• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.151-159
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• 2006

Background : Excision repair cross complementing gene 1 (ERCC1) not only has a protective role against carcinogens, but plays an important role in cisplatin-resistance via the repair of cisplatin-DNA adducts. This study investigated the association between the ERCC1 expression levels in sputum and survival after cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods : Using the sputum collected from 67 inoperable (stage IIIa-IV) NSCLC patients treated with either taxanes (33 cases) or gemcitabine (34 cases) plus cisplatin, the relative expression levels of ERCC1 and the expression of the tumor specific antigen, MAGE, were examined by the quantitative RT-PCR and RT-PCR, respectively. The response and survival were compared with the relative level of ERCC1 or MAGE expression and the treatment modality. Results : In the sputum, ERCC1 and MAGE was detected in 74.6% and 40.2% of patients, respectively. Using the median ERCC1 level, the patients were classified as having high or low ERCC1 expression. The median overall survival (MST) was significantly longer in patients with a high ERCC1 expression level than those with a low expression level (84 weeks vs. 44 weeks respectively, P=0.017). In the taxene-based treatment group, the MST was longer than the gemcitabine group (79 weeks vs. 47 weeks, respectively, P=0.03). The levels of ERCC1 were significantly higher in patients who were MAGE-positive (P=0.003). In the MAGE-negative patients, the MST was longer in the high ERCC1 group (103 weeks vs. 43 weeks, P=0.008), but not in the MAGE-positive patients (62 weeks vs. 44 weeks, P=0.348). Conclusion : ERCC1 expression in the sputum can be a prognostic factor for survival after chemotherapy in patients with inoperable NSCLC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.945-950
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• 2014

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.205-213
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• 1991

In order to determine the value of induction chemotherapy (CT) for inoperable head and neck cancer, the authors conducted a retrospective study. Fifty-five patients were treated with CT and radiotherapy (R-T)(CT+RT group). This group was compared with a group of 54 patients treated RT alone (RT alone group). The CT regimen used were CF (cis-platine+5-FU), CVB (cyclophos-phamide+vincristine+bleomycin), CAP (cyclophosphamide+adriamycin+prednisolone) or PVBM(cis-platine+vincristine+bleomycin+methotrexate). Toxicity from induction chemo-therapy was minimal, and toxicity was limited primarily to nausea and vomiting, mucositis and myelosuppression. The complete response (CR) rate to CT was $14.5\%$ and the partial response (PR) rate was $47.3\%$ for an overall major response rate of $61.8\%$. The major response rate at the completion of loco-regional therapy was $87.3\%$(48/55) with 32 CR ($58.2\%$) and 16 PR ($29.1\%$) for CT-RT group and $81.5\%$(44/55) with 27 CR ($50.0\%$) and 17 PR ($31.5\%$) for RT alone group (p=0.57). Median follow-up of CT-RT group was 17 months and 11 months for RT alone group. Median survival was 30 months for CT-RT group and 24 months for RT alone group (p=0.3). The overall survival rate at 2 years, 3 years and 5 years, respectively was $60.9\%,\;48.6\%\;and\;42.5\%$, for CT-RT group, and $54.9\%,\;49.9\%\;and\;49.9\%$ for RT alone group (p=0.33). Comparision between patients in both groups, stratified by overall stage, T and N stage, site, and pathology, all failed to show any significant difference in survival rates. We conclude that this retrospective study failed to demonstrate an advantage for induction chemotherapy in inoperable head and neck cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.89-97
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• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment results in early stage non-small cell lung cancer patients who have undergone fiducial-less CyberKnife radiosurgery (CKRS). Materials and Methods: From June 2011 to November 2013, 58 patients underwent CKRS at Asan Medical Center for stage I lung cancer. After excluding 14 patients, we retrospectively reviewed the records of the remaining 44 patients. All analyses were performed using SPSS ver. 21. Results: The median age at diagnosis was 75 years. Most patients had inoperable primary lung cancer with a poor pulmonary function test with comorbidity or old age. The clinical stage was IA in 30 patients (68.2%), IB in 14 (31.8%). The mean tumor size was 2.6 cm (range, 1.2 to 4.8 cm), and the tumor was smaller than 2 cm in 12 patients (27.3%). The radiation dose given was 48-60 Gy in 3-4 fractions. In a median follow-up of 23.1 months, local recurrence occurred in three patients (2-year local recurrence-free survival rate, 90.4%) and distant metastasis occurred in 13 patients. All patients tolerated the radiosurgery well, only two patients developing grade 3 dyspnea. The most common complications were radiation-induced fibrosis and pneumonitis. Eight patients died due to cancer progression. Conclusion: The results showed that fiducial-less CKRS shows comparable local tumor control and survival rates to those of LINAC-based SABR or CKRS with a fiducial marker. Thus, fiducial-less CKRS using Xsight lung tracking system can be effectively and safely performed for patients with medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer without any risk of procedure-related complication.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 1976

