An Association Study of Polymorphisms in <i>JAK3</i> Gene with Lung Cancer in the Korean Population

Yoo, Wonbeak,Jung, Hae-Yun,Lim, Seungjoon,Sung, Jae Sook,Park, Kyong Hwa,Ryu, Jeong Seon,Shin, Sang Won,Kim, Jun Suk,Seo, Jae Hong,Kim, Yeul Hong Korean Cancer Association 2011 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.43 No.2

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The genetic alteration of the janus kinases (JAKs), non-receptor tyrosine kinase, is related to the development of human cancers. However, little is known about how the sequence variation of <I>JAK3</I> contributes to the development of lung cancer. This study investigated whether polymorphisms at the promoter region of the <I>JAK3</I> gene are associated with the risk of lung cancer in the Korean population.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>A total of 819 subjects, including 409 lung cancer patients and 410 healthy controls were recruited. The SNaPshot assay and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis were used, and logistic regression analyses were performed to characterize the association between polymorphisms of <I>JAK3</I> and lung cancer risk.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Three polymorphisms (-672 G>A, +64 A>G and +227 G>A) of <I>JAK3</I> were analyzed for large-scale genotyping (n=819). Statistical analyses revealed that polymorphisms and haplotypes in the <I>JAK3</I> gene were not significantly associated with lung cancer.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P><I>JAK3</I> gene was not significantly associated with the risk of lung cancer in the Korean population.</P>

Trends in Participation Rates for the National Cancer Screening Program in Korea, 2002-2012

Suh, Mina,Song, Seolhee,Cho, Ha Na,Park, Boyoung,Jun, Jae Kwan,Choi, Eunji,Kim, Yeol,Choi, Kui Son Korean Cancer Association 2017 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.49 No.3

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea supports cancer screening for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer. This study was conducted to assess trends in participation rates among Korean men and women invited to undergo screening via the NCSP as part of an effort to guide future implementation of the program in Korea.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>Data from the NCSP for 2002 to 2012 were used to calculate annual participation rates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) by sex, insurance status, and age group for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>In 2012, participation rates for stomach, liver, colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening were 47.3%, 25.0%, 39.5%, 51.9%, and 40.9%, respectively. The participation rates increased annually by 4.3% (95% CI, 4.0 to 4.6) for stomach cancer, 3.3% (95% CI, 2.5 to 4.1) for liver cancer, 4.1% (95% CI, 3.2 to 5.0) for colorectal cancer, 4.6% (95% CI, 4.1 to 5.0) for breast cancer, and 0.9% (95% CI, –0.7 to 2.5) for cervical cancer from 2002 to 2012.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Participant rates for the NCSP for the five above-mentioned cancers increased annually from 2002 to 2012.</P>

Perceptions of Cancer Risk and Cause of Cancer Risk in Korean Adults

Kye, Su Yeon,Park, Eun Young,Oh, Kyounghee,Park, Keeho Korean Cancer Association 2015 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.47 No.2

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of perceived risk for cancer; to explore associations between sociodemographics and family history of cancer and perceived cancer risk; to identify perceived cause of cancer risk; and to examine the associations between sociodemographics and family history of cancer and perceived cause of cancer risk.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,009 participants aged 30-69 years, selected from a population-based database in October 2009 through multiple-stratified random sampling. Information was collected about the participants’ perceived cancer risk and perceived cause of cancer risk.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>Overall, 59.5% of the respondents thought they had the chance of developing cancer. Female sex, younger age, lower income, and family history of cancer were positively associated with perceived cancer risk. The most important perceived cause of cancer risk was stress. There was a difference between sociodemographics and family history of cancer and perceived cause of cancer risk.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Factors affecting perceptions of cancer risk and cause of cancer risk need to be addressed in risk communications. The results provide important directions for the development of educational strategies to promote awareness and self-appraisal of cancer risk and risk factors.</P>

Current Practice and Barriers in Cancer Rehabilitation: Perspectives of Korean Physiatrists

