• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.3969-3974
• /
• 2013

The purpose was to provide a descriptive epidemiological assessment of the incidence of cancer of the larynx in Kazakhstan and spatial evaluation with gender characteristics. Thgis retrospective study covered all new cases of laryngeal cancer in 11 years (1999-2009). The total number was 4,967 cases, 4,535 (91.3%) in males and 432 (8.7%) in women, with a ratio of 10.5:1. The higher incidence in men compared to women was evident in all age groups, the differences being statistically significant (p<0.05). At the same time revealed a unimodal growth with age, peaking at 70 years and older both sexes. In the dynamics, incidence rates of laryngeal cancer demonstrated a tendency to decrease, in women (T=-6.7%) this being more pronounced than in men (T=-3.3%). Levels were determined to produce cartograms of cancer of the larynx for male and female populations, clear geographical variation being evidenced. The data are discussed with reference to possible risk factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.21
• /
• pp.9433-9437
• /
• 2014

This study provides the first systematic literature review of cervical cancer incidence and mortality as well as human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype prevalence among women with cervical cancer in the Pacific Island countries and territories. The cervical cancer burden in the Pacific Region is substantial, with age standardized incidence rates ranging from 8.2 to 50.7 and age standardized mortality rate from 2.7 to 23.9 per 100,000 women per year. The HPV genotype distribution suggests that 70-80% of these cancers could be preventable by the currently available bi- or quadrivalent HPV vaccines. There are only few comprehensive studies examining the epidemiology of cervical cancer in this region and no published data have hitherto described the current cervical cancer prevention initiatives in this region.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.20
• /
• pp.8901-8904
• /
• 2014

Background: Genetic factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of human cancer. A recent genome wide association study (GWAS) identified an association between the rs2294008 polymorphism of the prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) gene and bladder cancer risk in Caucasians. The aim of this study was to determine whether the rs2294008 polymorphism is similarly associated with bladder cancer susceptibility in a Korean population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 411 bladder cancer patients and 1,700 controls. Results: The frequencies of the CC, CT, and TT genotypes of the rs2294008 polymorphism were 16.9, 54.0, and 28.8% in bladder cancer patients and 24.4, 48.1, and 27.5% in controls, respectively. We found that the combined CT/TT genotypes were associated with a significantly increased risk of bladder cancer (OR CT/TT =1.58, 95% CI= 1.15-2.17), compared with the CC genotype. Smoking habits, tumor grade and tumor stage did not modify the association between rs2294008 and the risk of bladder cancer. Conclusions: Our study showed that the rs2294008 polymorphism in the PSCA gene is associated with the risk of bladder cancer in a Korean population, providing evidence that it may contribute to bladder carcinogenesis regardless of ethnicity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.432-441
• /
• 2016

Machaerium cuspidatum, a canopy liana, is a species of genus legume in the Fabaceae family and contributes to the total species richness in the tropical rain forests. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidative and anti-cancer effects of M. cuspidatum and its mode of action. The methanol extract of M. cuspidatum (MEMC) exhibited anti-oxidative activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of $1.66{\mu}g/ml$, and this was attributable to its 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. MEMC also exhibited a cytotoxic effect and induced morphological changes in a dose-dependent manner in several cancer cell lines including human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, and human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. Moreover, MEMC treatment induced the accumulation of subG1 population, which is indicative of apoptosis in A549 and HepG2 cells. MEMC-induced apoptosis was confirmed by the increase in Annexin V-positive apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies using Annexin-V staining and DAPI staining, respectively. Further investigation showed that MEMC-induced apoptosis was associated with the increase in p53 and Bax expression, and the decrease in Bcl-2 expression. In addition, MEMC treatment led to proteolytic activation of caspase-3, 8, and 9 and degradation of poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP). Taken together, these results suggest that MEMC may exert a beneficial anti-cancer effect by inducing apoptosis via both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in A549 and HepG2 cells.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.73-81
• /
• 2014

Salsola collina, also known as Russian thistle, is widely distributed in and around waste facilities, roadsides, and drought and semi-drought areas, and is used as a traditional folk remedy in Chinese medicine for the treatment of hypertension. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-oxidative and anti-cancer activities of the ethanol extract of S. collina Pall. (EESC), and the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects on human colon carcinoma HT29 cells. EESC exhibited anti-oxidative activity through DPPH radical scavenging capacity and showed cytotoxic activity in a dose-dependent manner in HT29 cells. After EESC treatment, HT29 cells altered their morphology, becoming smaller and irregular in shape. EESC also induced cell accumulation in the G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner, accompanied by a decrease of cell population in the G1 phase. The G2/M arrest by EESC was associated with the increased expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and Wee1 kinase, which phosphorylates, or inactivates, Cdc2. EESC treatment induced the phosphorylation of Cdc2 and Cdc25C, and inhibited cyclin A and Cdc25C protein expression. In addition, S arrest was induced by the highest concentration of EESC treatment, associated with a decrease of cyclin A and Cdk2 expression. These findings suggest that EESC may possess remarkable anti-oxidative activity and exert an anti-cancer effect in HT29 cells by cell cycle regulation.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.39-47
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical outcomes from cervical cancer and stratify patients into risk groups for prognostic factors for early-stage disease. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with stage IB or IIA cervical cancer treated with adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) following primary surgery at Samsung Medical Center from 2001 to 2011. Adjuvant RT was added for patients with intermediate-risk factors, and adjuvant CCRT was performed on high-risk patients after surgery. Results: We reviewed 247 patients-149 in the high-risk group and 98 in intermediate-risk group. The median follow-up was 62 months. Loco-regional failure (LRF) alone occurred in 7 patients (2.8%), distant metastasis alone in 37 patients (15.0%) and LRF with DM in 4 patients (1.6%). The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for both groups were 79.7% and 87.6%, respectively. In the high-risk group, the 5-year DFS and OS probabilities were 72.5% and 81.9%, respectively. Histologic type, pathologic tumor size, and the number of pelvic lymph node (PLN) metastasis were significant prognostic factors for DFS and OS. We suggest a scoring system (0-3) using these prognostic factors to predict poor prognosis in high-risk patients. Using this system, patients with higher scores have higher recurrence and lower survival rates. Conclusion: In the high-risk cervical-cancer group who received primary surgery and adjuvant CCRT, non-squamous type, large tumor size and the number of PLN metastasis were significant prognostic factors, and the number of these factors was associated with survival rates.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.30.1-30.10
• /
• 2020

