Is Treosulfan-Based Conditioning Attractive as a Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Regimen in Korea?

Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was not actively performed in elderly acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome patients who are at a high-risk based on hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI). The advent of reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens has made HSCT applicable in this population. However, the selection of appropriate conditioning is a major concern for the attending physician.

A Multicenter, Prospective, Observational Study to Evaluate Ethanol-Induced Symptoms in Patients Receiving Docetaxel Chemotherapy.

Purpose: Several previous studies and case reports have reported ethanol-induced symptoms in patients receiving anticancer drugs containing ethanol. Most docetaxel formulations contain ethanol as a solvent. However, there are insufficient data on ethanol-induced symptoms when docetaxel-containing ethanol is administered.

Comparison of antibody response to coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination between patients with solid or hematologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Aim: This study examined the serum antibody response of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines in solid and hematologic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Levels of various inflammatory cytokines/chemokines after full vaccination were analyzed.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with solid cancer and 37 with hematologic malignancy who got fully vaccinated either with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA (mRNA) or vector vaccines or their combination were included.

Effects of Omicron Infection and Changes in Serum Antibody Response to Wild-Type, Delta, and Omicron After a Booster Dose With BNT163b2 Vaccine in Korean Healthcare Workers.

Background: Although the primary vaccine coverage rate for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in South Korea has exceeded 80%, the coronavirus continues to spread, with reports of a rapid decline in vaccine effectiveness. South Korea is administering booster shots despite concerns about the effectiveness of the existing vaccine.

Methods: Neutralizing antibody inhibition scores were evaluated in two cohorts after the booster dose.

Herbal formula PM012 induces neuroprotection in stroke brain.

Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability world-wide. Limited pharmacological therapy has been used in stroke patients. Previous studies indicated that herb formula PM012 is neuroprotective against neurotoxin trimethyltin in rat brain, and improved learning and memory in animal models of Alzheimer's disease.

Clinical Experience of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Elderly Patients Aged 60 Years and Older in South Korea.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to share our outcomes and experiences on allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in elderly patients aged 60 years and older with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in South Korea, and to compare them with other studies.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed the clinical outcomes of 116 patients with AML or MDS aged 60 years and older who underwent allogeneic HSCT. We also analyzed which pretreatment factors affect the overall survival (OS) after allogeneic HSCT.

High-Throughput Metal 3D Printing Pen Enabled by a Continuous Molten Droplet Transfer.

In metal additive manufacturing (AM), arc plasma is attracting attention as an alternative heat source to expensive lasers to enable the use of various metal wire materials with a high deposition efficiency. However, the stepwise material deposition and resulting limited number of degrees of freedom limit their potential for high-throughput and large-scale production for industrial applications. Herein, a high-throughput metal 3D printing pen (M3DPen) strategy is proposed based on an arc plasma heat source by harnessing the surface tension of the molten metal for enabling continuous material deposition without a downward flow by gravity.

Vector genome loss and epigenetic modifications mediate decline in transgene expression of AAV5 vectors produced in mammalian and insect cells.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are often produced in HEK293 or Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf)-based cell lines. We compared expression profiles of "oversized" (∼5,000 bp) and "standard-sized" (4,600 bp) rAAV5-human α1-antitrypsin (rAAV5-hA1AT) vectors manufactured in HEK293 or Sf cells and investigated molecular mechanisms mediating expression decline. C57BL/6 mice received 6 × 10 vg/kg of vector, and blood and liver samples were collected through week 57.

TET2 Mutation and High miR-22 Expression as Biomarkers to Predict Clinical Outcome in Myelodysplastic Syndrome Patients Treated with Hypomethylating Therapy.

Tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) is one of the most frequently mutated genes in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). TET2 is known to involve a demethylation process, and the loss of TET2 is thought to cause DNA hypermethylation. Loss of TET2 function is known to be caused by genetic mutations and miRNA, such as miR-22.

Gemcitabine and Erlotinib with or without Oxaliplatin in Previously Untreated Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Randomized Phase II Trial.

Purpose: Erlotinib has been the only targeted agent to show significantly improved outcomes in pancreatic adenocarcinoma when combined with gemcitabine. We aimed to evaluate whether the addition of oxaliplatin to a combination gemcitabine/erlotinib treatment conferred a clinical benefit in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Materials And Methods: Chemotherapy-naïve patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were randomly assigned to receive GEMOX-T [gemcitabine 1000 mg/m² and oxaliplatin 50 mg/m² on day 1 (D1) and D8 plus erlotinib 100 mg daily for 3 weeks] or GT (gemcitabine 1000 mg/m² on D1 and D8 plus erlotinib 100 mg daily for 3 weeks).

2020 Korean guidelines for the management of metastatic prostate cancer.

In 2017, Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO) published the Korean management guideline of metastatic prostate cancer. This paper is the 2nd edition of the Korean management guideline of metastatic prostate cancer. We updated recent many changes of management in metastatic prostate cancer in this 2nd edition guideline.

Is immunological recovery clinically relevant at 100 days after allogeneic transplantation?

Background/aims: Immune reconstitution following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is affected by multiple variables during the transplantation.

