• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2015

Purpose: Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a truncated extracellular form of the membrane transferrin receptor produced by proteolysis. Concentrations of serum sTfR are related to iron status and erythropoiesis in the body. We investigated whether serum sTfR levels can aid in diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in children. Methods: Ninety-eight patients with IDA were enrolled and were classified according to age at diagnosis. Group 1 comprised 78 children, aged 6-59 months, and group 2 comprised 20 adolescents, aged 12-16 years. Results: In group 1, patients' serum sTfR levels correlated negatively with mean corpuscular volume; hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, and serum iron levels; and transferrin saturation and positively with total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and red cell distribution width. In group 2, patients' serum sTfR levels did not correlate with ferritin levels and TIBC, but had a significant relationship with other iron indices. Hb and serum sTfR levels had a significant inverse relationship in both groups; however, in group 1, there was no correlation between Hb and serum ferritin levels. In 30 patients of group 1, serum sTfR levels were significantly decreased with an increase in Hb levels after iron supplementation for 1 month. Conclusion: Serum sTfR levels significantly correlated with other diagnostic iron parameters of IDA and inversely correlated with an increase in Hb levels following iron supplementation. Therefore, serum sTfR levels can be a useful marker for the diagnosis and treatment of IDA in children.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.156-161
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• 1999

Objectives: The epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) family has been increasingly recognized as an important component in the control of normal cell proliferation and the pathogenesis of cancer. To confirm the usefulness of epidermal growth factor receptor as a tumor marker, we initiated this study. Materials and Methods: EGFR was measured by immunohistochemical staining using EGFR antibody. It was performed on section from paraffin blocks of 65 thyroid tissue including 33 paillary carcinoma, 11 follicular carcinoma, 11 nodular hyperplasia, 5 follicular adenoma and 5 normal thyroid tissue. We evaluated morphologic characteristic of various thyroid neoplasms, and the relationship between EGFR and other prognostic factors in papillary thyroid carcinomas. Results: The expression of EGFR was commonly found in neoplasms of thyroid, with trend for stronger staining in the more malignant tumor(p=0.000). Also the expression of EGFR in papillary thyroid cancer related to tumor characters including tumor size(p=0.042), extent(p=0.024) and prognostic features including AMES scores(p=0.019). The strong EGFR staining in papillary carcinoma was significantly associated with tumor recurrence(p=0.003). Conclusions: EGFR may have a role in the regulation of normal and neoplastic thyroid cell growth. EGFR status may help predict the clinical course of patients with malignant thyroid neoplasms. However, the study of more cases will be needed for significance of the information about the EGFR as an independent prognostic factor.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1197-1201
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• 2012

Objective: To study the relationship between clinical pathologic characteristics, treatment modalities and prognostic factors in HER-2 (Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor-2) overexpressed breast carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Major clinico-pathological factors including therapeutic modalities and survival status of 371 breast cancer patients with HER2 over-expression, teated at Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital from March of 2002 to December of 2010 were retrospectively studied, with special attention focused on survival-related factors. Results: The median age of the total 371 patients in this study was 48 years at time of diagnosis, among which, the leading pathological type was infiltrating ductal carcinoma (92.5%); 62.8% presented with a primary tomor larger than 2 cm in diameter at diagnosis, 51.0% had axillary lymph node (ALN) metastases; ER (Estrogen receptor)/PR (Progesterone receptor) double negative occured in 52.8% of cases, and PCNA (proliferation cell nuclear antigen) (+++) was found in 55.1%. HER-2 overexpressed patients were usually in advanced stage when the diagnosis was made (72.8% at stages IIA~IIIC). The prognosis and survival were assessed in 259 patients with complete follow-up data. 5-year DFS (disease-free survival) and OS (overall survival) rate was 68.0% and 78.0% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that age, tumor size, ALN metastases, LVSI (lymph-vascular space involvement), PCNA status, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy cycles, and HER-2 overexpression, correlated closely with the prognosis. ALN metastases, LVSI, PCNA status and chemotherapy cycles were independent predictors of survival. Conclusions: HER-2 overexpressed breast cancer has special clinical and pathological characteristics, with advanced clinical stages and high rate of ER/PR double negative. Lymph node metastases, LVSI, PCNA and chemotherapy cycles are independent predictors of prognosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1207-1211
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is by far the most frequent cancer of women (23 % of all cancers), ranking second overall when both sexes are considered together. Contralateral breast cancer (CBC) is becoming an important public health issue because of the increased incidence of primary breast cancer and improved survival. The present communication concerns a study to evaluate the role of various clinico-pathological factors on the occurrence of contralateral breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A detailed analysis was carried out with respect to age, menopausal status, family history, disease stage, surgery performed, histopathology, hormone receptor status, and use of chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. The diagnosis of CBC was confirmed on histopathology report. Relative risk with 95%CI was calculated for different risk factors of contralateral breast cancer development. Results: CBC was found in 24 (4.5%) out of 532 patients. Mean age of presentation was 43.2 years. Family history of breast cancer was found in 37.5% of the patients. There was statistically significant higher rate (83.3%) of CBC in patients in age group of 20-40 years with RR=11.3 (95% CI: 1.4, 89.4, p=0.006) seen in 20-30 years and RR=10.8 (95% CI:1.5-79.6, p=0.002) in 30-40 years as compared to older age of 60-70 years. Risk of development was higher in premenopausal women (RR=8.6, 95% CI: 3.5-21.3, $p{\leq}0.001$). Women with family history of breast cancer had highest rate (20.9%) of CBC (RR=5.4, 95% CI: 2.5-11.6, $p{\leq}0.001$). Use of hormonal therapy in hormone receptor positive patients was protective factor in occurrence of CBC but not significant (RR=0.7, 95% CI: 0.3-1.5, p=0.333). Conclusions: Younger age, premenopausal status, and presence of family history were found to be significant risk factors for the development of CBC. Use of hormonal therapy in hormone receptor positive patients might be protective against occurrence of CBC but did not reach significance.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1995.10a
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• pp.69-70
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• 1995

