• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제55권1호
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• pp.16-28
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• 2023

폐암은 크게 소세포성 폐암과 비소세포성 폐암으로 구분되며 비소세포성폐암이 차지하는 비율은 약 70%~80%이다. 비소세포성폐암 중 폐선암은 전체 폐암의 약 40%를 차지한다. 최근 유전자 프로파일링 기술이 발전하면서 종양의 발생 및 성장에 중요한 종양 유전자와 종양 억제 유전자의 변이에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되어 폐암을 유발하는 특정 유전자들이 발견되면서 생존율에 큰 영향을 미치게 되었으며 특히 폐선암은 차세대 염기서열 분석법(next generation sequencing, NGS)을 이용한 동반진단을 통해 표적 치료로 생존을 높이는 데 도움을 얻을 수 있다. 본 연구는 한국인에서 폐선암을 유발하는 유전자 변이 검출을 위해 비소세포성폐암 환자의 파라핀 포매조직(formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded)으로 hematoxylin and eosin 염색을 시행하여 폐선암을 구분하였으며 정확한 폐선암 조직을 분류하기 위해 면역조직화학(immunohistochemistry, IHC)염색을 시행하였다. 그 결과를 바탕으로 NGS를 이용하여 유전자 변이의 종류와 패턴을 분석하였고 폐암을 유발하는 가장 대표적인 원인인 흡연과의 관계를 확인하였다. NGS 결과 단일염기서열변이(single nucleotide variation, SNV), 복제수변이 (copy number variation, CNV), 유전자 재배열을 확인하였으며 폐선암에서 SNV는 TP53 (44.6%), EGFR (35.7%), KRAS (10.7%), PIK3CA (6.2%), CDKN2A (4.4%) 순으로 발생하였고 CNV의 경우 EGFR (14%)이 가장 빈번하게 발생하였다. 또한 ALK, ROS1, RET 과 같은 유전자 재배열을 확인하였다. NGS의 신뢰도를 확인을 위하여 기존에 사용되고 있는 유전자 검사방법인 PCR-EGFR, IHC-ALK (D5F3), FISH-ROS1 검사를 추가적으로 시행하여 NGS 결과와 일치도를 확인하였다. 이 연구는 폐선암 환자에 대한 NGS가 여러 유전자의 돌연변이를 동시에 확인하여 치료 전략에 더욱 긍정적인 이익을 줄 수 있음을 보여준다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.255-260
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• 2012

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations derive clinical benefit from treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors ((EGFR-TKIs)-namely gefitinib and erlotinib. However, these patients eventually develop resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Despite the fact that this acquired resistance may be the result of a secondary mutation in the EGFR gene, such as T790M or amplification of the MET proto-oncogene, there are other mechanisms which need to be explored. MicroRNAs (miRs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis, tumor progression and chemo-resistance. In this study, we firstly successfully established a gefitinib resistant cell line-HCC827/GR, by exposing normal HCC827 cells (an NSCLC cell line with a 746E-750A in-frame deletion of EGFR gene) to increasing concentrations of gefitinib. Then, we found that miR-214 was significantly up-regulated in HCC827/GR. We also showed that miR-214 and PTEN were inversely expressed in HCC827/GR. Knockdown of miR-214 altered the expression of PTEN and p-AKT and re-sensitized HCC827/GR to gefitinib. Taken together, miR-214 may regulate the acquired resistance to gefitinib in HCC827 via PTEN/AKT signaling pathway. Suppression of miR-214 may thus reverse the acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs therapy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.168-178
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• 2021

