• Journal of the Korean Medical Association
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• v.61 no.11
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• pp.649-654
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• 2018

Although the dermoscopy had very long history since its introduction in 17th century, only recently it has been possible to see the widespread application of dermoscopy in the dermatology clinic. One of the most promising areas where the dermoscopy can be applied is the diagnosis of skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma. Due to its inherent limitation to obtain in-depth information-literally, from more than skin-deep and more importantly, from microscopic structures-of skin cancers, dermoscopy cannot replace the present gold-standard 'biopsy' in the diagnosis of skin cancer. However, several advantages of dermoscopy over biopsy merit further considerations. For example, as a non-invasive tool, dermoscopy is best suited for the follow-up of suspicious skin lesions, and as an all-at-a-glance tool, dermoscopy can aid the selection of the best biopsy-site to obtain the most meaningful pathological information from the minimal tissue specimen. There goes a saying that 'it takes two to tango,' similarly, we might need the two (biopsy and dermoscopy) to cope rhythmically with the varying tempos of everprogressing skin tumorigenesis and to reveal the true face of skin cancers usually hidden in various disguises.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.94-108
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• 2023

Termitomyces sp. that grow in symbiosis with fungus-farming Termites have medicinal properties. However, they are rare in nature, and their artificial culture is challenging. The expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint molecules favor the growth of cancer cells. The study evaluated the optimal conditions for the artificial culture of Termitomyces and their inhibitory activity on AXL and immune checkpoint molecules in lung adenocarcinoma and melanoma cell lines. The culture of 45 strains of Termitomyces was compared. Five strains with marked growth rates were selected. Four of the selected strains form a single cluster by sequence analysis. The mycelium of 4 selected strains produces more fungal mass in potato dextrose broth than in a mixed media. The bark was the most appropriate solid substrate for Termitomyces mycelia culture. The mycelium of all five selected strains showed a higher growth rate under normal CO₂ conditions. The culture broth, methanol, and ethyl acetate of one selected strain (T-120) inhibited the mRNA relative expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint molecules in cancer cell lines. Overall, these results suggest the potential usefulness of Termitomyces extracts as a coadjuvant therapy in malignant diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.65-75
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• 2018

Objective: Over the last several years, immunotherapy has become one of the most promising therapeutic options for cancer. This study aims to summarize the updates on cancer immunotherapy focusing on immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, which have received attention as new anticancer therapeutic agents. Methods: A literature survey was carried out on PubMed to identify high-impact papers on cancer immunotherapy from 2010. The most recent data on clinical efficacy and safety have been included highlighting the response characteristics to recently approved immunotherapeutic agents. Results: In various cancers, immune checkpoints are a means for cancer cells to evade the immune system. Furthermore, CTLA-4 and PD-L1 can be overexpressed, allowing malignant cells to evade T-cells. Numerous clinical trials have been performed to seek appropriate indication of these products in various cancer types. Among them, the most conspicuous types are melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, and head and neck cancer. The approval of ipilimumab by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commenced a new era of cancer immunotherapy. This was followed by the approval of nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Currently, combination therapies are being investigated for various cancer types. Conclusion: In this study, we reviewed recently reported scientific and clinical evidence for currently approved immune checkpoint inhibitors. Although these novel checkpoint inhibitors are ever evolving for cancer therapies, there exist limitations that need to be overcome, indicating the necessity for further studies aiming to improve their efficacy, toxicity, and cost.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.142-145
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• 2018

Metastases to the liver can be found in various malignancies, most commonly originating from the colon, rectum, pancreas, stomach, esophagus, breast, lung, and melanoma. Surgical resection of liver metastasis is generally considered to be the definitive therapy fore cure. However, many patients are unable to undergo surgical resection due to medical comorbidities or multifocal extent of malignant disease affecting the liver. Among patients not eligible for surgery, other therapies exist for treatment in order to down stage the disease for surgical resection or for palliation. Radioembolization of hepatic metastases has shown to improve outcomes among patients with variety of malignancies including more common malignancies such as colorectal cancer. Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization has been successfully used in the management of hepatic metastases. A small series of metastatic sarcoma to the liver treated with radioembolization showed a promising response. We report a case of metastatic gastric leiomyosarcoma to the liver treated with Y-90 glass microspheres therapy using the radiation segmentectomy approach, previously described for hepatocellular carcinoma.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2303-2306
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• 2015

