Prognosis of Glioblastoma With Oligodendroglioma Component is Associated With the IDH1 Mutation and MGMT Methylation Status.

Glioblastoma (GBM) with oligodendroglioma component (GBMO) is a newly described GBM subtype in the 2007 World Health Organization classification. However, its biological and genetic characteristics are largely unknown. We investigated the clinicopathological and molecular features of 34 GBMOs and compared the survival rate of these patients with those of patients with astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, anaplastic oligoastrocytoma (AOA), and conventional GBMs in our hospital.

The actin-sequestering protein thymosin beta-4 is a novel target of hypoxia-inducible nitric oxide and HIF-1α regulation.

The actin-sequestering protein thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) is involved in various cellular and physiological processes such as proliferation, motility, growth and metastasis. Nitric oxide (NO) promotes tumor invasiveness and metastasis by activating various enzymes. Herein, we investigated whether hypoxia-inducible NO regulates Tβ4 expression and cancer cell migration using HeLa cervical cancer cells.

Effective generation of the spread-out-Bragg peak from the laser accelerated proton beams using a carbon-proton mixed target.

Conventional laser accelerated proton beam has broad energy spectra. It is not suitable for clinical use directly, so it is necessary for employing energy selection system. However, in the conventional laser accelerated proton system, the intensity of the proton beams in the low energy regime is higher than that in the high energy regime.

Clinical result of stereotactic radiosurgery for spinal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma: comparison with conventional radiation therapy.

We investigated the clinical outcome following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for spinal metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and compared it with that of conventional radiation therapy (cRT). Thirty-nine metastatic spine tumors from 27 HCC patients were treated with SRS from 2002 to 2011. Their medical records and radiological data were retrospectively analyzed.

Survival and recurrence rate after treatment for primary spinal sarcomas.

Objective: We have limited understanding on the presentation and survival of primary spinal sarcomas. The survival, recurrence rate, and related prognostic factors were investigated after treatment for primary sarcomas of the spine.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records and radiological data was done for 29 patients in whom treatment was performed due to primary sarcoma of the spine from 2000 to 2010.

Fabrication of sonicated chitosan nanofiber mat with enlarged porosity for use as hemostatic materials.

Electrospinning of pure chitosan was employed to obtain a nanofibrous hemostatic material. Owing to the water-solubility of the resulting acidic chitosan nanofibers, the optimum neutralization conditions were identified by testing various alkaline solutions, so that an insoluble material could be achieved. The pore size and thickness of the neutralized chitosan nanofibers mat could be controlled using ultra-sonication.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for spinal neoplasms: current status and future perspective.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is increasingly utilized for the treatment of primary and metastatic spinal tumors. SRS implies high dose per fraction radiation (typically >5 Gy per fraction) is delivered to an image-guided target in 1 to 5 fractions by using conformal radiation techniques. Its use is based on the radiobiological superiority of hypofractionated high dose radiation and precision of radiation delivery using real time image-guidance facilities.

Coexistent mutations of KRAS and PIK3CA affect the efficacy of NVP-BEZ235, a dual PI3K/MTOR inhibitor, in regulating the PI3K/MTOR pathway in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) with mutational activation of KRAS is observed frequently. In addition, PIK3CA mutations commonly coexist with KRAS mutations and lead to additive activation of the PI3K/MTOR signaling pathway. Here, we investigated how CRC cells that harbor KRAS and PIK3CA mutations affect sensitivity to inhibition of PI3K/MTOR with NVP-BEZ235 (BEZ235).

Analysis of prognostic factors relating to postoperative survival in spinal metastases.

Objective: To analyze the prognostic factors thought to be related with survival time after a spinal metastasis operation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 217 patients who underwent spinal metastasis operations in our hospital from 2001 to 2009. Hematological malignancies, such as multiple myeloma and lymphoma, were excluded.

Local tumor control after retreatment of spinal metastasis using stereotactic body radiotherapy; comparison with initial treatment group.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate local control rates after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in recurrent spinal metastasis after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and new spinal metastatic lesions.

Material And Methods: Retrospective review of medical records and radiological data was performed on 54 retreatment and 131 initial SBRT patients. To compare various fractionation schedules, the biologically effective dose (BED) was applied.

Neurological and survival outcomes after surgical management of subaxial cervical spine metastases.

Study Design: A clinical retrospective study.

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcomes of surgery for cervical spine metastasis and identify factors affecting survival and neurological result.

Summary Of Background Data: Metastatic disease in the cervical spine is known to be a poorer prognosis than in thoracic and lumbar regions.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for primary and metastatic sarcomas involving the spine.

The treatment for spinal sarcomas is difficult due to inadequate surgical margin and an inability to deliver high dose radiation. Advanced technology of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) enabled higher biological effective doses of radiation to be delivered to spinal sarcomas by hypofractionation method. The authors evaluated local control rate following SRS for primary and metastatic spinal sarcomas.