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2020

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although there are many possible treatments, including targeted therapies such as epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors, new therapeutic strategies are needed to improve clinical outcomes. Immunotherapy through the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has provided one of the most important breakthroughs in the management of solid tumors, including lung cancers, and has shown promising results in numerous clinical trials. This review will present the current status of immunotherapy for lung cancer and future perspectives on these treatments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9579-9586
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• 2014

There is growing scientific evidence linking excess body weight to breast cancer risk. However, there is no common consensus on this relation due partly to methodologies used, populations studied and the cancer subtype. We report here a summary of the present state of knowledge on the role of overweight and obesity in pathogenesis of breast cancer and possible mechanisms through which excess body weight might influence the risk, focusing on the role of oxidative stress in breast cancer etiology. The findings demonstrate duality of excess body weight action in dependence on menopausal status: a statistically significant increased risk in postmenopausal overweight/ obese women and non-significant preventive effect among premenopausal women. Due to several gaps in the literature on this topic, additional studies are needed. Future research should address factors influencing the excess body weight - breast cancer relationship, such as race/ethnicity, tumor subtype, receptor status, the most appropriate measure of adiposity, reproductive characteristics, and lifestyle components.

• Proceedings of the Korean Geotechical Society Conference
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• 1993.05a
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• pp.28-44
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• 1993

Remediation actions in uncontrolled landfill site should be conducted after the investigation of contamination status and potential health risk or damage. Based on the above, proper control measures should be established and operated. Also continuous monitoring should be followed. In this study, the status of ground water contamination around Nanji Landfill Site was investigated. Monitoring wells were installed around the landfill and ground water was sampled once a month and analyzed. Water quality of each monitoring well was different depending on the horizontal and vertical distance from the landfill, and the seasonal leachate characteristics were not significantly changed because percolating water stayed long time in the deep waste layer. It was predicted that major multivalent cations were mainly precipitated as metal carbonate form, and chemical mass balances (CMBs) could be applied for the apportionment of leachate contamination to ground water quality of surrounding areas of Nanji Landfill. Parameters required to estimate pollutant flux to the receptor near landfill were listed and discussion to get these parameters was made. Finally, based on the above data, control measures of ground water contamination were suggested and discussed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4623-4627
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• 2014

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays a vital role in the activation and inactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases. Mutations in exons 19 and 21 of EGFR are commonly found to be associated with non small cell lung carcinoma and triple negative breast cancer, enhancing sensitivity to EGFR targeting chemotherapeutic agents. Since amplification and prolonged activation of EGFR molecules have been identified in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), we investigated whether OSCCs carried mutations in exons 19 and 21 of EGFR to their incidence. Materials and Methods: Tumor chromosomal DNA isolated from forty surgically excised oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues was subjected to PCR amplification with intronic primers flanking exons 19 and 21 of the EGFR gene. The PCR amplicons were subsequently subjected to direct sequencing to elucidate the mutation status. Results: Data analysis of the EGFR exon 19 and 21 coding sequences did not show any mutations in the forty OSCC samples that were analyzed. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to have investigated the genetic status of exons 19 and 21 of EGFR in Indian OSCCs and identified that mutation in EGFR exon 19 and 21 may not contribute towards their genesis. The absence of mutations also indicates that oral cancerous lesions may not be as sensitive as other cancers to chemotherapeutic agents targeting EGFR.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8299-8305
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• 2016

Background: In Egypt, breast cancer is estimated to be the most common cancer among females. It is also a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Use of circulating cell-free DNA (ccf-DNA) as non-invasive biomarkers is a promising tool for diagnosis and follow-up of breast cancer (BC) patients. Objective: To assess the role of circulating cell free DNA (nuclear and mitochondrial) in diagnosing BC. Materials and Methods: Multiplex real time PCR was used to detect the level of ccf nuclear and mitochondrial DNA in the peripheral blood of 50 breast cancer patients together with 30 patients with benign lesions and 20 healthy controls. Laboratory investigations, histopathological staging and receptor studies were carried out for the cancer group. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the performance of ccf-nDNA and mtDNA. Results: The levels of both nDNA and mtDNA in the cancer group were significantly higher in comparison to the benign and the healthy control group. There was a statistically significant association between nDNA and mtDNA levels and well established prognostic parameters; namely, histological grade, tumour stage, lymph node status andhormonal receptor status. Conclusions: Our data suggests that nuclear and mitochondrial ccf-DNA may be used as non-invasive biomarkers in BC.