• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.4289-4294
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• 2016

Background: Studies have shown that a return to spirituality is a major coping response in cancer patients so that therapists can adopt a holistic approach by addressing spirituality in their patient care. The present study was conducted to develop a guideline in the spiritual field for healthcare providers who serve cancer patients in Iran. Materials and Methods: Relevant statements were extracted from scientific documents that through study questions were reviewed and modified by a consensus panel. Results: The statements were arranged in six areas, including spiritual needs assessment, spiritual care candidates, the main components of spiritual care, spiritual care providers, the settings of spiritual care and the resources and facilities for spiritual care. Conclusions: In addition to the development and preparation of these guidelines, health policy-makers should also seek to motivate and train health service providers to offer these services and facilitate their provision and help with widespread implementation.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.228-241
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of health insurance coverage expansion for cancer patients on equity in health care utilization and catastrophic expenditure. Methods: To analyze the causal relationship between the policy to expand benefit coverage and the change in health care utilization and out-of-pocket payments of cancer patients, this study employed a difference-in-differences (DID) method. In the DID model, the change in health care utilization, such as health care expenditure, visit days and length of stay, of cancer patients was compared with that of liver disease patients, using Korea Health Panel Data in 2009 and 2010. Results: The policy of reducing cost sharing from 10% to 5% for cancer patients did not have significant effects on equity in health care utilization. The results of this study were different from those of the previous study that showed that the reduction of cost sharing from 20% to 10% significantly improved the equity in health care utilization of cancer patients. In addition, the result of catastrophic expenditures analysis showed the policy did not change the probability of catastrophic expenditures. Conclusion: The results of this study imply that payment for non-covered services account for high out-of-pocket payments, and the reduction in cost sharing for covered services alone may have a limited effect on total financial burden on patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권12호
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• pp.5229-5235
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• 2016

Prostate cancer (PCa) remains one of the most widespread and perplexing of all human malignancies. Assessment of gene expression is thought to have an important impact on cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic decisions. In this context, we explored combined expression of PCa related target genes AMACR and PCA3 in 126 formalin fixed paraffin embedded prostate tissues (FFPE) from Moroccan patients, using quantitative real time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR). This quantification required data normalization accomplished using stably expressed reference genes (RGs). A panel of twelve RG was assessed, data being analyzed using GenEx V6 based on geNorm, NormFinder and statistical methods. Accordingly, the hnRNP A1 gene was identified and selected as the most stably expressed RG for reliable and accurate gene expression quantification in prostate tissues. The ratios of both PCA3 and AMACR gene expression relative to that of the hnRNP A1 gene were calculated and the performance of each target gene for PCa diagnosis was evaluated using receiver-operating characteristics. PCA3 and AMACR mRNA quantification based on RT-qPCR may prove useful in PCa diagnosis. Of particular interesting, combining PCA3 and AMACR quantification improved PCa prediction by increasing sensitivity with retention of good specificity.

• 문화기술의 융합
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.137-145
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• 2019

2012년 한국의료패널 조사 참여자 중에서 암으로 응급, 입원, 외래 서비스를 한 번이라도 이용한 적이 있는 사람 308명이 선정 되었다. 암 환자 1인당 연평균 총직접비용은 환자 의료비, 공단부담금, 비급여 비용을 합산하여 분석하였다. 암 환자가 암으로 지출한 1인당 연평균 총 직접비용 분석 결과는 암 환자 1인당 연평균 총직접비용은 약 129,093,792이고, 남성은 158,100,612원, 여성은 110,482,075이다. 건강보험가입자의 경우 암으로 인한 1인당 총직접비용은 평균 183,095,125원이고 의료급여 수급자는 46,241,705원이었다. 가구 소득별로 보면, 가구 소득 1분위에 속한 환자의 경우 1인당 연평균 총직접비용은 112,459,971원이었고, 2분위에 속한 환자는 137,910,890원, 3분위에 속한 환자는 149,556,570원, 4분위 112,730,461원, 5분위는 142,926,331원이였다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.31.1-31.16
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• 2021

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death globally. The classification of advanced GC (AGC) according to molecular features has recently led to effective personalized cancer therapy for some patients. Specifically, AGC patients whose tumor cells express high levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) can now benefit from trastuzumab, a humanized monoclonal Ab that targets HER2. However, patients with HER2^negative AGC receive limited clinical benefit from this treatment. To identify potential immune therapeutic targets in HER2^negative AGC, we obtained 40 fresh AGC specimens immediately after surgical resections and subjected the CD45⁺ immune cells in the tumor microenvironment to multi-channel/multi-panel flow cytometry analysis. Here, we report that HER2 negativity associated with reduced overall survival (OS) and greater tumor infiltration with neutrophils and non-classical monocytes. The potential pro-tumoral activities of these cell types were confirmed by the fact that high expression of neutrophil or non-classical monocyte signature genes in the gastrointestinal tumors in The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype-Tissue Expression and Gene Expression Omnibus databases associated with worse OS on Kaplan-Meir plots relative to tumors with low expression of these signature genes. Moreover, advanced stage disease in the AGCs of our patients associated with greater tumor frequencies of neutrophils and non-classical monocytes than early stage disease. Thus, our study suggests that these 2 myeloid populations may serve as novel therapeutic targets for HER2^negative AGC.

