• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2693-2697
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• 2014

Background: Isoflavones, which are included in soybeans, have been suggested to protect against prostate cancer. Equol, one of isoflavones, is an intestinally derived bacterial metabolite of daidzein. A newly identified equol-producing bacterium, Slackia sp. strain NATTS, with a high equol-producing activity was isolated from human feces in Japanese adults. Counts of Slackia sp. strain NATTS in intestinal flora have not been assessed with regard to prostate cancer risk. In this study, we investigated the association of serum isoflavones and counts of Slackia sp. strain NATTS with prostate cancer risk in a case-control study. Materials and Methods: Concentrations of isoflavones and counts of Slackia sp. strain NATTS in feces were measured from 44 patients with prostate cancer and 28 hospital controls. The risk of prostate cancer was evaluated in terms of odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by the logistic regression analysis. Results: The detection proportions of Slackia sp. strain NATTS in cases and controls were 34.1% and 25.0%, respectively. Counts of Slackia sp. strain NATTS were significantly correlated with serum concentrations of equol both in cases and controls (Spearman correlation coefficients, $r_s$=0.639 and $r_s$=0.572, p<0.01, respectively). Serum concentrations of genistein, daidzein, glycitein, and equol were not significantly associated with risk of prostate cancer. Conclusions: This study found that counts of Slackia sp. strain NATTS correlated with serum concentrations of equol both in prostate cancer cases and controls, but serum isoflavone concentrations were not associated with risk of prostate cancer in our patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.4987-4991
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• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the association of serum isoflavones, adiponectin, and insulin levels with ovarian cancer risk. Materials and Methods: We gathered cases with histologically confirmed epithelial ovarian cancer at Sapporo Medical University Hospital from October 2010 to September 2012. Potential controls were recruited from female inpatients without any history of cancer or diabetes mellitus in different wards of the same hospital over the same period of time. Serum isoflavones, adiponectin, and insulin levels were measured in order to estimate associations with ovarian cancer risk in a case-control study. Data from 71 cases and 80 controls were analyzed with a logistic regression model adjusting for known risk factors. Results: A significant reduction in ovarian cancer risk was observed for the high tertile of serum daidzein level versus the low ($P_{trend}<0.001$). A significant reduction in ovarian cancer risk was also observed for the high tertile of serum glycitein level versus the low ($P_{trend}=0.005$). Furthermore, a significant reduction in ovarian cancer risk was observed for the high tertile of serum adiponectin level versus the low ($P_{trend}=0.004$). Conversely, serum insulin level showed significantly elevated risk for ovarian cancer with the high tertile versus the low $P_{trend}<0.001$). Conclusions: Decreased serum isoflavones levels, such as those for daidzein and glycitein, decreased serum adiponectin levels, and increased serum insulin levels could be shown to be associated with elevated risk of ovarian cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.2
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• pp.409-417
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• 2023

Purpose Patients with bladder cancer may show hematuria after radical cystectomy with ileal neobladder formation, causing anxiety regarding tumor recurrence. Here, we aim to show that the nutcracker syndrome (NCS) can be a cause of hematuria post-operation, and is a common, rather than a rare syndrome. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT (CE-APCT) and urine analysis (UA) findings of 255 patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy and ileal neobladder formation between 2011 and 2016 was performed. In the CE-APCT review, the left renal vein flow patterns were evaluated to determine the presence of NCS findings. In the UA review, patients were classified according to the percentage of UA tests with positive hematuria among the total number of UA tests. Results CT findings of NCS were present in 31.9% of the 135 patients. In the positive hematuria group, there were 26% more patients with NCS findings than those without. Conclusion NCS findings are prevalent even for bladder cancer patients after surgery, and there is a strong correlation between NCS findings and hematuria. Furthermore, the prevalence of NCS findings is much higher than urinary tract recurrence after the surgery.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8325-8330
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• 2014

