• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2008

Small cell lung cancer is characterized by an aggressive clinical course and a high tendency for early dissemination in spite of a good chemotherapy response. Topotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor, and it is used as second-line treatment for small cell lung cancer. The reported dose-limiting adverse reactions to topotecan are mainly hematologic. Yet pulmonary toxicity associated with topotecan is known to be rare. We report here on a case that showed the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome during the 3rd cycle of topotecan chemotherapy in a patient with small cell lung cancer. He developed dyspnea and respiratory failure, and the chest CT scan revealed diffuse ground-glass opacity that was probably due to chemotherapy-related pulmonary toxicity. He finally died of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.64-67
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• 2016

We report on a 64-year-old man with leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) from an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated adenocarcinoma of the lung. He was treated with paclitaxel, cisplatin. After completion of chemotherapy, he complained of headache, nausea, and vomiting. EGFR-mutated tumor cells were identified from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Second-line therapy with gefitinib, methotrexate was started. After receiving gefitinib for 4 weeks, he had no more headaches or vomiting. Eleven months after initiation of gefitinib, he developed headache and nausea. Chest computed tomography showed aggravation of bone metastasis. Third-line therapy was started with gemcitabine and carboplatin. Two weeks later, he experienced disorientation. After a fourth relapse within the central nervous system, the therapy was switched to erlotinib and significant improvement of LM was achieved. This case shows that LM can be diagnosed by detecting EGFR mutation in CSF and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effective for LM from EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2022

Established cancer cell lines are widely used for developing biomarkers for the patient-specific treatment of colorectal cancer and predicting prognoses. However, cancer cell lines may exhibit different drug responses depending upon the characteristics of the cell line. Therefore, it is necessary to select a tumor cell line suitable for the purpose of the study by considering the cell characteristics. This study investigated the levels of CXCL10, which were recently been reported to play an important role in the outcome of tumor treatment, secreted by colon cancer cells. 2 × 10⁵ cells/mL of each colorectal cancer cell was seeded into a 35 mm cell culture dish. After 24 h incubation, culture supernatant was used to determine the secreted CXCL10 levels. Among six colorectal cancer cell lines (HT-29, HCT116, CaCo-2, SW620, SW480, and CT26), Caco-2 cells showed the highest level of CXCL10 secretion. HT-29 cells showed the second-highest level of CXCL10 secretion. No significantly measurable level of CXCL10 secretion was detected in HCT116 cells. These results will be helpful in investigating the molecular basis of colorectal cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.6
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• pp.303-311
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• 2012

Background: This study was designed to analyze the efficacy of gefitinib as a second-line therapy, according to the clinical characteristics in Korean patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: In this Phase IV observational study, we recruited patients, previously failed first-line chemotherapy, who had locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, and who were found to be either epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive or satisfied 2 or more of the 3 characteristics: adenocarcinoma, female, and non-smoker. These patients were administered with gefitinib 250 mg/day, orally. The primary endpoints were to evaluate the objective response rate (ORR) and to determine the relationship of ORRs, depending on each patient's characteristics of modified intent-to-treat population. Results: A total of 138 patients participated in this study. One subject achieved complete response, and 42 subjects achieved partial response (ORR, 31.2%). The subgroup analysis demonstrated that the ORR was significantly higher in patients with EGFR mutation-positive, compared to that of EGFR mutation-negative (45.8% vs. 14.0%, p=0.0004). In a secondary efficacy variable, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.7 months (95% confidence interval, 3.9~8.4 months) and the 6-month PFS and overall survival were 49.6% and 87.9%, respectively. The most common reported adverse events were rash (34.4%), diarrhea (26.6%), pruritus (17.5%), and cough (15.6%). Conclusion: Gefitinib was observed in anti-tumor activity with favorable tolerability profile as a second-line therapy in these selected patients. When looking at EGFR mutation status, EGFR mutation-positive showed strong association with gefitinib by greater response and prolonged PFS, compared with that of EGFR mutation-negative.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.421-431
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• 2000