Altered cross-linking of HSP27 by zerumbone as a novel strategy for overcoming HSP27-mediated radioresistance.

Purpose: HSP27 or HSP25 negatively regulates apoptosis pathways after radiation or chemotherapeutic agents. Abrogation of HSP27 function may be a candidate target for overcoming radio- and chemoresistance.

Methods And Materials: Zerumbone (ZER), a cytotoxic component isolated from Zingiber zerumbet smith.

Comparison of MR imaging and FDG-PET/CT in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures.

Object: Differentiation between malignant and benign vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) is important but sometimes difficult, especially in elderly cancer patients. The authors investigated the findings of MR imaging and FDG-PET/CT for the differentiation of VCFs.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2008, the authors evaluated and treated 102 VCFs in 96 patients.

Combined treatment with silibinin and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors overcomes drug resistance caused by T790M mutation.

Although epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) produce an initially dramatic response in lung cancer patients harboring a mutation in the EGFR gene, development of acquired resistance is almost inevitable. A secondary mutation of threonine 790 (T790M) is associated with approximately half of the cases of acquired resistance. This study investigated whether the addition of silibinin to therapy with gefitinib or erlotinib could overcome T790M-mediated drug resistance considering that silibinin has various antitumor effects, including EGFR modulation.

The use of pedicle screw-rod system for the posterior fixation in cervico-thoracic junction.

Objective: In cervico-thoracic junction (CTJ), the use of strong fixation device such as pedicle screw-rod system is often required. Purpose of this study is to analyze the anatomical features of C7 and T1 pedicles related to screw insertion and to evaluate the safety of pedicle screw insertion at these levels.

Methods: Nineteen patients underwent posterior CTJ fixation with C7 and/or T1 included in fixation levels.

Radiosurgery using the Cyberknife for benign spinal tumors: Korea Cancer Center Hospital experience.

This study evaluated clinical outcome and safety of radiosurgery using the Cyberknife for treatment of benign spinal tumors. The authors treated 30 benign spinal tumors in 20 patients with the Cyberknife (Accuray, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA) from 2002 to 2008.

Training programs for radio-nuclear emergency response in the Asian region.

The possibility of the occurrence of radiation accidents is increasing in the Asian region. However, training/education programs for medical professionals have not been established to improve the medical preparedness for radiation emergencies in the Asian region. As one of the activities for radiation emergency medical preparedness, Korea and Japan have started training programs for radio-nuclear emergencies in the region.

Spinal cord tanycytic ependymoma associated with neurofibromatosis type 2.

Tanycytic ependymoma is a rare subtype of ependymoma. Reports of this tumor in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF-2) are rare. A 16-year-old girl presented with gait disturbance and a palpable neck mass, which had been present for 2 years.

Amifostine ameliorates recognition memory defect in acute radiation syndrome caused by relatively low-dose of gamma radiation.

This study examined whether amifostine (WR-2721) could attenuate memory impairment and suppress hippocampal neurogenesis in adult mice with the relatively low-dose exposure of acute radiation syndrome (ARS). These were assessed using object recognition memory test, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay, and immunohistochemical markers of neurogenesis [Ki-67 and doublecortin (DCX)]. Amifostine treatment (214 mg/kg, i.

Gold nanoparticles functionalized by gadolinium-DTPA conjugate of cysteine as a multimodal bioimaging agent.

The synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles coated with Gd-chelate (Au@GdL), where L is a conjugate of DTPA and cysteine, is described. These particles are obtained by the replacement of citrate from the gold nanoparticle surfaces with gadolinium chelate (GdL). The average size of Au@GdL is 14 nm with a loading of GdL reaching up to 2.

Morphological characteristics of the thalamoperforating arteries.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the morphological characteristics of the thalamoperforating arteries that arise from the P1 segment of the posterior cerebral artery.

Methods: Thalamoperforating arteries located in the interpeduncular fossa were dissected in 26 formalin-fixed human cadaver brains. We investigated the origin site of thalamoperforating arteries from the P1 segment, number and diameter, and variations in their origin.

Clinical results of cyberknife(r) radiosurgery for spinal metastases.

Objective: Primary treatment of spinal metastasis has been external beam radiotherapy. Recent advance of technology enables radiosurgery to be extended to extracranial lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effectiveness and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery using Cyberknife in spinal metastasis.

Combined inhibition of IGFR enhances the effects of gefitinib in H1650: a lung cancer cell line with EGFR mutation and primary resistance to EGFR-TK inhibitors.

Purpose: H1650 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells display primary resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) although they have a deletion mutation on exon 19 of the EGFR gene. We investigated the effect of inhibition of both insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR) and EGFR signaling considering that IGFR signaling pathway has been implicated in the development and progression with therapeutic resistance of various cancers including lung cancer.

Methods: Three human NSCLC cell lines with an EGFR mutation of PC-9, HCC827 and H1650 were used for experiment.