• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3123-3129
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• 2013

Background: The search for naturally occurring agents in routinely consumed foods that may inhibit cancer development is of high priority. [6]-Paradol is a pungent phenolic bioactive component from ginger with welldocumented health promoting antioxidant, antimutagenic, antigenotoxic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, anticarcinogenic effects have yet to be fully explored. The objectives of the present study were therefore to assess protective effects against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced buccal pouch carcinogenesis in male golden Syrian hamsters. Methods: Oral squamous cell carcinomas developed in the left buccal pouch of hamsters on painting with 0.5% of DMBA, three times in a week. To assess the apoptotic associated gene expressing potential of [6]-paradol, it was orally administered to DMBA treated hamsters on alternate days from DMBA painting for 14 weeks. Results: We observed 100% tumor formation with marked levels of neoplastic changes and altered the expression of apoptotic associated gene (p53, bcl-2, caspase-3 and TNF-${\alpha}$) was observed in the DMBA alone painted hamsters as compared to control hamsters. Oral administration of [6]-paradol at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.wt to DMBA treated animals on alternative days for 14 weeks significantly reduced the neoplastic changes and improved the status of apoptosis associated gene expression. Conclusion: These observations confirmed that [6]-paradol acts as a tumor suppressing agent against DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis. We also conclude that [6]-paradol also effectively enhances apoptosis- associated gene expression in DMBA treated animals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1073-1075
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• 2013

Background: In normal cells, activated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) molecules are subjected to ubiquitination-mediated proteasome degradation pathway by c-Cbl, an ubiquitin ligase that checks uncontrolled proliferation. Hence expression of wild type c-Cbl molecule is essential to keep this degradation machinery in a functional state. Loss of expression or function of c-Cbl may consequently lead to sustained activation of EGFR and promote carcinogenesis, loss of function mutations in the c-Cbl gene already being reported in lung and hematopoietic cancers. However, the genetic status of c-Cbl in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is not known. Hence in the present study we investigated the genomic DNA isolated from OSCC tissue biopsy samples for mutations in the RING finger domain coding region of c-Cbl gene, which has also been reported to be most frequently mutated in other cancers. Materials and Methods: Total genomic DNA isolated from thirty two post surgical OSCC tissue samples were amplified using primers flanking the exon 8 of c-Cbl gene that codes for the RING finger domain. The PCR amplicons were then resolved in a 1.2% agarose gel, purified and subjected to direct sequencing to screen for mutations. Results: The sequencing data of the thirty two OSCC samples did not identify mutations in the RING finger domain coding region of c-Cbl gene. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the genetic status of c-Cbl gene in OSCC samples has been investigated. The present data indicates that genetic alteration of RING finger domain coding region of c-Cbl gene is relatively infrequent in OSCC samples.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5301-5310
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• 2013

The biological mechanisms of cancer and associations with behavior of tumours need to be studied to understand progression and determine appropriate treatments. Here we investigated expression of VEGF, MMP-9 and E-cadherin in laryngeal SCCs and their relations with clinical behavior. This prospective study was based on 38 surgical specimens from patients with primary laryngeal SCC and data recorded in their cards. Expression of the three factors in tumor tissue was examined using immunohistochemistry and correlations with clinical parameters of primary tumors, regional lymph node metastases, stage of disease, histopathologic differentiation, and vascular/cartilage invasion were investigated. Regarding the cases with positive MMP-9 expression, the difference between well and moderately/poorly differentiated tumors was statistically significant. However, differences between early stage (stage I and II) and late-stage (stage III and IV) tumours, and between positive and negative for pLN metastasis were not. No significant relationship between positive VEGF and tumor differentiation or stage was apparent, but E-cadherin levels significantly differed between well and moderately/poorly differentiated tumours and with the presence of pLN metastasis. E-cadherin staining did not vary between MMP-9 positive and negative cases. In conclusion, MMP-9 may be a negative predictor of differentiation in laryngeal SCC, while E-cadherin is a predictor of differentiation and nodal metastases. Even if the difference between VEGF expression and tumor stage was not statistically significant, it seems that there exists some relationship, which might be clarified with a greater number of cases.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.238-243
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• 2013

