Cancer Res Treat [JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Advances in T-Cell-Directed Immunotherapy for Adult Mature B-Cell Lymphoma: A Comprehensive Review of CAR T-Cell and Bispecific Antibody Therapies.
Kim J, Kim SJ
Cancer Res Treat · 2025 Oct · PMID 40575948 · Full text
B-cell lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of malignancies with a high relapse rate after conventional therapies. T-cell-mediated immunotherapies, notably chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and T-cell-engag...
B-cell lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of malignancies with a high relapse rate after conventional therapies. T-cell-mediated immunotherapies, notably chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), have transformed treatment paradigms by harnessing the immune system to target malignant cells. This review analyzes the efficacy and safety profiles of several CD19-targeted CAR T-cell therapies and emerging CD20×CD3 BsAbs across various B-cell lymphoma subtypes. While these therapies have demonstrated high response rates and potential for durable remissions, challenges such as cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, and infections remain significant. Understanding these mechanisms and managing adverse effects are crucial for optimizing clinical outcomes and guiding future research in personalized treatment strategies.
Efficacy and Safety of Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b in Low-Risk Polycythemia Vera.
Lee JY, Yoon SS, Yang DH … +9 more , Sohn SK, Yoon SY, Bang SM, Lee GW, Choi CW, Choi EJ, Cheong JW, Park YH, Lee SE
Cancer Res Treat · 2025 Jun · PMID 40575947 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Conventional management of low-risk polycythemia vera (PV), consisting of phlebotomy and aspirin, often fails to adequately control symptoms and hematologic parameters. This study evaluated the efficacy and safe...
PURPOSE: Conventional management of low-risk polycythemia vera (PV), consisting of phlebotomy and aspirin, often fails to adequately control symptoms and hematologic parameters. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ropeginterferon alfa-2b (Ropeg) in low-risk PV patients requiring cytoreductive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this sub-analysis of an open-label, multicenter trial, 42 patients received Ropeg for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was a reduction in phlebotomy frequency, while secondary endpoints included complete hematologic response (CHR), changes in JAK2V617F allele burden, and safety. RESULTS: Among 42 patients, Ropeg significantly reduced mean phlebotomy frequency per year from 3.0 to 0.5 (p < 0.05) and improved CHR rates (69.1% at 48 weeks). The JAK2V617F allele burden decreased, and hydroxyurea-naïve patients showed better responses. The most frequently reported treatment-related adverse events included elevated liver enzymes and alopecia. Most adverse events were mild or moderate, with no grade 4 or 5 events reported. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Ropeg is a promising treatment option for low-risk PV by effectively reducing the need for phlebotomy and demonstrating efficacy and safety.
Adjuvant Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo for Renal Cell Carcinoma in the East Asian Subgroup of the Phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 Study.
Park SH, Chang YH, Lee JL … +16 more , Choueiri TK, Kimura G, Chung J, Masumori N, Nishimura K, Kato M, Kato H, Numakura K, Chang CH, Anai S, Tsunemori H, Chen CH, Lin J, Elfiky A, Burgents JE, Kitamura H
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40575946 · Full text
PURPOSE: Adjuvant pembrolizumab improved disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) versus placebo in participants with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at increased risk of recurrence after nephrectomy in the globa...
PURPOSE: Adjuvant pembrolizumab improved disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) versus placebo in participants with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) at increased risk of recurrence after nephrectomy in the global phase 3 KEYNOTE-564 study. This post hoc subgroup analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of adjuvant pembrolizumab in East Asian (Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) participants enrolled in KEYNOTE-564. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive adjuvant pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo intravenously every 3 weeks for ≤ 17 cycles. The primary endpoint was DFS by investigator assessment. OS was a key secondary endpoint. Safety was a secondary endpoint. RESULTS: The East Asian subgroup included 126 participants (pembrolizumab, n=58; placebo, n=68). Median follow-up was 62.1 months (range, 49.6 to 73.0 months). Hazard ratio for DFS with pembrolizumab versus placebo was 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.41 to 1.20). Median DFS was not reached with pembrolizumab versus 58.8 months with placebo; estimated 48-month rate was 61.3% versus 51.2%. Hazard ratio for OS was 0.47 (95% confidence interval, 0.15 to 1.49). Median OS was not reached with pembrolizumab and placebo; estimated 48-month rate was 94.8% versus 91.2%. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 70.7% of participants (29.3% grade 3 or 4) receiving pembrolizumab and 36.8% of participants (0.0% grade 3 or 4) receiving placebo. No pembrolizumab-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: In the KEYNOTE-564 East Asian subgroup, adjuvant pembrolizumab provided DFS and OS benefits versus placebo and had a safety profile consistent with the global results. These results further support pembrolizumab as adjuvant treatment for East Asian patients with RCC at increased risk of recurrence after nephrectomy.
