Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, andPrevalence in 2017 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#This study reports the cancer statistics and temporal trends in Korea on a nationwide scale,including incidence, survival, prevalence, and mortality in 2017. @*Materials and Methods@#The incidence, survival, and prevalence rates of cancer were evaluated using data from theKorea National Cancer Incidence Database from 1999 to 2017 with follow-up until December31, 2018. Deaths from cancer were assessed using cause-of-death data from 1983 to2017, obtained from Statistics Korea. Crude and age-standardized rates (ASRs) for incidence,mortality, and prevalence, and 5-year relative survival rates were calculated andtrend analysis was performed. @*Results@#In 2017, newly diagnosed cancer cases and deaths from cancer numbered 232,255 (ASR,264.4 per 100,000) and 78,863 (ASR, 76.6 per 100,000), respectively. The overall cancerincidence rates increased annually by 3.5% from 1999 to 2011 and decreased by 2.7%annually thereafter. Cancer mortality rates have been decreasing since 2002, by 2.8%annually. The 5-year relative survival rate for all patients diagnosed with cancer between2013 and 2017 was 70.4%, which contributed to a prevalence of approximately 1.87 millioncases by the end of 2017. @*Conclusion@#The burden of cancer measured by incidence and mortality rates have improved in Korea,with the exception of a few particular cancers that are associated with increasing incidenceor mortality rates. However, cancer prevalence is increasing rapidly, with the dramaticimprovement in survival during the past several years. Comprehensive cancer control strategiesand efforts should continue, based on the changes of cancer statistics.

Parthenolide promotes apoptotic cell death and inhibits the migration and invasion of SW620 cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Parthenolide (PT), a principle component derived from feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), is a promising anticancer agent and has been shown to promote apoptotic cell death in various cancer cells. In this study, we focused on its functional role in apoptosis, migration, and invasion of human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. METHODS: SW620 cells were employed as representative human CRC cells. We performed the MTT assay and cell cycle analysis to measure apoptotic cell death. The wound healing, Transwell migration, and Matrigel invasion assays were performed to investigate the effect of PT on cell migration/invasion. Western blotting was used to establish the signaling pathway of apoptosis and cell migration/invasion. RESULTS: PT exerts antiproliferative effect and induces apoptotic cell death of SW620 cells. In addition, PT prevents cell migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PT markedly suppressed migration/invasion-related protein expression, including E-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin, Snail, cyclooxygenase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and MMP-9 in SW620 cells. PT also inhibited the expression of antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) and activated apoptosis terminal factor (caspase-3) in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PT is a potential novel therapeutic agent for aggressive CRC treatment.

Balsalazide Potentiates Parthenolide-Mediated Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-kappaB Signaling in HCT116 Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Balsalazide is an anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Balsalazide can reduce inflammatory responses via several mechanisms, including inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity. Parthenolide (PT) inhibits NF-kappaB and exerts promising anticancer effects by promoting apoptosis. The present investigated the antitumor effects of balsalazide, combined with PT, on NF-kappaB in a representative human colorectal carcinoma cell line, HCT116. METHODS: We counted cells and conducted annexin-V assays and cell cycle analysis to measure apoptotic cell death. Western blotting was used investigate the levels of proteins involved in apoptosis. RESULTS: PT and balsalazide produced synergistic anti-proliferative effects and induced apoptotic cell death. The combination of balsalazide and PT markedly suppressed nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB p65 subunit and the phosphorylation of inhibitor of NF-kappaB. Moreover, PT and balsalazide dramatically enhanced NF-kappaB p65 phosphorylation. Apoptosis, through the mitochondrial pathway, was confirmed by detecting effects on Bcl-2 family members, cytochrome c release, and activation of caspase-3 and -8. CONCLUSIONS: Combination treatment with PT and balsalazide may offer an effective strategy for the induction of apoptosis in HCT116 cells.

