• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3797-3800
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• 2014

Background: BMI1, TWIST1 and SNAI2/SLUG have been implicated in aggressive behavior of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma and BMI1 expression could identify subtypes of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). However, BMI1, TWIST1 and SNAI2 expression levels in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) have not been elucidated. We hypothesized BCC could be a good model system to decipher mechanisms which inhibit processes that drive tumor metastasis. The aim of this study was to examine the mRNA expression level of BMI1, TWIST1, and SNAI2 in BCCs. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five fresh non-metastatic BCC tissue samples and seven fresh normal skin tissue samples were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Results: BMI1 and TWIST1 demonstrated marked down-regulation (p<0.00l, p=0.00l respectively), but SNAI2 showed no significant change (p=0.12). Conclusions: Previous literature has clearly demonstrated a positive association between BMI1 and TWIST1 expression and metastatic BCC, aggressive SCC and melanoma. Here, we demonstrated a negative association between BMI1 and TWIST1 mRNA expression level and BCC.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.945-949
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• 2005

The objective of this study is to investigate the inhibitor effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens on the pancreatic & cardiac side effects of chemotherapy were studied by using Bl6-BL6 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. In this study, the effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens, on the side effects of chemotherapy were studied using B16 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Anticancer drugs widely used in clinical situation. Sophora flavescen has significant effect on the reduction of the side effects of chemotherapy. Water extract of Sophora flavescens significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced increase of amylase (AMY) which is a good indicator of pancreatic toxicity. Sophora flavescens extract does not decrease the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin showing that it can selectively inhibit side effects of anticancer drugs preserving beneficial effect. Theses results suggest a possibility that Sophora flavescens extract can be used for cancer patients for the reduction of the side effects and improving the quality of life during chemotherapy of cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.165-174
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• 2005

Objective : The objective of this study is to investigate the inhibitor effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens on the hepatic and renal side effects of chemotherapy by using B16-BL6 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Methods : In this study, the effects of an traditional oriental herb, Sophora flavescens, on the side effects of chemotherapy were studied using B16 melanoma-injected C57BL6 mouse tumor model. Results : Sophora flavescen has significant effect on the reduction of the side effects of chemotherapy. Sophora flavescen recovered the reduction of WBC and RBC during cisplatin chemotherapy. Water extract of Sophora flavescens significantly inhibited cisplatin-induced increase of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) which is a good indicator of renal toxicity. Sophora flavescens extract does not decrease the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin showing that it can selectively inhibit side effects of anticancer drugs preserving beneficial effort. Conclusion : Theses results suggest a possibility that Sophora flavescens extract can be used for cancer patients for the reduction of the side effects and improving the quality of life during chemotherapy of cancer patients.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2013

Objectives: Unprotected leisure time exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial tanning beds is the most important environmental risk factor for melanoma, a malignant skin cancer with increasing incidences over the past decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of skin health information provided by several sources and different publishing issues on knowledge, risk perception, and sun protective behavior of sunbathers. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among Austrian residents (n=563) spending leisure time outdoors in August 2010. Results: Print media, television, and family were perceived as the most relevant sources of information on skin health, whereas the source physician was only ranked as fourth important source. Compared to other sources, information provided by doctors positively influenced participants' knowledge on skin risk and sun protective behavior resulting in higher scores in the knowledge test (p=0.009), higher risk perception (p<0.001), and more sun protection (p<0.001). Regarding gender differences, internet was more often used by males as health information source, whereas females were more familiar with printed information material in general. Conclusions: The results of this survey put emphasis on the demand for information provided by medical professionals in order to attain effective, long-lasting promotion of photoprotective habits.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.413-419
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• 2012

The melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7 (MDA-7) protein, also known as interleukin-24 (IL-24), is a novel candidate of tumor suppressor that can induce apoptosis experimentally in a variety of human malignant cells. However, there have been few studies about its role in colorectal cancer. We performed immunohistochemical detection of MDA-7/IL-24 in 399 tissue samples from primary colorectal adenocarcinoma patients using a tissue microarray. Western blotting was then done to confirm the immunohistochemical observations. MDA-7/IL-24 immunoreactivity was observed in 116 (29.1%) of the 399 colorectal adenocarcinoma cases. Analysis of the MDA-7/IL-24 expression by Western blotting confirmed the immunohistochemical results. The tumors with a negative MDA-7/IL-24 expression more frequently showed poor differentiation (P=0004), lymph node metastasis (P=0.001), deep invasion (P=0.008) and high stage (P=0.001). A subset of colorectal adenocarcinoma revealed a decreased expression of MDA-7/IL-24, and this was associated with progressive pathologic features. These findings suggest that loss of MDA-7/IL-24 expression may play a role in tumor growth and progression of colorectal adenocarcinomas.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2014