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms a monolayer sheet separating the retina and choroid in vertebrate eyes. The polarized nature of RPE is maintained by distributing membrane proteins differentially along apico-basal axis. We found the distributions of these proteins differ in embryonic, post-natal, and mature mouse RPE, suggesting developmental regulation of protein trafficking. Thus, we deleted tumor susceptibility gene 101 (Tsg101), a key component of endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT), in embryonic and mature RPE to determine whether ESCRT-mediated endocytic protein trafficking correlated with the establishment and maintenance of RPE polarity. Loss of Tsg101 severely disturbed the polarity of RPE, which forms irregular aggregates exhibiting non-polarized distribution of cell adhesion proteins and activation of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. These findings suggest that ESCRT-mediated protein trafficking is essential for the development and maintenance of RPE cell polarity.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.176-183
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• 2021

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis is characterized by distant metastasis and local recurrence. Combined chemotherapy with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is routinely used to treat patients with OSCC, and the combined use of gefitinib with cytotoxic drugs has been reported to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells in vitro. However, the development of drug resistance because of prolonged chemotherapy is inevitable, leading to a poor prognosis. Therefore, understanding alterations in signaling pathways and gene expression is crucial for overcoming the development of drug resistance. However, the altered characterization of Ca²⁺ signaling in drug-resistant OSCC cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated alterations in intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) mobilization upon the development of gefitinib resistance in human tongue squamous carcinoma cell line (HSC)-3 and HSC-4 using ratiometric analysis. This study demonstrated the presence of altered epidermal growth factor- and purinergic agonist-mediated [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization in gefitinib-resistant OSCC cells. Moreover, Ca²⁺ content in the endoplasmic reticulum, store-operated calcium entry, and lysosomal Ca²⁺ release through the transient receptor potential mucolipin 1, were confirmed to be significantly reduced upon the development of apoptosis resistance. Consistent with [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization, we identified modified expression levels of Ca²⁺ signaling-related genes in gefitinib-resistant cells. Taken together, we propose that the regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization and related gene expression can be a new strategy to overcome drug resistance in patients with cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제85권2호
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• pp.147-154
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• 2022

Background: The expression of calcium signaling pathway molecules is altered in various carcinomas, which are related to the proliferation and altered characteristics of cancer cells. However, changes in calcium signaling in anti-cancer drug-resistant cells (bearing a T790M mutation in epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR]) remain unclear. Methods: Afatinib-mediated changes in the level of store-operated Ca²⁺ entry (SOCE)-related proteins and intracellular Ca²⁺ level in non-small cell lung cancer cells with T790M mutation in the EGFR gene were analyzed using western blot and ratiometric assays, respectively. Afatinib-mediated autophagic flux was evaluated by measuring the cleavage of LC3B-II. Flow cytometry and cell proliferation assays were conducted to assess cell apoptosis and proliferation. Results: The levels of SOCE-mediating proteins (ORAI calcium release-activated calcium modulator 1 [ORAI1], stromal interaction molecule 1 [STIM1], and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase [SERCA2]) decreased after afatinib treatment in non-small cell lung cancer cells, whereas the levels of SOCE-related proteins did not change in gefitinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cells (PC-9/GR; bearing a T790M mutation in EGFR). Notably, the expression level of SOCE-related proteins in PC-9/GR cells was reduced also responding to afatinib in the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺. Moreover, extracellular Ca²⁺ influx through the SOCE was significantly reduced in PC-9 cells pre-treated with afatinib than in the control group. Additionally, afatinib was found to decrease the level of SOCE-related proteins through autophagic degradation, and the proliferation of PC-9GR cells was significantly inhibited by a lack of extracellular Ca²⁺. Conclusion: Extracellular Ca²⁺ plays important role in afatinib-mediated autophagic degradation of SOCE-related proteins in cells with T790M mutation in the EGFR gene and extracellular Ca²⁺ is essential for determining anti-cancer drug efficacy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권9호
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• pp.3927-3932
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• 2014