Methods: We assessed the clinical factors contributing to immune function reconstitution at 100 days post-allogeneic HSCT in 114 patients receiving fludarabine-based conditioning. Immunophenotypic analysis using flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the percentage and the absolute numbers of T-cell subsets, natural killer cells, and B-cells as clinical outcomes.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Epidermal Growth Factor Ointment for Treating Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor-Induced Skin Toxicities.

Background: The efficacy of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), pancreatic cancer (PC), or colorectal cancer (CRC) has been demonstrated. However, dermatological reactions to these inhibitors can cause significant physical and psychosocial discomfort. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of EGF ointment for EGFR inhibitor-related skin adverse events (ERSEs).

The incidence of venous thromboembolism is not lowin Korean patients with advanced pancreatic cancer [corrected].

Background: Pancreatic cancer is among the most common malignancies associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). Asian patients are known to have a lower incidence of VTE compared to Caucasian patients. However, few studies have investigated the incidence of VTE in Asian patients with pancreatic cancer.

Biomarkers of angiogenesis as prognostic factors in myelodysplastic syndrome patients treated with hypomethylating agents.

Angiogenesis occurs in response to tissue ischemia and wound healing, and contributes to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases, such as benign and malignant neoplasia. Several studies have measured bone marrow microvessel density (MVD) in MDS patients and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients transformed from MDS, and MVD was higher in MDS patients than controls, but was lower than in AML patients. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is expressed in bone marrow blast cells, and an autocrine VEGF signaling mechanism has been established in MDS.

Perirenal hematoma in a patient treated with bevacizumab for metastatic colon cancer: A case report.

The present study reports the case of a patient that developed spontaneous perirenal hematoma during treatment with bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy. A 44-year-old woman with metastatic sigmoid colon cancer, who was being treated with bevacizumab (5 mg/kg, intravenous, 90 min biweekly), was admitted to hospital following 3 cycles of chemotherapy, with a sudden onset of dyspnea and oliguria. An emergency hemodialysis was performed and a large right perirenal hematoma was diagnosed using computed tomography.

Does anti-thymocyte globulin have a place in busulfan/fludarabine conditioning for matched related donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation?

Background/aims: There is controversy about the prophylactic effect of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) on graft versus host disease (GVHD) in the setting of matched related-donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study assessed the inf luences of ATG on the incidences of acute and chronic GVHD and other clinical outcomes in matched related-donor HSCT.

Methods: Sixty-one patients received allogeneic HSCT from human leukocyte antigen-matched, related donors.

Phase II trial of epidermal growth factor ointment for patients with Erlotinib-related skin effects.

Purpose: The efficacy of erlotinib, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been demonstrated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic cancer (PC). In the present study, we evaluated the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) ointment on erlotinib-related skin effects (ERSEs).

Methods: This was an open-label, non-comparative, multicenter, phase II trial.

Changes in foot pressure elicited by 3D air balance exercise and pelvic stability exercise for functional leg-length discrepancy in adult women.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to examine the effect of pelvic stabilization exercise and 3D equipment exercise on adult women with Functional Leg-Length Discrepancy (FLLD). [Subjects and Methods] Twenty female students in their 20's having FLLD without Structural Leg Length Discrepancy were selected. Exercise was performed for 50 min per session, three times a week, for six weeks.

Influence of plasma conditions on the intensity ratio calibration curve during laser induced breakdown spectroscopy analysis.

Quantitative prediction of elemental concentration or concentration ratio of solid samples can be achieved by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy if a calibration curve that is little influenced by plasma conditions could be obtained. This work demonstrates that such a calibration curve is available for copper indium gallium diselenide (CuIn(1-x)Ga(x)Se₂) thin film solar cells for properly selected spectral lines. The possible changes of calibration curves based on the selected spectral lines are discussed in consideration of self-absorption in optically thick plasma and the dependency of spectral line properties on plasma temperature.

Depth profiling analysis of CuIn1-xGa(x)Se2 absorber layer by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy in atmospheric conditions.

This work reports the capability of depth profile analysis of thin CuIn1-xGa(x)Se2 (CIGS) absorber layer (1.89 μm) with a sub-hundred nanometer resolution by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The LIBS analysis was carried out with a commercial CIGS solar cell on flexible substrate by using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser (λ = 532 nm, τ = 5 ns, top-hat profile) and an intensified charge-coupled device spectrometer in atmospheric conditions.

Independence of elemental intensity ratio on plasma property during laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.

The authors report that the elemental composition ratio of Ga to In in a CuIn(1-x)Ga(x)Se(2) compound semiconductor, a thin-film solar cell material, can be measured with little influence of plasma property changes by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (λ = 1064 nm, τ = 5 ns). It is shown that the similarity in excitation energy levels of the selected Ga and In emission lines and the fact that these elements belong to the same group of the periodic table are the critical factors ensuring the independence of intensity ratio on plasma conditions.

Enhanced hemangioblast generation and improved vascular repair and regeneration from embryonic stem cells by defined transcription factors.

The fetal liver kinase 1 (FLK-1)(+) hemangioblast can generate hematopoietic, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ER71/ETV2, GATA2, and SCL form a core transcriptional network in hemangioblast development. Transient coexpression of these three factors during mesoderm formation stage in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) robustly enhanced hemangioblast generation by activating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and FLK-1 signaling while inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, WNT signaling, and cardiac output.