• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5599-5608
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• 2013

With the high morbidity and mortality caused by cancer, finding new and more effective anti-cancer drugs is very urgent. In current research, biotransformation plays a vital role in the research and development of cancer drugs and has obtained some achievements. In this review, we have summarized four applications as follows: to exploit novel anti-cancer drugs, to improve existing anti-cancer drugs, to broaden limited anti-cancer drug resources and to investigate correlative mechanisms. Three different groups of important anti-cancer compounds were assessed to clarify the current practical applications of biotransformation in the development of anti-cancer drugs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9557-9565
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• 2014

MiRNAs are endogenous, single stranded ~22-nucleotide non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which are transcribed by RNA polymerase II and mediate negative post-transcriptional gene regulation through binding to 3'untranslated regions (UTR), possibly open reading frames (ORFs) or 5'UTRs of target mRNAs. MiRNAs are involved in the normal physiology of eukaryotic cells, so dysregulation may be associated with diseases like cancer, and neurodegenerative, heart and other disorders. Among all cancers, lung cancer, with high incidence and mortality worldwide, is classified into two main groups: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Recent promising studies suggest that gene expression profiles and miRNA signatures could be a useful step in a noninvasive, low-cost and repeatable screening process of lung cancer. Similarly, every stage of lung development during fetal life is associated with specific miRNAs. Since lung development and lung cancer phenomena share the same physiological, biological and molecular processes like cell proliferation, development and shared mRNA or expression regulation pathways, and according to data adopted from various studies, they may have partially shared miRNA signature. Thus, focusing on lung cancer in relation to lung development in miRNA studies might provide clues for lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.383-388
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• 2010

The number of cancer patients has increased due to longer life spans and treatment has become a universal problem. Since molecular-targeted therapies were introduced as a new developmental strategy, certain targets have been examined hundreds of times, with developers overlapping their research efforts. We need to focus our energy and resources on novel drug candidate identification and optimization, in order to enhance the entry of early-stage drug candidates into the therapeutics pipeline. This presents a major opportunity for Korea to jump the decades-old development gap between our programs and those that are more advanced in other countries. Although this country does not have a specific center for validation and development of cancer therapeutics, we do have cutting-edge scientists performing research in many institutions. In this paper, I will review cancer drug development in Korea and suggest future directions, while urging colleagues to utilize their networking expertise so we can move toward a new paradigm of novel therapeutics development. An example of such efforts has begun with the Drug Development Consortium, which was described in the KSBMB chapter. This consortium was launched in 2010 by biochemists, chemists, cell and molecular biologists and pharmacologists. It is clear that effective cancer therapeutics will be developed more efficiently when we all strive for the same goal.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.126-138
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• 2020

The transcription factor RUNX1 first came to prominence due to its involvement in the t(8;21) translocation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Since this discovery, RUNX1 has been shown to play important roles not only in leukemia but also in the ontogeny of the normal hematopoietic system. Although it is currently still challenging to fully assess the different parameters regulating RUNX1 dosage, it has become clear that the dose of RUNX1 can greatly affect both leukemia and normal hematopoietic development. It is also becoming evident that varying levels of RUNX1 expression can be used as markers of tumor progression not only in the hematopoietic system, but also in non-hematopoietic cancers. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of the effects of RUNX1 dosage in normal development of both hematopoietic and epithelial tissues and their associated cancers.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2024

Cytokines influence the overall cancer immune cycle by triggering tumor antigen expression, antigen presenting, immune cell priming and activation, effector immune cell recruitment and infiltration to cancer, and cancer killing in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, cytokines have been considered potential anti-cancer immunotherapy, and cytokine-based anti-cancer therapies continue to be an active area of research and development in the field of cancer immunotherapy, with ongoing clinical trials exploring new strategies to improve efficacy and safety. In this review, we examine past and present clinical developments for major anticancer cytokines, including interleukins (IL-2, IL-15, IL-12, IL-21), interferons, TGF-beta, and GM-CSF. We identify the current status and changes in the technology platform being applied to cytokine-based immune anti-cancer therapeutics. Through this, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of cytokine-based immune anti-cancer treatments in the current immunotherapy market and suggest development directions to enhance the clinical use of cytokines as immuno-anticancer drugs in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.479-483
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• 2016

