Publications by authors named "Albert Jang"

Background: Breast and prostate tumors are known to be less responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Tissue-based tumor mutation burden (tTMB) has emerged as a predictive biomarker of response to ICIs, including in these "cold tumors". In clinical practice, when tTMB is not available, blood-based TMB score (bTMB) can be used to consider treatment with ICIs.

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Purpose: To introduce a new method for generalized RF pulse design using physics-guided self-supervised learning (GPS), which uses the Bloch equations as the guiding physics model.

Theory And Methods: The GPS framework consists of a neural network module and a physics module, where the physics module is a Bloch simulator for MRI applications. For RF pulse design, the neural network module maps an input target profile to an RF pulse, which is subsequently loaded into the physics module.

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Article Synopsis
  • The treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is complex due to various life-prolonging options, including radionuclide therapy which targets tumors with radiation.
  • Clinical trials, particularly for Lu-PSMA beta-emitting therapy, have shown effectiveness for mCRPC, while research is ongoing into alpha-emitting therapies as alternative options.
  • Patient selection and resistance mechanisms to radionuclide therapy are critical areas of study, with advances in imaging and biomarkers aiding in this process, alongside potential combinations with other therapies to enhance treatment outcomes.
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Quantitative MRI utilizes multiple acquisitions with varying sequence parameters to sufficiently characterize a biophysical model of interest, resulting in undesirable scan times. Here we propose, validate and demonstrate a new general strategy for accelerating MRI using subvoxel shifting as a source of encoding called POSition Encoding (POSE). The POSE framework applies unique subvoxel shifts along the acquisition parameter dimension, thereby creating an extra source of encoding.

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This study introduces a novel image reconstruction technique based on a diffusion model that is conditioned on the native data domain. Our method is applied to multi-coil MRI and quantitative MRI (qMRI) reconstruction, leveraging the domain-conditioned diffusion model within the frequency and parameter domains. The prior MRI physics are used as embeddings in the diffusion model, enforcing data consistency to guide the training and sampling process, characterizing MRI k-space encoding in MRI reconstruction, and leveraging MR signal modeling for qMRI reconstruction.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study looked at how often men with advanced prostate cancer get tested with a special method called next-generation sequencing (NGS) to find helpful information about their disease.
  • They analyzed data from 1,597 patients and found that only 9% had more than one NGS test, often discovering new useful information on the second test.
  • The results suggest that doing these tests more than once could help doctors make better treatment choices for men with advanced prostate cancer.
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Objective: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been used worldwide to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Outcomes after EVAR within and outside the instruction for use (IFU) remain controversial. We analyzed long-term outcomes of EVAR within-the-IFU compared with that outside-the-IFU and baseline clinical/anatomical characteristics that influence outcomes of EVAR.

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Purpose: This paper proposes a novel self-supervised learning framework that uses model reinforcement, REference-free LAtent map eXtraction with MOdel REinforcement (RELAX-MORE), for accelerated quantitative MRI (qMRI) reconstruction. The proposed method uses an optimization algorithm to unroll an iterative model-based qMRI reconstruction into a deep learning framework, enabling accelerated MR parameter maps that are highly accurate and robust.

Methods: Unlike conventional deep learning methods which require large amounts of training data, RELAX-MORE is a subject-specific method that can be trained on single-subject data through self-supervised learning, making it accessible and practically applicable to many qMRI studies.

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Article Synopsis
  • Small-cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the genitourinary tract are rare but aggressive cancers primarily found in the bladder and prostate, often presenting with severe urinary symptoms and metastases.
  • Treatment typically involves a combination of platinum-based chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, especially for bladder SCC which frequently shows nodal and metastatic spread.
  • Current research is focused on understanding the genetic factors behind the development of these cancers and is leading to ongoing clinical trials for new therapies.
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Introduction: Patients with metastatic prostate cancer, especially in the castrate-resistant setting, have a poor prognosis. Many agents have been approved for metastatic prostate cancer, such as androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, taxane-based chemotherapy, radiopharmaceuticals, and immunotherapy. However, prostate cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in nonsmoking men.

