing intervention.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.99-129
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• 2013

Objective : Most disease of the aged comprise chronic illness, hence the diet is important. Yet, the study on diet methodology for the remedy of the aged folks' aliments is scarce. The diet for the aged must be easy to digest- in regard to the physiological features of the aged, delightfully chewable, while meeting the expectation and guaranteeing nutrition-supply and remedial efficacy. Material and Method : This study is designed to accomplish following things with the Yang-lo-bong-chin-seo, a text on maintaining and upbringing the health for the aged: (1) classify the food recorded in the text in terms of cooking methods, (2) then sort the main ingredients in remedial herbal rice porridge(Yak-sun-jook) in food material science manner, (3) evaluate the cooking methods of the porridge for each and various symptoms, and (4) assess the features of each ingredient of the porridge, the value of it both in oriental medicine's and nutrition's scope. Results : 1) Among 64 main dishes recorded in Yang-lo-bong-chin-seo, rice porridge composes the majority, which is 64%. Stew and soup account for 60% of side dishes. 2) In 15 food cures, 43 remedial herbal rice porridges(Yak-sun-jook) were recorded. 3) Yak-sun-jook utilizes most chinese herbs as its food material. 4) Yak-sun-jook is made more with vegetable ingredients than animal ingredients and consist highly of chinese herbs. 5) Main ingredients in the porridges are effective in disease cure in addition to sufficient, well-balanced nutrition. 6) Cooking method of the porridge is grinding chinese herbs into powder or boiling them for a long time. Conclusion: All forementioned steps build the informational foundation - for this purpose the information be utilized - for making possible the development and the devising of pragmatic and feasible Remedial herbal rice porridge(Yak-sun-jook).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.713-716
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• 2013

Social and behavioral scientists have proposed that a person's belief system crucially influences his or her behaviour, and therefore may affect outcomes of pain management. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between analgesic beliefs, analgesic adherence and pain experience amongst Taiwanese cancer outpatients. The cross-sectional study included 92 oncology outpatients in two teaching hospitals in the Taipei area of Taiwan. The research instruments included the Pain Opioid Analgesic Beliefs Scale-Cancer (POABS-CA), opioid adherence, and the Brief Pain Inventory-Chinese (BPI-Chinese). Beliefs about pain and opioids demonstrated a significant relationship with patients' opioid adherence (r = -0.30, p < 0.01). The more negative beliefs regarding opioids and pain the patient had, the worse their adherence to around the clock (ATC) analgesic regimen. However, there was no significant correlation between opioid belief and pain experience. As well, there were no significant relationships between adherence to opioid regimen and any of the measures of pain experience. The study highlights the potential importance of a patient's pain and opioid beliefs in adherence to pain medication.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.10
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• pp.408-413
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigated predictors of unresponsiveness to second-line intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment for Kawasaki disease (KD). Methods: This was a single-center analysis of the medical records of 588 patients with KD who had been admitted to Asan Medical Center between 2006 and 2014. Related clinical and laboratory data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: Eighty (13.6%) of the 588 patients with KD were unresponsive to the initial IVIG treatment and received a second dose. For these 80 patients, univariate analysis of the laboratory results obtained before administering the second-line IVIG treatment showed that white blood cell count, neutrophil percent, hemoglobin level, platelet count, serum protein level, albumin level, potassium level, and C-reactive protein level were significant predictors. The addition of methyl prednisolone to the second-line regimen was not associated with treatment response (odds ratio [OR], 0.871; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.216-3.512; P=0.846). Multivariate analysis revealed serum protein level to be the only predictor of unresponsiveness to the second-line treatment (OR, 0.160; 95% CI, 0.028-0.911; P=0.039). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to determine predictors of unresponsiveness to the second dose of IVIG showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 72% at a serum protein cutoff level of <7.15 g/dL. Conclusion: The serum protein level of the patient prior to the second dose of IVIG is a significant predictor of unresponsiveness. The addition of methyl prednisolone to the second-line regimen produces no treatment benefit.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.33-51
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• 2006

With the reduction of contagious diseases throughout the world and prolonged life expectancy has lead into increase of habitual related diseases. Industrial development and better economic situation made people more concerned about their health. As primary illnesses are subdued in the past years, health care system and the public value prevention and well-being more than the treatment itself. Based on this trend, this study focused on the view of life from the perspective of Oriental medicine as it's peculiarities, regimen methods, and the definition of healthy life are evaluated. Following results were obtained: - View of life in Oriental medicine focused on two basic principles of interrelationship between the organs internally, inter-dependency with the natural environment and social surrounding externally as recognition and respect between the medium were valued. - Sustaining and maintaining good health in Oriental medicine are closely related to prenatally healthy pregnancy and fetation, as well as prenatal training. Postnatal maintenance includes accommodation to seasonal changes, adequate food intake, mind control, various regimen methods and avoidance of wrong doings. - Defining health includes body's internal condition and external influences, principles of essence, qi, spirit, and yin and yang, harmony and balance, and individuality. - To conclude, good health in Oriental medicine is defined as 'external adaptation to society and natural environment, and internal balancing of individual difference with accumulation of essence, nurturing and circulating qi, and every material around the body in harmony and balance."