Cancer Res Treat [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Clinico-Pathologic Features of Adult Erdheim-Chester Disease in South Korea: A Multicenter Retrospective Study (KCSG LY22-15).
Lee JY, Go H, Lee MW … +6 more , Lee JH, Yoon SE, Kong JH, Lim S, Jeon YK, Kim TM
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42392581 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by heterogeneous multisystem manifestations and frequent MAPK-ERK pathway alterations. Data on the clinico-pathologic featu...
PURPOSE: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by heterogeneous multisystem manifestations and frequent MAPK-ERK pathway alterations. Data on the clinico-pathologic features and real-world outcomes of adult ECD in South Korea are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) with ECD at seven Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG)-affiliated institutions between October 2008 and June 2024. Clinical and pathologic features, BRAF V600E mutation status, treatment patterns, and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were included (median age 57 years [IQR 45-64]; 50% male). Organ involvement was heterogeneous: bone (54.5%), retroperitoneal/renal (31.8%), central nervous system (27.3%), cardiovascular (27.3%), hypothalamic-pituitary axis (27.3%), pulmonary (18.2%), and skin (13.6%); multisystem disease (≥2 organs) was present in 40.9%. BRAF V600E was positive in 11 of 19 tested patients (57.9%). Systemic treatment was initiated in 18 patients (81.8%); interferon-α-based regimens were the most common first-line approach (50.0%). Among 16 evaluable patients, the disease control rate (CR/PR/SD) was 87.5%. With a median follow-up of 4.6 years (IQR 1.3-6.5), 2- and 5-year OS rates were 90.0% and 74.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Korean adult patients with ECD demonstrate heterogeneous organ involvement and frequent BRAF V600E positivity. Real-world treatment remains dominated by interferon-α-based approaches, underscoring the need for standardized molecular testing and improved access to targeted therapy.
RETRACTION: Everolimus Plus Ku0063794 Regimen Promotes Anticancer Effects against Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through the Paradoxical Inhibition of Autophagy.
Editors of Cancer Research and Treatment
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42375101 · Publisher ↗
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Up and Down of Cancer Research and Treatment (CRT)'s Journal Impact Factor at the Moment of CRT's 60th Anniversary.
Ahn YC
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42375100 · Publisher ↗
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Tumor-Intrinsic Hepatocyte Arm-Level Genomic States Shape Immunotherapy Response Heterogeneity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Choi K, Sung H, Kim S … +1 more , Kim TM
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42341844 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Bulk transcriptomic biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often lack reproducibility because bulk RNA sequencing captures composite signals from malignant, i...
PURPOSE: Bulk transcriptomic biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often lack reproducibility because bulk RNA sequencing captures composite signals from malignant, immune, and stromal compartments. Variability in tumor purity and malignant cell composition can confound immune-based interpretations. We developed an integrative framework combining single-cell-derived digital cytometry with inference of tumor-intrinsic genomic states to better interpret transcriptomic variation associated with ICI response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-cell RNA sequencing data from HCC tumors (GSE206325) were used to construct a nine-cell-type signature matrix for CIBERSORTx deconvolution and to infer chromosome arm-level copy number variation in malignant hepatocytes using inferCNV. Signature stability was evaluated through pseudobulk reconstruction and gradient simulations. Digital cytometry was applied to three bulk RNA-seq ICI cohorts (GSE202069, GSE215011, and GSE279750). Arm-level alterations were projected onto bulk transcriptomes by mapping arm-associated genes, standardizing expression within samples, and aggregating direction-adjusted Q90 statistics into a composite arm-axis score. RESULTS: Digital cytometry revealed cohort-dependent variability in malignant hepatocyte dominance and limited reproducibility of immune fraction differences. Differential expression analysis also showed poor cross-cohort concordance. InferCNV identified recurrent arm-level alterations (1q/8q gain, 12p/13q loss), defining a continuous genomic axis. In pooled analysis (n=36), integrating the arm-axis score with PD-L1 improved discrimination (AUC 0.775; 95% CI, 0.602-0.920). In TCGA-LIHC (n=361), arm-level burden was inversely associated with cytolytic activity and positively associated with proliferation. CONCLUSION: Tumor-intrinsic hepatocyte genomic states provide complementary predictive information beyond immune activation alone and may help explain heterogeneity in ICI response across HCC cohorts.
Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Robot-Assisted Versus Conventional Esophagectomy.
Park JB, Hahm MI, Kim HK … +2 more , Kang D, Park SY
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42341843 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the comparative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) versus open esophagectomy (OE) and conventional minimally invasive es...
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the comparative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) versus open esophagectomy (OE) and conventional minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) in a nationwide real-world setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A target trial emulation was conducted using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, including patients who underwent first-time esophagectomy for esophageal cancer between 2010 and 2023, with survival followed through June 2024. Propensity score-matched cohorts were created for RAMIE versus OE (n=1,713 per group) and RAMIE versus MIE (n=1,162 per group). Clinical outcomes were compared, and a 5-year semi-Markov model was used to estimate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and costs from a healthcare sector perspective with a 4.5% annual discount rate. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), incremental net benefits (INBs), and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were calculated. RESULTS: RAMIE showed comparable or better short-term outcomes, including lower incidence of transfusion-requiring bleeding risk than OE (23.6% vs. 32.5%; relative risk [RR], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.65-0.81) and MIE (27.9% vs. 33.6%; RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77-0.99). Long-term survival was superior to OE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.88) and similar to MIE (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82-1.06). RAMIE yielded higher QALYs (Δ0.311 vs. OE; Δ0.126 vs MIE) and lower 5-year costs ($12,372-$19,765 vs. OE; $1,703-$9,097 vs. MIE), resulting in negative ICERs, positive INBs, and high probabilities of cost-effectiveness in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: RAMIE showed a favorable clinical and cost-effectiveness profile compared with OE and MIE, adding to the evidence base for its broader adoption.
A Multinational, Retrospective, Real-World Study: Treatment Patterns in Patients With HER2-Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma Beyond First-line in East Asia (HER2+ GASTA Study).
Oh DY, Yeo W, Chen JS … +16 more , Ba Y, Chan WWL, Chen MJ, Chen YH, Gu K, Hung YP, Kim JG, Lee J, Liang X, Luo S, Rha SY, Yuan Y, Kim T, Yanagida M, Sato R, Xu RH
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42341842 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: East Asia has the highest gastric cancer incidence globally [1]. Real-world (rw) treatment patterns and outcomes for HER2-positive (HER2+) advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (aGC/GEJC) remain p...
PURPOSE: East Asia has the highest gastric cancer incidence globally [1]. Real-world (rw) treatment patterns and outcomes for HER2-positive (HER2+) advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer (aGC/GEJC) remain poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study enrolled adults with HER2+ aGC/GEJC diagnosed since January 2016 who received ≥2 lines of therapies (LOTs) with ≥6 months of follow-up across 31 centers in South Korea (KR), China (CN), Taiwan (TW), and Hong Kong (HK). Data were collected through November 2023. Treatment patterns, rw-efficacy outcomes, and adverse events of interest were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Of 356 eligible patients (KR: 119, CN: 137, TW: 75, HK: 25), chemotherapy plus HER2-targeted monoclonal antibody was the most common 1st LOT regimen (61.0%), although utilization varied across countries/regions. Cross-country/region heterogeneity in treatment patterns emerged from the 2nd LOT onward. Median rw-overall survival varied across countries/regions (KR: 37.1; TW: 13.7; HK: 18.1 months); reliable survival estimation was precluded in CN due to ~50% loss to follow-up. Exploratory analyses suggested no survival benefit with trastuzumab use across multiple versus single LOT(s) (nominal p=0.96); however, sequential use of ≥2 HER2-targeted therapy types with distinct mechanisms of action (MoAs) may be associated with longer survival compared to a single type (nominal p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Cross-country/region heterogeneity in HER2+ aGC/GEJC treatment exists, likely driven by differential drug accessibility. Exploratory analyses suggested possible associations between HER2-targeted therapy and improved outcomes; however, inherent biases preclude causal inference. The sequential use of HER2-targeted therapies with distinct MoAs may be associated with clinical benefit, requiring prospective validation (NCT05606094).