Objective: Skin tumors are the most commonly seen cancer type worldwide. Regarding pathogenesis, it is thought that disruption of kinetics through T lymphocyte-mediated development of chronic inflammation may be involved. The present study was intended to identify role of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes in the determination of risk for skin cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of 569 cases diagnosed as having primary skin tumors. Data regarding age, gender and histopathological subtype were recorded. Blood parameters studied on the day before surgery including WBCs, neutrophils, and lymphocyte counts, neutrophil:lymphocyte and neutrophil:monocyte ratios were also recorded. Two-hundred and two healthy individuals presented for check-up in an outpatient clinic were selected as the control group. Parameters studied in cases with skin cancer were compared to those healthy individuals. Findings: Of the cases with skin cancer, 401 were basal cell carcinoma (BCC) while 144 were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 13 were malignant melanoma (MM). WBC, neutrophil and monocyte counts and the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio were found to be lower in the patient group than in the healthy control group (p<0.001) while no significant difference was found in other parameters reviewed (p>0.05). No significant difference was found in WBC, neutrophil, neutrophil: monocyte ratio according to gender (p>0.05). Monocyte count was found to be $0.68{\pm}0.61$ in men and $0.55{\pm}0.25$ in women, indicating strong statistical significance (p<0.001). WBC, neutrophil and monocyte values were highest in control group while lowest in BCC. When BCC and SCC groups were compared to controls, significant differences found (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in lymphocyte counts among groups (p=0.976). Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios were 3.24 in BCC, 3.59 in SCC, 3.44 in MM and 5.06 in control group (p<0.001). Conclusions: In our study, it was found that there were significant differences in complete blood count, neutrophil, monocyte and neutrophil:lymphocyte levels among groups. Neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio was found to be lowest in BCC among skin cancers.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.213-220
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• 2009

Purpose: The present study was aimed to examine the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients who underwent neck dissection to treat oral cancer were subjected for examination. The cervical node metastasis was evaluated by means of clinical examination, CT scan, PET, and histologic examination. By comparing the results of each examination modality with those of histologic examination, it's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were determined. Results: The oral cancer was more frequent in males with a ratio of 2.14:1. The sixth decade showed the highest incidence in age distribution with mean of $56{\pm}16$. Histologic findings showed that squamous cell carcinoma was the most common (15 patients), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (3), malignant melanoma (2), and adenoid cystic carcinoma and ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (1 each), in order. In most cases, wide surgical excision of the primary cancer and neck dissection was performed, followed by reconstruction with free flaps when necessary. When comparing the results of each examination modality with those of the histologic examination, clinical examination showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value at 11%, 85%, 33%, and 58%, respectively. CT scans showed at 67%, 77%, 67%, and 77%, while $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT at 78%, 77%, 70%, and 83%, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that PET is more useful, compared with clinical examination and CT scans, in the evaluation of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with oral cancer.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.19-28
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate present clinical evidence of oriental medical treatment for cancer in Korea. Method : A search was performed in the Korean Studies Information, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, KoreaMed, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, National Assembly Library, RISS4u, DBPIA, and Oasis using the keyword 'cancer', 'leukemia', 'malignant tumor', 'lymphoma', 'multiple myeloma', 'melanoma'. The search period spanned between Jan 1, 1980~June 30, 2011 and the results were analyzed and evaluated according to the publication date, journal, method of treatment, type of study, and the primary outcome. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and Non randomized clinical trial(NRCT) were reviewed separately. Result : The results yielded 133 trials during the period of Jan 1, 1980~June 30, 2011. Most of the trials were concerned with lung cancer and 94 of the trials were simple case studies or case series studies. 61 trials used herbal Formula/herbal medicine as the primary method of treatment. A total of 4 RCTs existed compared to only one NRCT. Conclusion : The use of oriental medicine for the treatment of cancer is gaining popularity in the field of medical scientific research. However most of the studies that have been published up to date are mostly case studies or case series studies, and RCT/NRCT are rare. In order to provide appropriate evidence regarding the effectiveness of oriental medicine in the treatment of cancer, more rigorous and well-designed studies are warranted.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.256-263
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• 2022

