Impact of bronchitis variability on outcomes of COPD.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of serial bronchitic status over two consecutive years on clinical outcomes, including frequency of exacerbation and lung function decline rate.

Methods: We analysed data from 1265 participants enrolled in the Korea COPD Subgroup Study, a nationwide prospective observational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cohort. Bronchitic status was determined using subquestionnaires of the COPD Assessment Test at baseline and after 1 year, classifying patients into three serial bronchitic groups of persistently not bronchitic (NB), intermittently bronchitic (IB) and chronic bronchitis (CB).

Synthesis, Radiolabeling, and Evaluation of a Dimeric Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor with a Triazine Linker.

Dimeric fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) radioligands are promising candidates for theranostic applications because of their enhanced tumor uptake and prolonged retention compared to monomeric radioligands. Several linker strategies have been investigated to connect two FAPI motifs and a radiometal chelator in a dimer design. In this study, we report the development of a novel dimeric FAPI radioligand, [Ga]Ga-, which utilizes a triazine core as a trifunctional linker.

Efficacy and safety of HL-301 compared with erdosteine in acute bronchitis: a randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority trial.

Background/aims: This study evaluated the non-inferiority of HL-301 to erdosteine in terms of symptom relief and the anti- inflammatory effects in acute bronchitis patients not treated with antibiotics.

Methods: In a double-blind, non-inferiority trial, patients were randomized 1:1 to receive either HL-301 (300 mg twice daily) or erdosteine (300 mg three times daily) for seven days. The primary endpoint was change in total Bronchitis Severity Score (BSS) from baseline to day 7.

Pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, and treatment of tuberculosis-associated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a narrative review.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality, most often linked to smoking. However, growing evidence indicates that previous tuberculosis (TB) infection is also a critical risk factor for COPD. This review aimed at providing a comprehensive perspective on TB-COPD, covering its epidemiologic significance, pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, and current management approaches.

Change in exacerbation rate of asthma patients before and after COVID-19 infection.

Background: COVID-19 had significant impact on healthcare utilization and disease outcomes worldwide. While overall asthma exacerbations reportedly declined during the pandemic, the specific effect of COVID-19 infection on subsequent exacerbation patterns in asthma patients remains unclear.

Methods: Using a nationwide health insurance claims database from South Korea, we identified patients who had both asthma and a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis in 2020.

Increased Risk of Tuberculosis Disease in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Introduction: The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in lung cancer has improved survival rates, leading to its widespread use. However, there has been a recent increase in case reports of tuberculosis (TB) disease occurrence following ICI treatment. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether the incidence of TB disease is elevated in the ICI group compared to the group receiving platinum-based chemotherapy among all lung cancer patients.

Impact of the Race-Neutral Equation on Mortality Risk Prediction in Korean Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background And Objective: Recently, GLI-2022, a race-neutral reference equation, was proposed for spirometric interpretation. However, the impact of using the GLI-2022 in predicting mortality risk has not been fully investigated. This study determined whether the GOLD grades based on GLI-2022 or race-specific equations are overestimated or underestimated in terms of mortality risk prediction among Korean patients with COPD.

Unraveling the tumor-microenvironment through a radiogenomic-based multiomic approach to predict outcomes of immunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in influencing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to develop a radiomics model reflecting an ICI-favorable TME based on whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS).

Methods: This multi-center retrospective cohort study included training (n = 120), internal validation (n = 319), and external validation (n = 150) cohorts of advanced NSCLC patients who received ICI as first- or second-line therapy.

Race-neutral versus race-specific GLI reference equations on spirometry interpretation in the general population.

Pulmonary function interpretation is key to the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases. The Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) introduced the race-specific reference equations for spirometry in 2012, with subsequent development of the race-neutral reference equations in 2022. This study examined the effects of transitioning from the race-specific 2012-GLI to the race-neutral 2022-GLI reference equations on spirometry interpretation in Northeast Asians.

Experimental modeling of pulmonary fibrosis and combined emphysema in mice using repeated doses of bleomycin and cigarette smoke extract.

Rationale: A high prevalence of smoking among idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients increases the risk of emphysema. Combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) occurs predominantly in males, characterized by severe exercise-induced dyspnea, decreased diffusing capacity, and increased lung cancer risk. The exclusion of CPFE patients from clinical studies has limited understanding of its pathophysiology, treatment, and prognosis.

Prognostic value of [F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in the new staging system for non-small cell lung cancer.

Objective: This study aims to explore the prognostic value of primary tumor [F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with curative therapy, particularly when considered alongside the new 9th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) staging system.

Materials And Methods: A single-center retrospective study analyzed 3070 NSCLC patients who underwent pretherapeutic FDG PET/CT for initial staging. The survival analyses considered clinical variables, disease stage, and the primary tumor's maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax).

Clinical characteristic of patients with COPD-A.

Background: The 2023 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) document proposed the COPD-A subtype as a condition of COPD with asthma. We examined the characteristics of COPD-A patients and analyzed them according to smoking history and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use.

