• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제45권12호
• /
• pp.886-895
• /
• 2022

Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is a highly aggressive pediatric malignancy with no effective therapy. Therefore, it is necessary to identify a target for the development of novel molecule-targeting therapeutic agents. In this study, we report the importance of the runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) and RUNX1-Baculoviral IAP (inhibitor of apoptosis) Repeat-Containing 5 (BIRC5/survivin) axis in the proliferation of MRT cells, as it can be used as an ideal target for anti-tumor strategies. The mechanism of this reaction can be explained by the interaction of RUNX1 with the RUNX1-binding DNA sequence located in the survivin promoter and its positive regulation. Specific knockdown of RUNX1 led to decreased expression of survivin, which subsequently suppressed the proliferation of MRT cells in vitro and in vivo. We also found that our novel RUNX inhibitor, Chb-M, which switches off RUNX1 using alkylating agent-conjugated pyrrole-imidazole polyamides designed to specifically bind to consensus RUNX-binding sequences (5'-TGTGGT-3'), inhibited survivin expression in vivo. Taken together, we identified a novel interaction between RUNX1 and survivin in MRT. Therefore the negative regulation of RUNX1 activity may be a novel strategy for MRT treatment.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• 제55권8호
• /
• pp.2935-2940
• /
• 2023

A polystyrene phantom was developed following the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) for gamma knife (GK) quality assurance. Its performance was assessed by measuring the absorbed dose rate to water and dose distributions. The phantom was made of polystyrene, which has an electron density (1.0156) similar to that of water. The phantom included one outer phantom and four inner phantoms. Two inner phantoms held PTW T31010 and Exradin A16 ion chambers. One inner phantom held a film in the XY plane of the Leksell coordinate system, and another inner phantom held a film in the YZ or ZX planes. The absorbed dose rate to water and beam profiles of the machine-specific reference (msr) field, namely, the 16 mm collimator field of a GK Perfexion^TM or Icon^TM, were measured at seven GK sites. The measured results were compared to those of an IAEA-recommended solid water (SW) phantom. The radius of the polystyrene phantom was determined to be 7.88 cm by converting the electron density of the plastic, considering a water depth of 8 g/cm². The absorbed dose rates to water measured in both phantoms differed from the treatment planning program by less than 1.1%. Before msr correction, the PTW T31010 dose rates (PTW Freiberg GmbH, New York, NY, USA) in the polystyrene phantom were 0.70 (0.29)% higher on average than those in the SW phantom. The Exradin A16 (Standard Imaging, Middleton, WI, USA) dose rates were 0.76 (0.32)% higher in the polystyrene phantom. After msr correction factors were applied, there were no statistically significant differences in the A16 dose rates measured in the two phantoms; however, the T31010 dose rates were 0.72 (0.29)% higher in the polystyrene phantom. When the full widths at half maximum and penumbras of the msr field were compared, no significant differences between the two phantoms were observed, except for the penumbra in the Y-axis. However, the difference in the penumbra was smaller than variations among different sites. A polystyrene phantom developed for gamma knife dosimetry showed dosimetric performance comparable to that of a commercial SW phantom. In addition to its cost effectiveness, the polystyrene phantom removes air space around the detector. Additional simulations of the msr correction factors of the polystyrene phantom should be performed.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• 제26권1호
• /
• pp.10-19
• /
• 2022