Skin cancer is one of the most common diseases in the world, and the incidence rate in Korea has increased by about 100% over the past five years. In the United States, more than 5 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year. Skin cancer mainly occurs when skin tissue is damaged for a long time due to exposure to ultraviolet rays. Melanoma, a malignant tumor of skin cancer, is similar in appearance to Atypical melanocytic nevus occurring on the skin, making it difficult for the general public to be aware of it unless secondary signs occur. In this paper, we propose a skin cancer lesion edge detection algorithm and a deep learning model, CRNN, which performs skin cancer lesion classification for early detection and classification of these skin cancers. As a result of the experiment, when using the contour detection algorithm proposed in this paper, the classification accuracy was the highest at 97%. For the Canny algorithm, 78% was shown, 55% for Sobel, and 46% for Laplacian.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.6
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• pp.442-449
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• 2010

Background: Melanoma antigen genes (MAGE) are expressed in many human malignant cells and are silent in normal tissues other than in testis and in placenta. But MAGE expression in benign lung diseases, such as pulmonary tuberculosis or cases with severe inflammation, needs further evaluation to overcome false-positive findings. We evaluated detection rates of the melanoma antigen genes (MAGE) RT-nested PCR in bronchoscopic washing samples from patients with benign lung disease, as well as in patients with malignancies. Methods: Bronchial washing fluid from 122 patients was used for cytological examination and MAGE gene detection using RT-nested-PCR of common A1-6 mRNA. We compared the results from the RT-nested PCR and the pathologic or bacteriologic diagnosis. We also analyzed the expression rate and false positive rate of MAGE gene. Results: Among 122 subjects, lung cancer was diagnosed in 23 patients and benign lung disease was diagnosed in 99 patients. In patients with lung cancer, the positive rate of MAGE expression was 47.8% (11/23) and in benign lung disease group, the expression rate was 14.1% (14/99). Among benign lung disease group, the expression rate of MAGE gene (25.0%) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (11/44) was especially high. Conclusion: MAGE A1-6 RT-nested PCR of bronchial washing fluid can be used as a complementary method in lung cancer, but that test results in a high false positive rate in tuberculosis patients.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2008

We studied 1809 oral cancer patients who visited and were treated in 2002 at the 148 institutions certified as training facilities by the Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, which is composed of 39 dental university hospitals, 44 medical university hospitals, 64 general hospitals, and 1 unknown institution. The patients consisted of 1071 (59.2%) males and 738 (40.8%) females (male:female ratio, 1.45:1), who had a mean age of 65.2 years old. The tongue (40.2%) was the most common site affected, followed by the gingiva (32.7%), buccal mucosa (10.1%), and oral floor (9.0%). There were 6 cases of intraoral multiple cancer. In histopathological examinations, squamous cell carcinoma (88.7%) was the most common type found, followed by adenoid cystic carcinoma (2.1%), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (1.7%). In addition, non-epithelial tumors comprised 1.8%, among which malignant melanoma was the most common type. Cases classified as T2N0 were the most common (32.1%), followed by T1N0 (21.4%), T4N0 (8.0%), and T2N1 (7.6%). Distant metastasis occurred in 17 patients (1.0%). The sizes of the non-epithelial malignant tumors ranged from 1.0 to 7.0 cm, with a mean size of 3.7 cm.