• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.527-538
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• 2019

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 was shown to exert ligand-independent activation of estrogen receptor (ER) via mitogen-activated protein kinase-mediated pathway. Our study aimed to delineate the mechanisms by which Rg1 activates the rapid ER signaling pathways. Methods: ER-positive human breast cancer MCF-7 cells and ER-negative human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells were treated with Rg1 ($10^{-12}M$, $10^{-8}M$), $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($10^{-8}M$), or vehicle. Immunoprecipitation was conducted to investigate the interactions between signaling protein and ER in MCF-7 cells. To determine the roles of these signaling proteins in the actions of Rg1, small interfering RNA or their inhibitors were applied. Results: Rg1 rapidly induced $ER{\alpha}$ translocation to plasma membrane via caveolin-1 and the formation of signaling complex involving linker protein (Shc), insulin-like growth factor-I receptor, modulator of nongenomic activity of ER (MNAR), $ER{\alpha}$, and cellular nonreceptor tyrosine kinase (c-Src) in MCF-7 cells. The induction of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) phosphorylation in MCF-7 cells by Rg1 was suppressed by cotreatment with small interfering RNA against these signaling proteins. The stimulatory effects of Rg1 on MEK phosphorylation in these cells were suppressed by both PP2 (Src kinase inhibitor) and AG1478 [epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor]. In addition, Rg1-induced estrogenic activities, EGFR and MEK phosphorylation in MCF-7 cells were abolished by cotreatment with G15 (G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 antagonist). The increase in intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation, but not Ca mobilization, in MCF-7 cells by Rg1 could be abolished by G15. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 exerted estrogenic actions by rapidly inducing the formation of ER containing signalosome in MCF-7 cells. Additionally, Rg1 could activate EGFR and c-Src ER-independently and exert estrogenic effects via rapid activation of membrane-associated ER and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.2515-2518
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• 2013

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.5
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• pp.181-187
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• 2013

The emergence of new therapeutic agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) implies that histologic subtyping and molecular predictive testing are now essential for therapeutic decisions. Histologic subtype predicts the efficacy and toxicity of some treatment agents, as do genetic alterations, which can be important predictive factors in treatment selection. Molecular markers, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, are the best predictors of response to specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment agents. As the majority of patients with NSCLC present with unresectable disease, it is therefore crucial to optimize the use of tissue samples for diagnostic and predictive examinations, particularly for small biopsy and cytology specimens. Therefore, each institution needs to develop a diagnostic approach requiring close communication between the pulmonologist, radiologist, pathologist, and oncologist in order to preserve sufficient biopsy materials for molecular analysis as well as to ensure rapid diagnosis. Currently, personalized medicine in NSCLC is based on the histologic subtype and molecular status. This review summarizes strategies for tissue acquisition, histologic subtyping and molecular analysis for predictive testing in NSCLC.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2019

Olmutinib, N-[3-({2-[4-(4-methylpiperazine-1-yl)aniline]thieno[3,2-d]Pyrimidin-4-yl}oxy)phenyl]prop-2-enamide dihydrochloride monohydrate, $Olita^{TM}$ is an oral, third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR TKI) that was developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this work was to investigate the existence of polymorphs and pseudopolymorphs of olmutinib. Three crystal forms of olmutinib have been isolated by recrystallization and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD). From the DSC and TG data it was confirmed that Form 1 is monohydrate, Form 2 is dihydrate, Form 3 is 1.5 hydrate. The PXRD patterns of three crystal forms were different respectively. After storage of 1 month at $2^{\circ}C$, 24% RH (Relative Humidity), Form 1, Form 2, and Form 3 were not transformed.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.134-139
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• 2021

A new cipadesin limonoid, i.e. 3-epi-cipadonoid C (1), and a new tirucallane triterpene, i.e. hispidol B 3-palmitate (3), have been isolated from the seeds and fruit peels extract of Sandoricum koetjape, respectively. Along with these compounds the known limonoid, cipaferen G (2), and two pentacyclic triterpenes, bryonolic (4) and bryononic (5) acids, were also isolated. The strucrures of the new compounds were elucidated by the analysis of NMR and mass spectral data. Compounds 1 - 5 were evaluated as the inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases (EGFR, Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor; HER2, HER4, Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2, -4; IGFR, Insulin-like Growth Factor Receptor; InsR, Insulin Receptor; KDR, Kinase insert Domain Receptor; PDGFRα, and PDGFRβ, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-α and -β). The results showed only 1 and 3 that have weak activity against InsR.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.699-705
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• 2015

Vemurafenib has recently been used as drug for treatment of melanomas with $BRAF^{V600E}$ mutation. Unfortunately, treatment with only vemurafenib has not been sufficiently effective, with recurrence after a short period. In this study, three vemurafenib-resistant $BRAF^{V600E}$ melanoma cell lines, $A375P^R$, $A375M^R$ and SKMEL-$28^R$, were established from the original A375P, A375M and SKMEL-28 cell lines. Examination of the molecular mechanisms showed that the phosphorylation levels of MEK and ERK, which play key roles in the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, were reduced in these three cell lines, with increased phosphorylation levels of pAKTs limited to SKMEL-$28^R$ cells. Treatment of SKMEL-$28^R$ cells with 100 nM paclitaxel resulted in increased apoptosis and decreased cellular proliferation, invasion and colony formation via reduction of expression levels of EGFR and pAKTs. Moreover, vemurafenib-induced pAKTs in SKMEL-$28^R$ were decreased by treatment with an AKT inhibitor, MK-2206. Taken together, our results revealed that resistance mechanisms of $BRAF^{V600E}$-mutation melanoma cells to vemurafenib depended on the cell type. Our results suggested that paclitaxel should be considered as a drug in combination with vemurafenib to treat melanoma cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1787-1790
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• 2013