Yang, Eun Joo,Chung, Seung Hyun,Jeon, Jae-Yong,Seo, Kwan Sik,Shin, Hyung-Ik,Hwang, Ji Hye,Lim, Jae-Young Korean Cancer Association 2015 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.47 No.3

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The purpose of this study was to assess clinical practice and barriers associated with cancer rehabilitation from the perspective of Korean physiatrists.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>All active members of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine were invited to complete an online survey developed after focus group discussions.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>A total of 97 physiatrists (72 males and 25 females) in Korea completed the survey. Of these, 77% reported familiarity with the term 'cancer survivors.' More than 50% of respondents reported that they provided rehabilitation services for patients with breast cancer (61.9%), brain tumors (64.9%), and spinal tumors (63.9%), whereas 86.6% of respondents reported that they had never or rarely provided rehabilitation programs for patients with gynecological, colorectal, or prostate cancer. Physiatrists who received referrals from a well-organized cooperative referral system reported providing services such as exercise programs for patients with gynecological cancer (odds ratio [OR], 2.16; p=0.044) as well as education regarding lymphedema (OR, 1.81; p=0.047) and neuropathic pain (OR, 1.96; p=0.026).</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Although most of the physiatrists surveyed believed that they should contribute to the management of cancer patients, they considered themselves ill equipped to provide appropriate rehabilitation services. This lack of understanding of the effectiveness of rehabilitation services for cancer patients and absence of a cooperative referral system are the major barriers to providing rehabilitation services to cancer survivors in Korea.</P>

Lung Cancer Screening with Low-Dose CT in Female Never Smokers: Retrospective Cohort Study with Long-term National Data Follow-up

Kim, Hyae Young,Jung, Kyu-Won,Lim, Kun Young,Lee, Soo-Hyun,Jun, Jae Kwan,Kim, Jeongseon,Hwangbo, Bin,Lee, Jin Soo Korean Cancer Association 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.3

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>Because of growing concerns about lung cancer in female never smokers, chest low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening is often performed although it has never shown clinical benefits. We examinewhether or not female never smokers really need annual LDCT screening when the initial LDCT showed negative findings.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>This retrospective cohort study included 4,365 female never smokers aged 40 to 79 years who performed initial LDCT from Aug 2002 to Dec 2007. Lung cancer diagnosis was identified from the Korea Central Cancer Registry Database registered until December 31, 2013. We calculated the incidence, cumulative probability, and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of lung cancer by Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) categories showed on initial LDCT.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>After median follow-up of 9.69 years, 22 (0.5%) had lung cancer. Lung cancer incidence for Lung-RADS category 4 was 1,848.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1,132.4 to 3,017.2) per 100,000 person-years and 16.4 (95% CI, 7.4 to 36.4) for categories 1, 2, and 3 combined. The cumulative probability of lung cancer for category 4 was 10.6% at 5 years and 14.8% at 10 years while they were 0.07% and 0.17% when categories 1, 2, and 3 were combined. The SIR for subjects with category 4 was 43.80 (95% CI, 25.03 to 71.14), which was much higher than 0.47 (95% CI, 0.17 to 1.02) for categories 1, 2, and 3 combined.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Considering the low risk of lung cancer development in female never smokers, it seems unnecessary to repeat annual LDCT screening for at least 5 years or even longer unless the initial LDCT showed Lung-RADS category 4 findings.</P>

Effects of Soy Product Intake and Interleukin Genetic Polymorphisms on Early Gastric Cancer Risk in Korea: A Case-Control Study

Yang, Sarah,Park, Yoon,Lee, Jeonghee,Choi, Il Ju,Kim, Young Woo,Ryu, Keun Won,Sung, Joohon,Kim, Jeongseon Korean Cancer Association 2017 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.49 No.4