Protective Effect of HP08-0111 on Ligature-Induced Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of the periodontium and is characterized by destruction of the tooth supporting tissues, mediated by the upregulation of synthesis and release of a variety of pro-inflammatory factors. Inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins upregulate RANKL and its subsequent binding to RANK stimulates osteoclast formation, resorption activity, and survival. In our present study, we investigated the effects of HP08-0111, composed of Coptis japonica (Thunb.) Makino, vitamin C and vitamin E, upon inflammatory responses, osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone loss. HP08-0111 decreased the expression of IL-1beta and COX2 on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and inhibited osteoclast-specific genes such as c-Fos, MMP-9, and TRAP. HP08-0111 also exhibited protective effects against alveolar bone loss in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis. Our results suggest that HP08-0111 is potentially an important therapeutic tool for the treatment of disorders associated with bone loss such as periodontitis.

Hexane-Soluble Fraction of the Common Fig, Ficus carica, Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation in Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages and RAW 264.7 Cells

Osteoclasts, derived from multipotent myeloid progenitor cells, play homeostatic roles in skeletal modeling and remodeling, but may also destroy bone in pathological conditions such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoclast development depends critically on a differentiation factor, the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). In this study, we found that the hexane soluble fraction of the common fig Ficus carica (HF6-FC) is a potent inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). HF6-FC exerts its inhibitory effects by suppression of p38 and NF-kappaB but activation of ERK. In addition, HF6-FC significantly decreased the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, the master regulator of osteoclast differentiation. The data indicate that components of HF6-FC may have therapeutic effects on bone-destructive processes such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal bone resorption.

Analysis of the variations in IL-28RA gene and their association with allergic rhinitis

IL-28RA is one of the important candidate genes for complex trait of genetic diseases, but there is no published information of the genetic variation in this gene. We scanned the seven exons and their boundary introns sequence of IL-28RA including the promoter regions to analyze genetic variation sites, and identified eighteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and two variation sites. We chose seven SNPs (g.-1193 A>C, g.-30 C>T, g.17654 C>T, g.27798 A>G, g.31265 C>T, g.31911 C>T and g.32349 G>A) of them for large sample size genotyping, and assessed the association of genotype and allele frequencies of these SNPs between allergic rhinitis patients and non-allergic rhinitis controls. We also compared the genotype frequencies between Korean controls and Han Chinese control or Korean Chinese control. We investigated the frequencies of haplotype constructed by these SNPs between allergic rhinitis patients and non-allergic rhinitis controls. Our results suggested that the g.32349 G>A polymorphism of IL-28RA might be associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis (P=0.032), but seems to have no relationship with serum total IgE levels. The haplotype frequencies by these SNPs also show significant association between controls and allergic rhinitis patients.

Association of the Human IL-28RA Gene Polymorphisms in a Korean Population with Asthma

IL-28RA is one of the important candidate genes for complex trait of genetic diseases, but there are only a few published results for this gene. Previously, we identified eighteen SNPs and two variation sites in the entire coding regions of IL-28RA including promoter regions, and suggested that the g.32349G > A polymorphism of IL-28RA might be associated with susceptibility to allergic rhinitis. In this study, we chose seven SNPs (g.-1193A > C, g.-30C > T, g.17654C > T, g.27798A > G, g.31265C > T, g.31911C > T and g.32349G > A) of IL-28RA, and attempted to find out whether these polymorphisms were furtherassociated with genetic predisposition of asthma. We analyzed the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-28RA polymorph isms between the asthma patients and healthy controls. We also investigated the frequencies of haplotype constructed by these SNPs between asthma patients and controls. Our results suggest that the polymorphisms of IL-28RA gene were not associated with susceptibility to asthma, and not with IgE production and eosinophil recruitment. The haplotype frequencies by these SNPs also not significantly associated between the healthy controls and asthma patients. This result indicates that the IL-2BRA polymorphisms might be not associated withasthma susceptibility.

The association of eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 gene polymorphisms in a Korean population with ulcerative colitis

The eotaxin gene family (eotaxin, eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3) have been implicated in the recruitment of eosinophils, basophiles and helper T (Th) 2 lymphocytes that is a central aspect of allergic disease. We previously suggested that Eo2+179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T of the eotaxin-2, and Eo3 +2497T>G of the eotaxin-3 were significantly associated with susceptibility to asthma. To determine whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of eotaxin-2 and eotaxin-3 gene family are associated with the susceptibility of ulcerative colitis (UC), we analyzed the genotype of 119 patients with UC and 303 controls using single-base extension (SBE) method. We also calculated the haplotype frequencies among Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C >T of the eotaxin-2 and Eo3 +2497T>G of the eotaxin-3 in both control and UC patients. The genotype frequency of Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T between UC patients and controls were significantly different (P=0.006 and 0.022, respectively). The genotype and allele frequencies of EoA2497T>G in UC patients were not significantly different from those in the controls without UC patients. Our results suggest that Eo2 +179T>C and Eo2 +275C>T of eotaxin-2 might be associated with the susceptibility of UC.

