Risk Factors for Progressive Disease After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: This study analyzed the clinical features of patients with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), who developed progressive disease (PD) after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 256 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICIs at 11 medical centers. Associations between the treatment outcomes-best response, overall survival, and progression-free survival-and various clinical factors were analyzed.

Comparative study of management strategies for immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis: rheumatologists versus oncologists.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved cancer treatment outcomes but are associated with immune-related adverse events (irAEs), such as inflammatory arthritis (ir-IA). Management of ir-IA is evolving, with corticosteroids as the primary treatment, though some cases require steroid-sparing agents.

Aims: This study aimed to compare initial mean prednisolone doses and disease persistence over 12 months in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-like ir-IA managed by rheumatologists or oncologists.

Comparison of Effects of Acellular Dermal Matrix and Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap on Radiation-induced Peri-implant Capsular Contracture in a Rabbit Model.

 Capsular contracture of breast implants is a major complication in breast surgery. Clinically, covering a breast implant with acellular dermal matrix (ADM) or autologous tissue is considered to be the most effective technique to prevent capsular contracture. This study was designed to compare the protective effects of ADM and latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap placement on capsular contracture by increasing the rate of capsular contracture through controlled radiation exposure in a rabbit model.

Iron-Chelating Hydroxyketone Ligands Promote Degradation of Fe(III)-Tannic Acid Nanofilms.

Polyphenols form nanofilms with transition metal ions by coordination-driven assembly. The as-formed metal-polyphenol nanofilms can degrade in the presence of chelating ligands that exhibit high stability constant with the nanofilm-forming metal ions. We have demonstrated the degradation of Fe(III)-tannic acid nanofilms with hydroxyketone ligands, such as maltol, kojic acid, and deferiprone, which exhibit high availability and excellent cytocompatibility.

Predictive value of early dynamic changes of NLR and PLR for the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: We analyzed the predictive value of dynamic changes in neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Study Design: A total of 104 patients with R/M HNSCC treated with ICIs during August 2018 to June 2023 were included. Dynamic changes were defined as the difference between NLR and PLR on day 1 of cycles 1 and 2.

The Effects of National Insurance Coverage Expansion and Genetic Counseling's Role on Mutation Tests in Breast Cancer Patients.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the impact of South Korea's national insurance coverage (NIC) expansion and the addition of genetic counselors on mutation testing rates in breast cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review was conducted at the Samsung Medical Center (SMC), dividing patients into three groups: pre-NIC expansion, post-NIC expansion, and post-extra genetic counselor involvement. The number of tests performed and the detection rates among newly diagnosed and follow-up patients, particularly focusing on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases, were analyzed.

Impact of residual microcalcifcations on prognosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Background: Residual microcalcifications after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) are challenging for deciding extent of surgery and questionable for impact on prognosis. We investigated changes in the extent and patterns of microcalcifications before and after NAC and correlated them with pathologic response. We also compared prognosis of patients depending on presence of residual microcalcifications after NAC.

Oncologic Outcomes of Immediate Breast Reconstruction in the Setting of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: A Long-term Follow-up Study of a Matched Cohort.

Purpose: Despite the increasing use of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR), its oncologic safety in the setting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) needs to be comprehensively clarified in breast cancer management. The objective of the present study was to analyze the oncologic safety of IBR following NACT.

Methods: In total, 587 patients with breast cancer who underwent a total mastectomy (TM) with IBR after NACT between 2008 and 2017 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed.

Risk factors of breast cancer recurrence in pathologic complete response achieved by patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a single-center retrospective study.

Objective: Pathologic complete response (pCR) of breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is highly related to molecular subtypes. Patients who achieved tumor pCR after NAC have a better prognosis. However, despite of better prognosis, pCR patients have a potential for recurrence.

Progesterone Receptor Expression Level Predicts Prognosis of Estrogen Receptor-Positive/HER2-Negative Young Breast Cancer: A Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Although estrogen receptor (ER) expression levels affect the prognosis of breast cancer, studies about progesterone receptor (PR) expression levels are insufficient, especially in young breast cancer (YBC). The purpose of this study was to compare clinical characteristics and prognosis according to PR expression levels in invasive breast cancer patients.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to identify YBC patients with invasive carcinoma diagnosed at an age of less than 40 years old between 2013 and 2018.

Association between sexuality knowledge and sexual dysfunction in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients and their partners.

Objective: To evaluate the association of sexual knowledge with sexual desire, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients and partners, and their willingness to participate in sexual education.

Methods: This is a multi-center survey. Patients were eligible if they had received HSCT.

Facial Artery as a Recipient Vessel for Extensive Scalp Reconstruction With Free Omental Flap Without Vein Graft.

Most patients with reconstruction for extensive scalp defects require the use of a free flap. The suitability of the recipient vessel has a major impact on the surgery and postoperative outcome. Flaps that can be used to reconstruct the total scalp with a single flap include the latissimus dorsi (LD) and omental flaps; the LD flap is generally preferred since the omental flap results in relatively larger donor site morbidity.

Preventive Effect of Synthetic Tryptophan Metabolite on Silicone Breast Implant-Induced Capsule Formation.

Background: In the field of plastic surgery, capsular contracture after silicone breast implant surgery is a major clinical problem. This experimental study confirms that the synthetic tryptophan metabolite N-(3',4'-dimethoxycinnamonyl) anthranilic acid (Tranilast) reduces capsule formation and prevents capsular contracture.

Methods: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 2 groups.

Nasal Columellar Reconstruction With Reverse Lateral Nasal Artery Pedicled Nasolabial Island Flap.

Nasal columellar is a complex area to reconstruct due to its unique esthetic and functional characteristics. Malignancy, trauma, infection, and esthetic surgery complications can cause columellar defect. Among many surgical plans, nasolabial island flap is most commonly used.

Firm Elevation of Reconstructed Auricle Using Polydactyly Digit in Microtia.

Total ear reconstruction for microtia is usually accomplished in 2 stages which is known as Nagata technique. After framework fabrication and implantation, the elevation procedure is required as a second step surgery. The authors are introducing a novel material for augmenting projection of rib cartilage framework in microtia treatment.

Impact of severe hypothyroidism on cyclophosphamide disposition and routes of metabolism and transport in a patient with treatment-resistant lupus nephritis.

Objective: To report what we believe to be the first case of severe hypothyroidism with reduced drug metabolism and transport activity.

Case Summary: A 32-year-old African American woman with a history of treatment-resistant lupus nephritis and concurrent hypothyroidism was participating in a clinical study to evaluate cyclophosphamide pharmacokinetics in patients with glomerulonephritis due to lupus nephritis and small-vessel vasculitis. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels ranged from 60 to 300 μIU/mL, despite high doses of thyroid replacement hormone (levothyroxine 400 μg twice weekly).