Individual SGLT-2 Inhibitors and Risk of New-Onset Cancer in Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.
Kim H, Seo JH, Nam JH … +6 more , Lim Y, Kim JW, Choi B, Kang S, Byun Y, Kim K
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42341841 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Preclinical studies suggest that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) may have cancer-preventive effects; however, clinical evidence remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate...
PURPOSE: Preclinical studies suggest that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) may have cancer-preventive effects; however, clinical evidence remains inconclusive. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between the use of SGLT-2is (empagliflozin or dapagliflozin) and the incidence of new-onset cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This nationwide retrospective cohort study used Korean national health claims data. Patients with type 2 diabetes who started empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, or other glucose-lowering drugs (oGLDs) between 2016 and 2019 were included, and propensity score matching between the SGLT-2is users and oGLDs users was applied. The primary outcome was overall cancer incidence, and the secondary outcomes were the incidence of 11 site-specific cancers. Hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for cancer incidence adjusted for covariates were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: After propensity score matching, each group comprised 20,456 patients. There was no significant difference in the overall incidence of new-onset cancer in either the empagliflozin or dapagliflozin groups when compared to the oGLDs user group (adjusted HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.65-1.12; adjusted HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.66-1.14, respectively). Similar results were observed in site-specific cancer incidence. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in overall or site-specific cancer incidence between the empagliflozin and dapagliflozin user groups. The results were consistent across subgroup analyses and various sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: In this large-scale national cohort study, the use of empagliflozin or dapagliflozin did not show a significant difference in the incidence of new-onset cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results provide evidence supporting the association between SGLT-2i use and cancer risk in this population, based on real-world clinical data. Longer-term follow-up studies would be helpful in strengthening the validity of these findings.
Deciphering the Risk of Developing Lung Cancer after the Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer with Genetic Evidence: A European and East Asian Populations-Based Mendelian Randomization Analysis.
Ying F, Zhao X, Wang T
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42341840 · Publisher ↗
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Perceptions and Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Patients with Cancer and Their Family Members (KCSG PC21-19).
Won YW, Rha SY, Kwon JH … +21 more , Kim YJ, Yoo SH, Lee MA, Kang JH, Sym SJ, Kim YS, Lee SC, Lee MW, Han HS, Park SG, Song EK, Kim JY, Shin SH, Maeng CH, Lee KS, Lee HW, Bae WK, Lim KH, Chang YJ, Lee HB, Kim JS
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42302863 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the awareness, perception, and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Korean patients with cancer and their caregivers. Furthermore, it evaluated CAM informa...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the awareness, perception, and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Korean patients with cancer and their caregivers. Furthermore, it evaluated CAM information sources, the reliability of these sources, communication patterns with clinicians, and the effect of caregiver beliefs on the use of CAM and patients' attitudes toward CAM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted from September 2021 to January 2022 across 19 hospitals in South Korea. Adult patients with cancer and their accompanying caregivers were recruited via convenience sampling from outpatient oncology clinics and inpatient settings and completed a structured questionnaire. Data from 1,804 patients and 768 family members were analyzed using descriptive statistics and appropriate comparative tests. RESULTS: Among patients, 47.2% had heard of CAM, and 41.0% expressed belief in it. Biologically based therapies were the most commonly used form of CAM among users (55.0%). The primary sources of CAM information were family/relatives (24.8%) and television (23.8%), whereas medical professionals accounted for only 5.4% of sources, although doctors and nurses were perceived as the most reliable (mean reliability: 3.43 on a 5-point scale). A significant communication gap was observed, with 71.7% of patients not discussing CAM with their medical professionals. Common reasons for non-disclosure included a lack of patient interest (39.4% of non-disclosers), the perception that CAM was irrelevant to their doctors (27.6%), and concerns about physician disapproval. Among patients who did consult their clinicians, 60.8% were advised against CAM use. Caregivers' CAM beliefs significantly influenced patients' beliefs (odds ratio [OR], 4.242; p<0.001), although this did not translate into a statistically significant direct effect on CAM use by patients (OR, 1.449; p=0.105). CONCLUSION: CAM awareness and use are substantial among Korean patients with cancer; however, a critical communication gap with healthcare providers persists. Family members are key information sources, and caregiver beliefs influence patient beliefs regarding CAM. Proactive, empathetic, and evidence-based communication about CAM is essential to promote shared decision-making and ensure safe, patient-centered integrative cancer care.
