• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.200-206
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the possibility of treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer with Traditional Korean Medicine based allergen-removed Rhus verniciflua Stokes (ARVS) following chemoradiotherapy. Methods: A patient with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIB) felt chest discomfort, fatigue, and anxiety after chemoradiotherapy. To prevent recurrence, he opted to receive Traditional Korean Medicine. Results: After treatment with ARVS, the size of the residual primary cancer and a metastatic lymph node decreased, without new cancerous regions. The patient has maintained good performance and has shown prolonged overall survival. Conclusions: This report suggests that ARVS may play a therapeutic role in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer after chemoradiotherapy. Further studies will be needed to determine the effect of ARVS on locally-advanced unresectable non-small cell lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4325-4328
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• 2013

Introduction: The influence of season at diagnosis on cancer survival has been an intriguing issue for many years. Most studies have shown a possible correlation in between the seasonality and some cancer type survival. With short expected survival, lung cancer is an arena that still is in need of new prognostic factors and models. We aimed to investigate the effect of season of diagnosis on 3 months, 1 and 2 years survival rates and overall survival of non small cell lung cancer patients. Materials and Methods: The files of non small cell lung cancer patients that were stages IIIB and IV at diagnosis were reviewed retrospectively. According to diagnosis date, the patients were grouped into 4 season groups, autumn, winter, spring and summer. Results: A total of 279 advanced non small cell lung cancer patients' files were reviewed. Median overall survival was 15 months in the entire population. Overall 3 months, 1 and 2 years survival rates were 91.0%, 58.2% and 31.2% respectively. The season of diagnosis was significantly correlated with 3 months survival rates, being diagnosed in spring being associated with better survival. Also the season was significantly correlated with T stage of the disease. For 1 and 2 years survival rates and overall survival, the season of diagnosis was not significantly correlated. There was no correlation detected between season and overall survivals according to histological subtypes of non small cell lung cancer. Conclusion: As a new finding in advanced non small cell lung cancer patients, it can be concluded that being diagnosed in spring can be a favorable prognostic factor for short term survival.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.29-41
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• 2018

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although progress in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been made over the past decade, the 5-year survival rate in patients with lung cancer remains only 10%-20%. Obviously, new therapeutic options are required for patients with advanced NSCLC and unmet medical needs. Cancer immunotherapy is an evolving treatment modality that uses a patient's own immune systems to fight cancer. Theoretically, cancer immunotherapy can result in long-term cancer remission and may not cause the same side effects as chemotherapy and radiation. Immunooncology has become an important focus of basic research as well as clinical trials for the treatment of NSCLC. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are the most promising approach for cancer immunotherapy and they have become the standard of care for patients with advanced NSCLC. This review summarizes basic tumor immunology and the relevant clinical data on immunotherapeutic approaches, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors in NSCLC.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.893-900
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• 2009

Objective : To investigate the therapeutic effects of Hang-Am-Plus (HAP) on advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Method : We prescribed HAP three times a day (3,000-6,000 mg/ day) during the treatment period (8 - 24 months). Computed tomography (CT) was performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Results : Four patients who were diagnosed with NSCLC were recommended chemotherap y, but refused it because of old age, side effects, or treatment failure, and instead sought oriental medicinal therapy. They were treated around 12 months. The patients showed stable disease (SD) state for 5 months, 3 months, 19 months and 3 months, respectively. Conclusion : These four cases may give us the possibility that HAP offers potential benefits for non-small cell lung cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4765-4768
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• 2013

Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF in serum of patients with non- small cell lung cancer, for assessing their possible diagnostic and prognostic roles. Methods: We enrolled 48 patients newly diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and 40 healthy controls. TNF- ${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were measured in the serum of all the subjects with specific radioimmunoassay kits, while EGF was analyzed by sandwich enzyme immunoassay techniques. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between lung cancer patients and the control group regarding the values of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF in serum. Moreover, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-8 and VEGF levels were higher in patients with advanced stages compared to early stages. In addition, higher serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF were found in smokers than in non-smokers, both in patients and controls. Conclusion: Serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF were all elevated in lung cancer patients, suggesting that inflammatory cytokines could be jointly used as a screening tool. Though TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-8 and VEGF levels were related to advanced disease, long-term survival studies of NSCLC patients should be performed to confirm whether they can act as biomarkers of advanced disease. In addition, smoking would be an important contributor to the processes of inflammation and lung cancer.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2014

