• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권10호
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• pp.4855-4860
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• 2012

Since cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and there is an urgent need to find better treatment. In recent years remarkable progress has been made towards the understanding of proposed hallmarks of cancer development and treatment. Treatment modalities comprise radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy. Currently, the use of chemotherapeutics remains the predominant option for clinical control. However, one of the major problems with successful cancer therapy using chemotherapeutics is that patients often do not respond or eventually develop resistance after initial treatment. This has led to the increased use of anticancer drugs developed from natural resources. The biodiversity of venoms and toxins makes them a unique source from which novel therapeutics may be developed. In this review, the anticancer potential of snake venom is discussed. Some of the included molecules are under clinical trial and may find application for anticancer drug development in the near future.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.238-243
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• 2016

The efficacy of anticancer drugs depends on a variety of signaling pathways, which can be positively or negatively regulated. In this study, we show that SETDB1 HMTase is down-regulated at the transcriptional level by several anticancer drugs, due to its inherent instability. Using RNA sequence analysis, we identified FosB as being regulated by SETDB1 during anticancer drug therapy. FosB expression was increased by treatment with doxorubicin, taxol and siSETDB1. Moreover, FosB was associated with an increased rate of proliferation. Combinatory transfection of siFosB and siSETDB1 was slightly increased compared to transfection of siFosB. Furthermore, FosB was regulated by multiple kinase pathways. ChIP analysis showed that SETDB1 and H3K9me3 interact with a specific region of the FosB promoter. These results suggest that SETDB1-mediated FosB expression is a common molecular phenomenon, and might be a novel pathway responsible for the increase in cell proliferation that frequently occurs during anticancer drug therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

Reactivating the p53 pathway in tumors is an important strategy for anticancer therapy. In response to diverse cellular stresses, the tumor suppressor p53 mediates apoptosis in a transcription-independent and transcription-dependent manner. Although extensive studies have focused on the transcription-dependent apoptotic pathway of p53, the transcription-independent apoptotic pathway of p53 has only recently been discovered. Molecular interactions between p53 and Bcl-2 family proteins in the mitochondria play an essential role in the transcription-independent apoptosis of p53. This review describes the structural basis for the transcription-independent apoptotic pathway of p53 and discusses its potential application to anticancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.51-59
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• 2014

Cellular senescence is a physiological process of irreversible cell-cycle arrest that contributes to various physiological and pathological processes of aging. Whereas replicative senescence is associated with telomere attrition after repeated cell division, stress-induced premature senescence occurs in response to aberrant oncogenic signaling, oxidative stress, and DNA damage which is independent of telomere dysfunction. Recent evidence indicates that cellular senescence provides a barrier to tumorigenesis and is a determinant of the outcome of cancer treatment. However, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, which contributes to multiple facets of senescent cancer cells, may influence both cancer-inhibitory and cancer-promoting mechanisms of neighboring cells. Conventional treatments, such as chemo- and radiotherapies, preferentially induce premature senescence instead of apoptosis in the appropriate cellular context. In addition, treatment-induced premature senescence could compensate for resistance to apoptosis via alternative signaling pathways. Therefore, we believe that an intensive effort to understand cancer cell senescence could facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies for improving the efficacy of anticancer therapies. This review summarizes the current understanding of molecular mechanisms, functions, and clinical applications of cellular senescence for anticancer therapy.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.87-91
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• 2009

In photodynamic therapy (PDT), oxygen plays important role. Because of singlet oxygen which is produced by activated photosensitizer after laser irradiation of specific wavelength. The aim of this study is to find how oxygen concentration affects anticancer effect in PDT. Groups were divided into PDT with oxygen applied group and only PDT applied group. PDT with oxygen applied group supplied oxygen for 15 minute before laser irradiation. In vitro, CT-26 cell was incubated with various concentration of photofrin $(50.0{\sim}0.05{\mu}g/ml)$ and was irradiated with 632nm diode laser 6hr after application of photofrin. The cell viability of two groups was assessed by MTT assay. In vivo, CT-26 cell line was transplanted into the subcutaneous tissue of BALB/c mouse. The anticancer effect of two groups was measured by tumor volume change. In vitro study, the cell viability was significantly decreased at $1.56{\sim}3.13{\mu}g/ml$ in PDT with oxygen applied group. In vivo study, the PDT with oxygen applied group significantly higher reduction rate of tumor volume 7 days after PDT compared to PDT only group. The high oxygen concentration might enhance the anticancer effect of the photodynamic therapy.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.229-239
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• 2002

Recent progress in understanding the molecular basis of cancer brought out new materials such as oligonucleotides, genes, peptides and proteins as a source of new anticancer agents. Due to their macromolecular properties, however, new strategies of delivery for them are required to achieve their full therapeutic efficacy in clinical setting. Development of improved dosage forms of currently marketed anticancer drugs can also enhance their therapeutic values. Currently developed delivery systems for anticancer agents include colloidal systems (liposomes, emulsions, nanoparticles and micelles), polymer implants and polymer conjugates. These delivery systems have been able to provide enhanced therapeutic activity and reduced toxicity of anticancer agents mainly by altering their pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. Furthermore, the identification of cell-specific receptor/antigens on cancer cells have brought the development of ligand- or antibody-bearing delivery systems which can be targeted to cancer cells by specific binding to receptors or antigens. They have exhibited specific and selective delivery of anticancer agents to cancer. As a consequence of extensive research, clinical development of anticancer agents utilizing various delivery systems is undergoing worldwide. New technologies and multidisciplinary expertise to develop advanced drug delivery systems, applicable to a wide range of anticancer agents, may eventually lead to an effective cancer therapy in the future.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제32권5호
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• pp.391-410
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• 2022

