PURPOSE: This study was designed to find out whether protein kinase C (PKC) may affect telomerase activity in human ovarian cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To determine whether PKC modulators influence PKC activities, NIH: OVCAR-3 and CUMO-2, cells were treated with PKC inhibitors, G 6976 and bisindolyl maleimide I, and PKC activator, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Telomerase acti vity was determined by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP). Analysis of the expres sion of each telomerase subunits, human telomerase RNA (hTR) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), was performed by RT-PCR. We also examined the alternative splicing of hTERT. RESULTS: G 6976 and bisindolylmaleimide I inhibited PKC activity. Telomerase activities appeared to be affected in a time-dependent manner by these two PKC inhibitors. PKC activities were increased in parallel with telomerase activity by TPA at the low dose (10 nM), but their activities were down-regulated at the high dose (1 micrometer). RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of hTR and hTERT mRNA before and after the treatment of PKC modulators, respectively, and showed the presence of one alternatively spliced transcript and full-length hTERT transcripts. CONCLUSION: These results showed that telomerase activity was affected by PKC and suggested PKC modulation may serve as an useful tool in the regulation of telomerase activity.
Alternative Splicing ; Cell Line* ; Humans* ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Telomerase* ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

PURPOSE: The causal association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains controversial. This research attempted to analyze clinicopathological relationships between HT and PTC, and to determine what influence the former has on the latter. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 773 patients who underwent thyroid surgery with PTC. These patients were divided into two groups, coexistent HT group and PTC alone group, and the clinicopathologic data were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 773 patients, the coexistent HT group included 269/773 (34.8%) patients and the control group included 504/773 (65.2%) patients. In comparison of these two groups, there were no significant differences in age, extent of surgery, serum T3, Free T4, number of tumors, multifocality, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, and lymph node metastasis. In sex, women were at the higher rate in coexistent HT group than in the control group (P=0.008). Serum TSH level was higher in the coexistent HT group (P<0.001). In addition, using the AMES scoring system, the coexistent HT group showed a significantly higher rate of low risk than the control group (P=0.048). Multivariate analysis showed no significant association between HT and lymph node metastasis (P=0.081, odds ratio=1.335; 95% CI, 0.965~1.847). CONCLUSION: The rate of women and serum TSH level were higher in the coexistent HT group. In addition, the low-risk group showed the higher rate in the case of accompanying HT, and though the HT does not affect the lymph node metastasis but much more researches would be needed on that.
Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroiditis*

PURPOSE: Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for CD45RB as a potent tolerogenic target can prolong allograft survival in several animal models. The mechanisms of CD45RB mAb-mediated tolerance are largely unknown. Therefore, the present studies were performed to determine the immunomodulatory effects of CD45RB mAb on T cells in early or late time after allogenic skin transplantation. METHODS: Skin grafts and bone marrows from BALB/c donor mice were transplanted on C57BL/6 recipient mice and Busulfan was administerd. Group 1 was composed of anti-CD154 mAb administerd mice, group 2 was composed of anti-CD154 and anti-CD45RBB mAb administerd mice, and group 3 consisted of anti-CD154 mAb and CTLA4-Ig administerd mice. The proportion of splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cell and range of CD45RB was observed by flow cytometry. Cytokines secreted by CD4+ T cell were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: CD45RB mAb in combination with CD154 mAb enhanced graft survival in allogenic skin transplantation model where CD45RB mAb specific for CD45RB, which was proven mainly expressed by CD8+ T cells, had inhibitory effects on the proportion of splenocyte-derived CD8+ and CD4+CD45RB(high) T cells in early or late time posttransplant. CONCLUSION: The combined therapy showed decreases in the proliferation of CD8+ T cells in vivo and allospecific responses of IFN-gamma-producing cells. Such immunomodulatory effects may be associated with the tolerogenic ability of CD45RB mAb in allogenic skin transplantation.
Abatacept ; Allografts ; Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Bone Marrow ; Busulfan ; Cytokines* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance* ; Lymphocytes* ; Mice* ; Models, Animal ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Hypercalcemia* ; Incidence*

OBJECTIVE: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common cause of death due to gynecologic malignancies in adults, but is rare in children and adolescents. This is a report of series of such patients under 20 years of age documenting their presentation, histologic type, stage of disease, treatment, and outcome. METHODS: We collected data on 21 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer under 20 years of age between January 1990 and December 2005. Patient records and pathology were reviewed. RESULTS: Epithelial ovarian cancer under 20 years of age was 2.2% in overall ovarian cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer was 42.0% among 50 patients under 20 years of age and the most common histologic type was germ cell tumors (54%). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 17.6 years (range, 13-20 years), and the median follow-up was 87 months (range, 4-175 months). There were seventeen (81.0%) mucinous tumors, four (19.0%) serous tumors. About thirty-eight percent were low malignant potential or borderline tumors. About Eighty-five percent (18 patients) of tumors were stage I disease and about fourteen percent (3 patients) were stage III disease at the time of diagnosis. Surgical treatment included conservative surgery in 18 patients (85.7%), total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo- oophorectomy in 3 patients (14.3%). CONCLUSION: Epithelial ovarian cancers are rare in patients in children and adolescents. The majority of ovarian cancers in this age group are mucinous tumors, stage I at diagnosis and borderline ovarian tumor. Conservative management is feasible to achieve preservation of fertility.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Female ; Fertility ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Mucins ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovariectomy

Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) is rare, and its diagnosis is often delayed because of its wound infection-mimicking course. A 53-year-old breast cancer patient who underwent breast-conserving surgery of the right breast presented with fever, leukocytosis, C-reactive protein elevation, and redness of the right breast on postoperative day (POD) 3. The breast wound showed desquamation with painful ulcerative changes from POD 6, and fever was sustained under antibiotic administration. Wound irrigation was attempted; however, inflammatory skin damage progressed to involvement of the entire skin overlying the breast. With clinical suspicion of PPG, skin biopsy and systemic corticosteroid initiation were performed on POD 12. Wound damage progression ceased, and the systemic inflammation subsided. The patient underwent split-thickness skin grafting under intravenous corticosteroid administration, and the wound healed after 30 days. PPG is a rare clinical scenario. Early diagnosis is critical to avoid unnecessary treatment and aggravation of the surgical wound.

Postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum (PPG) is rare, and its diagnosis is often delayed because of its wound infection-mimicking course. A 53-year-old breast cancer patient who underwent breast-conserving surgery of the right breast presented with fever, leukocytosis, C-reactive protein elevation, and redness of the right breast on postoperative day (POD) 3. The breast wound showed desquamation with painful ulcerative changes from POD 6, and fever was sustained under antibiotic administration. Wound irrigation was attempted; however, inflammatory skin damage progressed to involvement of the entire skin overlying the breast. With clinical suspicion of PPG, skin biopsy and systemic corticosteroid initiation were performed on POD 12. Wound damage progression ceased, and the systemic inflammation subsided. The patient underwent split-thickness skin grafting under intravenous corticosteroid administration, and the wound healed after 30 days. PPG is a rare clinical scenario. Early diagnosis is critical to avoid unnecessary treatment and aggravation of the surgical wound.

Purpose: Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) can be used long-term for safe administration of intravenous drugs. TIVAP complications include catheter-related infections, venous thrombosis, extravasation, TIVAP migration, and pain. The relationship between the timing of the first chemotherapy administration after port implantation and complications is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the safety of immediate use of TIVAPs and the associated risk factors for complications. Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2018, 305 patients (median age, 53 years; 256 women) who underwent TIVAP placement at our institution were included. Chemotherapy was administered within 2 days of implantation. A retrospective analysis of patients’ clinical data was performed to investigate catheter days and complications of TIVAPs. Results: Overall, 305 patients were evaluated over 57,324 catheter days (median, 168 catheter days; interquartile range, 105). The median interval between placement and first use of TIVAPs was 0.98 days. The overall morbidity rate was 2.95%. Nine complications occurred in nine patients, including TIVAP-related infection (4), pain (2), port occlusion (1), thrombosis (1), and scar disunion (1), of which five required port removal (1.64%). The median number of catheter days before complications occurred was 61 (range, 10–457 days; interquartile range, 51). No complications occurred within 7 days of implantation. Body mass index was an independent risk factor for TIVAP-related complications in the Cox proportional hazards model (multivariable analysis: hazard ratio, 1.221; 95% confidence interval, 1.054–1.414; P = 0.008). Conclusion This study suggests the safe long-term use of TIVAPs following their immediate chemotherapy administration within 2 days of implantation.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer survivors have slightly increased the risk of second primary cancers. Breast, colon, uterine, and ovarian cancers are common secondary cancers in breast cancer survivors. In this study, we assessed the development of second primary cancers of breast cancer survivors in Korea. METHODS: Medical records of patients with breast cancer in 3 tertiary medical institutions were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated secondary malignancy diagnosed at least 2 months after the breast cancer diagnosis. Based on the International Classification of Disease-9 codes of malignancies, secondary primary breast cancer records were evaluated with person-year adjustment. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was assessed using national cancer incidence. RESULTS: A total of 3,444 treatment records were included from 3 medical centers. The cumulative incidence of overall second primary cancers was 2.8% (n = 93). The SIR was significantly higher in all sites (1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–1.91), endometrial cancer (5.65; 95% CI, 2.06–12.31), biliary tract cancer (3.96; 95% CI, 1.19–8.60), and thyroid cancer (2.29; 95% CI, 1.67–3.08). CONCLUSION: The incidence of cancer was higher in breast cancer survivors compared to general population. Surveillance of secondary cancer in this group should be recommended individually considering the benefit related to the prognosis of primary breast cancer.
Biliary Tract Neoplasms ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Classification ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Neoplasms, Second Primary* ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors* ; Thyroid Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Breast cancer survivors have slightly increased the risk of second primary cancers. Breast, colon, uterine, and ovarian cancers are common secondary cancers in breast cancer survivors. In this study, we assessed the development of second primary cancers of breast cancer survivors in Korea. METHODS: Medical records of patients with breast cancer in 3 tertiary medical institutions were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated secondary malignancy diagnosed at least 2 months after the breast cancer diagnosis. Based on the International Classification of Disease-9 codes of malignancies, secondary primary breast cancer records were evaluated with person-year adjustment. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was assessed using national cancer incidence. RESULTS: A total of 3,444 treatment records were included from 3 medical centers. The cumulative incidence of overall second primary cancers was 2.8% (n = 93). The SIR was significantly higher in all sites (1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–1.91), endometrial cancer (5.65; 95% CI, 2.06–12.31), biliary tract cancer (3.96; 95% CI, 1.19–8.60), and thyroid cancer (2.29; 95% CI, 1.67–3.08). CONCLUSION: The incidence of cancer was higher in breast cancer survivors compared to general population. Surveillance of secondary cancer in this group should be recommended individually considering the benefit related to the prognosis of primary breast cancer.
Biliary Tract Neoplasms ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Classification ; Colon ; Diagnosis ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Neoplasms, Second Primary* ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors* ; Thyroid Neoplasms