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) define specific molecular subsets of lung adenocarcinomas with distinct clinical features. Our purpose was to analyze clinical features and prognostic value of EGFR gene mutations and the EML4-ALK fusion gene in lung adenocarcinoma. Patients and Methods: EGFR gene mutations and the EML4-ALK fusion gene were detected in 92 lung adenocarcinoma patients in China. Tumor marker levels before first treatment were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: EGFR mutations were found in 40.2% (37/92) of lung adenocarcinoma patients, being identified at high frequencies in never-smokers (48.3% vs. 26.5% in smokers; P=0.040) and in patients with abnormal serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels before the initial treatment (58.3% vs. 28.6%, P=0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher serum CEA level before the initial treatment was independently associated with EGFR gene mutations (95%CI: 1.476~11.343, P=0.007). We also identified 8 patients who harbored the EML4-ALK fusion gene (8.7%, 8/92). In concordance with previous reports, younger age was a clinical feature for these (P=0.008). Seven of the positive cases were never smokers, and no coexistence with EGFR mutation was discovered. In addition, the frequency of the EML4-ALK fusion gene among patients with a serum CEA concentration below 5ng/ml seemed to be higher than patients with a concentration over 5ng/ml (P=0.021). No significant difference was observed for time to progression and overall survival between EML4-ALK-positive group and EML4-ALK-negative group or between patients with and without an EGFR mutation. Conclusions: The serum CEA level before the initial treatment may be helpful in screening population for EGFR mutations or EML4-ALK fusion gene presence in lung adenocarcinoma patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권24호
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• pp.10577-10583
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• 2015

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by the lack of expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, is typically associated with a poor prognosis. The majority of TNBCs show the expression of basal markers on gene expression profiling and most authors accept TNBC as basal-like (BL) breast cancer. However, a smaller fraction lacks a BL phenotype despite being TNBC. The literature is silent on non-basal-like (NBL) type of TNBC. The present study was aimed at defining behavioral differences between BL and NBL phenotypes. Objectives: i) Identify the TNBCs and categorize them into BL and NBL breast cancer. ii) Examine the behavioral differences between two subtypes. iii) Observe the pattern of treatment failure among TNBCs. Materials and Methods: All TNBC cases during January 2009-December 2010 were retrieved. The subjects fitting the inclusion criteria of study were differentiated into BL and NBL phenotypes using surrogate immunohistochemistry with three basal markers $34{\beta}E12$, c-Kit and EGFR as per the algorithm defined by Nielsen et al. The detailed data of subjects were collated from clinical records. The comparison of clinicopathological features between two subgroups was done using statistical analyses. The pattern of treatment failure along with its association with prognostic factors was assessed. Results: TNBC constituted 18% of breast cancer cases considered in the study. The BL and NBL subtypes accounted for 81% and 19% respectively of the TNBC group. No statistically significant association was seen between prognostic parameters and two phenotypes. Among patients with treatment failure, 19% were with BL and 15% were with NBL phenotype. The mean disease free survival (DFS) in groups BL and NBL was 30.0 and 37.9 months respectively, while mean overall survival (OS) was 31.93 and 38.5 months respectively. Treatment failure was significantly associated with stage (p=.023) among prognostic factors. Conclusions: Disease stage at presentation is an important prognostic factor influencing the treatment failure and survival among TNBCs. Increasing tumor size is related to lymph node positivity. BL tumors have a more aggressive clinical course than that of NBL as shown by shorter DFS and OS, despite having no statistically significant difference between prognostic parameters. New therapeutic alternatives should be explored for patients with this subtype of breast cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제64권5호
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• pp.347-355
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• 2008

