• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.302-308
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• 2019

The abscopal effect is a term that has been used to describe the phenomenon in which localized radiation therapy treatment of a tumor lesion triggers a spontaneous regression of metastatic lesion(s) at a non-irradiated distant site(s). Radiation therapy induced abscopal effects are believed to be mediated by activation and stimulation of the immune system. However, due to the brain's distinctive immune microenvironment, extracranial abscopal responses following cranial radiation therapy have rarely been reported. In this report, we describe the case of 42-year-old female patient with metastatic melanoma who experienced an abscopal response following her cranial radiation therapy for her brain metastasis. The patient initially presented with a stage III melanoma of the right upper skin of her back. Approximately 5 years after her diagnosis, the patient developed a large metastatic lesion in her upper right pectoral region of her chest wall and axilla. Since the patient's tumor was positive for BRAF and MEK, targeted therapy with dabrafenib and trametinib was initiated. However, the patient experienced central nervous system (CNS) symptoms of headache and disequilibrium and developed brain metastases prior to the start of targeted therapy. The patient received radiation therapy to a dose of 30 Gy delivered in 15 fractions to her brain lesions while the patient was on dabrafenib and trametinib therapy. The patient's CNS metastases improved significantly within weeks of her therapy. The patient's non-irradiated large extracranial chest mass and axilla mass also shrank substantially demonstrating the abscopal effect during her CNS radiation therapy. Following radiation therapy of her residual chest lesions, the patient was disease free clinically and her CNS lesions had regressed. However, when the radiation therapy ended and the patient continued her targeted therapy alone, recurrence outside of her previously treated fields was noted. The disease recurrence could be due to the possibility of developing BRAF resistance clones to the BRAF targeted therapy. The patient died eventually due to wide spread systemic disease recurrence despite targeted therapy.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2011

Skin contact allergy (SCA) is not life-threatening, but a large number of people have been suffered from the reactions caused by various kinds of chemicals and products. Thus, in this study, radiation technology was employed to improve the traditional herb addition method on the SCA reduction of Rhus verniciflua sap (RVS). Rhus verniciflua has traditionally been used as an herbal medicine plant, but its urushiol derivatives are known as a major allergen for the SCA. The present study was commenced to assess the allergenicity of both gamma-irradiated and non-irradiated RVS by using guinea-pig maximization test (GPMT) in order to probe the mechanism of an SCA. In the acute dermal irritation assays, non-irradiated RVS caused erythema, but the irradiated RVS did not provoke any erythema on the abdominal skin of the guinea pigs. From the result of the GPMT, urushiols, the main chemical components of RVS, were identified as an extreme skin sensitizer, and the removal of urushiols by irradiation extremely reduced the erythema. These results suggest that radiation technology is a novel method to reduce SCA through the removal of urushiols of RVS.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and awareness about radiation use among non - radiation undergraduates. This analysis were used based on the collected questionnaires with Frequency, mean and standard deviation, t-test, one-way ANOVA. As a result, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of gender and age. There were statistical differences in some items in the major field. In addition, the perception of radiation was more negative in women and under 25 years of age (p<0.05). The correlations between the sub - factors showed that the higher the knowledge of radiation, the higher the perception of knowledge and use of radiation. It is believed that university students will have a positive effect of contributing to the development of the radiation industry if they have a correct understanding of radiation because they are more likely to contribute to public opinion by advancing into society.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.9-17
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• 2017