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  • Protein C deficiency is linked to venous thromboembolism but can also cause arterial thrombosis, as highlighted in a case report.
  • A 40-year-old man developed pulmonary thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis, was treated with anticoagulants, but later suffered an acute myocardial infarction after stopping treatment.
  • The case suggests that recurrent thromboembolic events may indicate an underlying condition of thrombophilia, requiring prompt medical intervention.
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  • Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), particularly clear cell RCC, is showing promise for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, but many patients still face initial resistance or develop resistance over time.
  • Recent advancements in treatment outcomes for advanced RCC have emerged from new immunotherapy approvals, yet a need exists to explore the causes of resistance and develop better treatment options.
  • Ongoing clinical trials are investigating innovative therapies such as cytokines, gut microbiota-based approaches, and novel vaccines, which could enhance responses when combined with traditional immunotherapies.
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Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is performed in selected patients with cryptogenic stroke to prevent recurrence. The prognosis of patients with uncrossable PFO after failed guidewire or catheter passage during the procedure remains unknown. We compared the long-term prognosis between uncrossable PFO and successful PFO closure in patients with high-grade PFO shunts.

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Atrial fibrosis in the right atrium (RA) presenting as a low-voltage zone might be the mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF) and intra-atrial conduction delay. The impact of scar homogenization in RA on intra-atrial conduction delay is unknown. We describe a patient with paroxysmal AF and significant intra-atrial conduction delay with repetitive atrial flutter, triggered from the lateral free wall in the RA between the significant low-voltage zone and slow conduction area after pulmonary vein isolation.

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Lu-PSMA-617 and Lu-PSMA I&T (collectively termed Lu-PSMA) are currently being used for the treatment of selected metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients with PSMA PET-positive disease, but biomarkers for these agents remain incompletely understood. Pretreatment circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) samples were collected from 44 mCRPC patients receiving Lu-PSMA treatment. Prostate-specific antigen responders and nonresponders were assessed relative to the ctDNA findings at baseline.

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: Polymer-free ultrathin strut sirolimus- and probucol-eluting stents (PF-SES) are recognized as safe and effective in diverse patient populations, although the implications of post-dilation during stent implantation remain underexamined. : In this study, patients implanted with PF-SES at Gachon University Gil Medical Center between December 2014 and February 2018 were evaluated. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), encompassing nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, and cardiovascular death were identified as primary outcomes, with secondary outcomes including target vessel revascularization (TVR), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and in-stent restenosis (ISR).

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Importance: Black men have higher incidence and mortality from prostate cancer. Whether precision oncology disparities affect Black men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is unknown.

Objective: To compare precision medicine data and outcomes between Black and White men with mCRPC.

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Considering recently published data, this letter to the editor highlights the clinical relevance of CDK12 pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations, noting that Black men have prostate cancers with increased rates of this pathologic alteration. Practitioners should be made aware of recent findings, given that CDK12 mutations are known to be associated with aggressive variants of prostate cancer and that they may confer susceptibility to PD-1 antagonists.

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This paper proposes a novel self-supervised learning method, RELAX-MORE, for quantitative MRI (qMRI) reconstruction. The proposed method uses an optimization algorithm to unroll a model-based qMRI reconstruction into a deep learning framework, enabling the generation of highly accurate and robust MR parameter maps at imaging acceleration. Unlike conventional deep learning methods requiring a large amount of training data, RELAX-MORE is a subject-specific method that can be trained on single-subject data through self-supervised learning, making it accessible and practically applicable to many qMRI studies.

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Radiopharmaceuticals are rapidly developing as a field, with the successful use of targeted beta emitters in neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer serving as catalysts. Targeted alpha emitters are in current development for several potential oncologic indications. Herein, we review the three most prevalently studied conjugated/chelated alpha emitters (actinium, lead, and astatine) and focus on contemporary clinical trials in an effort to more fully appreciate the breadth of the current evaluation.

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Purpose: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in blood has emerged as a prognostic and predictive biomarker demonstrating improved assessment of treatment response in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Here, we performed a pilot study to support the role of ctDNA for longitudinal treatment response monitoring in patients with advanced genitourinary (GU) malignancies receiving ICIs.

Materials And Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed advanced GU malignancies were prospectively enrolled.

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