Spatial Disparities in Stage-Specific Breast Cancer Incidence and Area-Level Risk Factors in Korea, 2005-2018.
Park EH, Jung KW, Hwang SS … +2 more , Jung SY, Jun JK
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jun · PMID 42263734 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Despite a nationwide breast cancer screening program in Korea, spatial disparities in stage at diagnosis persist. This study aimed to examine disparities in breast cancer incidence by stage and their association...
PURPOSE: Despite a nationwide breast cancer screening program in Korea, spatial disparities in stage at diagnosis persist. This study aimed to examine disparities in breast cancer incidence by stage and their association with area-level risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a population-based ecological study using data from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database (2005-2018). Among 230,214 women diagnosed with breast cancer, 215,803 with known stage were included. Stage-specific incidence across 250 municipalities was estimated for three periods (2005-2008, 2009-2013, and 2014-2018). For 2014-2018, associations with the area deprivation index (ADI), obesity rate, alcohol consumption rate, cancer screening rate, and mammography unit availability were assessed using Bayesian hierarchical models. RESULTS: Of 215,803 patients, 59.0% had localized-stage, 35.5% regional-stage, and 5.5% distant-stage. Localized-stage incidence was higher in affluent areas, whereas distant-stage incidence was higher in deprived areas. In multivariable models, lower ADI (β = -0.058; 95% credible interval [CrI]: -0.098, -0.019), lower obesity rate (β=-0.066; 95% CrI: -0.091, -0.041), and higher mammography availability (β=0.014; 95% CrI: 0.001, 0.027) were significantly associated with higher localized-stage incidence. Conversely, higher ADI (β=0.103; 95% CrI: 0.017, 0.188) and higher alcohol consumption (β=0.227; 95% CrI: 0.115, 0.338) were significantly associated with increased distant-stage incidence. CONCLUSION: Spatial disparities in stage-specific breast cancer incidence in Korea were associated with area-level deprivation, healthcare resources, and health-related behaviors. Integrating spatial perspectives into cancer control strategies may help promote more equitable early detection and contribute to improve breast cancer outcomes.
Randomized Phase II Study of Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (VRD) Versus Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (RD) in Elderly Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (KMM1910).
Yi JH, Yoon SE, Lee JH … +13 more , Bang SM, Lee MW, Moon JH, Lee JJ, Eom HS, Min CK, Do YR, Lim S, Shin HJ, Lee JH, Kim HJ, Yoon SS, Kim K
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42226408 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: While triplet regimens are considered optimal for treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the benefit of adding bortezomib to lenalidomide and dexamethasone remains prospective-wise unclear in elderly patients due t...