NOVA1 Activation Modulates the Tumor Immune Microenvironment through STING Phosphorylation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Kim S, Kim HM, Bae JM … +1 more , Yoon SO
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40534335 · Full text
PURPOSE: Neuro-oncological ventral antigen 1 (NOVA1), a neuron-specific pre-mRNA splicing factor, is involved in neuronal development and oncogenesis. NOVA1 overexpression is associated with favorable prognosis in head a...
PURPOSE: Neuro-oncological ventral antigen 1 (NOVA1), a neuron-specific pre-mRNA splicing factor, is involved in neuronal development and oncogenesis. NOVA1 overexpression is associated with favorable prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and gastric adenocarcinoma, whereas its downregulation correlates with poor outcomes. High NOVA1 levels in these cancers correlate with increased CD3+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte densities, suggesting involvement in tumor immune-inflammatory signals. This study explores NOVA1's role in regulating the immune-inflammatory cGAS-STING pathway in HNSCC cells and clinical tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HNSCC cell lines (FaDu, YD-10B, SNU-1066, and SNU-1076) were transfected with NOVA1 and poly(dA:dT). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to assess gene/protein expression. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay quantified cytokine levels, and immunoprecipitation assessed protein interactions. Clinical tissue samples from 234 HNSCC patients were analyzed using immunohistochemistry to correlate NOVA1 and STING pathway markers with immune cell infiltration. RESULTS: NOVA1 overexpression in HNSCC cells increased phosphorylation of STING (p-STING) without altering cGAS or TBK1. Immunoprecipitation showed an interaction between NOVA1 and p-STING. Overexpression of NOVA1, particularly with poly(dA:dT) treatment, tended to elevate CCL5 and CXCL10 expression. In clinical samples, NOVA1 expression strongly correlated with p-STING levels (r=0.749, p<0.001). Higher NOVA1 and p-STING expressions were linked to increased infiltration of CD3+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells. CONCLUSION: NOVA1 modulates the cGAS-STING pathway through STING phosphorylation and associated immune responses in HNSCC, providing a potential therapeutic target for enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
Association between Obesity and Melanoma Risk in an Asian Population: A Nationwide Cohort Study.
Koo HY, Han K, Park J … +5 more , Jung J, Kim S, Cho H, Cho IY, Shin DW
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40534334 · Full text
PURPOSE: Previous studies from mostly Western populations have suggested possible associations between obesity and melanoma risk. This study aimed to investigate associations between obesity status and melanoma using a n...
PURPOSE: Previous studies from mostly Western populations have suggested possible associations between obesity and melanoma risk. This study aimed to investigate associations between obesity status and melanoma using a nationwide cohort of Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 4,441,403 adults who received a national health examination in 2012 were included from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, and followed until December 31, 2022. Obesity status was defined based on the body mass index at the baseline health examination. Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to evaluate associations between obesity status and incident melanoma, with adjustment for confounders. Stratified analyses were performed by sex and menopausal status (in women). RESULTS: Overall, melanoma risk increased according to obesity status (p for trend=0.024); adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for melanoma risk were 0.766 (0.438-1.340) in underweight; 1.292 (1.072-1.557) in overweight; 1.202 (1.002-1.442) in obesity; and 1.191 (0.798-1.778) in severe obesity compared to normal weight (reference). In stratified analyses, similar trends to those of the overall study population were observed among men and premenopausal women (p for trend=0.052 in men and 0.036 in premenopausal women). Among premenopausal women, the risk of melanoma increased linearly with obesity status. Meanwhile, among postmenopausal women, melanoma risk showed no significant difference or trend according to obesity status. CONCLUSION: Overweight and obesity were associated with increased risk of melanoma in a population-based cohort of Koreans. Obese individuals, especially men and premenopausal women, may require more thorough prevention and screening strategies for melanoma.
Awareness and Practice of Dietary Recommendations for Cancer Prevention among Participants of the 2023 Korean National Cancer Prevention for Dietary Awareness and Practice Survey.
Choi Y, Jung H, Kim B
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40534333 · Full text
PURPOSE: Most cancers are preventable by improving dietary habits; therefore, individuals with poor dietary behaviors should be encouraged to adopt more active steps to prevent cancer. We surveyed Korean adults to identi...