Purpose: The tissue description and electron density indicated by the Computed Tomography(CT) number (also known as Hounsfield Unit) in radiotherapy are important in ensuring the accuracy of CT-based computerized radiotherapy planning. The internal metal implants, however, not only reduce the accuracy of CT number but also introduce uncertainty into tissue description, leading to development of many clinical algorithms for reducing metal artifacts. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to investigate the accuracy and the clinical applicability by analyzing date from SMART MAR (GE) used in our institution. Methode: and material: For assessment of images, the original images were obtained after forming ROIs with identical volumes by using CIRS ED phantom and inserting rods of six tissues and then non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images were obtained and compared in terms of CT number and SD value. For determination of the difference in dose by the changes in CT number due to metal artifacts, the original images were obtained by forming PTV at two sites of CIRS ED phantom CT images with Computerized Treatment Planning (CTP system), the identical treatment plans were established for non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images by obtaining unilateral and bilateral titanium insertion images, and mean doses, Homogeneity Index(HI), and Conformity Index(CI) for both PTVs were compared. The absorbed doses at both sites were measured by calculating the dose conversion constant (cCy/nC) from ylinder acrylic phantom, 0.125cc ionchamber, and electrometer and obtaining non-SMART MAR and SMART MAR images from images resulting from insertions of unilateral and bilateral titanium rods, and compared with point doses from CTP. Result: The results of image assessment showed that the CT number of SMART MAR images compared to those of non-SMART MAR images were more close to those of original images, and the SD decreased more in SMART compared to non-SMART ones. The results of dose determinations showed that the mean doses, HI and CI of non-SMART MAR images compared to those of SMART MAR images were more close to those of original images, however the differences did not reach statistical significance. The results of absorbed dose measurement showed that the difference between actual absorbed dose and point dose on CTP in absorbed dose were 2.69 and 3.63 % in non-SMRT MAR images, however decreased to 0.56 and 0.68 %, respectively in SMART MAR images. Conclusion: The application of SMART MAR in CT images from patients with metal implants improved quality of images, being demonstrated by improvement in accuracy of CT number and decrease in SD, therefore it is considered that this method is useful in dose calculation and forming contour between tumor and normal tissues.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.207-216
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• 2015

Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been introduced for small-sized single and oligo-metastases in the brain. The aim of this study is to assess treatment outcome, efficacy, and prognostic variables associated with survival and intracranial recurrence. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed 123 targets in 64 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with SRS between January 2006 and December 2012. Treatment responses were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. Overall survival (OS) and intracranial progression-free survival (IPFS) were determined. Results: The median follow-up was 13.9 months. The median OS and IPFS were 14.1 and 8.9 months, respectively. Fifty-seven patients died during the follow-up period. The 5-year local control rate was achieved in 85% of 108 evaluated targets. The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 55% and 28%, respectively. On univariate analysis, primary disease control (p < 0.001), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (0-1 vs. 2; p = 0.002), recursive partitioning analysis class (1 vs. 2; p = 0.001), and age (<65 vs. ${\geq}65$ years; p = 0.036) were significant predictive factors for OS. Primary disease control (p = 0.041) and ECOG status (p = 0.017) were the significant prognostic factors for IPFS. Four patients experienced radiation necrosis. Conclusion: SRS is a safe and effective local treatment for brain metastases in patients with NSCLC. Uncontrolled primary lung disease and ECOG status were significant predictors of OS and intracranial failure. SRS might be a tailored treatment option along with careful follow-up of the intracranial and primary lung disease status.

• 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.

• Applied Science and Convergence Technology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.309-316
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• 2014