Purpose: To evaluate whether the added value of contrast leakage information from dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC MRI) is a better prognostic imaging biomarker than the cerebral blood volume (CBV) value in distinguishing true progression from pseudoprogression in glioblastoma patients. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine glioblastoma patients who had undergone MRI after concurrent chemoradiotherapy with temozolomide were enrolled in this retrospective study. Twenty features were extracted from the normalized relative CBV (nCBV) and extraction fraction (EF) map of the contrast-enhancing region in each patient. After univariable analysis, we used multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis to identify significant predictors for differentiating between pseudoprogression and true progression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to determine the best cutoff values for the nCBV and EF features. Finally, leave-one-out cross-validation was used to validate the best predictor in differentiating between true progression and pseudoprogression. Results: Multivariable stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that MGMT (O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) and EF max were independent differentiating variables (P = 0.004 and P = 0.02, respectively). ROC analysis yielded the best cutoff value of 95.75 for the EF max value for differentiating the two groups (sensitivity, 61%; specificity, 84.6%; AUC, 0.681 ± 0.08; 95% CI, 0.524-0.837; P = 0.03). In the leave-one-out cross-validation of the EF max value, the cross-validated values for predicting true progression and pseudoprogression accuracies were 69.4% and 71.4%, respectively. Conclusion: We demonstrated that contrast leakage information parameter from DSC MRI showed significance in differentiating true progression from pseudoprogression in glioblastoma patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• 제25권1호
• /
• pp.15.1-15.15
• /
• 2024

Background: The anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) antibody has led to durable clinical responses in a wide variety of human tumors. We have previously developed the caninized anti-canine PD-1 antibody (ca-4F12-E6) and evaluated its therapeutic properties in dogs with advance-staged oral malignant melanoma (OMM), however, their therapeutic effects on other types of canine tumors remain unclear. Objective: The present clinical study was carried out to evaluate the safety profile and clinical efficacy of ca-4F12-E6 in dogs with advanced solid tumors except for OMM. Methods: Thirty-eight dogs with non-OMM solid tumors were enrolled prospectively and treated with ca-4F12-E6 at 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks of each 10-week treatment cycle. Adverse events (AEs) and treatment efficacy were graded based on the criteria established by the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group. Results: One dog was withdrawn, and thirty-seven dogs were evaluated for the safety and efficacy of ca-4F12-E6. Treatment-related AEs of any grade occurred in 13 out of 37 cases (35.1%). Two dogs with sterile nodular panniculitis and one with myasthenia gravis and hypothyroidism were suspected of immune-related AEs. In 30 out of 37 dogs that had target tumor lesions, the overall response and clinical benefit rates were 6.9% and 27.6%, respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival time were 70 days and 215 days, respectively. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that ca-4F12-E6 was well-tolerated in non-OMM dogs, with a small number of cases showing objective responses. This provides evidence supporting large-scale clinical trials of anti-PD-1 antibody therapy in dogs.

• 한국의료질향상학회지
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.120-131
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of implementing a clinical pathways (CPs) on the clinical outcomes and costs of patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who were newly diagnosed with primary breast cancer at the Samsung Medical Center between 2014 and 2019 (N=8482; 2931 patients in the pre-path and 5551 patients in the post-path). Clinical outcomes included reoperation during hospitalization, readmission, and emergency room visits within 30 days of discharge. The cost data for each unit were obtained from an activity-based management accounting system. We performed an interrupted time series analysis. Results: The post-path period showed a significantly shorter hospital length of stay (LOS) than the pre-path period (6.3 days in pre-path vs. 5.0 days in post-path; -1.3 days' difference; p=.001), and fewer reoperations during hospitalization and within 30 days after discharge than the pre-path period. After adjusting for inflation rates and relative value scores, the model demonstrated savings of $146 per patient in the post-path for total costs, and $537 per patient for patient out-of-pocket costs (p=.001). Conclusion: CPs can help reduce costs without compromising the quality of care by reducing the number of reoperations, readmissions, and complications.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제47권5호
• /
• pp.627-637
• /
• 2023

