Prognostic value of signet-ring cell carcinoma proportion in undifferentiated gastric cancer: Implications for endoscopic treatment decisions.

Background: Poorly cohesive gastric carcinomas are classified based on the proportion of signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) components. In surgically resected gastric cancer, SRCC is diagnosed when the signet-ring cell (SRC) component constitutes ≥ 50% of the entire tumor, whereas poorly cohesive carcinoma (PCC) not otherwise specified is diagnosed when the proportion of the SRC component is < 50% of the entire tumor. The SRCC proportion in PCC varies along the spectrum, and its prognostic significance in gastric cancer remains unclear.

Besifovir dipivoxil maleate versus other antivirals in reducing hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B.

Besifovir dipivoxil maleate (BSV) has potent antiviral efficacy against chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study investigated the efficacy of BSV in reducing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development compared to other antiviral therapy (AVT) agents. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on treatment-naïve patients with CHB who initiated an AVT between 2017 and 2022 with BSV (n = 486), entecavir (ETV) (n = 852), tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) (n = 801), or tenofovir disoproxyl fumarate (TDF) (n = 750).

Clinicopathological Factors Influencing PD-L1 Expression and The Effect of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors on Survival Outcomes in Patients with Gastric Cancer Depending on Sex in a Tertiary Hospital in South Korea.

Purpose: Programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) negatively regulates T-cell activation, and exhibits sex-based differences in expression and immune responses. This study investigated sex-related differences in clinicopathological factors influencing PD-L1 expression and the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on survival in gastric cancer (GC) patients in South Korea.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed a prospective cohort of 468 GC patients who underwent PD-L1 immunohistochemistry.

Risk Factors for Long-Term Delayed Gastric Emptying and Its Impact on the Quality of Life After Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy in Patients with Gastric Cancer: Secondary Analysis of the Prospective Multicenter Trial KLASS-04.

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a well-known complication of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG). Patients who underwent LPPG in the KLASS-04 trial, which was a multicenter prospective randomized control trial comparing LPPG and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), showed an unneglectable incidence of long-term DGE compared to patients who underwent LDG. This study aimed to identify the multifactorial risk factors associated with DGE and to analyze the quality of life (QoL) of patients with DGE following LPPG.

Safety and Efficacy of Reduced-Port Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer: A Multicenter, Randomized, Non-inferiority Trial (KLASS-12).

Purpose: This trial (KLASS-12) compares the efficacy and safety of reduced-port laparoscopic gastrectomy (RPLG) versus conventional 5-port laparoscopic gastrectomy (CPLG) for early gastric cancer (EGC).

Materials And Methods: This multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial enrolled patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma (T1N0M0) at 15 university hospitals in Korea. Participants underwent RPLG or CPLG with at least D1+ lymph node dissection.

Laparoscopic gastrectomy reduced peritoneal recurrence in Borrmann type IV gastric cancer: a retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching.

Background: Current evidence on the surgical and oncological safety of laparoscopic surgery in patients with Borrmann type IV (B-IV) advanced gastric cancer (AGC) remains insufficient. This study aimed to compare the surgical and prognostic outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) and open gastrectomy (OG) in patients with B-IV AGC.

Methods: Patients with primary B-IV gastric cancer who underwent LG or OG between 2003 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.

Incidence of Osteopenia or Osteoporosis in Asian Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Background: In an aging population, patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) may face a higher risk of osteopenia, osteoporosis, or fractures. We investigated the epidemiology and risk factors associated with osteopenia or osteoporosis in patients with CHB.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients ≥ 19 years who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) testing ≥ 2 times between 2005 and 2021 at Severance Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.

Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Decreases After Antiviral Therapy-Induced HBsAg Seroclearance.

Background: Antiviral therapy (AVT) reduces the risk of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Aims: The difference in risk of HCC after hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance to the AVT status was explored.

Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis B who achieved HBsAg seroclearance were retrospectively evaluated.

Survival Rates of Patients with Gastric Cancer According to Age and Sex: A Large-Scale Study Using Data from 14,739 Patients.

Purpose: The male predominance in the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) is established; however, sex differences in the prognosis of GC remain controversial. As such, this study analyzed the prognosis of patients with GC based on age and sex.

Materials And Methods: Data from 14,739 patients diagnosed with GC at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2003 and 2023 were analyzed.

The Impact of Vascular Anatomic Variations in the Infra-Pyloric Area on the Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy in Early Gastric Cancer: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Multicenter Prospective Trial (KLASS-04).

: During laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LPPG), the preservation of the infra-pyloric artery (IPA) and dissection of the infra-pyloric lymph node (LN) station 6 are essential, underscoring the importance of understanding the anatomical structure of the IPA. This study aimed to investigate anatomical variations in the IPA and surgical outcomes based on data from a multicenter prospective trial. : A post hoc analysis was conducted based on the Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study (KLASS)-04 trial, in which patients randomly underwent LPPG or laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG).

Long-Term Hepatic and Extrahepatic Outcomes of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients After Sofosbuvir-Based Treatment (LONGHEAD Study).

Background/aims: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are highly effective in treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The long-term hepatic and extrahepatic outcomes of DAAs in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients receiving curative antivirals are elusive.

