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Purpose: High ribonucleotide reductase M1 (RRM1) expression in resected lung cancers has been associated with better clinical outcomes. However, gemcitabine-treated patients with high tumoral RRM1 expression generally evidence poor prognoses due to the decreased efficacy of gemcitabine therapy. This study was designed in accordance with the hypothesis that polymorphisms (−37 and −524) of the RRM1 promoter gene sequence, which regulate RRM1 expression, could influence the efficacy and prognosis of lung cancer patients treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. Experimental Design: A retrospective dataset of 97 patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer treated with gemcitabine regimens as a first-line treatment was studied in this work. The allelotyping of RRM1 promoter polymorphisms was conducted via real-time PCR using genomic DNA obtained from peripheral WBC. Results: The RRM1 promoter allelotype was RR37CC-R524TT in 58 patients, RR37AC-RR524CT in 29 patients, and other allelotypes in 10 patients. The response rate for gemcitabine-containing chemotherapy was 49.5%. The response rate was significantly higher in the RR37AC-RR524CT group (65.5%) compared with the group containing other allelotypes (42.6%; P = 0.039). Overall survival and progression-free survival did not differ significantly by allelotype. Conclusions: We detected significant differences in response rates to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy according to the allelotypes of the RRM1 promoter sequence, which could be determined using the germline DNA. Further functional and clinical studies will be required before this can be used as a predictive marker.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways and progressive destruction of lung paren chyma. Apoptosis is critical for the maintenance of normal tissue homeostasis and is in equilibrium with proliferation and differentiation. This study was undertaken to investigate relationship between apoptosis of peripheral blood lymphocytes during exacerbation of COPD and inflammatory response that characterizes this condition. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with COPD exacerbation, 21 stable COPD, and 12 control subjects were included. T lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood using MACS. Apoptosis of T lymphocytes was assessed with FACS using annexin V and 7-aminoactinomycin. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were determined by an immunoassay technique. Results: There was significantly increased percent age of apoptotic lymphocytes, CD 4 + , and CD 8 + T cells in the peripheral blood of patients with exacerbation of COPD compared with stable COPD. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly increased in patients with exacerba tion of COPD compared with stable COPD. Only TNF-α presented a positive correlation with apoptotic lymphocytes in patients with exacerbation of COPD. Conclusion: Increased apoptotic lymphocytes may be associated with upregulation of TNF-α in the peripheral blood of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

연구배경: Belotecan (Camtobell, CKD-602, Chongkundang Pharm., Korea)은 camptothecin의 치환체로 topoisomerase I 효소를 억제하여 항암효과를 나타내는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이에 2차 항암화학요법에 치료제로써 Belotecan의 효과, 생존율 및 부작용에 대해 연구하였다. 방법: 이에 소세포폐암에서 etoposide와 platinum을 사용한 1차 항암화학요법에서 실패한 49명의 환자들을 대상으로 2차 항암화학요법에 Belotecan을 투약하였다. 결과: 전체 반응률은 25%였으며, 11명의 환자에서 partial response를 보였다. 또한 1차 항암화학요법 이후 90일 이내에 재발한 군과 90일 이상 경과한 군간에 유의한 차이는 보이지 않았다. 전체 환자의 중심생존기간은 10.3개월(290일)이었고, 비반응군에서는 186일(95% CI; 67~305)로 반응군의 471일(95% CI; 234~568)에 비해 생존기간의 감소 유의하게 있음을 확인하였다(p=0.07). 결론: 2차 항암화학요법의 치료제로써 Belotecan의 효능과 부작용에 대해서는 향후 무작위 비교 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML) is a rare disorder characterized by a nonneoplastic proliferation of distinctive histiocyte cells within lymph node sinuses and lymphatics in extranodal sites. SHML occurs worldwide and is primarily a disease of childhood and early adulthood. A 26-yr-old man presented with painless palpable lymph node in cervical area. Radiographic studies revealed pleural effusion with lymphadenopathy and calcification in mediastinum. The cervical lymph node biopsy showed dilated sinuses filled with histiocytes with clear cytoplasm. The cells stained positive with CD68 and S-100. These cytologic and immunohistochemical findings were considered consistent with the diagnosis of SHML.