PURPOSE: While triplet regimens are considered optimal for treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), the benefit of adding bortezomib to lenalidomide and dexamethasone remains prospective-wise unclear in elderly patients due to frailty and potential toxicities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter, randomized phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of bortezomib/lenalidomide/dexamethasone (VRd) versus Rd (lenalidomide/ dexamethasone) in transplant-ineligible patients aged ≥ 70 years. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were randomized to receive either VRd or Rd. The overall response rates were comparable between two arms (72.7% for Rd and 84.6% for VRd, p=0.312). Although VRd achieved a significantly higher minimal residual disease negativity rate compared to Rd (76.9% vs. 12.5%, p=0.004), this deeper response did not translate into a statistically significant improvement in the primary endpoint, the 3-year progression-free survival rate, which was 53.8% for VRd and 45.5% for Rd (p=0.520). Similarly, no significant difference was observed in overall survival OS between the two arms. Safety analysis revealed that grade 3-4 adverse events were comparable, occurring in 73.1% of the VRd arm and 77.3% of the Rd arm. Notably, infections were a major cause of treatment discontinuation and mortality, accounting for seven deaths overall. CONCLUSION: While VRd induced numerically deeper responses, its clinical benefit in a real-world-representative elderly population may be limited by treatment tolerability and infection risks.
The Role of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Risk Stage II Colon Cancer with Microsatellite Instability-High or DNA Mismatch Repair Deficiencies: A Multicenter Pooled Analysis (KCSG-CO24-03).
Hur JY, Kim H, Lee SI … +11 more , Park SJ, Yun J, Kang SY, Kim C, Beom SH, Kim H, Jeon SY, Jo J, Noh Y, Kim JG, Bang HJ
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42226407 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx) for high-risk stage II microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colon cancer remains controversial with discordant international guideli...
PURPOSE: The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx) for high-risk stage II microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) colon cancer remains controversial with discordant international guidelines. This study evaluated outcomes comparing adjuvant chemotherapy group versus surgery only group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective analysis included 192 patients with high-risk stage II MSI-H/dMMR colon cancer who underwent curative resection between 2010 and 2020. High-risk features included pT4, grade 3-4, lymphovascular invasion, bowel obstruction/perforation, perineural invasion (PNI), inadequate lymph node sampling (<12), or close margins. The primary endpoint was 5-year relapse-free survival (RFS), excluding second primary malignancies to isolate antitumor efficacy. RESULTS: Of 192 patients, 128 (66.7%) received adjuvant CTx and 64 (33.3%) underwent observation (median follow-up 60.5 months). Five-year RFS (94.0% vs. 83.7%; p=0.001) and OS (98.3% vs. 89.0%; p=0.001) were significantly higher with adjuvant CTx. Multivariate analysis confirmed adjuvant CTx as an independent predictor for RFS (HR 0.249, 95% CI 0.109-0.571; p=0.001) and OS (HR 0.155, 95% CI 0.051-0.470; p=0.001). PNI was also identified as a significant independent predictor of RFS (HR, 3.581; 95% CI, 1.529 to 8.387; p=0.003) and OS (HR, 4.968; 95% CI, 1.654 to 14.930; p=0.004). CTx-related toxicities were clinically manageable, and no treatment-related deaths were reported. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant CTx significantly improves RFS and OS in high-risk stage II MSI-H/dMMR colon cancer, particularly in pT4 and PNI patients. These findings provide evidence to bridge NCCN and ESMO guideline discrepancies, supporting risk-stratified adjuvant CTx in this population.
Total Body Irradiation, Busulfan, Fludarabine Conditioning for Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients Treated with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Second Complete Remission.
Lee JW, Jo S, Yoo JW … +3 more , Kim S, Chung NG, Cho B
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42167312 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The optimum conditioning regimen for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in second complete remission (CR) remains unclear. In th...