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The current study investigated whether the combined effects of soy intake and genetic polymorphisms of interleukin (<I>IL</I>) genes modify gastric cancer risk.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>A total of 377 cases and 754 controls of Korean origin were included in the analysis. Soy consumption was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Seven variants of <I>IL10</I> (rs1800871), <I>IL2</I> (rs2069763 and rs2069762), <I>IL13</I> (rs6596090 and rs20541), and <I>IL4R</I> (rs7205663 and rs1805010) were genetically analyzed. To analyze the combined effect of soy intake and genetic polymorphisms, a low-intake group and high-intake group of each type of soy were categorized based on the intake level of the control group. Interactions between soy products and these genetic variants were analyzed by a likelihood ratio test, in which a multiplicative interaction term was added to the logistic regression model.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>A higher intake of nonfermented soy products was associated with a reduced cancer risk (odds ratio [OR], 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43 to 0.90), and the reduced risk was only apparent in males (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.71). None of the IL genetic polymorphisms examined were independently associated with gastric cancer risk. Individuals with a minor allele of <I>IL2</I> rs2069762 and a higher intake of nonfermented soy food had a decreased risk of gastric cancer (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.68) compared to those with a lower intake (p<SUB>interaction</SUB>=0.039).</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Based on the genetic characteristics of the studied individuals, the interaction between <I>IL2</I> rs2069762 and nonfermented soy intake may modify the risk of gastric cancer.</P>

Early Postoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Macroscopically Serosa-Invading Gastric Cancer Patients

Kwon, Oh Kyoung,Chung, Ho Young,Yu, Wansik Korean Cancer Association 2014 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.46 No.3

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>Peritoneal recurrence is one of the most common patterns of recurrence after gastric cancer surgery and it has a poor prognosis despite all efforts. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic impact of early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) after surgery with curative intent for macroscopically serosa-invading gastric cancer patients.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>The records of 245 patients under the age of 70 were reviewed. These patients were suffering from macroscopically seroa-invading gastric cancer and they underwent curative surgery from 1995 to 2004 at the Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea. The overall survival, gastric cancer-specific survival, complications, and patterns of recurrence were compared between the patients who were treated with EPIC and those who were not.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>EPIC was administered to 65 patients, and the remaining 180 patients did not receive this treatment. The 5-year overall and gastric cancer-specific survival rates for the EPIC group were 47.4% and 53.1%, respectively, and those for the non-EPIC group were 26.7% and 29.7%, respectively (p=0.012 for overall survival and p=0.011 for gastric cancer-specific survival). The rates of peritoneal recurrence for the EPIC group and the non-EPIC group were 18.5% and 32.2%, respectively (p=0.038). There were no significant differences in the morbidity or mortality between the two groups. Based on a multivariate analysis of the factors with prognostic significance in univariate analyses, EPIC, pathological lymph node metastasis, differentiation, and the extent of gastric resection were independent prognostic factors.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>The use of EPIC to treat gastric cancer patients with macroscopic serosal invasions resulted in better survival rate by reducing the risk of peritoneal recurrence.</P>

Effects of Aspirin, Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs, Statin, and COX2 Inhibitor on the Developments of Urological Malignancies: A Population-Based Study with 10-Year Follow-up Data in Korea

Kang, Minyong,Ku, Ja Hyeon,Kwak, Cheol,Kim, Hyeon Hoe,Jeong, Chang Wook Korean Cancer Association 2018 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.50 No.3

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), statin, and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor on the development of kidney, prostate, and urothelial cancers by analyzing the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) database.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>Among a representative sample cohort of 1,025,340 participants in NHIS-NSC database in 2002, we extracted data of 799,850 individuals who visited the hospital more than once, and finally included 321,122 individuals aged 40 and older. Following a 1-year washout period between 2002 and 2003, we analyzed 143,870 (male), 320,861 and 320,613 individuals for evaluating the risk of prostate cancer, kidney cancer and urothelial cancer developments, respectively, during 10-year follow-up periods between 2004 and 2013. The medication group consisted of patients prescribed these drugs more than 60% of the time in 2003. To adjustfor various parameters of the patients, a multivariate Cox regression model was adopted.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>During 10-year follow-up periods between 2004 and 2013, 9,627 (6.7%), 1,107 (0.4%), and 2,121 (0.7%) patients were diagnosed with prostate cancer, kidney cancer, and urothelial cancer, respectively. Notably, multivariate analyses revealed that NSAIDs significantly increased the risk of prostate cancer (hazard ratio [HR], 1.35). Also, it was found that aspirin (HR, 1.28) and statin (HR, 1.55) elevated the risk of kidney cancer. No drugs were associated with the risk of urothelial cancer.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>In sum, our study provides the valuable information for the impact of aspirin, NSAID, statin, and COX-2 inhibitor on the risk of prostate, kidney, and urothelial cancer development and its survival outcomes.</P>

