• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.164-171
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• 2013

Purpose: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer has gained acceptance and popularity worldwide. However, laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer is still controversial. Therefore, we propose this prospective randomized controlled multi-center trial in order to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy assisted D2-gastrectomy for advanced stage gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Patients undergoing distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer staged cT2/3/4 cN0/1/2/3a cM0 by endoscopy and computed tomography are eligible for enrollment after giving their informed consent. Patients will be randomized either to laparoscopyassisted distal gastrectomy or open distal gastrectomy. Sample size calculation revealed that 102 patients are to be included per treatment arm. The primary endpoint is the non-compliance rate of D2 dissection; relevant secondary endpoints are three-year disease free survival, surgical and postoperative complications, hospital stay and unanimity rate of D2 dissection evaluated by reviewing the intraoperative video documentation. Discussion: Oncologic safety is the major concern regarding laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Therefore, the non-compliance rate of clearing the N2 area was chosen as the most important parameter for the technical feasibility of the laparoscopic procedure. Furthermore, surgical quality will be carefully reviewed, that is, three independent experts will review the video records and score with a check list. For a long-term result, disease free survival is considered a secondary endpoint for this trial. This study will offer promising evidence of the feasibility and safety of Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Trial Registration: NCT01088204 (international), NCCCTS-09-448 (Korea).

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.73-78
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• 2013

Surgery is still considered to be the mainstay for the treatment of localized gastric cancer with negative margins (R0-resection) and an adequate lymph-node-dissection (D2-lymphadenectomy). Unfortunately, most cases of gastric cancer are only diagnosed at an advanced stage due to frequent recurrences after primary resection in curative intent. In order to improve prognosis after curative resection, in the recent past, patients with locally advanced tumors were subjected to a pre-, peri-, or postoperative treatment. Interestingly, postoperative chemotherapy has significantly improved survival after gastric resection in Asia, adjuvant radiochemotherapy is favored in North America and perioperative chemotherapy is considered as a treatment of choice in Europe indicating region specific approach towards the treatment. Recently there has also been growing evidence of positive outcomes of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy on patient survival. In the present article, we discuss the concepts of neoadjuvant treatment approach and provide recommendations to surgeons based on current evidence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3561-3568
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• 2012

The calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) is a member of the largest family of cell surface receptors, the G protein-coupled receptors involved in calcium homeostasis. The role of the CaSR in neoplasia appears to be homeostatic; loss of normal CaSR-induced response to extracellular calcium is observed in cancers of the colon and ovary, while increased release of PTHrP is observed in cancers of the breast, prostate and Leydig cells. Currently CaSR can be considered as a molecule that can either promote or prevent tumor growth depending on the type of cancer. Therefore, recognition of the multifaceted role of CaSR in gliomas and other malignant tumors in general is fundamental to elucidating the mechanisms of tumor progression and the development of novel therapeutic agents. Emphasis should be placed on development of drug-targeting methods to modulate CaSR activity in cancer cells.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.12
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• 2021

Functional interpretation of noncoding genetic variants associated with complex human diseases and traits remains a challenge. In an effort to enhance our understanding of common germline variants associated with lung cancer, we categorize regulatory elements based on eight major cell types of human lung tissue. Our results show that 21.68% of lung cancer-associated risk variants are linked to noncoding regulatory elements, nearly half of which are cell type-specific. Integrative analysis of high-resolution long-range chromatin interactome maps and single-cell RNA-sequencing data of lung tumors uncovers number of putative target genes of these variants and functionally relevant cell types, which display a potential biological link to cancer susceptibility. The present study greatly expands the scope of functional annotation of lung cancer-associated genetic risk factors and dictates probable cell types involved in lung carcinogenesis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.31-43
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• 2021

Dendritic cells (DC), which consist of several different subsets, specialize in antigen presentation and are critical for mediating the innate and adaptive immune responses. DC subsets can be classified into conventional, plasmacytoid, and monocyte-derived DC in the tumor microenvironment, and each subset plays a different role. Because of the role of intratumoral DCs in initiating antitumor immune responses with tumor-derived antigen presentation to T cells, DCs have been targeted in the treatment of cancer. By regulating the functionality of DCs, several DC-based immunotherapies have been developed, including administration of tumor-derived antigens and DC vaccines. In addition, DCs participate in the mechanisms of classical cancer therapies, such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Thus, regulating DCs is also important in improving current cancer therapies. Here, we will discuss the role of each DC subset in antitumor immune responses, and the current status of DC-related cancer therapies.