PURPOSE: The optimum conditioning regimen for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in second complete remission (CR) remains unclear. In this study, we reviewed the outcome of AML patients treated with HSCT in second CR at our institution, focusing on the role of the conditioning regimen on post-transplant survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 43 AML patients who received myeloablative HSCT in second CR at our institution from 2009 to 2023. Thirteen of the patients (30.2%) received conditioning with busulfan and fludarabine (Bu/Flu), while 30 patients (69.8%) were treated with total body irradiation (TBI) 8 Gray combined with Bu and Flu (TBI/Bu/Flu). RESULTS: Thirty-two of the patients received a haploidentical family donor (HFD) transplant (74.4%). Estimated 5-year event-free survival (EFS) was 57.5±7.6% (24/43), with 5-year cumulative incidence of relapse and non-relapse mortality of 30.7±7.2% and 11.8±5.0% respectively. Among risk factors for EFS, only the conditioning regimen was important with patients treated with TBI/Bu/Flu having significantly higher 5-year EFS than those who received Bu/Flu (73.0±8.2% vs. 23.1±11.7%, p=0.004). There was no significant difference in 5-year EFS between patients who received HFD transplant, and those treated with transplant from other donors. Estimated 5-year OS was 66.8±7.3% (28/43), with all 28 surviving patients remaining disease-free at last follow-up. CONCLUSION: A myeloablative TBI/Bu/Flu regimen resulted in 5-year EFS of 73.0±8.2%, indicating favorable long-term outcome for AML patients in second CR who receive HSCT with this conditioning regimen compared to previous studies.
Do Not Neglect the Factors Affecting Red Cell Distribution Width.
Yu Y, Zeng D
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42167311 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Gaps between Supportive Care Needs and Services in Korea: Experiences and Preferences of Patients with Advanced Cancer and Their Caregivers in the Hospital and at Home.
Jang MS, Hwang IG, Yoo SH … +6 more , Cho B, Keam B, Kim YJ, Baek SK, Kim MS, Lee SY
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42128024 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: With longer survivals in advanced cancer, the need for supportive care is increasing. However, in Korea, these services remain limited, and many patients rely on long-term care hospitals. We investigated the sup...
PURPOSE: With longer survivals in advanced cancer, the need for supportive care is increasing. However, in Korea, these services remain limited, and many patients rely on long-term care hospitals. We investigated the supportive care experiences of patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers, and preferred place of care (pPOC) by performance status (PS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea, targeting patients hospitalized only for supportive care and their caregivers. PS was assessed using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale [good (0-1) or poor (2-4)]. Hospital and home care experiences and pPOC were compared by PS. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with pPOC. RESULTS: This study included 200 participants (117 patients, 83 caregivers). Among patients, 72% had good PS and 28% had poor PS. Main reasons for hospitalization were symptom control (51.2%), assistance with daily living (36.5%), and device or wound management (22.5%). Overall, 60.5% of participants reported discomfort during hospitalization, mostly related to hospital life, and 34.5% noted that care was insufficient at home, particularly those in the poor PS group (27.1% vs. 53.6%). Concern about emergencies was the most common home-care difficulty. Despite these challenges, 60% of participants chose home as their future pPOC, with no significant differences by PS or other demographic/clinical factors. CONCLUSION: Although most patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers preferred home for supportive care, many relied on hospitals. Structured home-based medical care programs are urgently required in South Korea.
Risk Prediction Based on Clinicopathologic Features in Korean Melanoma Patients by Machine Learning.
Yuh T, Kim H, Baek ES … +6 more , Ahn JB, Chae D, Chung KY, Oh B, Roh MR, Shin SJ
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42128023 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The prognosis of malignant melanoma differs across ethnic groups, partly due to variations in histologic subtypes. Accurate risk stratification at diagnosis is crucial but remains challenging in Korea due to its...
PURPOSE: The prognosis of malignant melanoma differs across ethnic groups, partly due to variations in histologic subtypes. Accurate risk stratification at diagnosis is crucial but remains challenging in Korea due to its low incidence. This study aimed to develop and evaluate machine learning (ML) models for predicting 2-year disease free survival (DFS) using clinicopathologic features available at the time of diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 1,657 Korean melanoma patients (2006-2023) was analyzed. Clinical and pathological variables-excluding TNM staging and treatment data-were used to train ML models, including decision tree, random forest, boosting methods, XGBoost, and deep neural networks (DNN). Performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and AUC. RESULTS: The study included 1,657 patients with 12 clinicopathologic variables, showing median DFS of 63.9 months (95% CI 52.93-85.33) and a 2-year survival rate of 67.68% (95% CI: 65.16-70.00). Among the evaluated algorithms, XGBoost demonstrated the highest F1 score of 0.761. Feature importance analysis identified primary tumor site, mitotic rate, and body mass index (BMI) as the most influential predictors of survival. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards analysis confirmed the clinical relevance of these features. CONCLUSION: The XGBoost model showed the best performance for predicting 2-year DFS probability in Korean melanoma patients. Primary cancer site, mitotic rate, and BMI were identified as significant features influencing survival.