Pheochromocytoma is derived from the chromaffin tissue. The typical finding of pheochromocytoma is paroxysmal hypertension accompanied with various signs and symptoms that are due to the excess of catecholamines or other bioactive substances. Yet the diagnosis is sometimes difficult to make because its clinical presentation is quite variable. Especially, hemoptysis is a very rare symptom, so the diagnosis is often missed or delayed. Without making the correct diagnosis and then subsequently administerin g treatment, the condition may be fatal. We herein report on a 68 year-old woman who was admitted because of abdom inal pain and hemoptysis. The initial radiologic findings suggested pulmonary edema with alveolar hemorrhage. The urine catecholamine levels were elevated and she developed catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy. We performed bronchial arterial embolization and we administered alpha blocker medication for controlling the hemoptysis and hypertension. After the temporary symptomatic improvement, her clinical course was aggravated by pneumonia and pulmonary edema. In spite of performing definitive surgery for pheochromocytoma, she died of postoperative hemodynamic instability. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2008;64:219-223)Key Words: Pheochromocytoma, Alveolar hemorrhage, Cardiogenic pulmonary edema

A sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disorder that has a predilection for pulmonary involvement, and the common radiological findings for the disease are bilateral nodular or reticulonodular patterns. Pseudoalveolar sarcoidosis is a rare presentation of sarcoidosis. The radiological finding is an alveolar pattern that involves or compresses the alveoli by clustered interstitial granuloma. A 58-year-old man was admitted due to incidental findings of a unilateral consolidative lesion as seen on chest radiography. A chest computed tomography (CT) examination showed multiple bronchoalveolar consolidations that were suspicious of a malignancy. However, a percutaneous needle biopsy revealed non-caseating granuloma with an asteroid body that was compatible with sarcoidosis. After one month, the consolidative lesions improved without any treatment. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2008;64:149-152)

유육종증의 비강 침범은 드물게 발견되며 폐 침범 없이 비강만 단독으로 침범하는 경우는 더욱 드물게 보고되고 있다. 37세의 여자 환자가 콧물과 비강 폐색을 주소로 내원하였다. 비강 종괴의 조직 검사상 일부분에서 괴사를 동반한 비건락성 육아종으로 나와 폐외 결핵으로 생각하고 9개월간 항결핵제의 투약을 하였다. 그러나 항결핵제 투약 완료 후에 결막 종괴 및 많은 수의 흉곽 내 림프절 비대가 새로이 발견되었고, 결막 종괴에서 시행한 조직 검사상 비강 종괴와 동일한 양상의 비건락성 육아종이 발견되었다. 항결핵제 투약에도 불구하고 임상 증상의 호전이 없었고 비강과 결막 조직 검사에서 비건락성 육아종 소견이 동일하게 보여 최종적으로 유육종증으로 진단 할 수 있었다. 혈청 안지오텐신 전환효소 수치는 상승되어 있었다. 부신피질 호르몬 투여 이후 환자의 증상은 점차 개선되었다. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2008;65:121-124)

Factitious hemoptysis is the bleeding type of Munchausen's syndrome, and this describes a group of patients who intentionally produce symptoms. Because factitious hemoptysis is a very rare manifestation of hemoptysis, it generally passes unnoticed. We report here on a case of factitious hemoptysis in a 15-year-old boy who presented with hemoptysis. During his three hospitalizations, we conducted many diagnostic procedures, including chest CT, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy and bronchial arteriography, yet we failed to find the definitive cause of the patient's hemoptysis. He kept on complaining of repetitive hemoptysis and seizure-like activity. His father discovered that he had collected his blood into the specimen cup via an intravenous line. After we removed the intravenous line, he did not show blood to us again. We suggest that factitious hemoptysis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemoptysis of an unclear bleeding focus, and especially when the patient has a bizarre hospital course or unusual behavior. We also include a review of the relevant literature.

Recently, intra-Muscular Stimulation (IMS) therapy is being increasingly used for musculoskeletal pain. This procedure is generally regarded as a safe procedure for the general public. Some cases of iatrogenic pneumothorax caused by acupuncture have been reported in the medical literature. However, a case of an IMS therapy associated pneumothorax has not reported. We experienced two cases of iatrogenic pneumothorax after IMS therapy. A 62 year-old man received IMS therapy on the right shoulder due to posterior neck pain. After IMS therapy, acute dyspnea and chest discomfort developed. The other patient was a 74 year-old woman who also received IMS therapy. This patient experienced a nonproductive cough and acute dyspnea after the treatment. As the popularity of this form of alternative medicine increases, we might expect to see more cases of iatrogenic pneumothorax. Physicians should be aware of the adverse events associated with IMS therapy.

Totally implanted central venous access devices for chemotherapy (chemoport) are being used increasingly in lung cancer patients. Vascular catheters are associated with various complications including infection, thrombosis as well as spontaneous fractures and embolization of the catheter, which is known as 'pinch-off syndrome'. 'Pinch-off syndrome' refers to the compression of a subclavian central venous catheter between the clavicle and first rib resulting in an intermittent or permanent obstruction, which can lead to tears, transection, or embolization. We report two cases of fractured and embolized implanted subclavian venous catheters in which the fragments were removed percutaneously. A 62-year-old man presented with back pain with a duration of a few weeks. The chest radiograph revealed complete transsection and embolization of the catheter into the right atrium. In addition, a 47-year-old woman with a chemoport had a grade 3 pinch-off sign in a chest radiograph demonstrating complete transsection and embolization of the catheter into the pulmonary artery. Both cases were managed by retrieving the embolized distal fragment percutaneously and removing the proximal section of the catheter.