The effect of advanced periodontitis on the dental pulp tissue / 대한치주과학회지

In order to examine the effects of advanced periodontitis on the dental pulps, 38 extracted human teeth were examined histologically. The 38 teeth had a positive or negative state in the electric pulp test(EPT). In addition, almost of the 38 teeth had a deep pocket and severe mobility, and floating state. A medical and dental history was elicited. The extracted teeth fixed in 10% neutral formalin solution. The general tissue processing method was followed. The tissue block including the teeth was prepared for optical microscopy using hema- toxillin-eosin staining. Among the 38 periodontally involved teeth, the dental pulps were respectively intact in 12(31%), and a pulp stone(or linear calcifications) was found in 18 teeeth(47%). In addition, 17 teeth(44%) had pulps exhibiting inflammatory reactions with varying intensities, such as hyperemia, pulp abscess, pulp necrosis. Among the 38 periodontally involved teeth, 37 teeth tested a positive to the EPT, and 7 teeth tested negative. The EPT positive 37 teeth had various histological features such as 7 normal pulp(18%), 17 pulp stone(44%), 1 hyperemia (2%), 9 pulpitis(23%), 5 root resorption(13%), 3 pulp abscess(7%), and 3 pulp necrosis(7%). In conclusion, it is suggested that in the EPT positive teeth, advanced periodontally involved teeth can cause inflammation of the dental pulp.

The comparison of the medical costs and quality of life in terminal cancer patients by the types of medical facilities

BACKGROUND: Life expectancy is ever increasing due to medical advancements, but cancer death rate is also increased. Quality of life is an important issue in cancer patients. Despite developments of early diagnosis and treatments for cancer, the medical costs is increasing due to exfended sarvival against cancer and the absolute numbers of terminal cancer patients. We assessed the medical costs and quality of life in terminal cancer patients by the types of medical facilities, which would contribute to effective management. METHOD: A total 159 patients(males 70, females 89) with terminal cancer patients who were treated and died in various types of medical facilities(home hospice, charity hospital hospice unit, university hospital hospice unit, university hospital non-hospice unit) between November 1, 1997 and January 31, 1999 were included in the study. After the confirmation that the demographic factors correlated with factors of quality of life, the differences in the medical costs and quality of life(pain, depression, ADLs, family APGAR score) during the last 1 week of life in the various types of medical facilities analyzed by multi-way ANOVA with interaction of the significant demographic factors. RESULTS: The mean cost of types of medical facilities during the last week of patients as 65332.5 won in charity hospital hospice unit, 105165.5 won in home hospice, 702083.4 won in university hospital hospice unit, and 1037358.6 won in university hospital non-hospice unit. The difference between free hospital hospice unit and home hospice in medical costs as not statistically significant, but the difference among charity hospital hospice unit and home hospice, university hospital hospice unit, and university hospital non-hospice unit as significant (p<0.001). The demographical factors of quality of life in terms of pain, depression, ADLs, and family APGAR score were compared among various facilities. The ADL score of home hospice was 8.2 +/- 3.3, which was lower than free hospital hospice unit and university hospital hospice unit(p<0.05). The mean pain scor of home hospice as 1.7+/-1.7 and that of university hospital hospice as 1.2+/-1.2, and pain scores of home hospice were lower than free hospital hospice unit, and pain scores of university hospital hospice were lower than free hospital hospice unit and university hospital non-hospice unit(p<0.05). In depression's categorial scale of home hospice the score was 4.8+/-1.3, which was higher than those of free hospital hospice unit and university hospital non-hospice unit(p<0.05), signifying less depression. The family APGAR score was statistically insignificant among various types of medical facilities. CONCLUSION: The cost of hospice care is less than the non-hospice care. We found that the patients of home hospice experienced less pain and depression even with low ADLs, and increased the quality of life in both psychological and physical aspects.