Systemic infections due to Fusobacterium may originate in the tonsillar/internal jugular veins or from the abdomen. We encountered a patient who presented with bacteremia, fulminant septic shock, and extensive soft tissue pyogenic infection due to Fusobacterium necrophorum. In addition, there was widespread metastatic colon cancer with the unique finding of pre-mortem co-localization of F. necrophorum and cancer cells at a site distant from the colon. We reviewed the literature of the association of F. necrophorum and colon cancer, and discuss the evidence of how each of these 2 distinct entities may mutually augment the development or progression of the other.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.8
• /
• pp.4935-4937
• /
• 2013

At the United Nations High-level Meeting on Non-communicable Disease Prevention and Control in 2011 the link between health and socioeconomic issues was raised, becoming a global political issue. Health equity is one challenge that has hitherto not been addressed directly, although there is a growing shared recognition that cancer in Asia is an urgent social issue. At the UICC-ARO we are working to promote and widen networks of individuals and organizations in Asia and involve them in cooperation for this purpose. As part of our current activities, we are addressing the question of the "Economic burden of cancer in Asian countries: How should we face the current situation?" from a variety of angles and seeking to bring together a wealth of multidisciplinary knowledge about cancer in Asia and its related socioeconomic factors. It is essential to ensure that the real picture of cancer in Asia, which is currently not accurately understood, is conveyed clearly to all concerned, and also that the differences between cancer in Asia and in the West are highlighted.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.171-184
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The study explored the meaning of experiences within a family art therapy process among terminal cancer patients and their families. Methods: Ten participants, including four terminal cancer patients currently admitted to the hospice ward at an inpatient hospice facility in S City and four caregiving family members, engaged in four cycles of family art therapy sessions. The sessions were conducted weekly or bi-weekly, and each lasted approximately 50 minutes. Results: Nine cross-case themes emerged: "feeling unfamiliar and intimidated by the idea of expressing my thoughts through art," "trying to accept the present and positively overcome sadness," "expressing hope through emotional bonds during the process of parting," "conveying and preserving personal and family beliefs," "feeling upset about family imbalances caused by deteriorating health," "valuing togetherness and striving for stability amidst the current challenges," "art as a medium of empowerment for patients and facilitator of family conversations, even amidst difficulties," "sharing a range of emotions-not just joy, but concerns and sorrow-through art," and "gratitude for art' s role in improving family communication and connection through artwork. Conclusion: The findings of this study lead to several conclusions. First, patients and their families faced psychological challenges when confronted with impending death, yet they strove to remain optimistic by seeking meaning in their struggles. Second, families practiced open and expressive communication, sharing a spectrum of complex emotions with one another. Third, even as the patient's condition worsened, resulting in family fatigue, their support and cohesion strengthened.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.211-219
• /
• 2022

Backgrounds/Aims: Historically, incidence and survival analysis and annual traits for primary liver cancer (LC) has not been investigated in a population-based study in Korea. The purpose of the current study is to determine incidence, survival rate of patients with primary LC in Korea. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Korea Central Cancer Registry based on the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database. Statistical analysis including crude rate and age-standadized rate (ASR) of incidence and mortality was performed for LC patients registered with C22 code in International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision from 1999 to 2019. Subgroup analysis was performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, C22.0) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC, C22.1). Results: The crude incidence rate of HCC (21.0 to 22.8 per 100,000) and IHCC (2.3 to 5.6 per 100,000) increased in the observed period from 1999 to 2019. The ASR decreased in HCC (20.7 to 11.9 per 100,000) but remained unchanged in IHCC (2.4 to 2.7 per 100,000). The proportion of HCC patients diagnosed in early stages (localized or regional Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results or SEER stage) increased significantly over time. As expected, 5-yeat survival rate of HCC was greatly improved, reaching 42.4% in the period between 2013 and 2019. This trait was more prominent in localized SEER stage. On the other hand, the proportion of IHCC patients diagnosed in localized stage remained unchanged (22.9% between 2013 and 2019), although ASR and 5-year survival rate showed minor improvements. Conclusions: A great improvement in survival rate was observed in patients with newly diagnosed HCCs. It was estimated to be due to an increase in early detection rate. On the contrary, detection rate of an early IHCC was stagnant with a minor improvement in prognosis.