A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study to Evaluate Ethanol-Induced Symptoms in Patients Receiving Docetaxel Chemotherapy / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#Several previous studies and case reports have reported ethanol-induced symptoms in patients receiving anticancer drugs containing ethanol. Most docetaxel formulations contain ethanol as a solvent. However, there are insufficient data on ethanol-induced symptoms when docetaxel-containing ethanol is administered. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and pattern of ethanol-induced symptoms during and after docetaxel administration. The secondary purpose was to explore the risk factors for ethanol-induced symptoms. @*Materials and Methods@#This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study. The participants filled out ethanol-induced symptom questionnaire on the day of chemotherapy and the following day. @*Results@#Data from 451 patients were analyzed. The overall occurrence rate of ethanol-induced symptoms was 44.3% (200/451 patients). The occurrence rate of facial flushing was highest at 19.7% (89/451 patients), followed by nausea in 18.2% (82/451 patients), and dizziness in 17.5% (79/451 patients). Although infrequent, unsteady walking and impaired balance occurred in 4.2% and 3.3% of patients, respectively. Female sex, presence of underlying disease, younger age, docetaxel dose, and docetaxel-containing ethanol amount were significantly associated with the occurrence of ethanol-induced symptoms. @*Conclusion@#The occurrence of ethanol-induced symptoms was not low in patients receiving docetaxel-containing ethanol. Physicians need to pay more attention to the occurrence of ethanol-induced symptoms and prescribe ethanol-free or low-ethanol-containing formulations to high-risk patients.

Chemotherapy versus Best Supportive Care in Advanced Biliary Tract Carcinoma: A Multi-institutional Propensity Score Matching Analysis / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Although chemotherapy is recommended by various guidelines for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC), the evidence supporting its use over best supportive care (BSC) is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the survival benefit of chemotherapy over that of BSC in advanced BTC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Advanced BTC patientswith a good performance status (Eastern CooperativeOncologyGroup [ECOG] 0-2) were eligible for the study. Data were retrospectively collected from four tertiary cancer centers and analyzed using propensity score matching (PSM). Of the 604 patients enrolled, 206 received BSC and 398 received chemotherapy. PSM analysis was performed using the following variables: age, ECOG status, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, white blood cell level, albumin level, total bilirubin level, and aspartate aminotransferase level. The sample size of each group was 164 patients after PSM. Median survival was compared between the two groups by using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were investigated using Cox proportional regression analysis. RESULTS: In post-PSM analysis, the respective median survival for the chemotherapy and BSC groups was dependent on the following prognostic factors: total population, 12.0 months vs. 7.5 months (p=0.001); locally advanced disease, 16.7 months vs. 13.4 months (p=0.490); cancer antigen 19-9 ≤ 100 IU/mL, 12.7 months vs. 10.6 months (p=0.330); and CEA ≤ 3.4 ng/mL, 17.1 months vs. 10.6 months (p=0.052). CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy improved overall survival of patients with advanced BTC who had a good performance status. However, this survival benefit was not observed in BTC patients with locally advanced disease or with lower tumor marker. Individualized approach is needed for initiation of palliative chemotherapy in advanced BTC.

Successful treatment of steroid-refractory immune thrombocytopenia with alemtuzumab

No abstract available.

Is There a Role for Adjuvant Therapy in R0 Resected Gallbladder Cancer?: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the role of adjuvant therapy in stage I-III gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients who have undergone R0 resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data were collected on 441 consecutive patients who underwent R0 resection for stage I-III GBC. Eligible patients were classified into adjuvant therapy and surveillance only groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) between the two groups was performed, adjusting clinical factors. RESULTS: In total, 84 and 279 patients treated with adjuvant therapy and followed up with surveillance only, respectively, were included in the analysis. Before PSM, the 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was lower in the adjuvant therapy group than in the surveillance only group (50.8% vs. 74.8%, p < 0.001), although there was no statistically significant difference in the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate (66.2% vs. 79.5%, p=0.089). After the PSM, baseline characteristics became comparable and there were no differences in the 5-year RFS (50.8% vs. 64.8%, p=0.319) and OS (66.2% vs. 70.4%, p=0.703) rates between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that fluoropyrimidine-based adjuvant therapy is not indicated in stage I-III GBC patients who have undergone R0 resection.