In the presence of clinical evidence and chest roentgenogram suggestive of bronchogenic carcinoma, reliance is almost wholly placed on Papanicolaou staining of the sputum, bronchoscopy, and biopsy of peripheral lesion, together referred to as the "diagnostic triad". However, bronchography remains relatively non-utilized. Our experience with 56 bronchograms in which the modality of bronchial obstruction, distance to obstruction and reduction rate of caliber in leading bronchus were used in an attempt to explain underlying chest pathology and operability of bronchogenic carcinoma, indicated as follows: 1. The bronchographic findings in bronchogenic cancer consist of malignant bronchial obstruction in which the modality of obstruction is classified as abrupt type, conical type and compressed type in incidence of 50.0%, 23.2% and 26.8%, respectively. 2. Abrupt type of bronchial obstruction is more common in hilar type and particularly in squamous cell and undifferentiated cell type of bronchogenic cancer. In this type of obstruction the inoperability revealed in 57.8% and resectability in 17.8%. 3. Conical type of obstruction was a sign of most malignancy, in which 61.5% was undifferentiated cell type and 38.4% was squamous cell type. All this type of obstruction was inoperable even feasibility was presumed in simple roentgenograms. 4. Compressed type of obstruction was more common in peripheral type of bronchogenic cancer and showed 50.0% of resectability. 5. The distance from carina to bronchial obstuction revealed average 3.8cm in undifferentiated type, 5.76cm in squamous cell type and 7.60am in adeno cell type of carcinoma. 6. The reduction rate of caliber in leading bronchus to obstruction (mm per unit cm lenghth of leading bronchus) revealed average 2.15mm/cm in undifferentiated type 1.90mm/cm in squamous cell type and 1.13mm/cm in adeno cell type of carcnoma. 7. The reduction rate of caliber in leading bronchus showed 2.14mm/cm in inoperable cases and 1.42mm/cm in resectable cases. 8. The modality of bronchial obstruction and estimation of the reduction rate of caliber seemed to be a most reliable key-point to decide feasibility of resection.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1677-1680
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• 2013

Background: Areas of Iran have among the highest incidences of esophageal cancer in the world. Definitive chemo-radiotherapy (DCRT) is used for locally advanced esophageal cancer and for inoperable tumors asan alternative to surgical treatment. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in North-West Iran 2006-2011, including 267 consecutive patients with non-metastatic esophageal cancer. Eligible inoperable patients were treated with DCRT or definitive radiotherapy (DRT) alone. Radiotherapy (RT) was delivered at 1.8-2 Gy/day for five consecutive days in a given week. Chemotherapy (CT) consisted of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Results: The median survival was 12.7 months with 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates of 55%, 18% and 11%, respectively. On univariate analysis, relations with age at diagnosis (p=0.015), N-stage (p=0.04), total dose of RT (p=0.001), fraction (p<0.001), Gap status (p=0.025), chemotherapeutic regimens (P=0.027), and 5-Fu $Mg/m^2$ (P=0.004) were apparent. Comparing DCRT to DRT, there was a significant difference in survival. Multivariate analysis was performed for comparison between DCRT and DRT showed significant association with age group ${\geq}65$ to <65 (P=0.02; OR: 1.46), the total RT dose (Gy) ${\geq}50$ to <50 (P=0.01; OR: 0.65) and the fraction group ${\geq}25$ to <25 (P=<0.001; OR: 0.54). Conclusions: The survival rates of esophageal cancer treated with DCRT in North West of Iran is poor; therefore, early detection and improved treatment methods, with clinical trials are a high priority.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.134-140
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• 1989

A clinical evaluation was made on total 207 cases of corrosive esophageal stricture after ingestion of various corrosive substances and 173 cases of neoplasms in the esophagus and the cardia. The various complications associated with esophageal corrosion were observed on 28 cases [13.5%] in a total of 207 cases. Pathoanatomic findings of complication may be classified to the five category as follow; [1] stenosis in the pharynx due to adhesion of the epiglottis, [2] esophagobronchial fistula, [3] esophageal perforation with bougienation, [4] necrotic rupture of the esophagus and the stomach, and [5] so-called chronic corrosive gastritis. The comparative studies were done on a total of 165 cases of the various procedures of esophagoplasty to the reconstruction of the esophagus, which consists of antethoracal esophagoplasty with jejunum, retrosternal esophagoplasty with jejunum, retrosternal esophagoplasty with right colon, and retrosternal esophagoplasty with left colon. There is no hard and fast rule in selection of jejunum, right colon or left colon as the transplanting bowel and an operative method either antethoracal or retrosternal approach. When there was no possibility of the complication and no any defect of the anatomical states, one stage retrosternal esophagoplasty using right colon was better in various points of view. The 173 patients of the neoplasm of the esophagus consist of 28 cases of benign tumors and 145 cases of malignant tumors in the esophagus and cardia. 28 cases of benign tumors in the esophagus received the surgical treatment and they obtained with excellent results postoperatively. Of the 145 patients of esophageal carcinoma who received surgical managements, 101 cases [69.6%] were found to be operable and 44 cases [30.3%] were inoperable. Due to the various level of carcinoma in the esophagus, the following different surgical procedure was properly used case by case to get the best results in each case. Esophageal carcinoma in the upper and middle third segment received the total esophagectomy and the reconstruction of the esophagus using right colon by substernal procedure. Esophageal carcinoma in the lower third segment received an esophagojejunostomy in the mediastinum after the resection of lower third segment of the esophagus. Carcinoma in the esophago cardia and the stomach received also an esophagojejunostomy after the resection of the lower third segment of the esophagus and subtotal gastrectomy. For the 44 patients with inoperable carcinoma, the several palliative surgical managements such as gastrostomy or jejunostomy for feeding and esophagojejunostomy for bypass of the lower esophagus and the stomach were properly performed case by case for their maximum improvement.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.31-35
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• 2012

