Gene Expression of B16F10 Induced by Treatment with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The goal of tumor vaccine is to activate immune system specifically against proteins expressed by a tumor, and many types of vaccines such as gene modified vaccines have been developed to increase immunogenicity of vaccine. We studied to determine whether or not 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (ADC) can increase the immunogenicity of B16F10 melanoma cell. MATERIALS AND METHOD: B16F10 cell was treated with ADC for the induction of DNA demethylation. An ADC treated B16F10 melanoma cell was analyzed first using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique to evaluate the gene expression of tumor antigen (MAGE-2, MAGE-5) and immunity-enhancing cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-12), and then by flow cytometry to evaluate the expression of MHC and B7 that are responsible for antigen expression and T cell activation on B16F10 cell surface. In order to evaluate vaccination effect of ADC-treated B16F10 vaccine, each mouse group were injected with PBS, ADC, B16F10 vaccine or B16F10-ADC vaccine and they were also challenged with live B16F10 cell 7 days after vaccination. On the 20th day after live B16F10 cell challenge, the tumor mass size and the mouse survival period were determined. RESULTS: ADC treatment for B16F10 melanoma cell increased expression of MHC and B7. ADC treatment also increased gene expression of MAGE-2, MAGE-5, GM-CSF and IL-12. The growth of tumor mass was decreased and the mouse survival period was elongated in B16F10-ADC vaccine immunized group. CONCLUSION: ADC treatment may increase immunogenicity of B16F10 cell, and B16F10-ADC vaccine immunization can induce anti-cancer immunity in vivo.

Quality of Life after Treatment of Laryngeal Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Head and neck cancer strikes at some of the most basic human functions, including verbal communication, social interaction, eating and breathing. Traditionally, the success of cancer treatment has been assessed by objective measures such as disease-free intervals, cure rates, and complication rates. Recently, however, there has been an increased awareness of the need to evaluate treatment effects on the individual's quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this study is to assess quality of life following various types of treatment for laryngeal carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We assessed a quality-of-life after treatment of laryngeal carcinoma patients using WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires which was employed by the WHOQOL-group. Fifty-seven patients with laryngeal carcinoma were contacted with the completion of the survey: Radiotherapy only (n=24), conservative laryngectomy (n=16) and total layngectomy (n=17). RESULTS: This study demonstrates that there was no significant difference in QOL in physical health, social relationship and environment between the radiotherapy-only-group and the operation-group (conservative & total laryngectomy). However, the radiotherapy-only group had significantly better (p<.05) QOL on the psychological health domain, especially regarding body image and negative feelings than those of the operation group. CONCLUSION: The negative feeling, the body image change and the poor ability of communication have a negative impact on QOL in the operation group, especially in the total laryngectomee. Providing positive psychosocial adjustment training and voice rehabilitation programs for those who underwent total laryngectomy would be a great help in enhancing their quality of life.

Experience of the Elective Neck Dissection in Clinical N0 Neck / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The status of cervical lymph node is a great influence to the prognosis of patient with head and neck cancer. There has been a great controversies on the treatment of clinical N0 neck. The purpose of this study is to analyze the outcomes of the elective neck dissection in clinical N0 neck of various sites of primary lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors analyzed the outcomes of elective neck dissection by retrospective study with review of records of 38 head and neck cancer patients (56 sites) who had clinically N0 neck. RESULTS: The overall rate of occult neck metastasis was 31.6%. Occult neck metastasis rates according to primary sites were 37.5% (supraglottic larynx), 25.0% (glottis), 25.0% (hypopharynx) and 20. 0% (tongue) and according to T stage were 50,0% (T1), 13.3% (T2), 57.1% (T3) and 0% (T4). Four cases had nodal recurrence (1 out of 4 had occult neck metastasis) after elective neck dissections and there were no significant postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Due to relatively high overall occult neck metastasis rate, and no significant postoperative complications, the elective neck dissection should be considered against potential possibility of occult neck metastasis in the primary sites and extent of head and neck cancers.