Methods: CHC patients were retrieved from two phase III sofosbuvir-based clinical trials conducted from 2013-2014.

Prospective Multicenter Observational Study on Postoperative Quality of Life According to Type of Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

Purpose: This study evaluated the postoperative quality of life (QoL) after various types of gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Materials And Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted in Korea using the Korean Quality of Life in Stomach Cancer Patients Study (KOQUSS)-40, a new QoL assessment tool focusing on postgastrectomy syndrome. Overall, 496 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled, and QoL was assessed at 5 time points: preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.

Comparison of Reduced Port Gastrectomy and Multiport Gastrectomy in Korea: Ad Hoc Analysis and Nationwide Survey on Gastric Cancer 2019.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and current status of reduced-port laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (RLDG) compared with multiport laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (MLDG) based on a 2019 nationwide survey of surgical gastric cancer treatments by the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA).

Materials And Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively from March to December 2020 using data from the 2019 KGCA nationwide survey database. To compare RLDG and MLDG based on age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, histological type, tumor invasion, and lymph node metastasis, propensity score matching was performed.

Risk stratification by noninvasive tests in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Background/aims: Recently, the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver (KASL) introduced a noninvasive test-based approach that uses the fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index followed by vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) to identify high-risk patients with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In this study, the KASL two-step approach was validated by assessing the risk of liver-related event (LRE) development.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 8,131 patients with MASLD who underwent VCTE between 2012 and 2020.

Identification of new biomarkers of hepatic cancer stem cells through proteomic profiling.

Backgrounds/aims: In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which exhibits high mortality and recurrence rates globally, the traits of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that significantly influence recurrence and metastasis are not well understood. CSCs are self-renewing cell types identified in most liquid and solid cancers, contributing to tumor initiation, growth, resistance, recurrence, and metastasis following chemo-radiotherapy or trans-arterial chemoembolization therapy.

Methods: CSCs are classified based on the expression of cell surface markers such as CD133, which varies depending on the tumor type.

Reduced-Ports Robotic Pylorus-Preserving Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

Background: Laparoscopic gastrectomy has proven to be safe and effective as a first-line treatment for early gastric cancer in terms of oncologic results. The da Vinci robotic system offers stable 3D vision, near-infrared fluorescence imaging, and articulating wrist movements, making it suitable for performing reduced-ports robotic pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (RP-RPPG). This study examines the feasibility and safety of RP-RPPG for gastric cancer.

Detection Ability of Quality of Life Changes and Responsiveness of the KOQUSS-40 and the EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 in Patients Who Underwent Gastrectomy: A Prospective Comparative Study.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the detection ability of quality of life (QoL) changes and responsiveness of the KOrean QUality of life in Stomach cancer patients Study group (KOQUSS)-40 and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ).

Materials And Methods: A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted to evaluate QoL changes after various gastrectomies between January 2021 and April 2022. Participants were instructed to complete the KOQUSS-40 and EORTC QLQ-C30/STO22 preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Cytokine-Induced Killer Cell Immunotherapy Reduces Recurrence in Patients with Early-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background/objectives: Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy has shown promise in reducing recurrence and improving survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of CIK cell therapy in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 49 patients who received CIK cell therapy after curative resection or radiofrequency ablation, compared with 49 matched control patients via 1:1 propensity score matching.

Noncontrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging vs Ultrasonography for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance: A Randomized, Single-Center Trial.

Background & Aims: This study aimed to compare ultrasonography (US) and noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the surveillance of hepatic malignancy.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, nonblinded trial at a single center in South Korea. Eligible individuals were aged 20 to 70 years with liver cirrhosis, Child-Pugh class A, and no history of liver cancer or other recent malignancy.

High-Throughput Chemotherapeutic Drug Screening System for Gastric Cancer (Cure-GA).

Background: Three dimensional (3D) cell cultures can be effectively used for drug discovery and development but there are still challenges in their general application to high-throughput screening. In this study, we developed a novel high-throughput chemotherapeutic 3D drug screening system for gastric cancer, named 'Cure-GA', to discover clinically applicable anticancer drugs and predict therapeutic responses.

Methods: Primary cancer cells were isolated from 143 fresh surgical specimens by enzymatic treatment.

Update on the treatment navigation for functional cure of chronic hepatitis B: Expert consensus 2.0.

As new evidence emerges, treatment strategies toward the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B are evolving. In 2019, a panel of national hepatologists published a Consensus Statement on the functional cure of chronic hepatitis B. Currently, an international group of hepatologists has been assembled to evaluate research since the publication of the original consensus, and to collaboratively develop the updated statements.

Cardiovascular Risk From Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Count, and Their Longitudinal Changes: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, CVD risk could vary across and within individuals with MASLD. We investigated the cardiovascular implications of MASLD, cardiometabolic risk factor count, and their longitudinal changes.

Healthcare Professionals' Views of Supportive Care Needs for Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Americans with Metastatic Cancer.

The supportive care needs of people with metastatic cancer, particularly Asian Americans, are understudied. Distinct psychosocial support needs may exist across ethnocultural groups with Confucian-heritage values and norms. Cultural factors may shape how adults approach their oncologic care.