• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.485-494
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• 2003

Background : Most previous studies regarding the role of GSTMl and GSTT1 on lung cancer risk have been focused mainly on male smokers. However, epidemiological characteristics, histologic types and risk factors are different in female and male lung cancers, we investigated the association between these genotypes and lung cancer risk in males and females separately. Materials and Methods : The study population consisted of 253 lung cancer (153 males and 100 females) and 243 controls (140 males and 103 females). GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were determined by a multiplex PCR. Results : In the male population, neither GSTM1 nor GSTT1 null genotype showed significant difference between cases and controls. In the female population, the frequencies of GSTM1 null genotype showed no significant difference between cases and controls. However, the frequencies of GSTT1 null genotype was significantly higher in cases (70.3%) than controls (55.3%, odds ratio (OR)=2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI=l.21-3.93). When the female population was stratified by age and smoking status, the ORs for GSTT1 null genotype were significantly higher in subgroups of ${\leq}60$ years (OR=4.82; 95% CI=l.61-14.4) and never-smokers (OR=4.29; 95% CI=1.94-9.48) but not in subgroups of >60 years or smokers. When stratifying the female never-smokers by age, the ORs for GSTT1 null genotype were significantly higher in both age groups of ${\leq}60$ years (OR=7.64; 95% CI=2.00-29.2) and >60 years (OR=2.89; 95% CI=1.05-7.94). Conclusion : We found that GSTT1 null genotype was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in Korean female never-smokers. This result suggests that GSTT1 null genotype could be used as a biomarker for genetic susceptibility to lung cancer in Korean female never-smokers.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2001

Cellular response to ionizing radiation is affected by cell types, radiation doses, and post-irradiation time. Based on the trypan blue dye exclusion assay in normal oral mucosal cells (OM cells), a 48 h post-irradiation was sufffcient and an adequate time point for the evaluation of radiation sensitivity Its $LD_{50}$ was approximately 1.83 Gy To investigate possible biomarkers useful for the biological radiodosimetry of normal epithelial cells (p53, c-fos, cyclin D1, cdc-2, pRb) EGF receptor phosphorylation and Erk activation were evaluated at different radiation doses and different post-irradiation times. From 0.5 Gy, p53 was accumulated in the nucleus of basal cells of the OM raft culture at 4 h post-irradiation and sustained up to 24 h post-irradiation, which suggests that radiation-induced apoptosis or damage repair was not yet completed. The number of p53 positive cells and biosynthesis of p53 were correlated with radiation doses. Both cyclin D1 and c-fos were only transiently induced within 1 h post-irradiation. Cyclin D1 was induced at all radiation doses. However, cfos induction was highest at 0.1 Gy, approximately 7.3 fold more induction than the control, whose induction was reduced in a reverse correlation with radiation dose. The phosphorylation pattern of cdc-2 and pRb were unaffected by radiation. In contrast to A431 tails overexpressing the EGF receptor approximately 8.5 fold higher than normal epithelial, the OM cells reduced the basal level of the EGF receptor phosphorylation in a radiation dose dependent fashion. In conclusion, among radiation-induced biomolecules, the p53 nuclear accumulation may be considered for the future development of a useful marker far biological radiodosimetry in normal epithelial tissue since it was sustained for a longer period and showed a dose response relationship. Specific c-fos induction at a low dose may also be an important finding in this study It needs to be studied further for the elucidation of its possible connection with the low dose radio-adaptive response.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2011

Background and Objective : Radiation resistance(RR) is one of main determinants of treatment outcome in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC), but accurate prediction of RR is difficult. We aim to establish RR OSCC cell lines and identify genes related with RR by a measurement of altered gene expression after inducing RR. Material and Methods : OSCC cell lines, SCC15, SCC25 and QLL1, were treated with 2Gy radiation per session, and parts of them were alive in finally accumulated dosage of 60Gy through 30 times repetition of radiotherapy for inducing RR cell lines. We compared results of cDNA array and proteomics in non-radiated cell lines and RR cell lines to detect changes of gene expression. Western blot was used for the validation of results. Results : cDNA array revealed 265 commonly up-regulated genes and 268 commonly down-regulated genes in 3 RR cell lines comparing their non-radiated counterpart. Among them, 30 cancer related genes were obtained. Proteomics showed 51 commonly altered protein expressions in 3 RR cell lines and 18 cancer related proteins were obtained. Among the detected genes, we found NM23-H1 and PA2G4 were over-expressed in both cDNA array and proteomics. Western blot showed increased expression of NME1 in RR cell lines but not in PA2G4. Conclusion: We concluded that NM23-H1 may be a candidate of RR related gene and over-expression of NM23-H1 could be a biomarker to predict RR in OSCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10217-10223
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• 2015

