• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.79-89
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• 1991

Metastatic tumors occur more frequently in the liver than in any other organ. Guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the liver is often recommended for confirmative diagnosis of the metastatic lesion, because of its simplicity, high yield, and reasonable safety. The authors studied retrospectively cytologic findings of 110 cases of metastatic tumors to the liver. The frequent primary sites were the stomach (23 cases), pancreas(19 cases), gallbladder(12 cases), and periampullary lesions(6 cases). Most of the metastases were carcinoma (106 cases). There were only 4 cases of sarcoma. The characteristic cytologic findings of FNA of meatastatic tumors were dirty background, abrupt change between hepatocytes and malignant cells, and desmoplasia. Some tumors displayed rather distinctive cytologic appearance that suggests primary sites. For example, the colonic adenocarcinoma showed tall columnar cells with a palisading arrangement, adenocarcinoma of gallbaldder showed focal squamous differentiation in some cases, and metastatic renal cell carcinoma and neuroblastoma showed also distinctive cytologic findings. Because the cytologic features of metastatic tumor are very similar to those of primary tumor, correct cytologic typing may be helpful in pursuit of an occult primary site of metastatic liver lesions, reducing extensive diagnostic investigation in poor prognostic patients.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.234-238
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• 2011

A 67 year old male at a regular checkup underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy. On performing esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a lesion about 1.2 cm depressed was noted at the gastric angle. The pathology of the biopsy specimen revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. On performing an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan & positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan, no definite evidence of gastric wall thickening or mass lesion was found. However, lymph node enlargement was found in the left gastric and prepancreatic spaces. This patient underwent laparoscopic assisted distal gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection. On final examination, it was found out that the tumor had invaded the mucosal layer. The lymph node was a metastasized large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with an unknown primary site. The patient refused chemotherapy. He opted to undergo a close followup. At the postoperative month 27, he had a focal hypermetabolic lesion in the left lobe of the liver that suggested metastasis on PET-CT scan. He refused to undergo an operation. He underwent a radiofrequency ablation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.658-663
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• 2020

The N-myc downstream regulated gene (NDRG) family members are dysregulated in several tumors. Functionally, NDRGs play an important role in the malignant progression of cancer cells. However, little is known about the potential implications of NDRG4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The aim of the current study was to elucidate the expression pattern of NDRG4 in PDAC and evaluate its potential cellular biological effects. Here, we firstly report that epigenetic-mediated silencing of NDRG4 promotes PDAC by regulating mitochondrial function. Data mining demonstrated that NDRG4 was significantly down-regulated in PDAC tissues and cells. PDAC patients with low NDRG4 expression showed poor prognosis. Epigenetic regulation by DNA methylation was closely associated with NDRG4 down-regulation. NDRG4 overexpression dramatically suppressed PDAC cell growth and metastasis. Further functional analysis demonstrated that up-regulated NDRG4 in SW1990 and Canpan1 cells resulted in attenuated mitochondrial function, including reduced ATP production, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased fragmented mitochondria. However, opposite results were obtained for HPNE cells with NDRG4 knockdown. These results indicate that hypermethylation-driven silencing of NDRG4 can promote PDAC by regulating mitochondrial function and that NDRG4 could be as a potential biomarker for PDAC patients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.281-290
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• 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis owing to its desmoplastic stroma. Therefore, therapeutic strategies targeting this tumor stroma should be developed. In this study, we describe the heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and their diverse roles in the progression, immune evasion, and resistance to treatment of PDAC. We subclassified the spatial distribution and functional activity of CAFs to highlight their effects on prognosis and drug delivery. Extracellular matrix components such as collagen and hyaluronan are described for their roles in tumor behavior and treatment outcomes, implying their potential as therapeutic targets. We also discussed the roles of extracellular matrix (ECM) including matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors in PDAC progression. Finally, we explored the role of the adaptive and innate immune systems in shaping the PDAC microenvironment and potential therapeutic strategies, with a focus on immune cell subsets, cytokines, and immunosuppressive mechanisms. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of PDAC and pave the way for the development of prognostic markers and therapeutic interventions.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.521-527
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• 2009

Previously, we have reported tissue- and stage-specific expression of miR-372 in human embryonic stem cells and so far, not many reports speculate the function of this microRNA (miRNA). In this study, we screened various human cancer cell lines including gastric cancer cell lines and found first time that miR-372 is expressed only in AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line. Inhibition of miR-372 using antisense miR-372 oligonucleotide (AS-miR-372) suppressed proliferation, arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase, and increased apoptosis of AGS cells. Furthermore, AS-miR-372 treatment increased expression of LATS2, while over-expression of miR-372 decreased luciferase reporter activity driven by the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of LATS2 mRNA. Over-expression of LATS2 induced changes in AGS cells similar to those in AGS cells treated with AS-miR-372. Taken together, these findings demonstrate an oncogenic role for miR-372 in controlling cell growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis through down-regulation of a tumor suppressor gene, LATS2.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1031-1035
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• 1996

International Ass ciation for the Study of Lung Cancer(IASLC) recommended the following classification of small cell lung carcinoma(SCLC) : (1) Small cell carcinoma (2) Mixed small cell/large cell carcinoma (3) Combined small cell carcinoma. Combined small cell carcinomas contain a squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma component. The prognostic significance of these elements is not known, but since the frequency and extent of non-small cell elements are considerably greater in posttherapy and autopsy tissues, it is possible that the non-SCLC elements are more resistant to therapy than the SCLC cells. Metaplasia & dysplasia of the bronchial surface epithelium are frequently observed in the bronchial biopsy specimens that contain small cell carcinoma of the lung. We report a case of combined small cell carcinoma with squamous element associated with microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the bronchial surface epithelium in 68 year old male patient, stage was IIIa. The two lesion are not connected n serial sections.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6963-6966
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• 2015

