Phase 2 trial of avelumab in combination with gemcitabine in advanced leiomyosarcoma as a second-line treatment (EAGLES, Korean Cancer Study Group UN18-09).

Background: In this single-arm, multicenter, phase 2 trial, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of avelumab plus gemcitabine in patients with leiomyosarcoma (LMS) who failed on first-line chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients with advanced LMS received avelumab 10 mg/kg on days 1 and 15 (for up to 24 months) plus gemcitabine 1000 mg/m on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle until they developed disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary end point was the objective response rate (ORR).

Choosing the right adjuvant therapy for stage III-IVA endometrial cancer: A comparative analysis of chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Objective: The optimal adjuvant treatment for patients with locally advanced endometrial cancer (EC) remains debatable. We comparatively analyzed recurrence patterns and survival outcomes in patients with stage III-IVA EC treated with adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) exclusively or combined with radiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 184 patients treated for stage III-IVA EC at 2 tertiary institutions between 2010 and 2021.

Enfortumab vedotin-related pneumonitis is more common than expected and could lead to acute respiratory failure.

Purpose: To analyse the incidence of pneumonitis related to enfortumab vedotin (EV) in patients with metastatic urothelial cell carcinoma (mUC).

Methods: Patients with mUC who participated in two EV clinical trials in South Korea were analysed for the incidence and clinical course of EV-related pneumonitis through retrospective, independent review. The clinical characteristics and radiologic attributes of potential pneumonitis were identified and reviewed by the participating investigators and pulmonologists.

Efficacy and Safety of Trastuzumab Biosimilar (CT-P6) Compared With Reference Trastuzumab in Patients With HER2-positive Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

Objectives: Treatment with trastuzumab and chemotherapy significantly improves the outcome in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastric cancer (AGC). CT-P6 (trastuzumab-pkrb; Herzuma) is a trastuzumab biosimilar approved for the treatment of HER2-positive gastric cancer. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of CT-P6 and reference trastuzumab as first-line treatment for HER2-positive AGC.

Resistance and aerobic exercise intervention during chemotherapy in patients with metastatic cancer: a pilot study in South Korea.

Background: We investigated the feasibility and safety of an exercise intervention in patients with metastatic solid cancer.

Methods: Patients scheduled to receive first-line chemotherapy for metastatic cancer with a life expectancy of ≥4 months, no brain metastases, and no high risk of fracture were recruited to participate in a 12-week, combined resistance and aerobic exercise program consisting of supervised, hospital-based (2×/week) and home-based training (3×/week) during palliative chemotherapy. Feasibility and safety of the exercise intervention were the primary outcomes.

A rare malignant periurethral carcinosarcoma with aggressive behavior: A case treated with a multimodal treatment approach.

Carcinosarcoma is an aggressive tumor that can develop in any organ but is rarely observed in the urinary tract. Given the radioresistant nature of carcinosarcoma and the rapidly regrowing tumor after primary surgery, carcinosarcomas that developed in the body showed poor outcomes regardless of aggressive management. However, the specific optimal treatment for periurethral carcinosarcoma remains unknown.

Comparison of the Data of a Next-Generation Sequencing Panel from K-MASTER Project with That of Orthogonal Methods for Detecting Targetable Genetic Alterations.

Purpose: K-MASTER project is a Korean national precision medicine platform that screened actionable mutations by analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) of solid tumor patients. We compared gene analyses between NGS panel from the K-MASTER project and orthogonal methods.

Materials And Methods: Colorectal, breast, non-small cell lung, and gastric cancer patients were included.

Longitudinal changes in skeletal muscle mass in patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer.

Background: Skeletal muscle depletion (sarcopenia) is associated with poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer. We analyzed changes in skeletal muscle area using serial computed tomography (CT) until the death of patients with advanced squamous cell lung cancer (SQCLC).

Methods: This retrospective study comprised 70 consecutive patients who underwent palliative chemotherapy for SQCLC.

Machine learning models to identify low adherence to influenza vaccination among Korean adults with cardiovascular disease.

Background: Annual influenza vaccination is an important public health measure to prevent influenza infections and is strongly recommended for cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients, especially in the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to develop a machine learning model to identify Korean adult CVD patients with low adherence to influenza vaccination METHODS: Adults with CVD (n = 815) from a nationally representative dataset of the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V) were analyzed. Among these adults, 500 (61.

Prognostic significance of radiodensity-based skeletal muscle quantification using preoperative CT in resected non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer. Skeletal muscle area can be quantified based on radiodensity of CT scan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of radiodensity-based detailed skeletal muscle quantification on outcomes after surgery of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Predictive Roles of HER2 Gene Amplification and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio on Survival in HER2-Positive Advanced Gastric Cancer Treated With Trastuzumab-Based Chemotherapy.