A large particle accelerator requires an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) system of average pressure under $1{\times}10^{-7}$ Pa for mitigating the impact of beam scattering from the residual gas molecules. The surface inside the beam ducts should be controlled with an extremely low thermal outgassing rate under $1{\times}10^{-9}Pa{\cdot}m^3/(s{\cdot}m^2)$ for the sake of the insufficient pumping speed. To fulfil the requirements, the aluminum alloys were adopted as the materials of the beam ducts for large accelerator that thanks to the good features of higher thermal conductivity, non-radioactivity, non-magnetism, precise machining capability, et al. To put the aluminum into the large accelerator vacuum systems, several key technologies have been developed will be introduced. The concepts contain the precise computer numerical control (CNC) machining process for the large aluminum ducts and parts in pure alcohol and in an oil-free environment, surface cleaning with ozonized water, stringent welding process control manually or automatically to form a large sector of aluminum ducts, ex-situ baking process to reach UHV and sealed for transportation and installation, UHV pumping with the sputtering ion pumps and the non-evaporable getters (NEG), et al. The developed UHV technologies have been applied to the 3 GeV Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) and revealed good results as the expectation. The problems of leakage encountered during the assembling were most associated with the vacuum baking which result in the consequent trouble shootings and more times of baking. Then the installation of the well-sealed UHV systems is recommended.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the predictive factors of radiation pneumonitis (RP) and associated changes in pulmonary function after definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Medical records of 60 patients with NSCLC who received definitive CCRT were retrospectively reviewed. Dose volumetric (DV) parameters, clinical factors, and pulmonary function test (PFT) data were analyzed. RP was graded according to the CTCAE ver. 4.0. Percentage of lung volume that received a dose of threshold (Vdose) and mean lung dose (MLD) were analyzed for potential DV predictors. PFT changes were calculated as the difference between pre-RT and post-RT values at 3, 6, and 12 months after RT. Results: Twenty-two patients (37%) developed grade ${\geq}2$ RP. Among clinical factors, tumor location in lower lobe was associated with RP. Among the DV parameters, only MLD >15 Gy was associated with grade ${\geq}2$ RP. There were statistically significant decreases in PFT at all points compared with pre-RT values in grade ${\geq}2$ RP group. MLD was associated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) changes at 6 and 12 months. V10 was associated with FVC changes at 12 months. V20 and V30 were associated with FEV1 changes at 6 months and FVC changes at 12 months. Conclusion: After definitive CCRT in patients with NSCLC, MLD >15 Gy and lower lobe tumor location were predictors of grade ${\geq}2$ RP. Pulmonary functions were decreased after CCRT and the magnitude of changes was associated with DV parameters.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) with fixed-field intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) using non-coplanar beam when the shape of target is irregular and the location is adjacent to organ at risk(OAR). Materials and Methods: The subjects of this study were a total of 6 patients who had radiation therapy for whole scalp(2 patients), partial scalp(2 patients), and whole ventricle(2 patients) by True Beam STX(Varian Medical Systems, USA). VMAT plans consisted of coplanar or non-coplanar arcs which can minimize the volume of OAR included in beamlets. All fixed-field IMRT plans consisted of non-coplanar beams using more than 2 angles of Couch. Results: The VMAT and IMRT plans were compared with regard to the maximum dose of both lens, both optic nerves, optic chiasm, and brain stem and the mean dose of both eyeballs and hippocampus. VMAT plans showed higher dose than ncIMRT plans at more than 6 of all OARs in every patient, and the ratio was from 1.1 times to 8.2 times. In case of total scalp and partial scalp, the volume of brain which received more than 20 Gy in the VMAT plans was 2 times larger than the volume in the ncIMRT plans. In case of whole ventricle, there was no significant difference. Target coverage was satisfied in both plans($PTV_{100%}=95%$). The maximum dose in target volume and required monitor unit(MU) of ncIMRT were higher than them of VMAT plans. Conclusion: Even though ncIMRT is less efficient than VMAT with regard to required MU and treatment time, the dose to OARs is much lower than VMAT and PTV Coverage is similar with VMAT. If the shape of target is irregular and location is adjacent to OAR, comparison VMAT plan with ncIMRT plan deserves to be considered.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.54-55
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• 2003

Radiation therapy has been used for the cancer treatment externally or internally. The external radiation therapy has been widely used, but for the lack of its selectivity it requires strong radiation dose causing the dermal irritation and radiation effect of the normal tissues or organs. So we investigate non-clinical and clinical studies of “Milican inj.”, in which chitosan is chelated with 166-Holmium, as an anticancer agent for internal radiation therapy. (omitted)