PURPOSE: Most cancers are preventable by improving dietary habits; therefore, individuals with poor dietary behaviors should be encouraged to adopt more active steps to prevent cancer. We surveyed Korean adults to identify the awareness and practice of the recommended guidelines for dietary factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 2023 Korean National Cancer Prevention for Dietary Awareness and Practice Survey was a cross-sectional online survey of 4,000 adults aged 20-69. The survey included questions on sociodemographics, lifestyle, and awareness and practice of five dietary recommendations (consuming fruits and vegetables, consuming a balanced diet, avoiding salt, charred foods, and alcohol intake). RESULTS: Despite more than 90.0% being aware that each dietary recommendation can be a risk determinant for cancer, the practice rate for recommendations showed lower rates than recognition. Especially, in both males and females, the younger (odds ratio [OR], 1.971 in males and 4.863 in females), with no nutritional education (OR, 2.715 in males and 2.093 in females), and the obese (OR, 1.451 in males and 1.579 in females) had higher odds of significant non-adherents (failed to comply with 3-5 recommendations) than participants who were older, had nutritional education, and normal body mass index, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although there is high awareness of dietary recommendations for cancer prevention, participants who were younger, had no nutritional education, or were obese showed poor adherence to cancer-preventive dietary practices. Our findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve the dietary habits of this at-risk population.
Secondary Cancer Risk in Breast Cancer with and without Radiotherapy: The Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) Cohort Study.
Kim S, Boo D, Yoo S … +12 more , Kim B, Kim K, Kim K, Song E, Kim J, Ryoo HG, Paeng JC, Choi IY, Ko S, Yoo IR, Park RW, Lee HY
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40506029 · Full text
PURPOSE: Radiotherapy is used to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence after surgery, but it is a potential cause of secondary cancer. We validated the risk of secondary cancer in primary breast cancer who received...
PURPOSE: Radiotherapy is used to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence after surgery, but it is a potential cause of secondary cancer. We validated the risk of secondary cancer in primary breast cancer who received radiotherapy compared with those who did not from a matched cohort using a large-scale observational study of the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) data network. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective comparative cohort study using propensity score-matched cohorts was performed using two Observational Medical Outcome Partnership common data model databases, from tertiary general hospitals in South Korea. Among female patients who underwent surgery after the diagnosis of breast cancer, the risk of secondary primary malignant occurrence after 1:1 matching was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 27,078 patients with breast cancer, there was no significant difference in the risk of secondary cancer following radiotherapy in 4,426 patients after 1:1 propensity-score matching. Further, there were no significant differences in the sensitivity analysis according to age, latency period, and number of radiation treatments. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in the risk of secondary cancer in the patients diagnosed with breast cancer depending on whether or not radiotherapy was performed after surgery. In the future, it is necessary to analyze including data generated during cancer treatment.
Programmed Death-Ligand 1 Expression across Multiple Assays in Ovarian Cancer: A Comparative Analysis.
Jang EB, So KA, Kim WY … +4 more , Lim SD, Kim TJ, Bang H, Kim WS
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40506028 · Full text
PURPOSE: Ovarian cancer presents significant treatment challenges due to its aggressive nature and poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The lack of standardized programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) ass...
PURPOSE: Ovarian cancer presents significant treatment challenges due to its aggressive nature and poor response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The lack of standardized programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) assays and cut-off values complicates clinical decision-making. We evaluated the concordance among commonly used PD-L1 assays and assessed changes in the expression of PD-L1 following chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue samples from 29 patients with ovarian cancer were analyzed using five validated PD-L1 immunohistochemistry assays: Dako 22C3, Ventana SP263, Ventana SP142, Dako 28-8, and Ventana 22C3. PD-L1 positivity was assessed using a combined positive score (CPS), immune cell, or tumor proportion score at 1%, 5%, and 10% cut-offs. Concordance rates, including overall percent agreement and Cohen's kappa coefficient, were analyzed. In addition, changes in the expression of PD-L1 pre- and postchemotherapy were evaluated. RESULTS: Positivity rates ranged from 15.8% (SP142) to 29.8% (Dako 22C3 and SP263) at the 1% CPS cut-off. SP142 consistently exhibited the lowest concordance, whereas Dako 22C3 displayed high agreement with SP263, 28-8, and Ventana 22C3. Chemotherapy increased PD-L1 positivity, with 28% of patients converting from negative to positive. CONCLUSION: The expression of PD-L1 in ovarian cancer varies across assays and scoring methods, emphasizing the need for standardized testing protocols. Increased PD-L1 expression post-chemotherapy underscores the importance of assessing its status at appropriate times to guide ICI therapy. Larger studies are required to validate these findings and refine clinical applications.