Objectives: Trastuzumab is used as an agent against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastric cancer (AGC). The aim of this study was to determine how HER2 gene amplification and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) could predict long-term survival in AGC patients that underwent trastuzumab-based chemotherapy.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 112 patients between 28 and 91 years old (median of 66 y) with AGC treated with first-line trastuzumab-based chemotherapy.

rhEGF Treatment Improves EGFR Inhibitor-Induced Skin Barrier and Immune Defects.

The mechanisms of epidermal growth factor (EGF) affecting EGF receptor inhibitor (EGFRI)-related skin toxicities are as yet unknown. We investigated which mechanisms are involved in EGF's positive effects. Two types of EGFRIs, cetuximab and gefitinib, were used to treat the cells or 3d-cultured human skin tissue with recombinant human EGF (rhEGF).

Prediction scoring system based on clinicohematologic parameters for cervical cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation.

Objective: A scoring system based on clinicohematologic parameters in cervical cancer patients receiving chemoradiation has not been reported to date. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of clinicohematologic parameters in patients with cervical cancer undergoing chemoradiation and to develop a prediction scoring system based on these results.

Methods: A total of 107 patients who received definitive chemoradiation for cervical cancer were enrolled in this study.

Prevalence and associated factors of influenza vaccination coverage in Korean adults with cardiovascular disease.

Infection with influenza virus increases morbidity and mortality in patients with risk factors, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with influenza vaccination coverage in Korean CVD patients.We included 19,599 adults from the 2010 to 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Adherence to general medical checkup and cancer screening guidelines according to self-reported smoking status: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010-2012.

Objectives: The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) revealed that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening could reduce lung cancer mortality in heavy smokers. Lung screening with LDCT was implemented in July 2019 as part of the National Cancer Screening Program in Korea for heavy smokers who meet NLST criteria [smokers aged 55-74 years with 30 pack-years (PY) or more, excluding former smokers with more than 15 years since smoking cessation]. This study evaluated NLST-eligible heavy smokers' adherence to general medical checkup and cancer screening guidelines.

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).

Portal vein stent for symptomatic malignant portal vein stenosis: A single-center experience.

Objective: Malignant tumors around the portal vein (PV) can cause PV stenosis, and PV stent (PVS) placement may reduce symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of PVS for symptomatic malignant PV stenosis.

Methods: Fourteen consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic PVS placement from January 2016 to August 2018 for symptomatic malignant PV stenosis were included.

Concordance Rate between Clinicians and Watson for Oncology among Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer: Early, Real-World Experience in Korea.

Backgrounds/aims: Watson for Oncology (WFO) is a cognitive technology that processes medical information by analyzing the latest evidence and guidelines. However, studies of the concordance rate between WFO and clinicians for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) are lacking.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 65 patients with AGC who consulted WFO and the Gachon Gil Medical Center multidisciplinary team (GMDT) in 2016 and 2017.

Unusual radiologic manifestation of pseudoprogression in pulmonary metastases after durvalumab treatment in metastatic bladder urothelial cancer.

Durvalumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that blocks PD-L1. Unlike cytotoxic chemotherapy or molecularly targeted agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors occasionally present distinct response patterns, including radiologic pseudoprogression (initial tumor enlargement with subsequent tumor regression) and immune-related adverse events in normal tissues. We report a case of unusual computed tomography (CT) findings of pseudoprogression of pulmonary metastases in a patient with metastatic bladder cancer after durvalumab treatment: multiple pulmonary metastases turned into ground-glass opacity on first follow-up CT; on second follow-up CT, and after sustained treatment of the PD-L1 inhibitor, the lesion was resolved.

Sedation for terminally ill cancer patients: A multicenter retrospective cohort study in South Korea.

Sedation therapy is a potential solution to providing relief from refractory symptoms at end of life. The aim of this study was to investigate actual sedation practice and physician characteristics associated with the use of sedation for terminally ill cancer patients in South Korea.A retrospective review was conducted on consecutive patients who had died from cancer at seven tertiary medical centers between January 2010 and October 2015.

Prognostic significance of CT-determined sarcopenia in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Background: Sarcopenia, defined as decreased skeletal muscle mass, is prevalent and associated with poor prognosis in various solid tumors. This study aimed to determine the prognostic role of sarcopenia in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 140 consecutive patients who underwent palliative chemotherapy for AGC.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) aberrations in muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Recent studies suggest that FGFR3 is a potential therapeutic target in urothelial carcinoma (UC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rates and types of FGFR3 aberrations in patients with muscle-invasive UC who received radical resection.

Methods: We analyzed surgical tumor samples from 74 UC patients who had received radical cystectomy (n = 40) or ureteronephrectomy (n = 34).