Thrombophilia in Liver Donors: Prevalence of Protein C or S Deficiency in Korean Candidates and Decision Considerations.

Background: Donor thrombophilia poses risks to both donors and recipients. To address donor safety without unnecessarily decreasing the donor pool, we aimed to determine the incidence of protein C (PC) or protein S (PS) deficiency among living liver donor candidates and propose a decision-making algorithm for donation.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1421 living donor candidates who underwent primary donor evaluation at a single center between January 2017 and February 2022.

Gene expression analysis of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia who discontinued tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

The immunological mechanism of treatment-free remission is not clearly understood. We aimed to identify immune-related genetic differences that predict molecular relapse after tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discontinuation in patients with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In this prospective multicenter study, patients who were treated with TKI for at least 3 years discontinued TKI and were monitored for loss of major molecular response.

Azacitidine followed by R-GDP in transplant-ineligible relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: preliminary results from a multicenter, phase II study.

Background: Epigenetic priming prior to chemotherapy represents a promising treatment strategy for refractory or relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL). We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of azacitidine in combination with R-GDP (rituximab/gemcitabine/dexamethasone/cisplatin) in transplant-ineligible R/R DLBCL.

Methods: Fifteen patients were enrolled and treated with azacitidine and R-GDP regimen (NCT03719989).

The role of ASXL1, SRSF2, and EZH2 mutations in chromatin dysregulation of myelodysplastic neoplasia and acute myeloid leukemia.

Mutations in chromatin-regulating genes play a critical role in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic neoplasia (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as genetic mutations affecting chromatin structure and function are key drivers of these hematologic malignancies. Central to the discussion are key emerging genes such as ASXL1, SRSF2, and EZH2, which are recognized as adverse prognostic markers. Mutations in these genes, coupled with subsequent alterations in epigenetic mechanisms, disrupt normal gene expression by impairing histone modification and RNA splicing processes.

Autologous stem cell transplantation with thiotepa, busulfan, and cyclophosphamide conditioning in patients with central nervous system lymphoma: a phase II study.

The prognosis of central nervous system lymphoma (CNSL) remains poor, and attempts have been made to improve outcomes through autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) with thiotepa-based conditioning. We aimed to assess the outcomes of thiotepa/busulfan/cyclophosphamide (TBC) followed by ASCT in CNSL. An investigator-initiated, single-arm, phase II trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TBC/ASCT (NCT06625359).

Prognostic Landscape of TP53 Mutations in Hematologic Malignancies.

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.

Incidence and Characteristics of Infectious Complications in Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated With Bispecific Antibodies.

Background: Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are a new class of immunotherapeutic agents for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Although this new class of drug is associated with good disease control, they are also associated with increased risk of infectious complications. Since endemic community-acquired and nosocomial infections vary across the globe, we conducted this study to report real-world data of infectious complications associated with BsAbs in Korean population.

Impact of induction regimens on stem cell mobilization yields in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is integral to treating newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). While novel therapies improve response rates, they also hinder stem cell mobilization. This study evaluates the impacts of induction regimens on mobilization, collection, and ASCT outcomes.

Chestnut ( S. et Z.) inner shell-A by-product promotes anti-obesity by regulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related genes and the AMPK/ACC signaling pathway in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

A by-product is a secondary substance unintentionally produced during manufacturing and can be repurposed through recycling. In particular, by-products generated from the processing of natural materials are valuable because of their bioactive compound content, such as polyphenols and anthocyanins. Obesity is a global health issue, and medicines for obesity have side effects, such as insomnia and headaches.

Increased local DNA methylation disorder in AMLs with DNMT3A-destabilizing variants and its clinical implication.

The mechanistic link between the complex mutational landscape of de novo methyltransferase DNMT3A and the pathology of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not been clearly elucidated so far. Motivated by a recent discovery of the significance of DNMT3A-destabilizing mutations (DNMT3A) in AML, we here investigate the common characteristics of DNMT3A AML methylomes through computational analyses. We present that methylomes of DNMT3A AMLs are considerably different from those of DNMT3A AMLs in that they exhibit increased intratumor DNA methylation heterogeneity in bivalent chromatin domains.