Efficacy and Safety of Ifosfamide and Mesna in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer after Taxane-Based Chemotherapy and Novel Hormonal Therapy Failure.
Kim CG, Ko YG, Yoon J … +13 more , Lee C, Beom SH, Choi YD, Han WK, Ham WS, Han H, Lee J, Heo JE, Kim D, Baek ES, Kim S, Jung M, Shin SJ
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40506027 · Full text
PURPOSE: Limited treatment options exist for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after the failure of taxane-based chemotherapy and novel hormonal therapy. Here, we report the safety and...
PURPOSE: Limited treatment options exist for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after the failure of taxane-based chemotherapy and novel hormonal therapy. Here, we report the safety and efficacy of ifosfamide and mesna in patients with mCRPC after the failure of taxane-based chemotherapy and novel hormonal therapy (NCT06236789). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer who had failed taxane-based chemotherapy and novel hormonal therapy received ifosfamide 2,500 mg/m2 and mesna 1,500 mg/m2 on days 1-3, repeated every 21 days. Safety, objective response rate, disease control rate, reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration by >50% (PSA50) or >90% (PSA90), radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 47 patients with mCRPC were included in the study. The median number of lines of treatment was 5 (range, 3 to 7). All patients were previously administered docetaxel and novel hormonal therapies including abiraterone (51.1%) and/or enzalutamide (61.7%). Thirty-eight patients (80.9%) were administered cabazitaxel. The objective response and disease control rates were 21.3% and 80.9%, respectively. PSA50 and PSA90 were achieved in 31.9% and 10.6%, respectively. During a median follow-up duration of 54.3 months, rPFS and OS were 5.0 and 9.0 months, respectively. All the patients experienced treatment-related adverse events of any grades; however, no new safety signs were detected. Genomic biomarker analysis revealed that alterations in the TP53 pathway were associated with inferior rPFS and OS. CONCLUSION: Ifosfamide and mesna showed appreciable efficacy and manageable safety profiles in heavily treated patients with mCRPC.
Radiation-Associated Heart Disease in Korean Women after Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer: Insights from the National Health Insurance Service Database.
Lee JH, Park J, Kim TH
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40506026 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study investigated the risk of radiation-associated heart disease (RAHD) in Korean women treated with radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer (BC) using data from the National Health Insurance Service database....
PURPOSE: This study investigated the risk of radiation-associated heart disease (RAHD) in Korean women treated with radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer (BC) using data from the National Health Insurance Service database. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 65,188 patients with BC treated with RT between 2009 and 2014 and 325,940 controls without BC or prior coronary artery disease (CAD), with 1:5 exact matching by age, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia status. CAD encompassed both incident events and fatal events. Competing risk analysis was conducted to estimate subdistribution hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for CAD, setting mortality from non-CAD causes as a competing risk. RESULTS: During the mean 9.9 years of follow-up period, 3,852 (1.0%) CAD and 20,999 (5.4%) death from non-CAD causes were reported. Compared to controls, participants with BC who received RT had a significantly lower risk of CAD incidence. HR (95% CI) for CAD in the BC with RT group was 0.66 (0.60-0.73, p < 0.001). On the other hand, HR (95% CI) for mortality from non-CAD causes was 3.57 (3.48-3.67, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this large population-based cohort study, breast cancer patients who received RT did not show an increased incidence of CAD compared with the general population without breast cancer. Individual-level dosimetric data and longer follow-up are needed to clarify the independent risk.
Discrepancy between Genetically Predicted and Observed Alcohol Intake and Its Impact on Gastric Cancer Susceptibility.
Yie GE, Shin CM, Park K … +10 more , Jo J, Do AR, Choi S, Ohn JH, Lee S, Kim J, Jee SH, Kang SJ, Kim N, Won S
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40468722 · Full text
PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate how genetic predisposition to drinking and gastric cancer (GC) modifies the association between alcohol consumption and GC risk in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polygenic...
PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate how genetic predisposition to drinking and gastric cancer (GC) modifies the association between alcohol consumption and GC risk in the Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polygenic risk scores for GC (PRS-GC) and alcohol consumption (PRS-Alcohol) were formulated using genome-wide association results from BioBank Japan. Validation was performed using Korean cohorts (SNUBH-GENIE cohort), incorporating 8,846 controls and 531 patients with GC. Subsequently, these PRSs were applied to an independent Korean cohort of 67,771 participants, including 313 patients with GC during the follow-up for 14 years (KoGES cohort). RESULTS: In KoGES cohort, the influence of alcohol consumption on GC risk was significantly altered by the PRS-GC and exhibited a synergistic interaction effect. PRS-Alcohol itself shows a negative correlation with GC risk. However, when actual alcohol consumption significantly exceeded genetically predicted levels, the risk of alcohol-related GC was notably increased (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.72). Heavy drinkers in the high-PRS-GC/low-PRS-Alcohol group had a 2.16 times higher risk of GC than non-to-light drinkers, which was prominent in males. CONCLUSION: Korean drinkers with higher PRS-GC who consume alcohol more than genetically predicted levels are susceptible to GC. PRS-GC and PRS-Alcohol may be beneficial for assessing the impact of alcohol consumption on GC risk in Koreans.
Comparison of Surveillance with Low-Dose and Contrast-Enhanced Chest Computed Tomography in Patients Disease-Free for 2 Years after Curative Resection for Lung Cancer.
Na B, Park JH, Na KJ … +4 more , Park S, Kang CH, Kim YT, Park IK
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40468721 · Full text
PURPOSE: Low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) is recommended for surveillance 2-3 years after curative resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, supporting clinical evidence is limited. This study co...
PURPOSE: Low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) is recommended for surveillance 2-3 years after curative resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, supporting clinical evidence is limited. This study compared LDCT with contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CECT) in terms of recurrence detection and overall survival (OS) in patients 2 years after curative resection of NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among patients who underwent curative resection for NSCLC between January 2011 and December 2017 and survived for 2 years without recurrence, 2,083 patients were included. Comparisons between the LDCT and CECT groups were performed in both the entire cohort and propensity score-matched cohort. The primary outcome was the difference in overall survival. Secondary outcomes included time-to-recurrence, recurrence-free survival, and post-recurrence survival in each group. RESULTS: In the propensity score-matched population, the 5-year OS (96.0% for LDCT, 98.0% for CECT, p=0.097) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (95.4% for LDCT, 96.0% for CECT, p=0.761) did not differ. The OS and RFS did not differ in subgroup analyses stratified by pathologic stage and histologic type. In the competing risk analysis, the overall 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence did not differ between the two groups (4.56% for LDCT, 3.93% for CECT, p=0.765). When stratified by pathologic stage and histologic type, there was no significant difference in the cumulative incidence of recurrence. The distribution of recurrence sites did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Similar OS and RFS were observed in LDCT and CECT surveillance in patients who achieved a 2-year disease-free status after curative resection for NSCLC.
Prognostic Landscape of TP53 Mutations in Hematologic Malignancies.
Jang SY, Jang J, Lee JS … +8 more , Seong MW, Park S, Byun JM, Koh Y, Hong J, Kim I, Yoon SS, Shin DY
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40441759 · Full text
PURPOSE: While TP53 mutations are well known to be associated with adverse prognosis in hematological diseases, their functional impact remains incompletely understood. This study examines the spectrum of TP53 mutations...
PURPOSE: While TP53 mutations are well known to be associated with adverse prognosis in hematological diseases, their functional impact remains incompletely understood. This study examines the spectrum of TP53 mutations across various hematologic malignancies and evaluates their functional impact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using targeted sequencing panels, we analyzed TP53 mutations in the bone marrow aspiration samples of a retrospective cohort of 856 patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies. To assess the impact of TP53 mutations, we applied the evolutionary action (EAp53) score and the relative fitness score (RFS), previously proposed functional scoring methods. The effects of variant allele frequency (VAF), disruptive mutations, EAp53 score, and RFS on overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: TP53 mutations were associated with inferior OS compared with wildtype TP53 (median OS 10.0 months versus not estimable; hazard ratio (HR) 4.6; p<0.001). In the acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndrome subgroups, TP53 mutations had a significant adverse impact on OS. (HRs 3.8, 4.2, 6.0, respectively; p<0.001, p=0.005, p<0.001, respectively). Patients with VAF >50% had significantly poorer OS compared to those with VAF ≤50% (median OS 7.5 months versus 22.8 months; HR 2.2, p=0.016). Moreover, patients in the high-risk RFS group (RFS >0.22) had significantly worse OS compared to those in the low-risk RFS group (RFS ≤0.22) (median OS 5.6 months versus 16.3 months; HR 2.2, p=0.041). However, no significant survival difference was observed between the EAp53 high-risk (>75) and low-risk (≤75) groups, or between patients with disruptive and non-disruptive mutations. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight VAF and RFS as valuable tools for stratifying TP53-mutant patients into high-risk and low-risk groups.