Methods: Patients in the COPD cohort with a history of asthma were included.

Impact of Therapeutic Radioactive Iodine on the Recurrence of Papillary Thyroid Cancer With Extranodal Extension in Metastatic Lymph Nodes: A Propensity Score-matched Analysis.

Purpose: Radioactive iodine therapy (RAI) ≥100 mCi (3.7 GBq) is commonly recommended for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with extranodal extension (ENE). However, no study has evaluated whether RAI ≥100 mCi is effective in reducing the recurrence of PTC with ENE.

Asthma Alleviation by Ginsenoside Rb1 via Promotion of Treg Proliferation and Inflammatory T Cell Inhibition.

Background: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are living drugs with feasibility, tolerability, and therapeutic benefits. Although Tregs are linked to asthma prognosis through inflammation regulation, no therapeutic agents specifically designed to manage asthma by upregulating Tregs have been developed to date.

Methods: We screened a library of 250 natural products using a cytometric bead array.

Comparison of metastasis and treatment patterns among different histopathologic types of lung cancer: analysis of 6 years of nationwide lung cancer cohort data in Korea.

Background: Personalized management of stage IV lung cancer requires a deeper understanding of metastatic patterns and the potential benefits of localized treatments for each histologic type. This study aims to identify patterns of both intrathoracic and extrathoracic metastases across various histologic types of lung cancer using a nationwide Korean lung cancer database.

Methods: The study analyzed data from patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2014 and 2019, sourced from the Korean Association of Lung Cancer Registry (KALC-R).

Non-pharmacologic Prevention of Acute Exacerbation Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major global health issue, as acute exacerbation COPD (AECOPD) significantly worsens outcomes and increases healthcare burden. This review explores non-pharmacologic strategies to prevent AECOPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation consistently demonstrates its effectiveness in reducing exacerbations and mortality, while improving exercise capacity and the quality of life.

F-Fluorocholine PET/CT as an Imaging Biomarker in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receiving Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab.

Background/aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and treatment outcomes for advanced disease remain suboptimal. Immunotherapy, particularly atezolizumab plus bevacizumab, has shown promise in improving survival. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of F-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FCH PET/CT) in patients with unresectable HCC undergoing this combination therapy.

Diagnostic Value of Surveillance 18F-FDG PET/CT in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma After Curative Therapy.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of surveillance FDG PET/CT for detection of clinically unexpected recurrent disease or second primary malignancy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients who underwent curative treatment.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 739 consecutive patients with HNSCC who underwent 2396 surveillance FDG PET/CT scans. Surveillance FDG PET/CT scans were defined as routine follow-up scans after curative therapy without suspicion of recurrence.

Correction: Choi et al. Prognostic Value of Radiomic Analysis Using Pre- and Post-Treatment F-FDG-PET/CT in Patients with Laryngeal Cancer and Hypopharyngeal Cancer. 2024, , 71.

In the original publication [...

F-FDG PET/CT in Inflammation and Infection: Procedural Guideline by the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine.

Abstract: This guideline outlines the use of F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography / computed tomography for the diagnosis and management of infectious and inflammatory diseases. It provides detailed recommendations for healthcare providers on patient preparation, imaging procedures, and the interpretation of results. Adapted from international standards and tailored to local clinical practices, the guideline emphasizes safety, quality control, and effective use of the technology in various conditions, including spinal infections, diabetic foot, osteomyelitis, vasculitis, and cardiac inflammation.

F-FDOPA PET/CT in Oncology: Procedural Guideline by the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine.

This guideline outlines the use of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-F-fluoro-L-phenylalanine positron emission tomography / computed tomography for the diagnosis and management of neuroendocrine tumors, brain tumors, and other tumorous conditions. It provides detailed recommendations on patient preparation, imaging procedures, and result interpretation. Based on international standards and adapted to local clinical practices, the guideline emphasizes safety, quality control, and the effective application of 3,4-dihydroxy-6-F-fluoro-L-phenylalanine positron emission tomography / computed tomography for various tumors such as insulinomas, pheochromocytomas, and medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Current status of pulmonary rehabilitation and impact on prognosis of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in South Korea.

Background: The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been limited to improving dyspnea, exercise capacity, and quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the current status of PR and its effect on prognosis.

Methods: The Nationwide Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database was used in this study.

Lung cancer organoid-based drug evaluation models and new drug development application trends.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor with high incidence and mortality rates in both men and women worldwide. Although anticancer drugs are prescribed to treat lung cancer patients, individual responses to these drugs vary, making it crucial to identify the most suitable treatment for each patient. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an anticancer drug efficacy prediction model that can analyze drug efficacy before patient treatment and establish personalized treatment strategies.

Change in exacerbation rate of COPD patients before and after COVID-19 infection.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected global health system, significantly altering not only the acute management of viral infection, but also management strategies for chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 infection on exacerbation rates and the economic burden in patients with COPD. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the national insurance reimbursement data of South Korea.