Background: Damage to the healthy intestinal epithelial layer and regulation of the intestinal immune system, closely interrelated, are considered pivotal parts of the curative treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plant-based diets and phytochemicals can support the immune microenvironment in the intestinal epithelial barrier for a balanced immune system by improving the intestinal microecological balance and may have therapeutic potential in colitis. However, there have been only a few reports on the therapeutic potential of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PENs) and the underlying mechanism in colitis. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of PENs from Panax ginseng, ginseng-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GENs), in a mouse model of IBD, with a focus on the intestinal immune microenvironment. Method: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of GENs on acute colitis, we treated GENs in Caco2 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and analyzed the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we further examined bacterial DNA from feces and determined the alteration of gut microbiota composition in DSS-induced colitis mice after administration of GENs through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Result: GENs with low toxicity showed a long-lasting intestinal retention effect for 48 h, which could lead to effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 production through inhibition of NF-κB in DSS-induced colitis. As a result, it showed longer colon length and suppressed thickening of the colon wall in the mice treated with GENs. Due to the amelioration of the progression of DSS-induced colitis with GENs treatment, the prolonged survival rate was observed for 17 days compared to 9 days in the PBS-treated group. In the gut microbiota analysis, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota was decreased, which means GENs have therapeutic effectiveness against IBD. Ingesting GENs would be expected to slow colitis progression, strengthen the gut microbiota, and maintain gut homeostasis by preventing bacterial dysbiosis. Conclusion: GENs have a therapeutic effect on colitis through modulation of the intestinal microbiota and immune microenvironment. GENs not only ameliorate the inflammation in the damaged intestine by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines but also help balance the microbiota on the intestinal barrier and thereby improve the digestive system.

• 한국간담췌외과학회지
• /
• 제28권1호
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: Parenchymal-sparing anatomical hepatectomy (Ps-AH) based on portal ramification of the right anterior section (RAS) is a new technique to avoid unnecessarily transecting too much liver parenchyma, especially in cases of major anatomical hepatectomy. Methods: We prospectively assessed 26 patients with primary hepatic malignancies having undergone major Ps-AH based on portal ramification of the RAS from August 2018 to August 2022 (48 months). The perioperative indications, clinical data, intra-operative index, pathological postoperative specimens, postoperative complications, and follow-up results were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Among the 26 patients analyzed, there was just one case that had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma The preoperative level of α-Fetoprotein was 25.2 ng/mL. All cases (100%) had Child-Pugh A liver function preoperatively. The ventral/dorsal RAS was preserved in 19 and 7 patients, respectively. The mean surgical margin was 6.2 mm. The mean surgical time was 228.5 minutes, while the mean blood loss was 255 mL. In pathology, 5 cases (19.2%) had microvascular invasion, and in the group of HCC patients, 92% of all cases had moderate or poor tumor differentiation. Six cases (23.1%) of postoperative complications were graded over III according to the Clavien-Dindo system, including in three patients resistant ascites or intra-abdominal abscess that required intervention. Conclusions: Parenchymal-sparing anatomical hepatectomy based on portal ramification of the RAS to achieve R0-resection was safe and effective, with favorable short-term outcomes. This technique can be used widely in clinical practice.

• 한국간담췌외과학회지
• /
• 제28권1호
• /
• pp.59-69
• /
• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the only radical treatment for periampullary malignancies. Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) first approach combined with total meso-pancreas (MP) excision was conducted to improve the oncological results. There has not been any previous research of a technique that combines the SMA first approach and total MP excision with a detailed description of the MP macroscopical shape. Methods: We prospectively assessed 77 patients with periampullary malignancies between October 2020 and March 2022 (18 months). All patients had undergone PD with SMA first approach combined total MP excision. The perioperative indications, clinical data, intra-operative index, R0 resection rate of postoperative pathological specimens (especially mesopancreatic margin), postoperative complications, and follow-up results were evaluated. Results: The median operative time was 289.6 min (178-540 min), the median intraoperative blood loss was 209 mL (30-1,600 mL). Microscopically, there were 19 (24.7%) cases with metastatic MP, and five cases (6.5%) with R1-resection of the MP. The number of lymph nodes (LNs) harvested and metastatic LNs were 27.2 (maximum was 74) and 1.8 (maximum was 16), respectively. Some (46.8%) patients had pancreatic fistula, but mostly in grade A, with 7 patients (9.1%) who required re-operations. Some 18.2% of cases developed postoperative refractory diarrhea. The rate of in-hospital mortality was 1.3%. Conclusions: The PD with SMA first approach combined TMpE for periampullary malignancies was effective in achieving superior oncological statistics (rate of MP R0-resection and number of total resected LNs) with non-inferior short-term outcomes. It is necessary to evaluate survival outcomes with long-term follow-up.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• 제25권2호
• /
• pp.79-92
• /
• 2007