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound found in various natural products such as grapes and berries and possesses anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemia, and anti-aging properties. Recently, it has been reported that resveratrol inhibits ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone signaling, viability, and migration in melanoma cells. However, these effects have not been confirmed in vivo, specifically brownish guinea pigs. To evaluate the potential of resveratrol as a regulator of melanin for hyperpigmentation therapy, the influence of resveratrol on pigmentation was investigated by ultraviolet B-induced hyperpigmentation in brownish guinea pig skin. We found that resveratrol reduced the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor in melanoma cells. Furthermore, topical application of resveratrol was demonstrated to significantly decrease hyperpigmentation on ultraviolet B-stimulated guinea pig skin in vivo. Based on our histological data, resveratrol inhibits melanin synthesis via a reduction in tyrosinase-related protein 2 among the melanogenic enzymes. This study is the first to provide evidence supporting resveratrol as a depigmentation agent, along with further clinical investigation of resveratrol in ultraviolet B-induced skin disorders such as hyperpigmentation and skin photoaging.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.230-235
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• 2004

We previously reported that the phytoprotein extracted from Acanthopanax senticosus (PA) had anti-carcinogenic anti-metastatic activity via increase of inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication. In the present study investigated the immunomodulatory mechanism of phytoprotein isolated from the stem bark of Acanthopanax sentic (PA). PA was found to significantly stimulate macrophages producing TNF-α and IL-1β in vitro. It also showed tumori activity indicating that PA had the ability to stimulate macrophage directly. Moreover, PA induced the CDB/sup +/ CTL cy responses to recognize antigen on the B16-BL6 melanoma cells. Treatment of PA with B16-BL6 melanoma cells increased the proliferation of splenocytes compared with untreated control. These results demonstrate that PA immunomodulatory activity suggesting a useful anti-tumor agent applicable to treatment and prevention of cancer.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.87-94
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• 2023

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is often associated with skin damage, sometimes very serious, and in recent times has received particular attention as a health risk. As a result, the proper use of sunscreen has long been recommended to protect against skin damage. The continued increase in the use of sunscreen may be linked to increased information about the risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. Natural and harmless materials that block and prevent UV light have emerged as essential household items in the field of skin beauty. New materials need to be considered and evaluated in relation to ultraviolet rays and their harmful effects. This study aims to explain the effect of UV exposure on human skin, the classification of sunscreens, the application of zeolite, nano clay, and LDH in sunscreen formulations, as well as the regulation of this service in various countries around the world.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.72 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2012

Background: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) in bronchial washing fluid with MAGE A1-6 common primers for the detection of lung cancers invisible by bronchoscopy. Methods: To determine the expression of MAGE A1-6 gene in 189 lung cancers diagnosed by conventional fluoroscopy-guided lung biopsy and 89 cancer-free controls, RT-nested PCR was performed in bronchial washing specimens. We analyzed MAGE A1-6 RT-nested PCR data according to tumor histology, stage, size, and compared them with cytological data. Results: 189 patients (111 cases in adenocarcinoma, 47 cases in squamous cell carcinoma, 22 cases in small cell lung carcinoma, and 9 cases in other cancers) and 89 benign patients were investigated. The expression of MAGE was performed by nested RT-PCR using common MAGE primer. Among 189 cancer patients, the expression rate of MAGE was 49.2%, and the positive predictive value was 89.4%. However, the expression rate of MAGE in patients with benign lesions was 12.4%. In peripheral lung cancer, the positive rate of MAGE expression was 57.4% in squamous cell carcinoma, 44.1% in adenocarcinoma and 59.1% in small cell lung cancer. Whereas the expression rate of bronchial washing cytology in peripheral lung cancer was 9.0% (p=0.011). Conclusion: MAGE RT-PCR in bronchial washing fluid gave us promising data for the detection of peripheral lung cancer. It could be a useful method for selecting diagnostic tools for peripheral lesions.

• 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.