인간 미생물 균총은 장, 구강, 피부와 같이 체내외 다양한 부위에 존재하는 박테리아, 균류, 바이러스 등을 포함하는 미생물 집단이다. 16s ribosomal RNA에 대한 대사체 분석 및 차세대 염기서열 분석기술의 개발과 함께, 살아있는 유기체 내에 존재하는 미생물 균총에 대한 많은 연구가 진행되었다. 이에 따라, 미생물 균총이 숙주의 대사 및 면역과정과 복잡하게 연관되어 있음이 확인되었다. 공생균(commensal microbiota)이라 불리는 미생물 균총의 특정 박테리아가 필수 영양소를 생성하거나 다른 병원성 미생물로부터 숙주를 보호하여 긍정적으로 영향을 미치고 있는 반면, 비정상적인 미생물 균총의 조성을 의미하는 미생물 균총의 불균형(dysbiosis)에 의해 체내 항상성 유지를 방해하여 다양한 종류의 질병을 발생시키기도 한다. 최근, 미생물 균총 중에서도 구강과 장내 존재하는 박테리아가 위장관암의 발암과정과 항암제의 치료효과에 상당한 영향을 미치고 있음이 여러 논문을 통해 보고되고 있다. 미생물 균총-암-면역계 사이의 복잡한 연관성과 미생물 균총 기반 발암 메커니즘에 대한 규명은 암에 대한 이해와 새로운 항암제 개발에 중요한 단서를 제공할 것으로 기대된다. 본 리뷰는 미생물 균총의 박테리아가 위장관암과 항암제에 어떤 영향을 미치고 있는지에 대해 초점을 맞추고 있는 논문들을 요약하고 있으며, 나아가 기존 항암제의 치료효과를 개선하기 위해 복합제로써 미생물 균총의 잠재력과 도전과제에 대해 논의한다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.371-389
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• 2011

A new strategy for cancer therapy has emerged during the past decade based on molecular targets that are less likely to be essential in all cells in the body, therefore confer a wider therapeutic window than traditional cytotoxic drugs which mechanism of action is to inhibit essential cellular functions. Exceptional heterogeneity and adaptability of cancer impose significant challenges in oncology drug discovery, and the concept of complex tumor biology has led the framework of developing many anticancer therapeutics. Protein kinases are the most pursued targets in oncology drug discovery. To date, 12 small molecule kinase inhibitors have been approved by US Food and Drug Administration, and many more are in clinical development. With demonstrated clinical efficacy of bortezomib, ubiquitin proteasome and ubiquitin-like protein conjugation systems are also emerging as new therapeutic targets in cancer therapy. In this review, strategies of targeted cancer therapies with inhibitors of kinases and proteasome systems are discussed. Combinational cancer therapy to overcome drug resistance and to achieve greater treatment benefit through the additive or synergistic effects of each individual agent is also discussed. Finally, the opportunities in the future cancer therapy with molecularly targeted anticancer therapeutics are addressed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권5호
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• pp.3023-3028
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• 2013

Objective: Photodynamic therapy (PDT ) is a promising modality for the treatment of various tumors. In order to assist in optimizing treatment, we applied 5-ALA/PDT in combination with low-dose cisplatin to evaluate cytotoxicity in Hela cells. Methods: Antiproliferative effects of 5-ALA/PDT and cisplatin, alone and in combination, were assessed using MTT assay. To examine levels of apoptosis, Hela cells treated with 5-ALA/PDT, and combination treatment were assessed with Annexin-V/PI by flow cytometry. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying alterations in cell proliferation and apoptosis, Western blot analysis was conducted to determine the expression of p53, p21, Bax and Bcl-2 proteins. Results: MTT assays indicated that combination treatment obviously decreased the viability of Hela cells compared to individual drug treatment. In addition, it was confirmed that exposure of Hela cells to 5-ALA/PDT in combination with low-dose cisplatin resulted in more apoptosis in vitro. Synergistic anticancer activity was related to upregulation p53 expression and alteration in expression of p21, Bcl-2 and Bax. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that administration of 5-ALA/PDT in combination with the low-dose cisplatin may be an effective and feasible therapy for cervical cancer.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.365-369
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• 2000

Oral mucositis or stomatitis produced by stomatotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy are painful, restrict oral intake and, importantly, act as sites of secondary infection and potals of entry for the endogenous oral microflora often leading to bacteremias or sepsis. A number of clinical observations and studies of animal model suggests a pathophysiological complexity in the development of mucositis. The condition appears to represent a sequential interaction of the oral mucosal cells and tissues, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and local environmental factors in the mouth. This article discussed and reviewed biological process of the mucositis and, the role of cytokines as initiators and amplifiers of the process. The recognition that the pathophysiology of mucositis is a multifactorial process has presented opportunities for intervention based upon biological attenuation.