Trends and Outcomes of Lung Cancer Surgery in South Korea.
Park JB, Cho SJ, Hahm MI … +2 more , Kang D, Park SY
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40441758 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study analyzed nationwide trends in lung cancer surgery in South Korea over 14 years, focusing on surgical volume, patient demographics, surgical approaches, and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performe...
PURPOSE: This study analyzed nationwide trends in lung cancer surgery in South Korea over 14 years, focusing on surgical volume, patient demographics, surgical approaches, and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using nationwide health insurance claims data (124,334 cases) and robotic surgery data (1,740 cases) provided by the manufacturer. Patients who underwent lung cancer surgery between 2010 and 2023 were included. Annual trends were assessed using the annual percentage change (APC), and logistic as well as linear regression models were used to identify predictors of mortality and prolonged hospital stay. RESULTS: The annual surgical volume increased from 4,557 in 2010 to 14,184 in 2023 (APC, 8.86%; p < 0.001). Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) became the predominant approach, rising from 52.9% to 94.8% (APC, 4.11%; p < 0.001). Sub-lobar resections increased, with wedge resections growing from 9.0% to 18.5% (APC, 5.72%; p < 0.001) and segmentectomies from 3.0% to 17.9% (APC, 14.63%; p < 0.001). The proportion of female patients increased from 32.0% to 44.7% (APC, 2.39%; p < 0.001), while patients aged 70-79 years increased from 26.3% to 32.3% (APC, 1.60%; p < 0.001) and those aged ≥ 80 years from 2.0% to 6.2% (APC, 9.63%; p < 0.001). The median hospital stay decreased from 13 to 7 days (APC, -4.34%; p < 0.001), and 30-day mortality declined from 2.45% to 0.76% (APC, -8.32%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Lung cancer surgery in Korea has increased substantially, with a notable shift toward minimally invasive and lung-sparing techniques that have improved outcomes. However, persistent disparities underscore the need for a national surgical registry.
Sex Disparities in Breast Cancer Survival According to Clinical Treatment Score Post-5 Years (CTS5) Risk Stratification.
Liu K, Lu ZZ, He ZY … +1 more , Wu SG
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40441757 · Full text
PURPOSE: The role of the Clinical Treatment Score post-5 years (CTS5) in male breast cancer (MBC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and prognosis of CTS5 between MBC and female breast c...
PURPOSE: The role of the Clinical Treatment Score post-5 years (CTS5) in male breast cancer (MBC) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and prognosis of CTS5 between MBC and female breast cancer (FBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative/estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer between 2010 and 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study included 169,869 patients, comprising 168,422 (99.1%) FBC and 1,447 (0.9%) MBC patients. More MBC patients had intermediate risk (IR)/high risk (HR) disease compared to FBC patients (17.7% vs. 8.7%, p < 0.001). MBC patients had an inferior overall survival (OS) but similar breast cancer-specific survival compared to those with FBC. Sensitivity analyses showed that sex was an independent prognostic factor associated with OS but not breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) in both the low-risk (LR) and IR/HR cohorts. Those with MBC exhibited significantly worse OS (p < 0.001) than FBC patients in both cohorts. In MBC patients, those with IR/HR disease had significantly worse OS (p < 0.001) and BCSS (p < 0.001) compared to those with LR disease. For FBC patients, the IR/HR group had also significantly worse OS (p < 0.001) and BCSS (p < 0.001) compared to the LR group. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight critical differences in clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes between MBC and FBC, suggesting the need for sex-tailored approaches in breast cancer management.
Non-operative Management of Rectal Cancer with Adjuvant Chemotherapy after Chemoradiotherapy (NORMANDY): Prospective Study.
Lee H, Kim HO, Lee JJB … +14 more , Do IG, Kwon HJ, Kim MS, Park SK, Yang HJ, Jung YS, Park JH, Park DI, Jung KU, Kim EJ, Koo DH, Kim H, Chun HK, KBSMC Colorectal Cancer Team, Gastrointestinal Cancer Center
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40400182 · Full text
PURPOSE: Non-operative management (NOM) has emerged as a promising organ-preserving strategy for patients with rectal cancer who achieve a clinical complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Howev...