Hyperactivated ${\alpha}2$-6-sialylation on N-glycans due to overexpression of the Golgi enzyme ${\beta}$-galactoside: ${\alpha}2$-6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal-I) often correlates with cancer progression, metastasis, and poor prognosis. This study was aimed to determine the association between ST6Gal-I expression and the risk of recurrence and survival of patients with localized clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) following surgery. We retrospectively enrolled 391 patients (265 in training cohort and 126 in validation cohort) with localized ccRCC underwent nephrectomy at a single center. Tissue microarrays were constructed for immunostaining of ST6Gal-I. Prognostic value and clinical outcomes were evaluated. High ST6Gal-I expression was associated with Fuhrman grade (p<0.001 and p=0.016, respectively) and the University of California Los-Angeles Integrated Staging System (UISS) score (p=0.004 and p=0.017, respectively) in both cohorts. Patients with high ST6Gal-I expression had significantly worse overall survival (OS) (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) and recurrence free survival (RFS) (p<0.001 and p=0.002, respectively) than those with low expression in both cohorts. On multivariate analysis, ST6Gal-I expression remained associated with OS and RFS even after adjusting for the UISS score. Stratified analysis suggested that the association is more pronounced among patients with low and intermediate-risk disease defined by the UISS score. High ST6Gal-I expression is a potential independent adverse predictor of survival and recurrence in ccRCC patients, and the prognostic value is most prominent in those with low and intermediate-risk disease defined by the UISS score.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4969-4976
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• 2014

Background: miR-152 is involved in the genesis and development of several malignancies. However, its role in HCC has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathological significance of miR-152 and its effect on the malignant phenotype of HCC cells. Methods: miR-152 expression was detected using real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 89 pairs of HCC formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and their adjacent tissues. Functionally, in vitro effects and mechanisms of action of miR-152 on proliferation, viability, caspase activity, apoptosis and motility were explored in HepG2, HepB3 and SNU449 cells, as assessed by spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, fluorescence microscopy, wound-healing and Western blotting, respectively. Results: miR-152 expression in HCC was downregulated remarkably compared to that in adjacent hepatic tissues. miR-152 levels in groups of advanced clinical stage, larger tumor size and positive HBV infection, were significantly lower than in other groups. A miR-152 mimic could suppress cell growth, inhibit cell motility and increase caspase activity and apoptosis in HCC cell lines. Furthermore, Western blotting showed that the miR-152 mimic downregulated Wnt-1, DNMT1, ERK1/2, AKT and TNFRS6B signaling. Intriguingly, inverse correlation of TNFRF6B and miR-152 expression was found in HCC and bioinformatics confirmed that TNFRF6B might be a target of miR-152. Conclusions: Underexpression of miR-152 plays a vital role in hepatocarcinogenesis and lack of miR-152 is related to the progression of HCC through deregulation of cell proliferation, motility and apoptosis. miR-152 may act as a tumor suppressor miRNA by also targeting TNFRSF6B and is therefore a potential candidate biomarker for HCC diagnosis, prognosis and molecular therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3613-3618
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• 2014

Stathmin, also called oncoprotein 18, is a founding member of the family of microtubule-destabilizing proteins that play a critical role in the regulation of mitosis. At the same time stathmin has been recognized as one of responsible factors in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to assess stathmin status, its correlations with clinicopathological parameters and its role as a progosnostic marker in EC patients. The protein and mRNA levels of stathmin were examined byimmunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization in 100EC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues. mRNA and protein expression of stathmin in three EC cell lines(EC9706, ECa109, EC1 commonly used in research) were also analyzed using immunocytochemistry, western blot and in situ hybridization. The prognostic value of Stathmin expression within the tumor tissues were assessed by Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. We showed that stathmin expression was significantly higher in EC tissues than in adjacent noncancerous tissues. High stathmin immunostaining score in the EC was positively correlated with tumor differentiation, Tumor invasion, Lymph node metastases, and TNM stage. In addition, we demonstrated that three EC cell lines examined, were constitutively expressing a high level of stathmin. Of those, EC-1 showed the strongest mRNA and protein expression for the stathmin analyzed. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that significantly longer 5-year survival rate was seen in EC patients with high Stathmin expression, compared to those with low expression of Stathmin expression. Furthermore, multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses revealed that Stathmin was an independent factors affecting the overall survival probability. In conclusion, our data provide a basis for the concept that stathmin might be associated with EC development and progression. High levels of Stathmin expression in the tumor tissues may be a good prognostic marker for patients with EC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5225-5230
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• 2013

Background: There is a Th1/Th2 cytokine imbalance and expression of IL-17 in patients with brain tumours. We aimed to compare the levels of IL-17A and IL-6 in sera of glioma, meningioma and schwannoma patients as well as in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: IL-17A and IL-6 levels were measured in sera of 38 glioma, 24 meningioma and 18 schwannoma patients for comparison with 26 healthy controls by commercial ELISA assays. Results: We observed an increase in the IL-17A in 30% of glioma patients while only 4% and 5.5% of meningioma and schwannoma patients and none of the healthy controls showed elevated IL-17A in their sera ($0.29{\pm}0.54$, $0.03{\pm}0.15$ and $0.16{\pm}0.68$ vs. $0.00{\pm}0.00pg/ml$; p=0.01, p=0.01 and p=0.001, respectively). There was also a significant decrease in the level of IL-6 in glioma patients compared to healthy controls ($2.34{\pm}4.35$ vs. $4.67{\pm}4.32pg/ml$; p=0.01). There was a direct correlation between the level of IL-17A and age in glioma patients (p=0.005). Glioma patients over 30 years of age had higher IL-17A and lower IL-6 in their sera compared to the young patients. In addition, a non-significant grade-specific inverse trend between IL-17A and IL-6 was observed in glioma patients, where high-grade gliomas had higher IL-17A and lower IL-6. Conclusions: Our data suggest a Th17 mediated inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of glioma. Moreover, tuning of IL-6 and IL-17A inflammatory cytokines occurs during progression of glioma. IL-17A may be a potential biomarker and/or immunotherapeutic target in glioma cases.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.417-424
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• 2015

