췌장암은 진단 시점에 진행된 상태인 경우가 많으며, 이때 항암화학요법이 주요 치료법으로 사용된다. 지난 10여 년간 새 로 운 항 암 화 학 요 법 의 도 입 으 로 전 체 생 존 기 간 이 연장되었음에도 진행된 췌장암의 중앙 생존 기간은 여전히 1년 미만이다. 그러나 임상현장에서는 때때로 진행된 췌장암 환자 중 장기 생존자를 경험하게 되며, 이러한 사례를 분석하면 췌장암에 대한 이해를 높이고 치료 방침 개선에 중요한 실마리를 얻는데 도움이 될 것이다. 우리는 약 5년 동안 생존한 전이성 췌장암 환자를 경험하였고 이 환자의 첫 진단 당시와 진단 후 57개월에 얻은 조직의 단일세포 전사체 분석 결과 비교를 통해 췌장암 진행에 따른 종양 면역 미세환경 변화를 확인하였기에 보고한다.

자가면역췌장염은 혈중 IgG4의 증가와 췌장 조직에서 IgG4 양성 플라즈마세포의 침윤을 보이는 질환이다. 제1형 자가면역췌장염의 경우 담관, 타액선, 신장, 후 복강 등을 포함한 다른 장기의 침범도 가능하다. 췌장 종괴 형태로 발현한 자가면역췌장염은 췌장얌과 감별하기 쉽지 않을 수 있다. 60세 남자 환자가 상복부 불편감으로 본원을 방문하였다. 복부전산화단층촬영 및 자기공명영상에서 4.8 cm 크기의 췌장두부 종괴가 있었고 이는 총담관를 침범하고 있었다. 내시경초음파 유도하 세침조직검사 및 내시경역행담 췌관조영술 유도하 담관내조직검사에서 악성세포는 보이지 않았다. 그러나 IgG4 양성 세포가 고배율시야에서 20개 이상 관찰되었다. 총 3주 동안의 스테로이드 치료 후 환자의 증상이 호전되었고 추적 영상검사에서 췌장두부 종괴의 크기가 3 cm로 감소하였다. 이상으로 췌장암과 감별이 어려웠던 췌장 종괴 형태로 발현한 자가면역췌장염 1예를 보고한다.

담관암의 유일한 치료 방법은 수술로, 수술 가능성 평가가 진단 과정에 있어 매우 중요하다. 처음 진단 당시에는 원격 전이가 확인되지 않아 수술적 치료를 계획하던 중 다발성의 폐결절이 새롭게 확인되었던 원위부 총담관암 증례를 문헌고찰과 함께 보고한다. 원발 부위의 원위부 총담관암의 크기 변화는 없어 폐 전이 외의 감별진단이 필요하다고 판단하였다. 최근 COVID-19 감염력이 있던 증례로 수술 생검 결과상 최종적으로 폐 크립토코코스증으로 진단되었다.

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of post-traumatic growth in breast cancer survivors by applying grounded theory methods. Methods: Participants were seven breast cancer survivors who had been diagnosed with stage I or higher breast cancer, had completed acute treatment, and were members of an internet self-help group for breast cancer survivors. Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews from July 11, 2022 to May 4, 2023. The interview contents were transcribed and analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory method. A total of 18 sub-categories and 9 categories were identified through the open coding process. Results: As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the central phenomenon of post-traumatic growth experiences of breast cancer survivors was revealed as ‘Finding true life after the pain of death’. The core category was identified as ‘Promise a life without regrets’, which consisted of a four-step process: reflection period, recovery period, transition period, achievement period. Breast cancer survivors experienced restoration of their inner selves, strengthening of positive thinking through the process of resetting their life values and goals, and pursuit a stable and satisfying life. Conclusion: To help breast cancer survivors grow after trauma, the importance of accepting changes in their bodies and maintaining a positive perspective was highlighted.