목 적: 전국 병원의 방사선종양학과에서 식도암으로 방사선 치료를 받은 환자들을 각 병원으로부터 입력 받아 세부 항목별로 분석하여 식도암 환자들의 구성과 특징을 파악하여 범국가적인 자료로 활용하는 한편 치료방침을 분석하여 향후 적절한 치료를 위한 가이드라인으로 삼고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 전국 병원의 방사선종양학과에서 1998년과 1999년의 2년간에 걸쳐 식도암으로 확진된 246명을 대상으로 하였다. 연간 400명 미만의 방사선치료 신환자 발생병원들을 A군, 400명 이상 900명 미만의 병원들을 B군, 그리고 900명 이상 신환자가 발생하는 병원을 C군으로 분류하여 최종적으로 A군에서 12병원, B군에서 8개 병원, 그리고 C군에서 3개의 병원이 연구에 참여하였다. 이미 개발된 Web-based Korean PCS system을 통해 각 병원으로부터 직접 자료를 입력 받아 이를 세부 항목별로 분석하였고 통계적 처리는 SPSS version 12.0.1을 사용하고 범주형 자료는 Chi-squared test를 사용하였고 연속변수는 ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test를 적용하였다. 결 과: 입력된 환자들의 성별 분포는 남자 224명(91.1%), 여자 22명(8.9%)이었고 연령별 중앙값은 62세 전후였다. 진단 및 병기결정을 위한 검사로는 식도 촬영술(228명, 92.7%), 식도내시경(226명, 91.9%) 및 흉부 식도 CT 스캔(238명, 96.7%)을 주로 시행하였다. 편평상피암이 대종을 이루어 237명(96.3%)의 환자에서 관찰되었고 중흉부식도(mid-thoracic esophagus)에서 발생한 식도암이 가장 많았다(110명, 44.7%). 임상 병기는 III기가 과반수 이상을 차지하였다(135명, 54.9%). 방사선 치료만 받은 경우는 57명(23.2%), 방사선 치료와 수술을 병용한 경우는 전체의 15%인 37명, 항암약물 치료와 방사선 치료를 병용한 경우는 123명(50%)이었다. 수술과 방사선 치료를 병행한 경우 전례에서 수술을 먼저 시행한 후 방사선 치료를 하였다. 항암치료를 방사선치료와 병행한 경우 반수 이상에서(70명, 56.9%) 동시항암방사선 치료를 시행하였고 31명(25.2%)에서 항암치료 후 방사선치료를 또는 항암요법 단독치료 후 동시항암방사선치료를(13명, 10.6%) 시행하였다. 방사선 치료는 6 MV (116명, 47.2%)와 10 MV (87명, 35.4%)의 X-ray가 대종을 이루었다. 방사선 치료 시 조사야는 longitudinal margin의 경우 중앙값은 7.0 cm이었지만 각 군별로 현저한 차이가 있었다(A군; 5.5 cm, B군; 8.0 cm, C군; 14.0 cm). 계획용 CT를 사용하지 않고 고식적인 AP/PA 조사야를 사용하여 치료한 경우가 대부분이었는데(206명, 83.7%) 이 때 방사선 조사량의 중앙값은 3,600 cGy이었다. 이후 추가 방사선 치료 시 계획용 CT를 사용하지 않고 2-oblique fields 사용하여 치료한 경우가 87명(35.4%)이었는데 방사선 조사량의 중앙값은 1,800 cGy이었다. 전 환자에서 1일 1회 180 cGy로 치료하였다. 전 환자에서 조사된 총 방사선량의 중앙값은 5,580 cGy이었다. 수술 후 방사선 치료를 시행한 경우 중앙값은 5,040 cGy이었고 수술을 받지 않은 환자 중앙값은 5,940 cGy이었다. 근접조사 방사선 치료는 총 34명(13.8%)에서 시행되었고, 전 환자에서 high dose rate Iridium-192를 사용하였다. 조사범위는 종양에서 longitudinal margin의 중앙값은 1 cm, prescribed isodose curve에서 axial length의 평균값은 8.25 cm, 폭은 2 cm, 그리고 전후 폭의 중앙값도 2 cm이었다. Fraction size의 중앙값은 300 cGy이었는데 B군의 경우는 500 cGy이었다. 총 분할 횟수는 $3{\sim}4$회가 대부분이었다. 한편, 방사선 치료 중 발생한 급성 부작용은 식도염이 가장 많았는데 전체 246명 환자 중 155명(63.0%)에서 발생하였다. 결 론: 전국 23개 병원의 식도암 환자 치료 Data를 분석해 본 결과 대부분의 병원에서 환자의 특징과 진단 및 병기 결정 방법, 치료의 유형 등에서 유사한 결과를 보였으며 신환 발생 수에 따른 병원 규모의 차이는 조사 결과에 큰 영향을 미치지 못하였다. 하지만 병원 규모가 클수록 10 MV 이상의 고에너지로 치료하는 경향이 많았으며 3D CT Plan도 병원 규모가 클수록 활용도가 높았다. 조사 야의 면적도 병원 군별로 차이를 보였다. 향후 더 많은 환자를 입력하여 생존율 분석까지 이루어지면 이 연구는 식도암 치료방침의 결정에 중요한 guideline을 제시해 줄 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 1989