Impact of Carboplatin-Free Interval on Hypersensitivity Risks in Solid Tumor Patients with Silent Sensitization.
Jang J, Lee JM, Song SJ … +3 more , Sa E, Kim YC, Kang HR
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42128022 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) often occur after silent sensitization in patients with solid tumors through repeated uneventful exposures. The carboplatin-free interval (CFI) has been implicated i...
PURPOSE: Carboplatin hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) often occur after silent sensitization in patients with solid tumors through repeated uneventful exposures. The carboplatin-free interval (CFI) has been implicated in HSR risk, but its independent impact on previously asymptomatic yet sensitized patients, as well as temporal risk patterns, remain unclear. We aimed to identify risk factors for HSRs following carboplatin re-administration in patients who had completed prior carboplatin treatment without HSRs, and to clarify the temporal association between CFI and HSR risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with solid tumors who received carboplatin after CFI ≥2 months at Seoul National University Hospital (2014-2016), excluding those with prior HSRs. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated HSRs. HSR incidence and severity were assessed across CFI strata (<12, 12-24, 24-36, ≥36 months). RESULTS: : Among 258 patients with previous uneventful exposure, 52 (20.2%) developed HSRs, including 15 (5.8%) severe cases. Independent risk factors were female sex (odds ratio [OR] 6.105; p = 0.015), history of drug allergy (OR 2.991; p = 0.005), and CFI ≥12 months (OR 2.198; p = 0.030). Overall HSR incidence peaked at 33.3% with CFIs of 24-36 months, whereas severe HSRs were rare within 12 months but became progressively more frequent with longer CFIs, reaching the highest proportion beyond 36 months. CONCLUSION: Longer CFI independently increases the risk of carboplatin-induced HSRs. These findings support using CFI as a predictor for individualized risk assessment, particularly for patients re-administered after CFIs of 24-36 months, who may warrant closer monitoring and preventive strategies.
Genetic Variant at 6p21.1 Impairs APOBEC2 in Hypoxic Mitophagy via HIF-1α/BNIP3 in Gastric Cancer.
Zheng Z, Li Q, Gu Y … +16 more , Gao X, Wang X, Zhang Y, An F, Zhan Q, Yin S, Gao Y, Peng R, Liu L, Zhang E, Zhu M, Chen X, Li G, Xu H, Jin G, Yan C
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42128021 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 6p21.1 locus associated with gastric cancer (GC) risk. However, the underlying biological mechanisms remain p...
PURPOSE: Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the 6p21.1 locus associated with gastric cancer (GC) risk. However, the underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted fine-mapping analysis of the 6p21.1 region using large-scale GC GWAS data (10,254 cases and 10,914 controls). Functional annotation, luciferase reporter assays, Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments were performed to identify functional variants. The eQTL and colocalization analyses were used to determine the susceptibility gene. Mechanistic investigations included phenotypic assays under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, along with seahorse, immunofluorescence and ATP assays to assess mitochondrial function. RESULTS: We identified rs9381024 as the independent association signal at 6p21.1, with rs2235679, in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs9381024, emerging as a potential causative SNP. The T risk allele of rs2235679 reduced APOBEC2 expression by enhancing the binding of transcriptional repressor MZF1, thereby suppressing promoter activity. Expression analysis revealed a progressive decrease in APOBEC2 levels with gastric lesions severity, becoming nearly undetectable in GC tissues. Functionally, reduced APOBEC2 expression significantly promoted the proliferation of GC cells under hypoxic conditions but not under normoxia. Mechanistically, downregulation of APOBEC2 activated mitophagy to maintain mitochondria homeostasis via HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway under hypoxia, ultimately driving tumor growth. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide novel mechanistic insights into how genetic variants at 6p21.1 contribute to GC risk and progression, highlighting the tumor-suppressive role of APOBEC2.