• Kosin Medical Journal
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2018

Historically, the standard treatment for early-stage cervical cancer has been radical surgery in patients with operable disease. Patients with locally advanced disease (defined as FIGO stage IB2 and usually with tumors greater than 4 cm, IIB, III and IVA) are usually treated with radical radiotherapy, which consists of external beam radiotherapy and internal brachytherapy. However, the discovery that cervical cancer tumors are sensitive to chemotherapy led to the initiation of studies looking at adding chemotherapy to both radiotherapy and surgery. Following a National Cancer Institute (NCI) alert in 1999 (NCI 1999), chemoradiotherapy became the standard of care for women with locally advanced cervical cancer.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2015

Objective : This case report presents the effects of Gunchilgyebok-Jung to a patient who was clinically diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. Methods : The study involved a 74-year-old male patient clinically diagnosed with advanced (stage III) lung cancer by chest computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography. The patient had two masses (11.32 mm and $23.03mm{\times}35.34mm$) in the right upper lobe of the lung and in the mediastinum respectively. Gunchilgyebok-Jung commonly used for its anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effect is composed of Rhus verniciflua stokes and Guizhifuling wan extracts. We prescribed Gunchilgyebok-Jung at a dosage of 1 g three times a day for 50 days. Results : After the administration of Gunchilgyebok-Jung, a decrease in tumor size to 10.69 mm and $22.71mm{\times}34.21mm$ on chest CT was observed. A numerical rating scale (NRS) showed an improvement in symptoms from points 7-8 to 3-4. Conclusion : This study suggests that Gunchilgyebok-Jung may have considerable anti-tumor and immunopotentiating activity in lung cancer without any adverse effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.287-291
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• 2016

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological cancers in Iranian women. This study was initiated to assess whether the combination of paclitaxel and cisplatin with radiation might feasible for these patients. The aim was to assess tumor response and toxicity of weekly cisplatin and paclitaxel along with radiotherapy in the treatment of cervical cancer. Women with primary untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with FIGO stages IB2 to IIIB were treated with weekly injections of cisplatin 30 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 35 mg/m2 for 5-6 weeks along with radiotherapy. A total of 25 patients were enrolled in this study who completed the intended treatment. Disease was assessed prior to treatment by pelvic examination and contrast enhanced MRI of the abdomen and pelvis. Response was assessed 1 month after completion of treatment by physical examination and 3 months after also by MRI.Toxicity was assessed and was graded using RTOG grading. There was a complete response rate of 84% after 3 months. The major toxicity was grade 1 and 2 anemia (92%). The mean duration of treatment was 58 days. In conclusion, combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and paclitaxel along with radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of cervixwas well tolerated, in contrast to other studies, but it seems that there was no increase in tumor response and progression free survival with this treatment regimen.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3277-3280
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• 2016

Background: Gastric cancer is considered the fourth most common cancer and second most common cause of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. Gastric cancer develops more frequently among elderly. The oxaliplatin/5FU/leucovorin (FOLFOX) regimen has shown a notable activity against gastric cancer. Aim: To evaluate the responses and complications of FOLFOX-4 regimen as first line chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: From October 2014 to November 2015, a total of 21 patients with metastatic or local AGC (advanced gastric cancer) were analyzed. All patients were administered a FOLFOX-4 regimen consisting of a 2h infusion of oxaliplatin $85mg/m^2$ (day 1), continuous infusion of $1000mg/m^2$ 5-Fu in 24h., and leucovorin $200mg/m^2$ in 2h infusion as a first-line chemotherapy. Results: A total of 18 patients were assessable for efficacy and toxicity. One of 18 patients achieved a complete response, and 12 had partial responses, giving an overall response rate of 72.6%. Three (16%) patients demonstrated stable disease and 2 (12%) progression. The median progression free survival was 7.3 months, and the median overall survival was 11.9 months. One patient had grade 3 neuropathy. No other grade 3 or 4 NCI-CTC were seen. Conclusions: The FOLFOX-4 regimen used in our study was both active and acceptable for AGC in elderly patients as neoadjuvant and main therapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.5293-5299
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• 2013

Purpose: High levels of bone morphogenetic protein (BMPs) have been reported in patients with lung cancer. This study was conducted to assess correlations between serum BMP-2 levels and prognostic outcome in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Blood samples from 84 patients with advanced NSCLC and 42 healthy controls were analyzed and quantitated for serum BMP-2 levels before and after two cycles of chemotherapy using a commercially available ELISA kit. Results: The median level of BMP-2 was 146.9 pg/ml in patients with NSCLC vs. 87.7 pg/ml in healthy controls (P<0.01). A significant correlation was observed between pretreatment serum BMP-2 level and ECOG PS, disease stage and number of organs with metastases (P<0.05). Serum BMP-2 level decreased significantly in patients who achieved objective response after two cycles of chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that increased BMP-2 level and advanced clinical stage were significantly correlated with poor prognosis. Conclusion: Thes erum BMP-2 level is positively correlated with clinical stage, ECOG PS and metastatic burden and may serve as an independent negative predictor for prognosis. Decreased BMP-2 after chemotherapy could be a reliable marker for efficacy of treatment.