Background : The length of postoperative drug therapy remains controversial in pulmonary tuberculosis. We analyzed our experiences to determine the postoperative duration of chemotherapy after resection. Method : A retrospective review was performed in 66 of 95 patients that underwent pulmonary resection for pulmonary tuberculosis between January 1993 and December 1998. We compared the relapse rates according to the length of postoperative chemotherapy in each group, classified by the results of sputum AFB culture before the surgery, the number of resistant drugs, the number of prior treatment and the division of anti-TB drugs used postoperatively. Results : Fifty three of 66(80.3%) were men and 13(19.7%) were women with a median age of 33.5 years(range, 16 to 63). The mean lengths of the pre- and post-operative chemotherapies were 4.9 months, and 12.9 months respectively. Five of 66 patients (7.6%) relapsed during the mean period of follow up (39.7 months). In the group less than three times of the prior treatment, there were two relapses (20%) in Ed-the highlight above-rephrase 10 patients that were medicated for 6 months or less, and one relapse in 43 patients (2.3%) that took medicine for more than 6 months (p=0.03). In the group using second-line drugs postoperatively, there was one relapse (25%) in four patients that were medicated for 12 months or less. No patient in a total of 17 that received medicine for more than 12 months relapsed (p=0.03). Conclusion : We recommend that patients with the prior treatment less than three times should be treated for more than 6 months after resection and patients using the second-line drugs postoperatively should be medicated for more than 12 months.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3711-3717
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• 2013

Background: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of Cisplatin plus Gemcitabine combination in patients with brain metastases (BM) from breast cancer (BC). Materials and Methods: Eighteen BC patients with BM who were treated with Cisplatin plus Gemcitabine regimen between 2003-2011 were evaluated. Results: A median of 6 cycles of this regimen were received, in fifteen patients (83.3%) as first-line chemotherapy, in 2 as second-line and in 1 as third-line after diagnosis of BM. Dose reduction was performed in 11 (61.1%) patients; major reasons were neutropenia and leukopenia. Grade III neutropenia and Grade II trombocytopenia rates were 33.3% and 16.7% respectively. Overall response rate (ORR; complete+partial response rate) was 33.4% (n=6) for the entire study population; triple negative patients achieved an 66.6% ORR while hormone receptor (HR) positive patients had 25% and HER2 positive patients 12.5%. Median progression-free survival was 5.6 months (2.4-8.8 months, 95%CI) and longer in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (median 7.4 months, 95%CI, 2.4-12.3 months) than the patients with other subtypes (median 5 months for HER2 positive and 3.6 months for HR positive patients). Median PFS of the patients with TNBC who received this regimen as first-line was 9.2 months (5.2-13.2 months, 95%CI). Conclusions: Cisplatin plus Gemcitabine may be a treatment option for patients with BM from breast cancer. Longer PFS and higher response rates are results that support the usage of this regimen especially for the triple negative subtype. However, further prospective and randomized trials are clearly required to provide more exact information.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3249-3253
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• 2016

Background: Pemetrexed monotherapy has come to be recognized as one of the standard second-line therapies for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there have been no reports of studies that have evaluated the efficacy of pemetrexed according to type of active EGFR mutation, i.e., an exon 19 deletion or an L858R point mutation. Materials and Methods: The records of non-squamous NSCLC patients harboring an EGFR mutation who received pemetrexed monotherapy as a second or later line of chemotherapy at Kitasato University Hospital between March 2010 and October 2015 were retrospectively reviewed, and the treatment outcomes were evaluated. Results: The overall response rate and progression-free survival time (PFS) of the 53 patients with non-squamous NSCLC were 15.1% and 2.3 months, respectively. There were significant differences between the disease control rate (37.5% vs. 76.2%) and PFS time (1.8 months vs. 3.3 months) of the exon 19 deletion group and the L858R point mutation group, and a multivariate analysis identified type of EGFR mutation as well as performance status (PS) as independent predictors of PFS. Conclusions: The clinical data obtained in this study provided a valuable rationale for considering type of EGFR mutation as well as non-squamous histology as predictors of the efficacy of pemetrexed monotherapy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.619-624
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• 2005