Background Primary malignant tumors of the hand, although unusual, may present varied and often complex clinical problems. The main treatment modality of skin cancer of the hand has changed. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 43 patients who underwent surgery for malignant skin tumors of the hand during an 18-year period, from September 1994 to February 2012. The characteristics of the tumor, methods of reconstruction, and long-term results were reviewed. Results We had 43 patients with 27 melanomas, 14 squamous cell carcinomas, and 2 sarcomas. Their ages ranged from 19 to 74 years (mean, $53.4{\pm}14.5$ years), from 46 to 79 years (mean, $59.7{\pm}9.6$ years), and from 15 to 43 years (mean, $29{\pm}19.8$ years), respectively. Thirty-four cases occurred on the fingertip (16 of those cases on the thumb), 5 cases occurred on the palm, and 4 cases on the dorsum of the hand. Amputation was most frequently used in early cases, but recently, tissue-sparing excision has been performed frequently. The incidence of local recurrence was 3 cases and distant metastasis was 1 case, and the 5-year survival rate was 100%, except in 4 cases due to follow-up loss. Conclusions The principles of treatment-to be curative and to preserve function and appearance-are important points. "Preservative surgery" preserves function and cosmesis of the involved finger or hand dorsum or palm. Preservative surgery not only emphasizes less resection and surgery of a smaller scale, but also optimal reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the digit.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2781-2785
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• 2016

Background: Matric metalloproteinase (MMP) 13 gene expression is increased in esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and associated with increasing tumor invasion, lymph node involvement and decreased survival rates. Levels of the circulating enzyme may be elevated and used as a marker of tumor progression. In this study, clinical application of MMP-13 serum levels was evaluated for early detection, prediction of prognosis and survival time of ESCC patients. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of MMP13 were determined by ELISA in 66 ESCC patients prior of any treatment and 54 healthy controls for comparison with clinicopathological data through statistical analysis with Man Whitney U and Log-Rank tests. In addition, clinical value of MMP13 levels for diagnosis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) test. Results: The serum level of MMP-13 in patients (>250 pg/ml) was significantly higher than in the control group (<100 pg/ml) (p value=0.004). Also the results showed a significant correlation between MMP-13 serum levels with tumor stage (p value = 0.003), depth of tumor invasion (p value=0.008), involvement of lymph nodes (p value = 0.011), tumor size (p value = 0.018) and survival time. While there were no significant correlation with grade and location of tumors. ROC analysis showed that MMP-13 level is an accurate diagnostic marker especially to differentiate pre-invasive/ invasive lesions from normal controls (sensitivity and specificity: 100%). Conclusions: These findings indicate a potential clinical significance of serum MMP13 measurement for early detection and prognostic assessment in ESCC patients.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 1987

Radiobiological and clinical evidences indicate that hyperthermia combined with ionizing radiation produces a significant improvement in therapeutic effect of cancer. In general, malignant cells are more sensitive to heat than normal cells in the heat range of $41\~45^{\circ}C$. We report the experiences obtained from 42 patients with advanced malignant neoplasms managed with 2,450MHz microwave-induced local hyperthermia and ionizing radiation at the Department of Radiology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical College. A clinical analysis of 42 thermoirradiated patients showed result of 11(26\%),\;15(36\%),\;11(26\%)\;and\;5(12\%)$ patients with complete response (CR), partial response (PR), minor response (MR) and no response (NR), respectively. Histologically there were $17(40.2\%)$ squamous cell carcinomas, $12(28.6\%)$ adenocarcinomas and $6(14.3\%)$ miscellaneous cancers. Eleven patients with CR consisted of five squamous cell carcinomas, five adenocarcinomas, and one chloroma. Among 15 patients with PR were five squamous cell carcinomas, five adenocarcinomas, three unknown primary tumors, and one poorly differentiated, and miscellaneous tumor each.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.390-395
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• 2009

Among the bronchogenic carcinomas, especially squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma frequently present with cavitation, which may result from tumor necrosis. Cavitary lesions of the tumor are occasionally associated with infection and misdiagnosed as benign lung abscess owing to the partial responsiveness to antibiotics. It is very difficult to distinguish the carcinomatous abscess from the benign lung abscess, because of their similar clinical and radiologic features. Delay in diagnosis of underlying lung cancer may result in poor outcome. Therefore, clinicians should remember that the patients with highly suspicious carcinoma of the lung should undergo further precise examinations to find out malignant cells.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2003