Background: During the past few years, Hesa-A, a herbal-marine mixture, has been used to treat cancer as an alternative medicine in Iran. Based on a series of studies, it is speculated that Hesa-A possesses special cytotoxic effects on invasive tumors. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the selective anticancer effects of Hesa-A on several cancer cell lines with different metastatic potential. Materials and Methods: Hesa-A was prepared in normal saline as a stock solution of 10 mg/ml and further diluted to final concentrations of $100{\mu}/ml$, $200{\mu}g/ml$, $300{\mu}g/ml$ and $400{\mu}g/ml$. MTT-based cytotoxicity assays were performed with A549 (lung non small cancer), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), SKOV3 (ovarian cancer), and PC-3 (prostate adenocarcinoma) cells. Results: All treated cancer cells showed significant (P<0.01) or very significant (P<0.0001) differences in comparison to negative control at almost all of the tested doses ($100-400{\mu}g/ml$). At the lower dose ($100{\mu}g/ml$), Hesa-A reduced cell viability to 66%, 45.3%, 35.5%, 33.2% in SKOV3, A549, PC-3 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Moreover, at the highest dose ($400{\mu}g/ml$), Hesa-A resulted in 88.5%, 86.6%, 84.9% and 79.3% growth inhibition in A549, MCF-7, PC-3 and SKOV3 cells, respectively. Conclusions: Hesa-A exert potent cytotoxic effects on different human cancer cells, especially those with a high metastatic potential.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2017

Understanding the crosstalk mechanisms between perivascular cells (PVCs) and cancer cells might be beneficial in preventing cancer development and metastasis. In this study, we investigated the paracrine influence of PVCs derived from human umbilical cords on the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells (A549) and erythroleukemia cells (TF-$1{\alpha}$ and K562) in vitro using $Transwell^{(R)}$ co-culture systems. PVCs promoted the proliferation of A549 cells without inducing morphological changes, but had no effect on the proliferation of TF-$1{\alpha}$ and K562 cells. To identify the factors secreted from PVCs, conditioned media harvested from PVC cultures were analyzed by antibody arrays. We identified a set of cytokines, including persephin (PSPN), a neurotrophic factor, and a key regulator of oral squamous cell carcinoma progression. Supplementation with PSPN significantly increased the proliferation of A549 cells. These results suggested that PVCs produced a differential effect on the proliferation of cancer cells in a cell-type dependent manner. Further, secretome analyses of PVCs and the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms could facilitate the discovery of therapeutic target(s) for lung cancer.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.368-375
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• 2003

Cancer cachexia, characterized by weight loss and progressive tissue wasting, has been postulated to be mediated by cytokines. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Korean Traditional Medicine (KTM ; mokhyang, jisil, osooyu) mixture on food intake, blood cytokines level and blood nutrients status of the cachexia induced-mice. Thirty male Balb/c mice aged 6-8 weets were blocked into 3 groups that were Normal (no colon26 cells) Control (colon 26 cells) and KTM (colon26 cells + KTM extract mixture) group. In Control and KTM groups, murine adenocarcinoma colon 26 cells were injected subcutaneously to induce cachexia. KTM mice were given 200 ul KTM extract mixture (7%) per day. Half of each groups were sacrificed at the 14 th day to see serum cytokines & nutrients and the others were fed until almost of control group died to see life span. food intake and body weight were decreased significantly in cachexia induced groups. Tumor weight of KTM group was significantly lower than control group. Serum cytokines (IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$) level of cachexia induced groups were increased than those of normal group, and those of KTM group were significantly lower than the level of control group. Total serum protein and serum albumin were higher in KTM group than other groups. TG and fatty acid were lower in cachexia induced groups than normal group. HDL-cholesterol in serum was increased in KTM group. Effect of oral administration of KTM extract mixture on survival time of colon26 bearing mice showed extension of the life span. Overall, this study showed that KTM (mokhyang, jisil, osooyu) extract mixture inhibited the growth of cancer cell, changed the secretion of cytokines induced by colon26 adenocarcinoma in mice, and changed nutrition metabolism.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.151-154
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• 2014

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The incidence of lung cancer is aproximately 7-8 thousand percent in Turkish women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical, pathological properties and survival data of female patients with lung cancer who were treated in our center. Materials and Methods: From 2007 to 2012, 50 women with lung cancer were enrolled. Patient data were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The median age was 61 (40-81). Forty patients (80%) were diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 10 patients (20%) were small cell carcinoma (SCC). Twelve (24%) patients were smokers and 13 of 16 non-smokers had a history of exposure to asbestos. The most common histologic subtype was adenocarcinoma (46%) and this accounted for 71% in patients with exposure to asbestos. The most common initial Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score was 1 (24 patients, 48%) and initial stage was IV (25 patients, 50%) in the study group. During the median 15 months (1-96 months) followup period: 1 year overall survival (OS) was 68%, 2year overall survival was 36% and the median survival time was 19 months. According to univariate analysis, poor ECOG performance status, advanced stage, anemia and weight loss at time of diagnosis were negative prognostic factors. However, adenocarcinoma sub-type was a positive prognostic factor. Conclusions: In this study NSCLC sub-type, poor ECOG performance score, advanced stage, anemia and weight loss were prognostic factors in Turkish women with lung cancer.