Quality Matters: Effect of High-Quality Early Palliative Care in Advanced Cancer.

Context: Early palliative care (EPC) is an integral treatment for advanced cancer patients, improving quality of life and symptom management, but the impact of its quality on outcomes is less understood.

Objectives: This study aimed to quantify the quality of EPC and analyze its longitudinal association with depression levels, quality of life (QoL), patient survival, and self-management strategies in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods: This secondary analysis included 144 advanced cancer patients from a randomized controlled trial in South Korea.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolome Dynamics as Predictors of Clinical Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) profoundly disrupts the gut microbiome and metabolome, which in turn influence immune-related complications and patient outcomes. To systematically characterize these perturbations, we performed a longitudinal analysis of fecal microbiota composition and metabolite profiles in HSCT recipients at three critical timepoints: pre-transplant (T1), peri-transplant (T2), and post-transplant (T3). We observed that reduced microbial diversity at T1 and T3 was strongly associated with increased incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), progressive disease (PD), and decreased overall survival (OS).

Prevalence of germline pathogenic variants in unselected Korean patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a nationwide prospective study (KCSG BR19-10).

Background: Assessment of germline (g) status is recommended for all patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) to identify candidates for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor therapy, which is not always possible in clinical practice due to limited testing resources. In this study, we investigate the cross-sectional prevalence of g pathogenic variant (PV) carriers in unselected Korean patients with HER2-negative MBC.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with HER2-negative metastatic BC receiving palliative systemic treatment were eligible for inclusion in the study.

Interaction effect of comorbid depression and proactive positivity coping strategy on the 1-year survival of patients with advanced cancer: a nationwide multicentre study in South Korea.

Background: Comorbid depression and poor performance status are associated with increased mortality and reduced quality of life in patients with advanced cancer. Coping strategies based on "proactive positivity" may facilitate adaptation to functional decline and limited life expectancy. However, few studies have examined the impact of the interaction between depressive symptoms and coping strategies on survival outcomes in this population.

Nationwide real-world practice pattern and clinical data of palbociclib in HR (+), HER2 (-) metastatic breast cancer patients in Korea (KCSG BR21-15).

Background: Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors have remarkably improved the survival outcome in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor-2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Although PALOMA-2 has met its primary outcome, overall survival (OS) was relatively shorter compared to ribociclib and abemaciclib. In Korea, use of palbociclib + aromatase inhibitor (AI) + gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in premenopausal women is limited, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) is necessary before treatment.

Safety and Effectiveness of Eribulin in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer Previously Treated with Anthracyclines and Taxanes in Real-World Clinical Practice: A 6-Year Post-Marketing Surveillance Study in South Korea.

Purpose: This 6-year post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study was conducted in South Korea to evaluate the real-world safety and effectiveness of eribulin in patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes.

Materials And Methods: During the study period (17 August 2012 to 16 August 2018), case-report files (CRFs) of patients receiving eribulin were collected. The main study endpoint was to assess the safety of eribulin.

Exploring Oncologists' Perspectives on the Early Integration of Specialty Palliative Care in Korea: Challenges, Needs, and Clinical Implications.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the practices, perceptions, and barriers related to specialty palliative care (SPC) referrals among oncologists in Korea, highlighting the clinical implications of early integration.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional online survey targeting board-certified hemato-oncology specialists was conducted between August 1-25, 2024. The survey assessed referral practices, attitudes toward early SPC integration, referral criteria, barriers, and institutional characteristics.

Palbociclib plus endocrine therapy versus capecitabine in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (Young-PEARL): overall survival analysis of a randomised, open-label, phase 2 study.

Background: The phase 2 randomised Young-PEARL study demonstrated that palbociclib plus exemestane with ovarian function suppression significantly prolonged progression-free survival compared with capecitabine in premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. Here, we report results of the protocol-specified secondary endpoint of overall survival.

Methods: Young-PEARL was a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 2 study conducted at 14 institutions in South Korea.

A Prospective, Single-Cohort, Open, Multi-Center, Observational Study of Sublingual Fentanyl for Breakthrough Cancer Pain: Effectiveness, Safety, and Tolerability in Korean Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Fentanyl, a highly lipophilic opioid, was developed as a sublingual fentanyl tablet (SFT) for the management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP), and its efficacy and safety were confirmed in a randomized, controlled study. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of SFT administered to alleviate BTcP in a real-world setting.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective, open, single-cohort study, conducted in 13 referral hospitals in South Korea, opioid-tolerant cancer patients receiving around-the-clock opioids for persistent cancer pain were enrolled if the individual had BTcP ≥ 1 episode/day during the preceding week.

