• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.4
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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.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.705-709
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• 1993

The mediastinoscopy was a well known useful diagnostic tool for detection of certain mediastinal tumors ,mediastinal lymph nodes invasion by bronchogenic carcinoma and metastatic cancer. A total of 33 cases of mediastinoscopies were reviewed, which were experienced at Chon Buk National University Hospital from August,1980 to October 1991. Mediastinoscopy was performed through anterior or parasternal approach in 18 cases, cervical approach in 14 cases and both in 1 case. In 12 cases which were used for preoperative stagig of lung cancer, 10 cases[83.3%] had the positive biopsy results at mediastinal nodes. In 11 cases for diagnosis of lymph nodes and masses with unknown lung lesion, small cell carcinoma revealed in 3 cases,squamous cell carcinoma in 2 , adenocarcinoma in 1 case and the others were had the negative biopsy results. In 10 cases for diagnosis of mediastinal tumors, lymphoma revealed in 2 cases, malignant thymoma in 2, sarcoidosis in 2, tuberculous granuloma in 1, mesothelioma in 1, metastatic cancer with unknown origin in 1 case. Thoracotomy was performed in 3 cases of lung cancers, 2 patients with negative biopsy results in preoperative staging and 1 patient with subcarinal lymph node involvement only. Bleeding complications during mediastinoscopy were developed in 2 cases, managed by anterior mini-thoracotomy.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 1994

Urine cytology is of limited value in the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma with reported detection rates of $0\sim80%$. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the usefulness of urine cytology in renal cell carcinoma. In the eleven histologically proven cases of renal cell carcinoma, urinary smears were reevaluated. The cytologic results were as follows; positive for malignant cells in 3 cases(27%), suspicious in 2 cases(18%) and negative in 6 cases(55%). The average diameter of the tumor of the 5 cases reported as positive or suspicious for malignant cells was 9.7cm and 3 had invaded the renal pelvis. The other 6 tumors, reported as negative, were 5.7 cm in average diameter and one of them showed involvement of the renal pelvis. These results suggest that urine cytology is considered unsatisfactory in the early defection of renal cell carcinoma. However, careful examination of urinary smear could improve the detection rate especially in more advanced cases involving the renal pelvis as well as those of larger tumors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4377-4381
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• 2015

Background: Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GNs) are slow growing and although their incidence has increased in recent years, they are relatively rarely seen. Somatostatin analogues are used in the treatment of GNs that express somatostatin receptor (SR). We aimed to investigate the expression of SR2 and SR5 in GNs. Materials and Methods: In this study the expression of SR2 and SR5 was investigated immunohistochemically in 49 cases (26 males, 23 females) diagnosed and graded with GN according to the World Health Organization classification 2010. Results: The percentage of SR2 staining was 91.0% in grade 1, 82.8% in grade 2 and 100% in grade 3. On the other hand, the percentage of SR5 staining was 81.8% % in grade 1, 60.0% in grade 2 and 0% in grade 3. According to the tumor localization, the percentages of SR2 expression were as follows: pancreas 85.7%, stomach 100%, small bowel 70%, appendix 85.7% and rectum 100%. The percentages of SR5 expression were: pancreas 61,9%, stomach 37.5%, small bowel 70%, appendix 71.5% and rectum 66.6%. There was a significant negative correlation between ki67 percentage and SR5 expression (r=-0.341, p=0.016). Conclusions: In this study, GNs were found to highly express SR2 and SR5. Although the expression of SR2 and SR5 changed according to tumor localization, the expression of SR2 was higher than the expression of SR5 in GN. There was a significant negative correlation between ki67 and SR5. Accordingly, SR5 may be a prognostic indicator of GN.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2022