Purpose : Maxillary sinus cancers are usually locally advanced, and involve the structures around sinus, but the regional lymphatic spread is uncommon. Therefore, the local control of these cancers is important for their cure. We reviewed our experience of 55 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillary sinus, treated with radiation therapy, and looked for the role of radiation therapy in maxillary sinus cancers. Materials and Methods : Between November 1982 and October 1999, 55 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillary sinus underwent either radiation therapy only, or combined with surgery or with concurrent chemoradlation therapy. All patients were restaged according to the 1997 AJCC staging systems. The T classifications of the tumors of the patients were as follows 1.8$\%$ (1/55) for 72, 81.8$\%$ (45/55) for 73 and 16.4$\%$ (9/55) for 74. Thirteen patients were diagnosed with lymph node involvement. With the surgical procedures, 12 patients were managed by biopsy only, 21 were resected by FESS (funclienal endoscopic sinus surgery) and 22 by partial/medical/total rnaxillectomies. The details of the treatments were as follows 8 patients were treated with radiation therapy only, 17 with a combination of FESS and radiation therapy, 22 with a combination of a maxillectomy and radiation therapy, 4 with a combination of preoperative radiation therapy and surgery, and 4 with concurrent chemoradiation therapy. The mean follow-up for all patients was 25 months, ranging from 2.8 to 125 months. Results : The 4-year local control and survival rates for all Patients were 45.5 and 33.3$\%$, respectively. The 4-year local control and suHival rates, due to the extent of surgery, were as follows 32.1, and 21.4$\%$ for biopsy; 41.9, and 31.7$\%$ for FESS; and 56.8, and 52.7$\%$ for maxillectomy, respectively. Twenty-nine (52.7$\%$) patients were not cured, and of these 29 patients, 23 (79.3$\%$) patients had a iocal recurrence following treatment. Conclusions :This study has shown that the major failure sites following treatment to be the local regions, and that the completeness of surgery was important for improving the local control and survival of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2007

Background and Objectives：Supraglottic partial laryngectomy is oncologically sound surgical procedure for selected cases of laryngeal cancer which maintains physiologic speech and swallowing without permanent tracheostoma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the oncologic and functional results of supraglottic partial laryngectomy and neck dissection for supraglottic cancer. Materials and Methods：Between 1991-2005, Twenty-three supraglottic cancer patients, underwent supraglottic partial laryngectomy, were studied retrospectively. There were 5 patients with cT1, 14 with cT2, 4 with cT3 and 11 patients with cN0, 1 with cN1, 10 with cN2, 1 with cN3. All patients underwent neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy was added to twenty patients. They were reviewed with respect to primary subsites, extended subsites, treatment result, survival rate, factors affecting the prognosis, postoperative complication, time of decannulation and oral diet, and postoperative voice. Results：Among eleven patients with clinically negative node, six patients had pathologically positive nodes. So occult metastasis was 54.5%. Two patients recurred at cervical lymph node and one had distant metastasis to lung. Local and regional control were 100% and 91.3%. The overall 3-year and 5-year survival rate were 84%, 78%, respectively. Nineteen cases were squamous cell carcinomas and four were basaloid squamous cell carcinomas. Basaloid subtype was significantly affected to survival. Decannulation and oral feeding were possible in 100%. Conclusions：Supraglottic partial laryngectomy is oncologically safe and functionally good procedure in supraglottic cancers. Elective neck dissection is beneficial in management of occult cervical metastasis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.482-489
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• 2017

Individual differences in drug responses are associated with genetic and epigenetic variability of pharmacogene expression. We aimed to identify the relevant miRNAs which regulate pharmacogenes associated with drug responses. The miRNA and mRNA expression profiles derived from data for normal and solid tumor tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network. Predicted miRNAs targeted to pharmacogenes were identified using publicly available databases. A total of 95 pharmacogenes were selected from cholangiocarcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma, as well as kidney renal clear cell, liver hepatocellular, and lung squamous cell carcinomas. Through the integration analyses of miRNA and mRNA, 35 miRNAs were found to negatively correlate with mRNA expression levels of 16 pharmacogenes in normal bile duct, liver, colon, and lung tissues (p<0.05). Additionally, 36 miRNAs were related to differential expression of 32 pharmacogene mRNAs in those normal and tumorigenic tissues (p<0.05). These results indicate that changes in expression levels of miRNAs targeted to pharmacogenes in normal and tumor tissues may play a role in determining individual variations in drug response.