PURPOSE: Non-operative management (NOM) has emerged as a promising organ-preserving strategy for patients with rectal cancer who achieve a clinical complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). However, no standardized treatment protocol has been established for watch-and-wait strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study evaluated oncological outcomes of NOM combined with 4 months of adjuvant capecitabine. Patients with resectable rectal cancer (≤ 8 cm from the anal verge, cT2-4 or N+) underwent CRT (50-54 Gy in 25-27 fractions with capecitabine). Eight weeks post-CRT, a multidisciplinary team assessed cCR. Patients achieving cCR received six cycles of capecitabine (2 weeks on/1 week off) and were actively monitored. RESULTS: Among 89 patients receiving CRT (2018-2023), 17 (19.1%) achieved cCR and were included. The median age was 65 years, and 64.7% were male. Eleven (64.7%) completed all six cycles of adjuvant therapy. After a median follow-up of 31.4 months, 11 patients (64.7%) remained disease-free. Local regrowth occurred in six patients (35.3%) with 2- and 4-year rates of 34.5% and 47.6%, respectively. Five underwent radical surgery, and one received transanal excision with systemic chemotherapy. At the time of assessment, 15 patients (88.2%) showed no evidence of disease, while two (11.8%) received palliative chemotherapy. All patients were alive. CONCLUSION: NOM with adjuvant capecitabine showed promising oncological outcomes, offering an alternative to passive watch-and-wait approaches. Further refinement through multidisciplinary strategies is warranted.
Combined Transarterial Chemoembolization and External Beam Radiotherapy for Identifying Surgical Candidates for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Macroscopic Vascular Invasion: A Propensity Score-Weighted Analysis.
Lee S, Jung J, Choi J … +10 more , Kim SY, Kim JH, Lee D, Shim JH, Kim KM, Lim YS, Lee HC, Song GW, Park JH, Yoon SM
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Jan · PMID 40400181 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the role of hepatic resection in patients with objective responses after combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiotherapy (RT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the role of hepatic resection in patients with objective responses after combined transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiotherapy (RT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with macroscopic vascular invasion (MVI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the patients treated with combined TACE and RT for HCC with MVI between 2010 and 2015. Some of the patients with objective responses underwent hepatic resection or liver transplantation; to investigate the impact of surgery, patients with objective responses who did not undergo surgery were selected as the control group. Survival outcomes were compared using a propensity score-based stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting method. RESULTS: Out of the 170 patients with objective responses after combined TACE and RT, 41 patients underwent surgery, including eight liver transplantations. The unweighted surgery group was younger and had a higher proportion of solitary tumors and unilateral vascular involvement. After adjustment, the 3-year overall survival (OS) rates were 61.0% and 28.6% in the surgery and non-surgery groups, respectively. The most important prognostic factor for OS was surgery (adjusted Cox hazard ratio [HR], 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17 to 0.46; p < 0.001). Complete response after TACE and RT (vs. partial response) was also a significant prognostic factor for OS (adjusted HR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.61; p < 0.001). There was no surgical mortality. Four patients (9.8%) required additional surgery due to bleeding or graft failure. CONCLUSION: Hepatic resection was significantly associated with improved OS in patients who showed objective responses after receiving combined TACE and RT for HCC with MVI.
Malignant Hepatocellular Neoplasm, Not Otherwise Specified, Displays Poorer Chemoresponsiveness and Postoperative Prognosis Than Hepatoblastoma.
Song IH, Gang S, Yoon HM … +6 more , Kim PH, Ahn B, Kim J, Kim DH, Namgoong JM, Koh KN
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40369749 · Full text
PURPOSE: Malignant hepatocellular neoplasm, not otherwise specified (HCN-NOS) is a provisional diagnostic entity, characterised by intermediate or a combination of hepatoblastoma and pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (p...
PURPOSE: Malignant hepatocellular neoplasm, not otherwise specified (HCN-NOS) is a provisional diagnostic entity, characterised by intermediate or a combination of hepatoblastoma and pediatric hepatocellular carcinoma (p-HCC) features. We compared the characteristics of HCN-NOS with hepatoblastoma and p-HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 148 pediatric patients diagnosed with hepatocellular malignancy after resection were retrieved from the institutional database. Clinical parameters and histopathology slides were reviewed to re-establish each patient's diagnosis. Molecular analyses were conducted in 37 patients. RESULTS: Patients were profiled as 21 (14.2%) with HCN-NOS, 109 (73.6%) with hepatoblastoma, and 18 (12.2%) with p-HCC. The median age was 8.6 years in HCN-NOS, 1.2 years in hepatoblastoma, and 7.9 years in p-HCC. Background liver disease was frequently observed in p-HCC (11/18, 61%) but infrequent in HCN-NOS (4/21, 19%) and hepatoblastoma (4/109, 3.7%). HCN-NOS presented with a more advanced PRETEXT stage (p=0.012), metastasis (p < 0.001), and lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001) than hepatoblastoma and p-HCC. Patients with HCN-NOS received longer cycles of preoperative chemotherapy; however, they reported a lower decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein and tumor size than hepatoblastoma (p=0.043, p=0.004, and p=0.044, respectively). HCN-NOS was an independent poor prognostic factor for event-free survival (hazard ratio, 4.968; 95% confidence interval, 2.004 to 12.32; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The possibility of HCN-NOS should be considered in pediatric patients with liver cancer, especially those ≥ 5 years old with no background liver disease. Because HCN-NOS exhibits poor chemoresponsiveness and unfavourable postoperative prognosis, liver transplantation should be strongly considered.