Distinct Evolutionary Dynamics of HER2-Ultralow Versus HER2-Null from Residual to Metastatic Disease in Non-pCR Breast Cancer.
Wang S, Liu J, Liu T … +4 more , Zhang S, Liu X, Liu Y, Zhang J
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 May · PMID 42128020 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: In breast cancer (BC) patients without pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy, residual disease drives recurrence. The HER2 spectrum now includes HER2-low and HER2-ultralow. HER2-low tumo...
PURPOSE: In breast cancer (BC) patients without pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy, residual disease drives recurrence. The HER2 spectrum now includes HER2-low and HER2-ultralow. HER2-low tumors are eligible for HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), while T-DXd is approved for HR-positive HER2-ultralow metastatic BC after endocrine therapy. Evolution patterns of HER2-ultralow versus HER2-null from residual to metastatic disease remain unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 488 non-pCR patients with refined HER2 classification; 92 with HER2-0 residual disease formed the analytic cohort for HER2-ultralow/HER2-null comparison. HER2 status was tested in paired residual and metastatic lesions. Logistic regression was used to identify factors linked to HER2 evolution. RESULTS: In the 92‑patient HER2‑0 analytic cohort, HER2-ultralow (46.7% of HER2-0) converted more frequently to HER2-low than HER2-null (51.2% vs 30.6%, p=0.045). This difference remained statistically significant in the multivariable logistic regression model. In the full 517-patient contextual cohort, HER2 expression gain in recurrent/metastatic lesions was independently associated with poorer post-recurrence survival (PRS) (adjusted HR=1.74, p=0.009). In the 488-patient primary cohort, conversion from HER2-0 to HER2-low was also associated with poorer PRS (adjusted HR=2.18, p<0.001). The broader HER2 expression evolution in the full 517‑patient cohort and the primary 488‑patient refined HER2 cohort was consistent with the core finding from the 92‑patient HER2‑0 analytic cohort and supported its biological plausibility. CONCLUSION: HER2-ultralow shows distinct evolution and high HER2-low conversion potential, affecting ADC eligibility. Routine HER2-0 subclassification and metastatic HER2 reassessment appear clinically useful and warrant prospective validation.
Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy with or without Induction Chemoimmunotherapy in Unresectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Real-World Study.
Chen B, Cen P, Cheng Q … +12 more , Wang T, Li Z, Yi C, Cheng X, Chi D, Liu S, Zhu Y, Zhang H, Xi M, Chen B, Xu Y, Li Q
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 42086078 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with or without induction chemoimmunotherapy (CI) in unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MATERIALS A...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with or without induction chemoimmunotherapy (CI) in unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients with unresectable ESCC who received CCRT with or without induction CI at three cancer centers. Patients receiving concurrent immunotherapy were excluded. Propensity score matching (PSM) balanced baseline characteristics between groups. RESULTS: A total of 519 patients were included. After PSM, 183 patients per group were selected. Induction CI significantly improved OS and PFS compared to CCRT alone, consistently. The median OS for CCRT and induction CI groups were 29.9 months (95% CI: 18.8-41.0) and not reached (HR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.42-0.77, p < 0.001). The median PFS was 17.6 months (IQR: 13.7-21.4) versus 30.6 months (IQR: 17.3-43.8) (HR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.51-0.86, p = 0.002). Responders to the induction CI had significantly better OS (HR: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.14-0.36, p < 0.001) than nonresponders. Subgroup analysis showed radiation dose escalation or consolidation immunotherapy did not further improve survival in the induction CI group. CONCLUSION: The addition of induction chemoimmunotherapy to CCRT was associated with improved survival in patients with locally advanced unresectable ESCC, particularly in responders to induction chemoimmunotherapy, with acceptable toxicity. These findings warrant confirmation in prospective randomized trials.
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