Human bitter taste-sensing type 2 receptors (hTAS2Rs) are expressed in various human tissues and may be associated with various cell signaling pathways, cell progression, and cell physiology in each tissue. hTAS2Rs can be a potential drug target because it is also expressed in some cancer cells. Xanthorrhizol (XNT) has various biological activities, such as anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. XNT produces a bitter taste, but the specific hTAS2R activated is unknown, and the hTAS2R-mediated effect of XNT on cancer cells has not been studied. This study discovered the target receptor of XNT among 25 hTAS2Rs and confirmed the possibility of the hTAS2R-mediated inhibition of cancer cell proliferation. XNT activated only one receptor, hTAS2R38 (EC50=1.606±0.021 g/mL), and its activity was inhibited by probenecid, a hTAS2R38 antagonist. When HepG2 and MCF-7 cells were treated with XNT or phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), a known hTAS2R38 agonist, both chemicals inhibited cancer cell proliferation. XNT targets the human bitter taste receptor TAS2R38 and inhibits the proliferation of HepG2 and MCF-7 cells mediated by TAS2R38. This suggests that TAS2R38 may be a new target for disease treatment and a potential new factor for drug development.

The objective of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of EMPS (edible mushroom mycelium polysaccharide: Tremella fuciformis) in animal models with colorectal cancer induced by AOM/DSS. The experimental groups consisted of Nor (normal), NC (AOM/DSS), EMPS (EMPS 50, EMPS 100), and PC (Fluorouracil). The NC group had the highest number of colon tumors, whereas it was observed that tumor occurrence was significantly reduced in the EMPS consumption group. The expression of Bcl-2, an apoptosis inhibitor, was significantly lower in the EMPS 50 & 100 and PC groups. On the other hand, the mRNA gene expression of Bax, a factor that induces apoptosis, was significantly higher in the EMPS 50 & 100 and PC groups compared to the NC group. The mRNA expression levels of TNF-α and COX-2 significantly increased in the NC group, but showed a significant decrease in the EMPS and PC groups, indicating inhibition of the cancer-promoting response of cells. At the phylum level of the mice's intestinal microbial composition, the proportion of Bacteroidetes tended to decrease, while the proportion of Firmicutes tended to increase with EMPS administration. This suggests that changes in the gut microbiota caused by inflammation can be influenced by dietary intake.

A total of 481,414 Korean participants aged 40-79 years at enrollment were examined. The hazard ratios for all-cause, all-cancer, and head and neck cancer mortality were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models, which were adjusted for potential confounding factors. In the overall study population, the highest AST/ALT ratio level was significantly associated with risk of all-cause, all-cancer, and head and neck cancer mortality (p < 0.01). After excluding participants who died of all-cause, all-cancer, and head and neck cancer within five years of enrollment, the main results remained similar to those of the analysis of all deaths in the study population. These findings indicate that serum AST/ALT ratio is positively associated with an increased mortality risk in all-cause, all-cancer, and head and neck cancer.

This paper presents the construction and characterization of an amperometric immunosensor based on the graphene/gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/GO) nanocomposite for the detection of the bladder cancer biomarker, apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1). The morphological analysis of the AuNPs/GO nanocomposite demonstrated an almost spherical shape of AuNPs and the successful coverage of their surface by graphene oxide. An increased G peak and decreased D peak after the association of AuNPs with GO, implied a reduction in graphene defects. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated a significant decrease in the quantity of oxygen-containing functional groups in the AuNPs/GO nanocomposite, as compared to the original GO. Furthermore, the developed sensor demonstrated commendable sensitivity and selectivity, with a wide linear range for Apo-A1 detection. Importantly, the immunosensor exhibited remarkable stability over a period of 14 days, signifying its potential for practical applications.

만성췌장염은 췌장암 발생의 위험인자 중 하나로, 췌장암 감시가 주목을 받고 있다. 유전자 변이 여부에 따라 유전성 만성췌장염과 산발성 만성췌장염으로 분류할 수 있다. PRSS1 변이 유전성 만성췌장염의 경우 췌장암 발생 위험이 매우 높아 40세 이후 선별 검사 및 추적 감시가 필요하다. 그 외의 유전성 만성췌장염 및 산발성 만성췌장염에서 췌장암의 발생률은 상대적으로 낮아 선별 검사 및 추적 감시를 권고하지 않는다. 췌장암 선별검사의 방법으로 복부컴퓨터단층촬영 또는 췌장자기공명영상이 적합하다. 내시경초음파는 췌장실질의 염증, 섬유화 및 석회화로 인하여 권유하지 않는다. 산발성 만성췌장염에서도 다양한 췌장암 위험인자가 동반되는 경우 췌장암의 발생 빈도가 상당히 증가하고 만성췌장염 진단 후 5년 동안은 췌장암 발생률이 지속적으로 높아 환자의 증상 및 개별적 상황에 따른 췌장암 선별 검사 시행 및 추적 감시를 고려할 수 있다. 만성췌장염은 영양실조 발생이 높으므로 관심, 영양상태 평가 및 적극적인 영양요법이 필요하다. 필수 영양소 공급뿐만 아니라 미량영양소 공급을 놓치지 않도록 한다. 그리고 만성췌장염 환자에서 골다공증 또는 골감소증의 위험이 높음을 인지하고 이의 진단, 예방 및 치료에 관심을 둘 필요가 있다. 각 기관의 영양지원팀에 의뢰하여 적극적으로 영양요법을 시행하는 것도 도움이 되겠다.