Real-World Efficacy of Intravesical Gemcitabine for BCG-Unresponsive Non-muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.
Lee HW, Jung EH, Kim KH … +14 more , Ha HK, Oh JJ, Kang SH, Jeong SH, Yuk HD, Heo JE, Ham WS, Hwang EC, Jung SI, Song W, Lim B, Hong B, Jeong BC, Seo HK
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40369748 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study aimed to report the real-world outcomes of intravesical gemcitabine for bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) in Korean patients who wer...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to report the real-world outcomes of intravesical gemcitabine for bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive, high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) in Korean patients who were unable or unwilling to undergo radical cystectomy (RC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 131 patients (median age, 69 years; 88.5% men) treated with intravesical gemcitabine for BCG-unresponsive HR-NMIBC at nine centers between May 2019 and April 2022. The primary endpoint was 1-year recurrence-free survival (RFS). The secondary endpoints included factors influencing RFS, progression-free survival (PFS), cystectomy- free survival, cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), and safety. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and risk factors for recurrence were assessed using Cox regression models. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for a median duration of 25 months, with carcinoma in situ (CIS) in 41.9% of the patients. The 1-year and 2-year RFS rates were 68% and 42%, while the 1-year and 2-year PFS rates were 87% and 77%, respectively. No significant factors influencing RFS were identified. Seventeen patients underwent RC during a median follow-up of 16 months, with the condition in three patients progressing to muscle-invasive disease on final pathological analysis. The 2-year CSS and OS rates were 98% and 97%, respectively. Intravesical gemcitabine was well-tolerated, with only seven patients (5.3%) unable to complete the full induction course. CONCLUSION: Our research highlights the potential of intravesical gemcitabine as a viable bladder-sparing treatment option for BCG-unresponsive HR-NMIBC, providing real-world evidence on its safety, efficacy, and tolerability.
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Pediatric and Young Adult Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Era: A Study of the Korean Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry.
Ju HY, Choi HS, Park HJ … +14 more , Yoo KH, Lyu CJ, Im HJ, Kim MK, Mun YC, Moon JH, Yoon SS, Lee E, Lee JH, Lee JH, Chong SY, Cheong JW, Won S, Korean Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation
Cancer Res Treat · 2026 Apr · PMID 40340262 · Full text
PURPOSE: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in children, adolescents, and young adults is rare and differs from older adults. This study evaluated the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in...
PURPOSE: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in children, adolescents, and young adults is rare and differs from older adults. This study evaluated the outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in young Korean CML patients during the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) era. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 35 CML patients aged < 40 years who underwent allogeneic HSCT from 2009 to 2019 was conducted using Korean Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry data. Patients were grouped by age < 20 years at HSCT (group 1, n=15) and 20-40 years at HSCT (group 2, n=20). Survival outcomes including overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and event-free survival (EFS) were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median time between diagnosis and HSCT was 8.9 months. All the patients achieved engraftment but platelet recovery was significantly slower in group 1 (p=0.034). Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease occurred in 54.3% and 34.3%, respectively. Five-year OS, RFS, and EFS rates of total patients were 66.8%, 50.8%, and 47.6%, with better OS was observed in group 1 by multivariable analysis (p=0.048). Disease status at HSCT was a significant predictor of OS (p=0.028), RFS (p=0.003), and EFS (p=0.004). Disease progression occurred in 13 out of 35 patients (37.1%); treatment-related mortality accounted for 63.6% of deaths (7 out of 11). CONCLUSION: When performed at a younger age, allogeneic HSCT result in superior outcome in CML. Achieving remission before HSCT is critical for improved outcomes, highlighting the importance of pretransplant remission via optimal TKI strategies and minimal residual disease monitoring.
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