Nomogram for Predicting Breast Conservation after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Kim, Min Kyoon,Han, Wonshik,Moon, Hyeong-Gon,Ahn, Soo Kyung,Kim, Jisun,Lee, Jun Woo,Kim, Ju-Yeon,Kim, Taeryung,Lee, Kyung-Hun,Kim, Tae-Yong,Han, Sae-Won,Im, Seock-Ah,Kim, Tae-You,Park, In Ae,Noh, Dong Korean Cancer Association 2015 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.47 No.2

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The ability to accurately predict the likelihood of achieving breast conservation surgery (BCS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) is important in deciding whether NCT or surgery should be the first-line treatment in patients with operable breast cancers.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>We reviewed the data of 513 women, who had stage II or III breast cancer and received NCT and surgery from a single institution. The ability of various clinicopathologic factors to predict the achievement of BCS and tumor size reduction to ≤ 3 cm was assessed. Nomograms were built and validated in an independent cohort.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>BCS was performed in 50.1% of patients, with 42.2% of tumors reduced to ≤ 3 cm after NCT. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smaller initial tumor size, longer distance between the lesion and the nipple, absence of suspicious calcifications on mammography, and a single tumor were associated with BCS rather than mastectomy (p < 0.05). Negative estrogen receptor, smaller initial tumor size, higher Ki-67 level, and absence of <I>in situ</I> component were associated with residual tumor size ≤ 3 cm (p < 0.05). Two nomograms were developed using these factors. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for nomograms predicting BCS and residual tumor ≤ 3 cm were 0.800 and 0.777, respectively. The calibration plots showed good agreement between the predicted and actual probabilities.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>We have established a model with novel factors that predicts BCS and residual tumor size after NCT. This model can help in making treatment decisions for patients who are candidates for NCT.</P>

Definitive Radiotherapy versus Postoperative Radiotherapy for Tonsil Cancer

Koo, Tae Ryool,Wu, Hong-Gyun,Hah, J. Hun,Sung, Myung-Whun,Kim, Kwang-Hyun,Keam, Bhumsuk,Kim, Tae Min,Lee, Se-Hoon,Kim, Dong-Wan,Heo, Dae-Seog,Park, Charn Il Korean Cancer Association 2012 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.44 No.4

<P><B>Purpose</B></P><P>The purpose of this study is to analyze treatment outcome of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with stage III-IV tonsil cancer managed by surgery followed by postoperative RT (SRT) and definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT), and to thereby evaluate the most feasible treatment modality.</P><P><B>Materials and Methods</B></P><P>Of 124 patients, 67 underwent CRT, and 57 underwent SRT. We compared survival and complication rates in both groups.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The median follow-up time was 57 months (range, 19 to 255 months) for surviving patients. At five years, locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS) and overall survival (OS) were 88% and 80%, respectively. No significant difference in LRPFS (p=0.491) and OS (p=0.177) was observed between CRT and SRT. In multivariate analysis, old age and higher T stage showed a significant association with poor LRPFS, PFS, and OS; higher N stage showed an association with poor PFS and a trend of poor LRPFS, while no association with OS was observed; treatment modality (CRT and SRT) showed no association with LRFPS, PFS, and OS. Grade 3 or higher mucositis was observed in 12 patients (21%) in the SRT group, and 25 patients (37%) in the CRT group.</P><P><B>Conclusion</B></P><P>Definitive CRT and SRT have similar treatment outcomes for patients with stage III-IV tonsil cancer. Although acute complication rate appears to be higher in the CRT group, it should be noted that not all data on complications were included in this retrospective study. To determine the most feasible treatment modality, not only mucositis and xerostomia, but also emotional aspect and quality of life, should be considered.</P>