Breast cancer is the first or second leading cancer among females across the globe. A large number of studies have been conducted to assess any relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and breast cancer development. Epidemiological studies have indicated that ethnic traits exhibited by a group of people with a common ancestry and culture, alter the link between VDR gene and breast cancer. It has been hypothesized that VDR polymorphisms have the capacity to impact both on incidence of breast cancer occurrence and to predict its outcome. A survey was here conducted to assess and compare the impact of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms Fok1, Bsm1, Taq1, Apa1 and poly (A) on development of breast cancer. Information was obtained from electronic databases including PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published during the period from 1996 to 2015. This search was achieved by using the terms "genetics", "breast cancer", "VDR gene", "polymorphisms". However, due to inconsistent results, no conclusive statements could be presented about the significance of the VDR genotype as far as the development of breast carcinoma is concerned.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2009

Cancer serum biomarkers have advanced our ability to more accurately predict tumor classification, prognostic/metastatic potential, and response potential to novel chemotherapies. Serum amyloid A (SAA) and Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have potential utility as a serum biomarker for lung cancer. Quantum dots, nanometer-sized crystals, have a high quantum yield, sensitivity, and pronounced photostability. The properties of quantum dots can be efficiently applied to the detection of serum biomarkers in immunoassays as fluorescent probe. We used quantum dots as fluorescent probes in immunoassays and attempted to detect serum amyloid A and vascular endothelial growth factor as serum biomarkers of lung cancer. This fluorescence immunoassay based on the properties of quantum dots is applicable to the detection of serum biomarkers for lung cancer. The fluorescence immunoassay with quantum dots should allow the efficient and specific detection of serum amyloid A (SAA) for the possible diagnosis of lung cancer.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.433-438
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• 2017

Relative to its incidence, oral cancer has serious negative social effects. The exact causes of oral cancer have not been clarified, but many studies have implicated smoking and drinking. However, the fundamental mechanism of oral cancer causation has yet to be elucidated. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) augments epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and development of various cancer cells. However, a detailed mechanistic explanation for LPA-induced EMT and the effects of EMT-promoting conditions on oral squamous cell carcinoma development remain elusive. In the present study, a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze TWIST1, Slug, E-cadherin, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) transcript expression. Immunoblotting was used to analyze TWIST1, Slug, E-cadherin, and GAPDH protein expression. siRNAs were used to silence TWIST1 and Slug transcript expression. A matrigel-coated in vitro invasion insert was used to analyze oral cancer cell invasion. The results of the present study show that the expression levels of TWIST1 and Slug, which are EMT factors, were increased by LPA treatment in YD-10B oral squamous cell carcinoma. Conversely, E-cadherin expression was significantly reduced. In addition, transfection of the cells with TWIST1 and Slug siRNA strongly inhibited LPA-induced oral cancer cell invasion. The present study shows that TWIST1 and Slug mediate LPA-induced oral cancer cell EMT and invasiveness. The present study confirmed the mechanism by which LPA promotes oral cancer cell development, with TWIST1 and Slug providing novel biomarkers and promising therapeutic targets for oral cancer cell development.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4795-4800
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• 2013

The involvement of non-government organizations (NGOs) and support groups has helped strengthen public health services in addressing cancer care burden. Owing to the contribution of volunteers in cancer care, this article documents a qualitative study that examined challenges in attracting and retaining cancer care volunteers as part of the effort to develop a volunteer recruitment model. Data were collected through three focus group discussions involving 19 cancer support group members in Malaysia. Findings of the study revealed that mobility and locality appeared to be significant in Malaysian context, while the need for financial support and time flexibility are challenges faced by cancer support groups to attract and retain volunteers. The findings imply that cancer care initiatives can benefit from more local volunteers but at the same time these volunteers require flexibility and financial support to sustain their engagement.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.160-165
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• 2018

Breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among woman, worldwide, despite advances in identifying novel targeted therapies and the development of treating strategies. Classification of clinical subtypes (ER+, PR+, HER2+, and TNBC (Triple-negative)) increases the complexity of breast cancers, which thus necessitates further investigation. Mouse models used in breast cancer research provide an essential approach to examine the mechanisms and genetic pathway in cancer progression and metastasis and to develop and evaluate clinical therapeutics. In this review, we summarize tumor transplantation models and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of breast cancer and their applications in the field of human breast cancer research and anti-cancer drug development. These models may help to improve the knowledge of underlying mechanisms and genetic pathways, as well as creating approaches for modeling clinical tumor subtypes, and developing innovative cancer therapy.