This work focuses on the fabrication of excellent magnetic structures for trapping breast cancer cells. Micromagnetic structures were patterned for trapping cancer cells by depositing 30 nm of permalloy on a silicon substrate. These structures were designed and fabricated using two fabrication techniques: electron beam lithography and laser direct writing. Two types of magnetic structures, rectangular wire and zig-zagged wire, were created on a silicon substrate. The length of each rectangular wire and each straight line of zig-zagged wire was 150 μm with a range of widths from 1 to 15 μm for rectangular and 1, 5, 10 and 15 μm for zigzag, respectively. The magnetic structures showed good responses to the applied magnetic field despite adding layers of silicon nitride and polyethylene glycol. The results showed that Si + Si3N4 + PEG exhibited the best adhesion of cells to the surface, followed by Si + Py + Si3N4 + PEG. concentration of 5-6 with permalloy indicates that this layer affected silicon nitride in the presence of Polyethylene glycolPEG.

배경/목적: ROS는 악성종양의 성장 및 공격과 관련이 있다. UDCA는 담도암 세포에서 진행과 전이에 밀접한 EGFR-MAPK 신 호 경 로 와 EMT를 억 제 한 다 . 이 연 구 는 UDCA가 담도암세포에서 ROS 생성 및 그에 관련된 바이오마커에 어떠한 영향을 주는지 알아보기 위해 시행되었다. 방 법 : 인간 간외 담관암 세포주인 SNU-245세포를 배양하였다. 세포생존율은 MTT assays로, ROS는 세포 ROS assays kit로 측정하였다. Western blotting으로 다양한 표적 단백질의 발현 수준을 측정하였다. 특정 유전자의 억제를 위해 siRNA를 사용하였고, 특정 유전자의 과발현을 위해 shRNA를 사용하였다. 결과: UDCA는 담도암 세포에서 DCA에 의한 peroxide와 ROS가 생성되는 것을 억제하였으며, DCA로 발현이 증강된 STAT3, PRX2 및 SOD2를 억제하였고, IGF-1에 의해 발현이 증강된 NOX2 및 NOX4를 억제하였다. 또한, 담도암 세포에서 SiRNA를 이용한 STAT3 및 PRX2의 억제는 UDCA 처치와 상관없이 EGF에 의해 약화된 E-cadherin 발현을 복원하고 EGF에 의해 증가된 N-cadherin 발현을 억제하였는데, 이는 UDCA의 EMT 억제에 PRX2/STAT3가 상당한 역할을 하는 것을 의미한다. 덧붙여, UDCA는 담도암 세포에서 DCA에 의해 억제된 catalase의 발현을 복원하였다. 한편, ShRNA를 사용한 NOX4의 과발현의 유도는 UDCA의 항종양 효과를 상쇄하였다. 결론: UDCA는 담도암 세포에서 ROS 생성을 억제하고, ROS 제거를 향상시킴으로써, 결국 EMT와 관련된 STAT3 및 PRX2를 억제한다, 따라서, UDCA는 ROS 활성도 및 EMT의 억제를 통하여 담도암 세포의 성장 및 침습을 억제하는 데 기여한다.