Root Extract Attenuates Osteoarthritis Progression by Inhibiting Inflammation and Cartilage Degradation in Interleukin-1β and Monosodium Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis Models.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint condition caused by an imbalance between cartilage synthesis and degradation, which disrupts joint homeostasis. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and joint-improving effects of root extract powder (PDREP) in both in vitro and in vivo OA models.

Methods/results: In an in vitro OA model, in which SW1353 human chondrosarcoma cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-1β, PDREP treatment significantly reduced the mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 while enhancing collagen type II alpha 1 (Col2a1) mRNA level, and decreased IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels.

MG4101, an allogeneic natural killer cell, in patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia: a pilot study.

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of allogeneic, ex-vivo expanded, NK cells, MG4101, in patients with refractory or relapsed AML. The relationship between immunological characteristics and clinical responses was analyzed. Between April 2018 and February 2020, 11 patients (male:female = 5:6) were treated with MG4101.

Immune-enhancing effect of fermented soybean food, on cyclophosphamide-treated immunosuppressed rat.

Cheonggukjang () is a traditional food, made by the fermentation of beans, and it has different recipes for different regions in Korea. However, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity effects, and is known to affect changes in the intestinal microbiota. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effects of four type s (one commercial and three transitional s).

Unraveling the impact of lysosomal dysfunction on myeloproliferative neoplasm.

Background: Lysosomal dysfunction (LD) impacts cytokine regulation, inflammation, and immune responses, influencing the development and progression of cancer. Inflammation is implicated in the pathogenesis of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). With a hypothesis that LD significantly contributes to MPN carcinogenesis by inducing abnormal inflammation, our objective was to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of MPN arising from an LD background.

Early dose reduction of dasatinib does not compromise clinical outcomes in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: A comparative analysis of two prospective trials.

Dasatinib is a potent second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) used as a first-line treatment option for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Currently, dose modification due to adverse events (AEs) is common in patients treated with dasatinib. This study compared the outcomes of two sequential prospective trials that enrolled patients with newly diagnosed chronic phase of CML (CP-CML) and initiated dasatinib at a starting dose of 100 mg daily.

Dual T-cell depletion with individually tailored anti-thymocyte globulin and attenuated dose of post-transplant cyclophosphamide in haploidentical peripheral stem cell transplantation.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of dual T-cell suppression using individually tailored doses of antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and attenuated dose of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT). We conducted a retrospective analysis of 78 adults with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome who underwent haplo-HSCT using intravenous busulfan and fludarabine conditioning. Thirty-two patients received attenuated ATG/PTCy, while 46 patients received ATG (7.

Gene Expression and DNA Methylation Profiling Suggest Potential Biomarkers for Azacitidine Resistance in Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Myelodysplastic syndrome/neoplasm (MDS) comprises a group of heterogeneous hematopoietic disorders that present with genetic mutations and/or cytogenetic changes and, in the advanced stage, exhibit wide-ranging gene hypermethylation. Patients with higher-risk MDS are typically treated with repeated cycles of hypomethylating agents, such as azacitidine. However, some patients fail to respond to this therapy, and fewer than 50% show hematologic improvement.

Augmentation of NK-cell activity and immunity by combined natural polyphenols and saccharides in vitro and in vivo.

Curcuma longa and Sargassum coreanum are commonly used in traditional pharmaceutical medicine to improve immune function in chronic diseases. The present study was designed to systematically elucidate the in vitro and in vivo immuno-enhancing effects of a combination of C. longa and S.

Risk factors for resistant gram-positive bacteremia in febrile neutropenic patients with cancer.

Background: Gram-positive bacteria are frequently resistant to empirical beta-lactams in febrile neutropenic patients with cancer. As microbiology and antibiotic susceptibility changes, we reevaluated the risk factors for resistant Gram-positive bacteremia in febrile neutropenic patients with cancer.

Methods: Episodes of bacteremic febrile neutropenia in Seoul National University Hospital from July 2019 to June 2022 were reviewed.

, a traditional Korean fermented food, protects through suppressed inflammatory pathways and histological structure disruption in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mice.

The mechanisms underlying chronic inflammatory diseases remain unclear. Therefore, researchers have explored the mechanisms underlying colitis using diverse materials. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in fermented products and bioconversion materials, their potential efficacy is being actively studied.