Background and Objectives: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents approximately 80% of all lung cancers. Unfortunately, at their time of diagnosis, most patients have advanced to unresectable disease with a very poor prognosis. The oriental herbal medicine HangAm-Plus (HAP) has been developed for antitumor purposes, and several previous studies have reported its therapeutic effects. In this study, the efficacy of HAP was evaluated as a third-line treatment for advanced-stage IIIb/IV NSCLC. Methods: The study involved six patients treated at the East- West Cancer Center (EWCC) from April 2010 to October 2011. Inoperable advanced-stage IIIb/IV NSCLC patients received 3,000 or 6,000 mg of HAP on a daily basis over a 12-week period. Computed tomography (CT) scans were obtained from the patients at the time of the initial administration and after 12 weeks of treatment. We observed and analyzed the patients overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Of the six patients, three expired during the study, and the three remaining patients were alive as of October 31, 2011. The OS ranged from 234 to 512 days, with a median survival of 397 days and a one-year survival rate of 66.7%. In the 12-week-interval chest CT assessment, three patients showed stable disease (SD), and the other three showed progressive disease (PD). The PFS of patients ranged from 88 to 512 days, the median PFS being 96 days. Longer OS and PFS were correlated with SD. Although not directly comparable, the OS and the PFS of this study were greater than those of the docetaxel or the best supportive care group in other studies. Conclusion: HAP may prolong the OS and the PFS of inoperable stage IIIb/IV NSCLC patients without significant adverse effects. In the future, more controlled clinical trials with larger samples from multi-centers should be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of HAP.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.759-767
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• 2021

Most weapons systems that are Force Integration are expensive equipment that reflects the latest technology, and the operation and maintenance cost is increasing continuously. Factors that efficiently operate and maintain these weapon systems include maintenance plans, economic costs, and repair part requirements. Among them, predicting the repair parts requirements during the life cycle in advance is an important way to increase operation and maintenance cost efficiency and operating availability. The start of requirement analysis for repair parts is a calculation of the CSP (CSP: Concurrent Spare parts, CSP hereafter) that is distributed when the weapon system is deployed. The CSP is an essential component of achieving the operating availability during this period because the weapon system aims to successfully perform a given operation mission without resupply for an initial set period. In the present study, the CSP calculation method was analyzed, reflecting the failure rate and operating time of items, but the analyzed CSP was aimed at preparing for technical failure, but in the initial operating environment, it is limited in coping with unexpected failures caused by human error. The failure is not included in the scope of free maintenance and is a serious factor in making the weapon system inoperable during the initial operation period. To prevent the inoperable status of a weapon system, CSP that considers human error is required in the initial operating environment, and the calculation criteria and measures are proposed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.206-211
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• 1980

One hundred and thirteen patients underwent diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy to exclude the presence of the lung cancer at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 1979, to July 1980. Sixty five cases of these patients were studied for passible lung cancer by bronchoscopic examination. Patients varied in age from 24 to 75 years, with the highest concentration lying in the sixth decade (49%). male was predominated with sex ratio of 6.3 : 1. Forth three (75.4%) of 57 cases impressed as definitive, and 8(14.5%) of 55 cases impressed as negatibe lung cancer were subsequently proved to have had lung cancer. Positive bronchoscopic biopsy was found in 10 of 14 lung cancers which were situated in the left main bronchus and in 11 of 13 neoplasms involving the right upper lobe bronchus. epidermoid cell carcinomas were most frequent(82.4%). Bronchial biopsy detected 34(79%) of 43 hilar cancers and 1.3(59%) 22 periphera neoplasms, in those patients who had fiberoptic bronchoscopic examinations. In the present series of 65 cases, the lesion was so far advanced when first seen that it was considered inoperable in 31 (47.7%) and operable 34(52.3%), 19(55.9%) of these refusing surgery. fifteen were explored of whom 12(80%) were resectable.