Background: Spread through air spaces (STAS) has recently emerged as a prognostic factor in lung adenocarcinoma, but little is known about the association of STAS and its grade with recurrence in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). This study investigated the prognostic effect of STAS grade in NETs after curative resection. Methods: Seventy-seven patients were retrospectively reviewed, including 9 with typical carcinoid (TC), 6 with atypical carcinoid (AC), 26 with large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), and 36 with small cell carcinoma (SCC). STAS was defined as the presence of floating tumor cells within air spaces in the lung parenchyma beyond the edge of the main tumor. STAS was classified as grade 1 or 2 depending on whether it was found within or beyond one ×10 objective lens field away from the main tumor margin, respectively. Results: Fifty-four patients (70%) had STAS, including 22% with TC, 50% with AC, 69% with LCNEC, and 86% with SCC. Patients with STAS had more nodal metastasis, lymphatic and vascular invasion, tumor necrosis, and tumor subtypes other than TC. Among STAS cases, grade 2 STAS was present in 33% of AC, 78% of LCNEC, and 87% of SCC. The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was 81%, 63%, and 35% in patients with no STAS, grade 1, and grade 2 STAS, respectively. Multivariate analysis found that grade 2 STAS was an independent negative prognostic factor for RFS. Conclusion: Although STAS itself was not associated with a poor prognosis, grade 2 STAS was an independent negative prognostic factor for RFS.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.443-450
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• 2001

Objective : The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor $p27^{kip1}$ protein is a negative regulator of the cell cycle, and its degradation is required for entry into the S phase. Loss of $p27^{kip1}$ expression has been reported to be associated with aggressive behavior in a variety of tumors of epithelial and lymphoid origin. However, its association with various astrocytic tumors has not been clearly demonstrated. We studied to investigate the relationship of $p27^{kip1}$ expression with the biological behavior of astrocytic tumors in addition to study on the role of $p27^{kip1}$ in the tumorigenesis of these tumors. Patients and Methods : From 1990 to 1998, a total of 29 astrocytic tumor of all grades obtained by operative resection were included for evaluation. We studied the expression of $p27^{kip1}$ protein immunohistochemical assay in astrocytic tumors and compared the findings with the clinicopathologic parameters. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. According to WHO classification, all cases were divided into astrocytomas(4 cases), anaplastic astrocytomas(9 cases), and glioblastomas(16 cases) by 3 pathologists. Clinical information was obtained from medical records, and others such as location and size of tumors from imaging studies. Results : Mean $p27^{kip1}$ protein labeling indexes(LI, mean${\pm}$standard deviation) of astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytomas, and glioblastomas were $80.6{\pm}9.1$, $63.6{\pm}21.0$, and $28.9{\pm}18.7$, respectively, and were inversely correlated with grade of glial tumors(p<0.0001). Mean $p27^{kip1}$ protein LI in the recurrent group was lower than that in the nonrecurrent group, but there was no significant difference statistically(p=0.464). Additionally, $p27^{kip1}$ protein expression did not show any significant relationship to other prognostic factors such as age(p=0.1643), tumor size(p=0.8), or location(p=0.8). Conclusion : These results suggested that reduced expression of $p27^{kip1}$ protein may play a important role in the malignant transformation process of astrocytic tumor cells.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.150-156
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the diagnostic accuracy of an imaging study to find the factors that affect the presence of residual tumors after an unplanned excision of sarcomas. Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight patients, who underwent a re-excision after unplanned surgery between January 2008 and December 2014, were enrolled in this study. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before reoperation in all patients. Positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography was performed on 54 patients. A wide re-excision and histology diagnosis were performed in all cases. The clinical variables were evaluated using univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The presence of a deep-seated tumor increases the risk of remnant tumors (odds ratio: 3.21, p=0.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.25-8.30). The sensitivity for detecting residual tumors is high in MRI (sensitivity 0.79). Conclusion: Deep-seated tumors have a significantly higher risk of remnant tumors. Because the negative predictive value of MRI and PET scans is very low, reoperation should be performed regardless of a negative result.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.196-200
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• 2005