In this study, the relationship between selenoprotein concentrations in blood and stomach cancer have been searched for Korean. The concentration of each selenoprotein in blood serum was analyzed and the correlation between the concentration and stomach cancer was studied to find a potential for using Selenium as a biomarker. In concentration determination, a simple calibration curve method was used with the monitoring of m/z 78 without the use of solid phase extraction. This is a lot more simple than the method using SPE with post column isotope dilution. The result obtained from the analysis of CRM BCR-637, 72.20±3.35 ng·g⁻¹, showed similar value of reference value (81±7 ng·g⁻¹). The total concentration of Se for the controlled group, cardiovascular patients group, was 105.70±21.20 ng·g⁻¹. This value was the same as normal healthy person reported earlier. Each selenoprotein concentration of GPx, SelP and SeAlb was 26.12±7.84, 65.15±14.50, 14.43±6.99 ng·g⁻¹, respectively. The distribution of each selenoprotein was 24.7%, 61.6%, and 13.7%, which was similar to the normal person. The result of stomach cancer patients, the total concentration of Se was 76.11±28.12 ng·g⁻¹ and each concentration of GPx, SelP and SeAlb was 15.41±9.01, 50.83±17.91, and 9.87±5.21 ng·g⁻¹, respectively. The total and each selenoprotein concentration level showed significant decrease for the stomach cancer patients. The level of decrease was 41.0% for GPx, 22.0% for SelP, and 31.6% for SeAlb. However, the distribution of each selenoprotein was not much different. Either total Selenium or each selenoprotein could be used as a possible index for the diagnosis of cancer. However, in age group study, it is shown that young age group (30's-40's) did not show much difference.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.602-610
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• 2008

Purpose Acrylamide is present in significant quantities in a wide range of commonly consumed human foods. Carcinogenic risk of acrylamide through the consumption of food is a great public concern and in controversy, but it is not properly addressed due to the lack of evidence in humans. While a plenty of data is available on the carcinogenicity in animal models, the studies in humans are limited. Thus, the present study attempted to examine the carcinogenic potentials of acrylamide on the human epithelial cell, which is the target cell origin of the most cancers. Material and method & Result 1. Acrylamide was not cytotoxic up to $100{\mu}M$ as measured by MTT and LDH assays, indicating a relatively low toxicity of this substance in human epithelial cells. 2. The parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation such as cell saturation density, soft-agar colony formation and cell aggregation were analyzed to examine the carcinogenic potential of acrylamide. 3. The neoplastic transformation was further increased with the co-treatment of TPA 4. Antioxidants blocked the generation of Reactive Oxygen Species(ROS) and the GSH depleting agent dramatically increased the ROS production. 5. mRNA levels of fibronectin following acrylamide exposure was increased in a dose-dependent manner, indicating a possible biomarker of acrylamide-induced cellular transformation. Conclusion The present study will provide a valuable basis to compare the interspecies differences in response to carcinogenic potentials of acrylamide. The data on the interspecies differences are essential element in human risk assessment. Thus, our results obtained from the human epithelial cells will contribute to improving the risk assessment of human neoplasm including oral cancer.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.109-113
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• 2017

Single analytical procedure including extraction, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometric analysis was evaluated for the simultaneous measurement of lysophospholipids (LPLs). LPLs, particularly, lysophosphatidic acids (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) are lipid messengers ubiquitously found in various biological matrix. The molecular species mediate important physiological roles in association with many diseases (e.g. cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disease), which emphasize the significance of the simple and reliable analytical method for biomarker discovery and molecular mechanistic understanding. Thus, we developed analytical method mainly focusing on, but not limited by those lipid species S1P and LPA using reverse phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (RPLC-ESI-MS-MS). Extraction method was modified based on Folch method with optimally minimal level of ionization additive (ammonium formate 10 mM and formic acid). Reverse-phase liquid-chromatography was applied for chromatographical separation in combination with negative ionization mode electrospray-coupled Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The method validation was performed on human blood plasma in a non-targeted lipid profiling manner with full-scan MS mode and data-dependent MS/MS. The proposed method presented good inter-assay precision for primary targets, S1P and LPA. Subsequent analysis of other types of LPLs identified a broad range of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) and lysophosphatidyl-ethanolamines (LPEs).