• 종양간호연구
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.49-57
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the reliability and validity of an instrument to measure suffering of family of patients with terminal cancer. Methods: This research was a methodological study processed as follows: 1) The preliminary 32 items were developed based a conceptual framework of suffering for patients with cancer. 2) The content was validated by an expert panel (n=24) and the family of patients with terminal cancers (n=33). 3) The instrument was validated by survey (n=92). Finally, 29 items were selected in developing final version of the scale. Results: Seven factors were extracted through factor analysis: 'economical distress', 'loss of meaning in life', 'feeling of social isolation', 'emotional distress', 'burnout', 'guilty feeling', and 'physical discomfort'. These factors explained 66.94% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha and Guttman Split-half coefficient of the 29 items were .93 and .92. respectively. Conclusion: This scale identified as a valid and reliable tool with a high degree of reliability and validity. It can be effectively utilized to assess the degree of suffering of family in palliative care settings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Background: Curcumin has has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation and anti-angiogenic activity in various types of cancer. It has also been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells. We aimed to unravel the role of the redox pathway in Curcumin mediated apoptosis with a panel of human leukemic cells. Materials and Methods: In this study in vitro cytotoxicity of Curcumin was measured by MTT assay and apoptotic effects were assessed by annexin V/PI, DAPI staining, cell cycle analysis, measurement of caspase activity and PARP cleavage. Effects of Curcumin on intracellular redox balance were assessed using fluorescent probes like $H_2DCFDA$, JC1 and an ApoGSH Glutathione Detection Kit respectively. Results: Curcumin showed differential anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on different human leukemic cell lines in contrast to minimal effects on normal cells. Curcumin induced apoptosis was associated with the generation of intracellular ROS, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, intracellular GSH depletion, caspase activation. Conclusions: As Curcumin induces programmed cell death specifically in leukemic cells it holds a great promise as a future therapeutic agent in the treatment of leukemia.

• 가정간호학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.156-168
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to examine factors influencing health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and compare them between young-aged and old-aged patients with cancer. Methods: Data of 291 patients (young-aged: 168, old-aged: 123) were obtained from the 10th wave of the 2015 Korea Health Panel Survey. The HRQOL was measured using the Korean version of Euro-QoL-5D. Independent t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis were performed to identify factors influencing HRQOL. Results: The average HRQOL score was 0.87±0.10 and 0.82±0.15 among young-aged and old-aged, respectively. The factors differed partially between the two groups. For young-aged, the influencing factors were activity restriction, subjectively perceived health status, and smoking. For old-aged, the influencing factors were activity restriction, subjective health status, and unmet healthcare needs. Conclusion: Strategies to improve the HRQOL of elderly adults need to be developed considering the age group. Additionally, studies that include clinical factors such as symptoms are required to prepare need-based practical approaches for better quality of life of such patients.

• 대한암한의학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted towards developing guidelines of herbal medicine treatment for gastric cancer. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to investigate the efficacy of herbal medicine treatment for gastric cancer on four cancer questions; survival rate, metastasis, immune function, and quality of life. Based on the findings, we utilized a two-round delphi process with panel of 22 experts for their level of agreement. Results: Combined therapy group, herbal medicine treated with chemotherapy, was significantly higher in the 1-year survival rate (RR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.40, P=0.005, $I^2=71%$) and 3-years survival rate (RR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.71, P=0.91, $I^2=0%$) than chemotherapy group. The suppression of metastasis was higher in the combined therapy group (RR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.45 to 0.84, P=0.09, $I^2=54%$). The immunology function was higher in the combined therapy group compared with the chemotherapy group (MD=16.43, 95% CI: 13.25 to 29.61, P<0.001, $I^2=99%$). The quality of life score was higher in the combined therapy group compared with the chemotherapy group (RR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.00, P<0.66, $I^2=0%$). Conclusions: Among the Randomized controlled trials (RCT) included, the levels of survival rates, suppression of metastasis, immune function, and quality of life of the group treated with chemotherapy were lower compared to those treated with herbal medicine in addition to chemotherapy.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제19권7호
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• pp.886-891
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• 2009

Cancer/testis(CT) antigens은 여러 종료의 암에서는 발현이 되지만, 정상조직에서는 고환에서만 발현이 되는 특이성을 가지고 있다. 이러한 특이성은 immunotherapy을 하기 위한 항암백신 개발에 매력적인 유전자로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 29개의 한국유방암조직에서 13개의 CT antigens (NY-SAR35, SCP-1, SSX-1, SSX-2, SSX-4, MAGE-1, MAGE-3, MAGE-4, MAGE-10, CT-7, NY-TLU57, NY-ESO-1, and LAGE-1)의 발현빈도를 RT-PCR을 통하여 조사하고 환자의 임상학적 분류와 CT antigens의 발현빈도에 대하여 조사하였다. 29개의 유방암조직에 RT-PCR결과, 13개의 CT antigen중에 MAGE-3 (66%)와 MAGE-1(57%)에서 발현빈도가 가장 높았고 LAGE-1 (55%),NY-SAR-35 (49%),MAGE-4(41%), NY-ESO-1(38%), CT-7(24%), SSX-4(24%)순으로 발현빈도를 보였다. 그러나 SSX-1, SSX-2. MAGE-10와 NY-TLU-57의 발현은 3-7%로 매우 낮았고 특히 SCP-1는 발현되지 않았다. 29 유방암 조직에서 적어도 하나 이상의 CT antigen이 발현되는 샘플은 28(98%)이였다. 그러나 환자의 임상학적 분류와 CT antigens의 발현빈도와는 특징적인 관꼐가 없음을 알수있었다. 29개의 유방암조직에서 MAGE-3와 NY-ESO-1의 Protein level에서의 발현을 알아보기 위하여monoclonal antibody를 이용하여 면역조직염색을 하였다. MAGE-3은 29개 조직중에서 12개의 조직에서 발현되었으며 NY-ESO-1은 11개의 조직에서 발현되었다. 그러므로 CT antigens은 한국 유방암 조직에서 빈번하게 발현된 것을 알 수 있었으며 CT antigens을 기반으로 한 암 백신개발의 잠재적인 표적이 될 수 있을 것이라 사료된다.