Background : The drug resistance rate in tuberculosis patients with history of chemotherapy is an important indicator of for evaluation of appropriateness of treatment regimens and compliance of patients. This study examined the long-term changes in the drug resistance rates among TB patients failed in treatment or reactivated. Methods : The results of drug susceptibility testing data from patients registered in health centers from 1981 to 2004 were analyzed. Results : The rate of resistance to isoniazid decreased from 90% to 20%, and the resistance to ethambutol decreased from 45% to 6%. The rate of resistance to rifampicin varied from 13% to 28% and the resistance to pyrazinamide was 5% to 10%. Multidrug resistance was about 2-3% lower than any rifampicin resistance rates. The second-line drug resistance was ranged from 1% to 3%. There was no difference between patients' genders. Patient numbers per 100,000 population increased with age. The regional distribution was even at 4-6 patients per 100,000 population, and drug resistance rates were significantly lower in big city areas than in small towns and rural areas. Conclusion : The rates of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from TB patients with history of chemotherapy to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and isoniazid plus rifampin were significantly decreased during over two decades.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.287-293
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• 1999

Background: Medical treatment of multiple drug resistant(MDR) pulmonary tuberculosis has been quite unsuccessful. We analyzed our experience to identify the benefits and complications of the pulmonary resection in MDR pulmonary tuberculosis. Material and Method: A retrospective review was performed in 27 patients who unerwent pulmonary resection for MDR pulmonary tuberculosis between January 1994 and March 1998. Mean age was 40 years and the average history of diagnosis prior to surgery was 3.1 years. All had resistance to an average of 4.4 drugs, and received second line drugs selected according to the drug sensitivity test. Most patients (93%) had cavitary lesions as the main focus. Bilateral lesions were identified in 19 patients (70%), however, the main focus was recognized in one side of the lung. Eleven patients (41%) were converted to negative sputum smear and/or culture before surgery. Result: Pneumonectomy was performed in 9 patients, lobectomy in 16 and segmentectomy in 2. There was no operative mortality. Morbidity had occurred in 7 patients (26%), prolonged air leak in 3 patients, reoperation due to bleeding in 2, bronchopleural fistula in 1, and reversible neurologic defect in 1. Median follow up period was 15 months (3-45 months). Sputum negative conversion was initially achieved in 22 patients (82%), and with continuous postopertive chemotherapy negative conversion was achieved in other 4 patients (14%). Only one pneumonectized patient (4%) failed due to considerable contralateral cavity. Conclusion: For patients with localized MDR pulmonary tuberculosis and with adequate pulmonary reserve function, surgical pulmonary resection combined with appropriate pre and postoperative anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy can achieve high success rate with acceptable morbidity.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 2011

Background: The optimal timing of treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in NSCLC patients has not yet been determined. Methods: We separated 228 patients with advanced /metastatic NSCLC treated with gefitinib into an early gefitinib group (patients who received gefitinib as first- or second-line treatment) and a delayed gefitinib group (patients who received gefitinib as third or fourth-line treatment) and attempted to determine whether the timing of gefitinib treatment affected clinical outcomes. Results: Median overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS), and median OS from first-line treatment of advanced/metastatic disease (OSt) for 111 patients in the early gefitinib group were 6.2 months, 3.3 months, and 11.6 months. However, median OS, PFS, and OSt for 84 patients in the delayed gefitinib group were 7.8 months, 2.3 months, and 22.7 months. No differences in OS and PFS were observed between the 2 groups. However, OSt was significantly longer in the delayed gefitnib group. Timing of gefitinib therapy was one of the independent predictors of OSt. Hb ${\geq}$ 10 g/dl, and having never smoked, and ECOG performance status ${\leq}1$ were independent predictors of better PFS. Conclusion：Deferral of gefitinib therapy in patientswith advanced ormetastatic NSCLC may be preferable if they are able to tolerate chemotherapy.