이 연구는 마음챙김을 기반으로 한 명상 프로그램을 말기 암 환자에게 실시하여 마음챙김의 주의 자각이 환자들의 죽음에 대한 불안감 감소에 미치는 효과를 검증하고자 하였다. 연구방법은 단일집단 사전-사후검사 설계를 바탕으로, 부산 소재 D병원에서 항암과 방사선 치료를 받고 있는 말기 암 환자들에게 마음챙김 명상 프로그램을 주 1회 1시간 30분씩 5 회기를 실시하였으며, 효과성에 대한 검증을 살펴보기 위해 비모수 검정 인 Wilcoxon Signed-Test로 분석하였다. 연구의 결과 마음챙김 명상 프로그램이 연구 참여자들의 주의 자각을 향상시킴으로써 참여자들의 죽 음에 대한 불안감을 감소시키는데 효과가 있음이 입증되었다. 결론 및 제언으로 마음챙김 명상 훈련을 통해 말기 암 환자들의 죽음에 대한 불 안감을 감소시킬 수 있다는 본 연구의 결과를 바탕으로 말기 암 환자들 의 불안감 감소가 지속적으로 유지될 수 있는 시스템의 구축과 꾸준히 마음챙김 명상 프로그램을 활용한 연구가 진행되기를 제언하였다.

Purpose: Even today, cancer remains a challenge to overcome. The purpose of this study is to understand the current status of lip-oral-pharyngeal cancer in Koreans by identifying the survival rate of lip-oral-pharyngeal cancer in Koreans through long-term big data. Material and Method: This study utilized 2023 KOSIS (Cancer Registration Statistics, Ministry of Health and Welfare) academically. The 5-year relative survival rates of lip-oral-pharyngeal cancer from 1996 to 2020 were compared and analyzed at 5-year intervals. Results: The 5-year relative survival rate for lip-oral-pharyngeal cancer was 47.4% from 1996 to 2000, 54.5% from 2001 to 2005, 61.1% from 2006 to 2010, 65.5% from 2011 to 2015, and 69.7% from 2016 to 2020. From 1996 to 2005, the 5-year relative survival rate for lip-oral-pharyngeal cancer was higher than the 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers. However, in the recent 15 years from 2006 to 2020, the 5-year relative survival rate for lip-oral-pharyngeal cancer was lower than for all cancers. Conclusions: In conclusion, this long-term big data showed that the 5-year relative survival rate of lip-oral-pharyngeal cancer in Koreans has increased further in modern times. However, in order to increase the overall survival rate of all human cancers, continuous efforts to improve the survival rate of lip-oral-pharyngeal cancer are needed in the future.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging materials as ideal biomarkers for noninvasive cancer detection in the early phase. In this article, a simple and label-free electrochemical miRNA biosensor was developed. A single-stranded DNA (ss-DNA) probes were successfully mapped to f-MWCNT and hybridized with the target miR-141 sequence. The optimum peak points of the obtained hybridization were determined using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) methods. Significant peaks were observed in the results, depending on miR-141 at different concentrations. The linear relationship (ν) between redox peak currents (Ip) and scanning rate indicated that electron transfer (ET) between miR-141 and the electrode surface was accomplished successfully. In DPV measurements, miR-141 was measured with a low detection limit (LOD) in the 1.3–12 nM concentration range, and the LOD and limit of quantification (LOQ) results were found to be 3 and 9.1 pM, respectively. Besides, selectivity test was investigated for the biosensor using different target analytes and a significant difference in value was observed between the peak currents of miR-141, and other target molecules. This developed strategy has been found to detect miR-141 sensitively, selectively and without tags, and its integration into mobile devices has been successfully carried out.

Graphene-based sensors have emerged as significant tools for biosensing applications due to their unique electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. In this study, we have developed an innovative and sensitive aptasensor based on the surfacemodified graphene for the detection of lung cancer biomarker CA125. The sensor leverages the combination of graphene surface and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) electrodeposition to achieve a high level of sensitivity and selectivity for the biomarker detection. A noticeable decrease in electron transfer resistance was observed upon the AuNPs deposition, demonstrating the enhancement of electrochemical performance. Our experimental findings showed a strong linear relationship between the sensor response and CA125 concentrations, ranging from 0.2 to 15.0 ng/mL, with a detection limit of 0.085 ng/ mL. This study presents a novel approach to lung cancer detection, surpassing the traditional methods in terms of invasiveness, cost, and accuracy. The results from this work could pave the way for the development of graphene-based sensors in various other biosensing applications.