Background: It is known that obesity is one of the risk factors for breast cancer although the association may differ between ethnic groups and with the menopausal status. Recently obesity-related risk factors including serum adiponectin and insulin levels have been analyzed together with BMI in association with breast cancer risk. Materials and Methods: We measured serum high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and insulin levels in a hospital based case-control study, including 66 sets of Japanese female breast cancer cases and age and menopausal status matched controls. Serum levels of HMW adiponectin, insulin levels and body mass index (BMI) were examined in association with breast cancer risk with adjustment for the various known risk factors by menopausal status. Results: Women in the highest HMW adiponectin levels showed significant reduced risk of breast cancer in both pre and postmenopausal women (odds ratio (OR), 0.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.00-0.26 and 0.13; 0.03-0.57, respectively). Lower BMI showed decreased breast cancer risk in both pre and postmenopausal women (OR, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.00-0.69, OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.07-1.11, respectively). Conclusions: These results indicated that higher serum HMW adiponectin levels and lower BMI are associated with a decreased breast cancer risk in both pre and postmenopausal women in Japan, adding evidence for the obesity link.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.59-74
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• 2004

This report attempts to explain the (i) implications of comorbidity for research and practice in the fieldo of oncology, (ii) the approach for dosing of anti-cancer drugs in the presence of comorbidity, as an example of its clinical application, and finally (iii) the dosing guidelines for the anticancer drugs clinically active in gastric cancer in the presence of renal or liver dysfunction. This has resulted from the idea of approaching comorbidity in a systematic way and of integrating it with oncologic decisions. Various methods have been used to assess comorbidity. However, significant work remains to be done to analyze how various diseases combine to influence the oncologic outcome. The main end-point explored so far has been mortality, but a largely open challenge remains to correlate comorbidity with treatment tolerance and functional and quality of life, as well as to integrate it in clinical decision-making. Cancer chemotherapy in comorbidity should be considered as an example of the need for dose optimization in individual patients, and it should be determined by considering the basic principles of the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of the agents. This review analyzes the available data on the pharmacokinetics and the toxicities of anti-cancer agents in the comorbidity population.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.27-36
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• 2004

Objective : This study was aimed to validate the Herbal Acupuncture Therapies(HAT) for cancer patients. Patients and methods : This retrospective study was performed on 8 patients who were diagnosed as cancer in Korea and treated with HAT in the oriental hospital of Daejeon University, from January 2003 to January 2004. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 8 patients for improvement of symptoms, toxic effects of liver and kidney, myelosupression and changes of Quality of Life(QOL). Results : Analysis of change of chief complaints showed that 75% patients replied moderate relief and 25% replied complete relief in Likert scale. Analysis of Liver Function Test(LFT), Renal Function Test(RFT) level showed that HAT does not have toxic effects on liver and kidney. Analysis of Complete Blood Count(CBC) level showed that HAT does not have myelosuppression effects on bone marrow. Analysis of QOL showed that 100% patients replied improvement in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status(ECOG) status. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that HAT offer potential benefits for cancer patients.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.256-266
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the early postprandial changes in gastrointestinal (GI) hormones and hemodynamics in terms of early dumping syndrome after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Forty patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer and 18 controls without previous abdominal surgery were enrolled. Before and 20 minutes after liquid meal ingestion, blood glucose, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and GLP-2 concentrations and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and renal blood flow were measured. The patients' heart rates were recorded at 5-minute intervals. All subjects were examined for dumping syndrome using a questionnaire based on Sigstad's clinical diagnostic index. Results: The postprandial increases in blood glucose, GLP-1, and GLP-2 levels as well as SMA blood flow and heart rate were greater in patients who underwent gastrectomy than in controls (all P<0.010). Patients who underwent gastrectomy showed a significantly decreased renal blood flow (P<0.001). Among patients who underwent gastrectomy, distal gastrectomy was a significant clinical factor associated with a lower risk of early dumping syndrome than total gastrectomy (hazard ratio, 0.092; 95% confidence interval, 0.013-0.649; P=0.017). Patients who underwent total gastrectomy showed a greater postprandial increase in blood glucose (P<0.001), GLP-1 (P=0.030), and GLP-2 (P=0.002) levels as well as and heart rate (P=0.013) compared to those who underwent distal gastrectomy. Conclusions: Early postprandial changes in GI hormones and hemodynamics were greater in patients who underwent gastrectomy than in controls, especially after total gastrectomy, suggesting that these changes play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of early dumping syndrome.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3369-3375
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• 2016