This study evaluated the effects of ZD1839, an orally active, selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) both in vitro and in vivo. Influence of ZD1839 alone or combined with cisplatin on the NPC cell line CNE2 was detected by MTT assay with flow cytometry assessment of cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rates. Nude mice NPC xenografts were also used to evaluate the effects of ZD1839 alone or combined with cisplatin. The Student's t test evaluated statistical significance. ZD1839 alone or combined with cisplatin inhibited CNE2 cell line proliferation. ZD1839 induced CNE2 cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, and higher concentrations induced apoptosis. Xenograft tumors were significantly smaller when treated with 200 mg/kg ZD1839, cisplatin, or cisplatin combined with 100 mg/kg ZD1839 than untreated controls. ZD1839 (200 mg/kg) alone showed good tumor inhibition effects, reduction of tumor weights, and smaller tumor volume without loss of body weight. ZD1839 (200 mg/kg) might provide a good and effective therapeutic reagent for NPC.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2011

Objectives : Epidermal growth factor receptor-inhibitors have demonstrated improved overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, but their use is associated with dermatologic adverse reactions that often require symptomatic treatment. Methods : A 44-year-old woman, who started the chemotherapy of Iressa$^{(R)}$ on August 2010, developed cutaneous symptoms such as papulopustular rash, dry skin, and pruritus on her face and scalp after taking Iressa$^{(R)}$ for four weeks. The patient visited our clinic with such symptoms on March 2011 and underwent herebal remedy targeted to alleviate the skin reactions. The severity of dermatologic symptoms was evaluated with the numeric rating scale and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Results : Noticeable changes on the skin lesion were observed after the two months of treatment, without any dose modification of the Iressa$^{(R)}$. The cutaneous symptoms as papulopustular rash, dry skin and pruritus were improved and there was no adverse event induced by the treatment with herbal medicine. Conclusions : This case report suggests that the treatment with a herbal medicine, Samultang-gagambang be considered as a useful treatment to relieve EGFR-inhibitor induced dermatologic adverse reactions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2022

The detailed mechanism by which cancer upregulated gene 2 (CUG2) overexpression induces cancer stem cell-like phenotypes is not fully understood. The downregulation of FBXW7 E3 ligase, a tumor suppressor known for its proteolytic regulation of oncogenic proteins such as cyclin E, c-Myc, Notch, and Yap1, has been frequently reported in several types of tumor tissues, including those in the large intestine, cervix, and stomach. Therefore, we investigated whether FBXW7 is involved in CUG2-induced oncogenesis. In this study, the decreased expression of FBXW7 was examined in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 (A549-CUG2) and human bronchial BEAS-2B cells (BEAS-CUG2) overexpressing CUG2 and compared with control cells stably expressing an empty vector (A549-Vec or BEAS-Vec). Treatment with MG132 (a proteosome inhibitor) prevented the degradation of FBXW7 and Yap1 proteins, which are substrates of the FBXW7 E3 ligase. To address the role of Fbxw7 in the development of cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotypes, we suppressed Fbxw7 protein levels using its siRNA. We observed that decreased levels of FBXW7 enhanced cell migration, invasion, and spheroid size and number in A549-Vec and BEAS-Vec cells. The enforced expression of FBXW7 produced the opposite results in A549-CUG2 and BEAS-CUG2 cells. Furthermore, the downregulation of FBXW7 elevated the activities of EGFR, Akt, and ERK1/2 and upregulated β-catenin, Yap1, and NEK2, while the enforced expression of FBXW7 generated the opposite results. We thus propose that FBXW7 downregulation induced by CUG2 confers CSC-like phenotypes through the upregulation of both the EGFR-ERK1/2 and β-catenin-Yap1-NEK2 signaling pathways.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.424-430
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• 2007

The biological effects of low-dose radiation have been investigated and debated for more than a century, but its cellular effects and regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study shows the human cellular responses to low-dose radiation in CCD-18 Lu cells, which are derived from normal human lung fibroblasts. We examined a colony-forming assay for cell survival by ionizing radiation. Live cell counting and cell cycle analysis were measured for cell proliferation and cell cycle progression following low-dose irradiation. We examined Raf and Akt phosphorylation to determine the proliferation mechanism resulting from low-dose radiation. We also observed that p53 and p21 were related to cell cycle response. We found that 0.05 Gy of ionizing radiation enhanced cell proliferation and did not change the progression of the cell cycle. In addition, 0.05 Gy of ionizing radiation transiently activated Raf and Akt, but did not change phospho-p53, p53 and p21 in CCD-18 Lu cells. However, 2 Gy of ionizing radiation induced cell cycle arrest, phosphorylation of p53, and expression of p53 and p21. The phosphorylation of Raf and Akt proteins induced by 0.05 Gy of ionizing radiation was abolished by pre-treatment with an EGFR inhibitor, AG1478, or a PI3k inhibitor, LY294002. Cell proliferation stimulated by 0.05 Gy of ionizing radiation was blocked by the suppression of Raf and Akt phosphorylation with these inhibitors. These results suggest that 0.05 Gy of ionizing radiation stimulates cell proliferation through the transient activation of Raf and Akt in CCD-18 Lu cells.