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and predictive factors of contralateral occult lymph node metastasis in oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas to form a rational basis for elective contralateral neck management. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 66 N0-2 oral cavity cancer patients undergoing elective neck dissection for contralateral clinically negative necks from 1991 to 2003. Results: Clinically negative but pathologically positive contralateral lymph nodes occurred in 11%(7 of 66) . Of the 11 cases with a clinically ipsilateral node positive neck, contralateral occult lymph node metastases developed in 36%(4 of 10, in contrast with 5%(3/55) in the cases with clinically ipsilateral node negative necks(p<0.05). Based on the clinical staging of the tumor, 8%(3 of 37) of the cases showed lymph node metastases in T2 tumors, 25%(2 of 8) in T3, and 18%(2 of 11) in T4. None of the T1 tumors(10 cases) had pathologically positive lymph nodes. The rate of contralateral occult neck metastasis was significantly higher in advanced stage cases and those crossing the midline, compared to early stage or unilateral lesions(p<0.05). Patients with no evidence of contralateral nodal cancer had significantly improved disease-specific survival over patients with any pathologically positive nodes(5-year disease-specific survival rate was 79% vs. 43%, p<0.05). Conclusion: The risk of contralateral occult neck involvement in the oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas above the T3 stage or those crossing the midline with unilateral metastases was high. Therefore, we advocate an elective contralateral neck treatment with surgery or radiotherapy in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma patients with ipsilateral node metastases or tumors that are greater than stage T3 or crossing the midline.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2995-2999
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• 2016

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) often presents as an interval cancer with short survival upon metastasis and thus represents an important clinical challenge. The present study investigated the clinicopathologic characteristics and long term survival outcome of early and locally advanced TNBC. Materials and Methods: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for 148 consecutive confirmed cases of TNBC treated in a single unit at our centre. Demographic profile, tumor type, histopathology details, treatment and follow-up information was recorded and immunohistochemistry was performed. Results: Age group >50 years was associated with tumors of clinical stage 3 (53.8%), pathological stage 3 (46.2%), pathological grade 3 (45.7%), presence of extracapsular extension (ECE, 48.5%) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI, 64.9%). Locally advanced breast cancers (LABCs) were characterized by pathological stage 3 (96.2%), presence of ECE (100%) and absence of LVI (46.7%) as compared to early breast cancers (EBCs) which had higher incidence of lower stage tumors (100%), absence of ECE (82%) and presence of LVI (91.9%; p-value <0.001. Better relapse free survival was observed in patients with no axillary involvement (69%; p-value <0.001) and absence of ECE (64%; p-value <0.001). Improved overall survival was seen in patients with EBC (90%; p-value 0.008), clear axilla (86%; p-value <0.001), absence of ECE (87%; p-value <0.001) and negative lymph nodes (90%; p-value 0.006). Conclusions: TNBCs are aggressive tumors which show poor long term survival. Patients with TNBC benefit from chemotherapy, thus better and less toxic treatment options are needed. Identification of newer targets and development of targeted therapies are the need of the hour.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a Winningham's psychobiologic entropy model (PEM) on cancer related fatigue (CRF) among patients with solid tumors. Methods: Participants consisted of 213 patients with solid tumors recruited from December, 2012 through June, 2013, in a university hospital, in Hwasun, South Korea. Primary symptoms, adjustment, physical activity, status of nutrition and fatigue were measured using structured questionnaires. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs. Results: The modified model tested provided a reasonable fit to the data ($x^2=65.80$ [df=30, p<.001], TLI=.92, CFI=.95, RMSEA=.08, SRMR=.07). Primary symptoms (dyspnea, anxiety, depression and insomnia) had direct positive effects on CRF. Adjustment and status of nutrition showed indirect negative effects on CRF. However, the impact of physical activity was not significant. These variables explained 49.2% of the variance of CRF among solid tumor patients. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the tested model explain some CRF among solid tumor patients and warrant future research considering the cancer-related clinical factors of the given population.