Objectives : To study the effect of SB injection on tumor size in an advanced non-small cell lung cancer patient. Methods : A patient was clinically diagnosed as advanced non-small cell lung cancer (Stage IIIa). Four cycles of intravenous SB injection were conducted. Each cycle lasted 4 days. The content of 7vials SB was injected every day. To compare the tumor size before treatment and after four cycles of SB injection, chest computed tomography (CT) was performed. Results : Follow-up CT images showed that the tumor size was reduced. In admission, size of the tumor $6.7{\times}8.5{\times}9.5cm$ on the left lower lobe of lung. After SB injection, size of the tumor $5.6{\times}6.8{\times}8.4cm$ by Chest CT. The patient's symptoms such as cough, sputum were improving until four cycles of SB injection. Numerical rating scale (NRS) showed improvement of Chest pain from point 3 to point 0. Conclusions : This case study suggests that intravenous SB injection may have significant effects of anti-tumor for non-small cell lung cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.3
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• pp.111-115
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• 2014

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, and more than 80% of cases are of non-small cell lung cancer. Although chemotherapy and molecularly targeted therapy may provide some benefit, there is a need for newer therapies for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC. Immunotherapy aims to augment the recognition of cancer as foreign, to stimulate immune responsiveness, and to relieve the inhibition of the immune response that allows tolerance to tumor survival and growth. Two immunotherapeutic approaches showing promise in NSCLC are immune checkpoint inhibition and cancer vaccination. Although currently immunotherapy does not have an established role in the treatment of NSCLC, these patients should be enrolled in formal clinical trials.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4679-4683
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• 2013

Background: ERCC1 is considered as a promising molecular marker that may predict platinum based chemotherapy response in non small cell lung cancer patients. We therefore investigated whether its expression is indeed associated with clinical outcomes in advanced stage NSCLC patients. Materials and Methods: Pretreatment tumor biopsy samples of 83 stage 3B and 4 non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with platinum based chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed for immunohistochemical ERCC1 expression. None of the patients received curative surgery or radiotherapy. Results: By calculating H- scores regarding the extent and intensity of immunohistochemical staining of tumor biopsy samples, ERCC1 expression was found to be positive in 50 patients (60.2%). ERCC1 positive and negative groups had no statistically significant differences regarding treatment response, progression free survival and overall survival (respectively p=0.161; p=0.412; p=0.823). Conclusions: In our study we found no association between ERCC1 expression and survival or treatment response. The study has some limitations, such as small sample size and retrospective analysis method. There is need of more knowledge for use of ERCC1 guided chemotherapy regimens in advanced stage NSCLC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2583-2585
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• 2016

Objectives: To evaluate efficacy and toxicity in patients with advanced lung cancer, including non-small cell and small cell variants (NSCLC and SCLC), treated with thalidomide plus chemotherapy. Methods: Fourteen patients with advanced lung cancer were scheduled to receive chemotherapy combined with thalidomide. All patients in this study received thalidomide (100 mg orally per night before sleeping, produced by Changzhou Pharmaceutical Factory Co.Ltd) after the start of chemotherapy for at least 14 days. Chemotherapy was administered according to the condition of patients. After at least 14 days of treatment, efficacy and toxicity were evaluated. Results: There were 6 female and 8 male patients with advanced lung cancer recruited into this study, including 2 with SCLC and 12 with NSCLC. The median age was 56.7 (44-65) years. Progressive disease was observed in 12 patients (12/14), and stable disease in 2 (2/14). Grade 1 to 2 myelosuppression was observed in 4/14 patients, and Grade 1 to 2 elevation of hepatic enzymes was recorded in 5/14 patients. Adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract were documented in 2/14 patients, all beingGrade 1. No Grade 3-4 toxicity was recorded. No treatment related deaths occurred. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that thalidomide combined with chemotherapy is mildly effective and safe for treating patients with advanced lung cancer. However, further evaluation of this combination is warranted.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4739-4743
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• 2012

Background: Predictive biomarkers for lung cancer recurrence after curative tumor resection remain unclear. This study set out to assess the role of FoxM1 in the recurrence of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry for FoxM1 expression was performed on paraffin-embedded tumor tissues from 165 NSCLC patients. Association of FoxM1 expression with clinicopathological parameters and disease free survival were evaluated. Results: Our results indicated FoxM1 expression to be significantly associated with poorer tissue differentiation (P =0.03), higher TNM stage (P <0.01), lymph node metastasis (P <0.01), advanced tumor stage (P <0.01), and poorer disease free survival (P <0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that FoxM1 expression increased the hazard of recurrence (hazard ratio= 1.96, 95% CI, 1.04-3.17, P <0.05), indicating that FoxM1 is an independent and significant predictor of lung cancer recurrence. Conclusion: Therefore, FoxM1 is an independent risk factor for recurrence of NSCLC. Elevated FoxM1 expression could be used as an indicator of poor disease free survival.