Treatment outcomes and clinical relevance of the Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index in Korean follicular lymphoma patients treated with chemotherapy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Follicular Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (FLIPI) and FLIPI2 are well-known prognostic models for patients with follicular lymphoma (FL). However, their prognostic relevance has not been examined before in Korean patients with FL. METHODS: We reviewed clinical and laboratory information from our database of patients between 1995 and 2012. In total, 125 patients were stratified in three categories according to FLIPI or FLIPI2 scores: low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups. We compared FLIPI and FLIPI2 in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among the 125 patients, the prognostic value of FLIPI and FLIPI2 was evaluated in 73 patients who fulfilled the criteria of both prognostic models. Risk stratification by FLIPI and FLIPI2 showed significant differences in unfavorable parameters among each risk group, particularly between low- and intermediate-risk groups. The high-risk group b was significantly associated with poor PFS on both FLIPI and FLIPI2 (p < 0.05). However, the OS was significantly different only in the risk groups determined by FLIPI2 (p = 0.042). In a subgroup analysis of patients who received rituximab-containing chemotherapy, the risk stratification of both prognostic models showed a significant impact on PFS, especially in the low-risk group. CONCLUSIONS: FLIPI and FLIPI2 are appropriate prognostic models in Korean FL patients, especially for discriminating low-risk patients from intermediate- and high-risk groups.

A Retrospective Analysis for Patients with HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer Who Were Treated with Trastuzumab-Based Chemotherapy: In the Perspectives of Ethnicity and Histology / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: While the Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer (ToGA) trial demonstrated the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab-based chemotherapy in HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer, the overall survival (OS) benefit was not found in Asian and diffuse-type cancer patients. The aim of the study is to investigate predictive markers for trastuzumab-based chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer treated with trastuzumab-based chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 168 Asian patients were included. The median age was 60 years (range, 27 to 85 years) and the male:female ratio was 118 (70.2%):50 (29.8%). Fourteen (8.3%), 63 (37.5%), 75 (44.6%), and 11 (6.5%) patients had well, moderately, poorly-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma, respectively. With 14 complete responses and 73 partial responses, the response rate was 50.6%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.7 to 11.7), and the median OS was 18.5 months (95% CI, 16.4 to 50.6). Next, we investigated the effect of poorly-differentiated histology (PDH, poorly-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma+signet ring cell carcinoma) on clinical outcomes. The median PFS (8.9 months vs. 11.5 months, p=0.16) was slightly inferior in PDH patients, and the median OS was significantly shorter in PDH patients (14.6 months vs. 19.0 months, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: While subset analysis of the ToGA trial demonstrated that trastuzumab-based chemotherapy may not be beneficial for Asians and patients with PDH, our data may suggest that even in Asian patients and patients with PDH, trastuzumab-based chemotherapy could be associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer.

A Case of Primary Lung Cancer Mistaken for Pulmonary Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma / 대한내과학회지

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rare relative to other urological cancers, but relatively common overall among males. Even when primary tumors are successfully removed by surgery, metastases are often noted within a few years. On the other hand, masses found at other sites in patients with RCC may represent different primary cancers. We present the case of a 63-year-old man with a right lung mass and a left lung nodule who underwent radical right nephrectomy for RCC. We found no local recurrence of RCC in the abdomen. Despite treatment for RCC, the right lung mass increased in size. We performed a lung needle biopsy and diagnosed primary lung cancer. Postoperatively, the remaining left lung nodule also increased in size. It was diagnosed as an RCC metastasis upon biopsy and removed by wedge resection. The patient was treated with everolimus after the second surgery.

Intra-tumoral Metastatic Double Primary Carcinoma: Synchronous Metastatic Tumor in Lung from Breast and Thyroid Carcinoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Cases of phenotypic heterogeneity of cells within tumors have recently been reported. Here, we report on a patient with characteristic intra-tumor double primary metastases in the lung. This patient was a 40-year-old Korean woman who had been diagnosed with breast cancer (T1N0M0, estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor/HER2 +/+/+) and papillary thyroid cancer three years prior and underwent a complete surgical resection followed by appropriate adjuvant treatment with radiation, hormone, and radioactive iodine. She was recently admitted for newly developed pulmonary nodules. Metastasectomy through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery revealed recurrent double primary cancer with two different components (metastatic ductal carcinomas from the breast and metastatic papillary carcinomas from the thyroid gland) in each pulmonary nodule in the right upper lobe and right middle lobe. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of simultaneous recurrent double metastasis in one organ from different primary origins.

In vivo Genotoxicity of Silver Nanoparticles after 90-day Silver Nanoparticle Inhalation Exposure

OBJECTIVES: The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles has resulted in their widespread use in many consumer products. Yet, despite their many advantages, it is also important to determine whether silver nanoparticles may represent a hazard to the environment and human health. METHODS: Thus, to evaluate the genotoxic potential of silver nanoparticles, in vivo genotoxicity testing (OECD 474, in vivo micronuclei test) was conducted after exposing male and female Sprague-Dawley rats to silver nanoparticles by inhalation for 90 days according to OECD test guideline 413 (Subchronic Inhalation Toxicity: 90 Day Study) with a good laboratory practice system. The rats were exposed to silver nanoparticles (18 nm diameter) at concentrations of 0.7 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (low dose), 1.4 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (middle dose), and 2.9 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (high dose) for 6 hr/day in an inhalation chamber for 90 days. The rats were killed 24 hr after the last administration, then the femurs were removed and the bone marrow collected and evaluated for micronucleus induction. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes or in the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes among the total erythrocytes after silver nanoparticle exposure when compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that exposure to silver nanoparticles by inhalation for 90 days does not induce genetic toxicity in male and female rat bone marrow in vivo.