췌장암은 항암화학요법의 발전에도 불구하고 여전히 예후가 좋지 않으며, 5년 생존율은 13.9%에 불과하다. 저자들은 61세 여성 환자에서 고식적 항암화학요법 후 췌장암에 대한 완전관해가 이루어진 증례를 보고하는 바이다. 환자는 1개월 동안의 소화불량과 2 kg의 체중 감소 증상을 호소하여 내원하였고, 컴퓨터 단층촬영 검사에서 췌장 머리 부위에 18 mm 크기의 종괴가 확인되었다. 혈액검사 결과에서 간 기능 검사는 정상이었으나, CA 19-9 및 CEA 수치가 각각 3,965 U/mL와 38.2 ng/mL로 상승되어 있었다. 조직 획득을 위해 내시경초음파 유도 세침흡인조직검사를 시행하였고, 병리학적 검사 결과 췌장선암으로 확인되었다. 양전자 방출 단층촬영 및 췌장 자기공명영상을 포함한 추가적인 평가를 통해 간의 6번째 분절과 복막하부 림프절에 전이성 종괴가 확인되었다. 최종적으로, 환자는 4기 췌장암으로 진단되었다. 환자에게 보존적 화학요법으로 폴피리녹스 투여하였고, 치료 1년 후 잔여 종양은 사라졌다. 이후 수술 치료를 시행하였고, 현재 보조 항암화학요법을 시행중이다. 전이성 췌장암에서 항암화학요법으로 완전관해를 이룬 사례는 매우 드문 증례이기에 문헌고찰과 함께 보고하는 바이다.

Background: A breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and among different types of breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis. Methods: We investigated the potential of ginsenoside compound K (CK), an active ingredient in the bio-transformed ginsenoside, to be used as a therapeutic ingredient by examining the effects of CK on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cancer-related gene expressions in breast cancer cells. Results: From the results of treating MCF-7, an ER and PR-positive breast cancer cells, and MDA-MB-231 (TNBC) with CK at a concentration of 0-100 μM, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for each cell were 52.17 μM and 29.88 μM, respectively. And also, it was confirmed that cell migration was inhibited above the IC50 concentration. In addition, fluorescence analysis of Apoptosis/Necrosis showed that CK induced apoptosis rather than necrosis of breast cancer cells. Through qPCR, it was confirmed that the expression of genes related to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest was increased in CK-treated breast cancer cells, and it acted more effectively on TNBC. However, the expression of genes related to tumor invasion and metastasis is also increased, so it is necessary to consider the timing of application of CK as a potential therapeutic anticancer compound. Conclusions: CK showed a stronger inhibitory effect in TNBC with poor prognosis but considering the high tumor invasion and metastasis-related gene expression, the timing of application of CK should be considered.

Background: This study has mainly focused on finding pharmacological effects of ginsenosides that can reduce the unwanted side effects of the cytotoxic anticancer drugs and are highly effective on prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, hormone-dependent breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and brain cancer (neuroblastoma). Methods: Minor and rare ginsenosides (GS) of Rh2 which have a high absorption ability and excellent pharmacological actions were treated with the 6 different types of cancer cell lines and their anticancer activities were investigated by analyzing gene expressions associated with various cancers through qPCR and other relevant methods. Results: In cancer cells exposed to Rh2, cell viability and cell migration were reduced, and apoptosis was induced. Each cancer cell was divided into three groups according to the cell proliferation response by Rh2; 1) A group in which the cell viability decreases inversely to an increase in Rh2 treatment concentration; 2) A group in which the cell viability rapidly decreases in Rh2 treatment above a certain level of concentration; 3) A group in which the cell viability was not suppressed below 20-30% even with 100 μL of Rh2, the highest concentration used in this study. Conclusions: It was shown that Rh2 has a significant effect on inhibiting the proliferation of prostate cancer cells and hormone-dependent breast cancer cells.

To develop customized food products for gastric cancer patients, it is crucial to understand their dietary characteristics and changes in their perception of smell and taste due to their condition. This study conducted in-depth interviews and administered olfactory and gustatory tests on 20 patients with gastric cancer. A control group of 20 healthy, gender and age matched individuals, was included for comparison. Patients reported difficulties in sustaining their appetite, particularly during chemotherapy. This could be attributed to gastrointestinal discomfort and an altered perception of smell and taste. The olfactory test revealed that cancer patients were significantly less sensitive than the control group. Also, a smaller number of participants in the cancer group were reported to have a normal taste function, which enabled them to perceive umami, one of the five basic taste compared to those in the control group. These findings demonstrated that gastric cancer patients experience post-surgical digestive issues, chemotherapy-induced changes in smell and taste, and appetite loss. To improve the quality of life of these patients and the efficacy of the treatment, it is necessary to consider not only their nutritional requirements but also other factors such as appetite loss and discomfort when developing meals specifically for them.