8-Methoxypsoralen Induces Apoptosis by Upregulating p53 and Inhibits Metastasis by Downregulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 in Human Gastric Cancer Cells

Furanocoumarin 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) is the parent compound that naturally occurs in traditional medicinal plants used historically. 8-MOP has been employed as a photochemotherapeutic component of Psoralen + Ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy for the treatment of vitiligo and psoriasis. Although the role of 8-MOP in PUVA therapy has been studied, little is known about the effects of 8-MOP alone on human gastric cancer cells. In this study, we observed anti-proliferative effect of 8-MOP in several human cancer cell lines. Among these, the human gastric cancer cell line SNU1 is the most sensitive to 8-MOP. 8-MOP treated SNU1 cells showed G1-arrest by upregulating p53 and apoptosis by activating caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner, which was confirmed by loss-of-function analysis through the knockdown of p53-siRNA and inhibition of apoptosis by Z-VAD-FMK. Moreover, 8-MOPinduced apoptosis is not associated with autophagy or necrosis. The signaling pathway responsible for the effect of 8-MOP on SNU1 cells was confirmed to be related to phosphorylated PI3K, ERK2, and STAT3. In contrast, 8-MOP treatment decreased the expression of the typical metastasis-related proteins MMP-2, MMP-9, and Snail in a p53-independent manner. In accordance with the serendipitous findings, treatment with 8-MOP decreased the wound healing, migration, and invasion ability of cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, combination treatment with 8-MOP and gemcitabine was effective at the lowest concentrations. Overall, our findings indicate that oral 8-MOP has the potential to treat early human gastric cancer, with fewer side effects.

A Case of Hemophilia B Diagnosed after Rhinosinus Surgery in 37 Year-Old Patient / 대한이비인후과학회지

Hemophilia is an X-linked recessive disorder, which is classified into hemophilia A, defined by factor VIII deficiency and hemophilia B, defined by factor IX deficiency. The usual clinical presentation is spontaneous bleeding and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time in a person without history of a coagulation disorder. The severity of hemophilia describes how serious a problem is and has been defined by a traditional classification into three forms: severe, moderate, mild. Hemophilia has never been reported after a rhinosinus surgery in otorhinolaryngology in Korea, but we encountered a 37-year-old man with hemophilia B who had undergone a rhinosinus surgery. He had no bleeding tendency in the past nor a family history for bleeding. But the patient presented with continuous nasal bleeding for a few days after surgery. We report this case of hemophilia B diagnosed after rhinosinus surgery that was cured with Factor IX replacement therapy with a review of the relevant literature.

Case of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Subclinical Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis Presenting as Recurrence / 대한이비인후과학회지

Lateral neck metastasis is an independent risk factor of the loco-regional recurrence in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography are frequently performed to diagnose the lymph node (LN) metastasis. However, some metastatic LNs can remain after initial treatment and can present as regional recurrences. A 19-year-old woman was diagnosed as having 1.99 cm PTC. No abnormal LNs was detected on preoperative CT and US. She underwent operation and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy: seven months after RAI therapy, thyroglobulin level was elevated. However, no metastatic LNs were detected on neck CT, US and positron emission tomography-CT. Neck exploration was performed and metastatic PTC was diagnosed in bilateral level III and IV. A radiologist retrospectively reviewed the neck CTs taken before the first surgery and the second surgery. There was no significant difference in the LN appearances of two CTs. On both CT scans, all LNs were very small, homogenously enhanced, without calcification or cystic changes.

Two Cases of Contralateral Depressor Labii Inferioris Resection in Patients with Congenital Unilateral Lower Lip Paralysis / 대한이비인후과학회지

Congenital unilateral lower lip paralysis (CULLP) is a rare condition characterized by inversion and absent depressive movement of the affected lower lip while moving the mouth, which is recognized when the infant cries. CULLP is a variation of facial paralysis caused by abnormal development of marginal mandibular nerve, hypoplasia of the depressor labii inferioris muscle or depressor anguli oris muscle. This report introduces two cases of congenital unilateral lower lip palsy, presenting a balancing technique involving the resection of the depressor labii inferioris on the non-affected side.