A case of micropapillary breast cancer with endometrial metastasis / 대한내과학회지

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Even if appropriate treatments are applied, metastasis can occur in any organ of the body. Uterine metastasis from an extrapelvic tumor such as breast cancer is very rare. A 62-year-old woman with breast cancer was treated with modified radical mastectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. A single lung metastasis developed at 2 years after surgery, and the patient underwent wedge resection followed by capecitabine chemotherapy. Afterwards, the patient was treated with gemcitabine/vinorelbine chemotherapy for skin metastasis. Recently, she complained of vaginal spotting for 3 weeks. MRI of the uterus revealed a 1.1 cm endometrial tumor with myometrial invasion. Biopsy confirmed papillary carcinoma that originated from previous breast cancer. Although she was treated by palliative radiotherapy to the uterus, docetaxel/cyclophosphamide and trastuzumab, disease progression was observed.

A Case of Intravesical Cidofovir Treatment of BK Virus-Associated Hemorrhagic Cystitis after Allogeneic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation / 영남의대학술지

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a common complication after allogeneic transplantation. Early posttransplant HC occurs in association with cyclophosphamide, while later on HC results from viral infections such as polyomavirus BK (BKV) and adenovirus. We report here the case of a 57-year-old woman who received an instillation of cidofovir into the bladder for the treatment of hemorrhagic cystitis after allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplantation for her acute myeloid leukemia. Cyclophosphamide and busulfan were used as conditioning treatments. Cyclosporin was administered daily. On the 71st day after transplantation, the patient developed acute severe hemorrhagic cystitis, and BK virus was demonstrated in the urine samples using polymerase chain reaction. Her urinary symptoms did not improve in spite of palliative treatment, but a response was evident after intravesical cidofovir treatment.

A case of acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas / 대한내과학회지

Acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare tumor that constitutes 1~2% of all pancreatic cancers. The clinical and radiologic findings are inconclusive when diagnosing this disease. Acinar cell carcinoma progresses rapidly and metastasizes early, resulting in a poor prognosis. A 41-year-old man was admitted for abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)-CT showed a splenic mass involving the pancreatic tail with increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake. A primary radical distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were carried out. The pathology revealed acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Three months later, a gastric recurrence was detected and a total gastrectomy was performed. Four months later, multiple hepatic metastases were found and a left hepatectomy was carried out. During treatment with capecitabine, no evidence of tumor progression was observed for 14 months. We report a case of metastatic pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma that did not progress for 14 months with capecitabine treatment.

A Case of Pancreatic Acinar Cell Carcinoma / 영남의대학술지

Acinar cell carcinoma is a rare tumor that represents 1~2% of all pancreatic cancers. Clinical and radiologic findings are inconclusive in this disease. Acinar cell carcinoma is characterized by rapid progression and early metastasis, which lead to its poor prognosis. A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed a splenic mass, which was being invaded by a pancreatic tail mass and which had increased 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. Primary radical distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy were performed. Pathologic findings revealed an acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas. The patient underwent a total gastrectomy three months later because of gastric recurrence. Four months later, multiple hepatic metastases were discovered, and the patient underwent a left hepatectomy. During treatment with capecitabine, there was no evidence of tumor progression for 14 months. We report a case of metastatic pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma, which did not progress for an extended period while the patient was being treated with capecitabine.

A Case of Primary Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma / 영남의대학술지

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is a very rare malignancy, and little is known concerning its pathogenesis, optimal treatment, and prognosis. A 29-year-old pregnant woman (21 weeks) presented with abdominal discomfort. CA 19-9, CA 125, and CEA were normal. Abdominal CT scanning revealed a 19x15x13 cm retroperitoneal tumor. Exploratory laparotomy and tumor excision were performed. Mucinous retroperitoneal implants were removed as completely as possible. Histologically, the tumor showed focal areas of capsular invasion, but free resection margins. The uterus and both ovaries were normal in appearance. No adjuvant therapy was pursued. Six months later, peritoneal and bilateral ovarian metastases were discovered.Hence, we report the details of this case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadeno-carcinoma and present a review of the literature.