기무라씨 질환은 특히 두경부 부위에 피하 종괴를 일으키는 만성염증성, 증식성 질환이다. 저자들은 최근 치험하였던 본 질환 5 예를 한국외과 문헌에 처음으로 보고하는 바이다. 기무라씨 질환은 크게는 ALHE(Angiolymphoide Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia) 의 범주에 속한다. 본 질환의 병리학적 특징은 증식된 lymphoid follicles, eosinophilic infiltration 과 혈관의 증식성이다. 이 질환은 이하선, 악하선 및 상부 경부 부위등에 흔히 종괴를 일으키며 이들 종괴들은 피하조직 뿐만 아니라 타액선과 상부 경부 임파선에까지도 파고 든다. 저자들의 증례 중 한명에서는 서혜부에 종괴가 있었으며 새로이 증식된 혈관과 동상들 (Sinusoids) 로 인하여 혈관 분포가 매우 풍부하였다. 저자들 증례 5 명의 평균 연령은 35세이었지만 한명을 제외한 나머지 모두는 38세 이하이었다. 남녀비는 3:2 이었으며 증상의 평균 기간은 5.2 년이었다. 전례에 있어서 말초 혈액 소견상 Eosinophilia 가 있었다. 전례에서 다발성 종괴들을 보였으며 가끔은 대칭적이기도 하였다. 저자들이 시행한 치료 양상은 수술만 시행한 경우와 수술 및 스테로이드 홀몬요법 시행 경우가 각각 1례씩이었고 수술과 방사선조사 경우가 2례이었으며 나머지 1례에서는 수술, 스테로이드 홀몬요법 및 방사선조사의 복합치료를 실시하였다. 저자들은 기무라씨 질환과 ALHE 질환과의 관계를 고찰해 보았으며 기무라씨 질환의 치료 경험을 보고하는 바이다.