Jae Hyuck Choi

Characteristics of metastasis in the breast from extramammary malignancies

Breast metastasis from extramammary neoplasm is rare. We present the cases of metastasis to the breast after review of results in one institute and we want to show the difference of previous report.

Silibinin prevents TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and VEGF secretion by inactivation of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression are pivotal steps in cancer metastasis. Herein, we investigated the effect of silibinin, a major constituent (flavanolignan) of the fruits of Silybum marianum, on 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 and VEGF expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The expression of MMP-9 and VEGF in response to TPA was increased, whereas TPA-induced MMP-9 and VEGF expression was decreased by silibinin. To investigate the regulatory mechanism of silibinin on TPA-induced MMP-9 and VEGF expression, we pretreated cells with various inhibitors, such as UO126 (MEK1/2 inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), and SB203580 (p38 inhibitor). Interestingly, TPA-induced MMP-9 expression was significantly inhibited by UO126, but not by SP600125 and SB203580. In addition, we pretreated cells with 100 microM silibinin prior to TPA treatment. TPA-induced MEK and ERK phosphorylation was significantly decreased by silibinin in MCF7 cells. TPA-induced VEGF expression was also suppressed by UO126. On the other hand, we found that adenoviral constitutive active-MEK (Ad-CA-MEK) significantly increased MMP-9 and VEGF expression. Taken together, we suggest that the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 and VEGF expression by silibinin is mediated by the suppression of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

The role of PET CT to evaluate the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer: comparison with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Recently PET is emerged as a method to estimate the response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in advanced breast cancer. This study is aimed to estimate the predictive role of PET CT and other imaging modalities (ultrasound, MRI) through NAC.

Is a thyroid follicular neoplasm a good indication for endoscopic surgery

Endoscopic thyroidectomy is a safe and feasible alternative as compared with conventional open thyroidectomy in patients with a small thyroid cancer or a benign thyroid tumor. However, despite the many advantages of endoscopic surgery, it can result in unexpected complications. Recently, the authors experienced a case of follicular thyroid cancer recurrence that developed around the operative bed and along the port insertion site after endoscopic thyroidectomy for a large follicular neoplasm. The authors suggest that a smaller follicular neoplasm is a good indication for endoscopic thyroidectomy, but that a large follicular neoplasm should not be viewed as indicators for endoscopic surgery, because of the possibility of malignancy and rupture during manipulation.