MicroRNAs, a novel class of small non-coding RNAs, are key players in many cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, invasion and regeneration. Tissue and circulatory microRNAs could serve as useful clinical biomarkers and deregulated expression levels have been observed in various cancers. Gene variants may alter microRNA processing and maturation. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of MIR-196a2 rs11614913 (C/T), MIR-499a rs3746444 (A/G) polymorphisms and their combination with cancer susceptibility in an Egyptian population. Sixty five renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and 60 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and 150 controls were enrolled in the study. They were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction technology. Both $miR-196a2^*T$ and $miR-499a*G$ were associated with RCC risk, but only $miR-196a^*T$ was associated with HCC development. Carriage of the homozygote combinations ($MIR196a2^*TT+MIR499a^*AA$) and ($MIR196a2^*CC+MIR499a^*GG$) was associated with 25 and 48 fold elevation of likelhood to develop RCC, respectively. The miR-196a2 SNP was also linked with larger tumor size in RCC and advanced tumor stage in HCC. miR-196a2 and miR-499a combined genotypes were associated with RCC and HCC. Further functional analysis of SNPs is required to confirm relationships between genotypes and phenotypes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.2101-2105
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• 2013

Background: Long-term survival is a problem with locally advanced and metastatic renal cell carcinomas. Sunitinib malate is an oral multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor, but data on sunitinib use as a second line treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) are limited. Prognostic and predictive value of peripheral blood markers has been shown for many cancers. Materials and Methods: Efficacy and safety profiles of sunitinib after interferon alpha (IFN-${\alpha}$) were evaluated based on retrospective data for 23 patients with mRCC. Hematological parameters (neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, mean platelet volume, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio) were recorded at the time of metastasis. It was evaluated whether hematological parameters were prognostic and predictive factors. Results: Median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 16.5 months (95%CI: 0-34.5). Median overall survival (OS) time was 25.7 months (95%CI: 10.8-40.0). Most common side effects were neutropenia (52.2%), stomatitis (26.1%) and hand-food syndrome (26.1%). PFS was found 3.13 vs 17.1 months in patients with neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR)>3 vs $NLR{\leq}3$ (p:0.012). Median OS was 6.96 vs 27.1 months in patients with NLR>3 vs $NLR{\leq}3$ (p:0.001).While 75% of patients who responded to sunitinib had $NLR{\leq}3$, in 72% of patients with no response to sunitinib NLR>3 was detected (p:0.036). The association between the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) criteria and NLR was statistically significant (p:0.022). Conclusions: Data on second line sunitinib treatment following cytokine in mRCC are limited. In our study, we observed second line sunitinib treatment following IFN-${\alpha}$ to be effective and tolerable. NLRappeared to have prognostic and predictive value.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 1989

While cisplatin has been widely used in the treatment of a variety of cancers, nephrotoxicity is one of the major problems which frequently limit clinical usefulness of cisplatin. This study has been conducted to investigate nephrotoxicity of cisplatin in terms of changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (EFPF) measured by the simultaneous use of $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ and $^{131}I-OIH$, before and after administration of cisplatin, in 12 patients with lung cancer and four patients with esophageal cancer. Cisplatin was administrated at total doses of $75\sim100mg/m^2$ with two hour hydration and diuresis method. GFR determined by the use of $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ had a good correlation with 24-hour creatinine clearance rate (r=0.77, p<0.001). GFR and filtration fraction decreased immediately after administration of cisplatin, however, they showed a tendency to be in completely recovered four weeks after administration. ERPF was not changed immediately after and four weeks after administration of cisplatin. GFR before and immediately after administration of cisplatin were analyzed with regard to age, sex, performance status, previous adminstration of cisplatin and method of administration. None of these factors had any influence on the rate of decrease in GFR except method of administration. Administration of cisplatin as a single dose lowered GFR more compared with that as divided doses. In this study, we have also demonstrated that the simultaneous use of $^{99m}Tc-DTPA$ and $^{131}I-OIH$ was a useful tool for the measurement of GFR and ERPF respectively.