연구배경: 특발성폐섬유증 환자의 전형적인 증상은 운동호흡곤란과 마른기침으로, 객담이 적은 원인에 대해서 아직까지 잘 알려져 있지 않다. Interferon-${\gamma}$ inducible protein-10 (IP-10)은 여러 호흡기질환과 관련되는데 폐 내로 염증을 유입시키는데 중요한 역할을 한다. 본 연구는 특발성폐섬유증 환자에서 객담이 적은 기전으로 IP-10이 연관성이 있는지에 대해 연구하였다. 방법: 특발성폐섬유증 환자를 대상으로 기관지폐포세척액에서 IP-10의 농도를 ELISA로 측정하였다. IP-10이 기도 점액소 발현에 미치는 영향을 간접적으로 알아보기 위해 NCI-H292 세포(점막표피모양 암종 세포주)에서 IP-10을 전처치한 이후 tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)로 자극하여 발현정도를 측정하였다. 이때 점액소 발현과 관련되는 기전으로 epidermal growth factor receptor-mitogen activated protein kinase (EGFR-MAPK)의 신호전달 경로를 알아 보았다. 결과: IP-10의 기관지폐포세척액내 농도는 특발성폐섬유증 환자가 건강 대조군에 비해 유의하게 높았다. IP-10의 전처치는 NCI-H292 세포에서 TNF-${\alpha}$ 유도 MUC5AC 점액소 발현을 감소시켰는데 이 때 EGFR-MAPK 신호전달 경로의 차단과 관련되었다. 결론: 특발성폐섬유증 환자의 적은 객담은 IP-10의 발현증가와 일부 관련 가능성이 있으며, 이때 IP-10의 작용은 MUC5AC 점액소 유전자 발현에 필요한 EGFR-MAPK 신호전달 경로의 차단과 관련될 것으로 생각한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.2753-2758
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• 2014

Background: GC-binding factor 2 (GCF2) is a transcriptional regulator that represses transcriptional activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by binding to a specific GC-rich sequence in the EGFR gene promoter. In addition to this function, GCF2 has also been identified as a tumor-associated antigen and regarded as a potentially valuable serum biomarker for early human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis. GCF2 is high expressed in most HCC tissues and cell lines including HepG2. This study focused on the influence of GCF2 on cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Materials and Methods: GCF2 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in HepG2 cells was detected with reverse transcription (RT) PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RNA interference (RNAi) technology was used to knock down GCF2 mRNA and protein expression. Afterwards, cell viability was analyzed with a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and cell apoptosis and caspase 3 activity by flow cytometry and with a Caspase 3 Activity Kit, respectively. Results: Specific down-regulation of GCF2 expression caused cell growth inhibition, and increased apoptosis and caspase 3 activity in HepG2 cells. Conclusions: These primary results suggest that GCF2 may influence cell proliferation and apoptosis in HepG2 cells, and also provides a molecular basis for further investigation into the possible mechanism at proliferation and apoptosis in HCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권7호
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• pp.3023-3027
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• 2015

Purpose: To investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cytokeratin 19 (CK19), cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and survinin gene expression on local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) who were administered radiotherapy (RT). Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients who were admitted to Uludag University Medical Faculty Department of Radiation Oncology with a diagnosis of LAHNC (GIII-GIV) were included in this study. Gene expression was evaluated in tumor tissues and peripheral blood. RNA isolation was performed on paraffinized tumor tissues and peripheral blood samples obtained before RT (BR). The densities of the obtained RNAs were analyzed at 260/280 nm. cDNA samples obtained from total RNA,EGFR, CK19, CK20 and survinin gene expression levels were assessed via the Sybr Green method and data were analyzed with the ${\Delta}{\Delta}Ct$ method. The same process was repeated for peripheral blood samples taken after RT (AR). Results: The female/male ratio was 3:23 and the mean age was 56.5 years (38-75years). After radiotherapy, CK19 and CK20 levels in the peripheral blood were found to be correlated according to Pearson correlation analysis(p=0.049). This result indicates a possibility of remaining positive for CK19 and CK20 in the peripheral blood even after RT in patients with CK19, CK20, and EGFR positive tumors before RT. There was a statistically significant correlation between survinin levels measured BR and AR (p=0.028). Conclusions: In this study, we found that patients with any EGFR, CK19, CK20 or survinin positivity in their peripheral blood obtain less benefit from radiotherapy. A wider patient population and advanced protein analyses are necessary in order to increase the reliability of our findings.