Quality of life outcomes in terminal cancer patients attending regional cancer centers in South Korea: protocol for a prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Patients with cancer experience physical, mental, and social pain that affects themselves and their families. The increasing cancer incidence and advances in treatment have increased the number of cancer survivors in Korea, and there is an influx of patients in Seoul and other metropolitan areas, leading to shortages of continuous care and comprehensive life support facilities. Patients must travel long distances for treatment, which poses logistical and quality-of-life challenges.

Psychometric Validation of Sheffield Profile for Assessment and Referral to Care (SPARC) in Korean Cancer Patients.

Purpose: Identifying the palliative care needs of patients with advanced cancer is important for maintaining quality of life and timely transition to palliative care. We aimed to validate the Korean Sheffield Profile for Assessment and Referral for Care (K-SPARC) in such patients and establish its psychometric properties, including reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change.

Materials And Methods: We used the forward-back translated version of SPARC, which was verified through a pilot study, to assess the palliative care needs of patients with advanced cancer.

Depression, performance status, and discontinued treatment mediate an association of curability belief with prognosis in advanced cancer patients.

Individuals diagnosed with advanced cancer often experience stress and depression, factors linked to worse survival. Curability belief-defined as the hope and expectation of cure through treatment, based on affective forecasting-may differ from the patient's actual life expectancy (i.e.

Early Integrated Palliative Care in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Limited data suggest that early palliative care (EPC) improves quality of life (QOL) and survival in patients with advanced cancer.

Objective: To evaluate whether comprehensive EPC improves QOL; relieves mental, social, and existential burdens; increases survival rates; and helps patients develop coping skills.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This nonblinded randomized clinical trial (RCT) recruited patients from 12 hospitals in South Korea from September 2017 to October 2018.

Effectiveness of self-reported management program of cancer patients.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effect of Smart Cancer Care program on the quality of life and ease of chemotherapy continuation in cancer patients and the effect of additional tele-management on frequency of use and satisfaction with the Smart Cancer Care program.

Methods: 'Smart Cancer Care' is a mobile program that allows cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to report symptoms of adverse events and receive remote management. In this study, patients were randomly assigned to three groups: Group A, who received only classical face-to-face management; Group B, who used the Smart Cancer Care program as addition; and Group C, who used the Smart Cancer Care program and received telephone management.

Efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine patch for managing withdrawal symptoms in patients with cancer physically dependent on prescription opioids.

Background: The physical dependence on prescription opioids among cancer survivors remains an under-investigated area, with a scarcity of well-designed prospective studies.

Methods: This single-arm, phase-2 clinical trial in Korea assessed the efficacy and safety of a transdermal buprenorphine patch (TBP) in managing physical dependence on prescription opioids in cancer survivors, as confirmed through the DSM-5 criteria or psychiatric consultation for opioid withdrawal. This study involved a 4-phase treatment protocol of screening, induction/stabilization, discontinuation, and monitoring.

Development and Feasibility Evaluation of Smart Cancer Care 2.0 Based on Patient-Reported Outcomes for Post-Discharge Management of Patients with Cancer.

Purpose: A "Smart Cancer Care" platform that integrates patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with management has been established in Korea. This study focused on improving health behaviors and connecting patients to welfare services by introducing and assessing the feasibility of "Smart Cancer Care 2.0," an enhanced version designed for monitoring complications post-cancer treatment.

A nationwide real-world study for evaluation of effectiveness and safety of T-DM1 in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in Korea (KCSG BR19-15).

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate clinical practices and factors related to the outcomes of T-DM1 use in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC).

Methods: We included patients with HER2-positive mBC who received T-DM1 as a palliative therapy between August 2017 and December 2018. The safety and outcomes of T-DM1, including overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), were evaluated.

Spiritual Care Guide in Hospice∙Palliative Care.

The Spiritual Care Guide in Hospice∙Palliative Care is evidence-based and focuses on the universal and integral aspects of human spirituality-such as meaning and purpose, interconnectedness, and transcendence-which go beyond any specific religion. This guide was crafted to improve the spiritual well-being of adult patients aged 19 and older, as well as their families, who are receiving end-of-life care. The provision of spiritual care in hospice and palliative settings aims to assist patients and their families in finding life's meaning and purpose, restoring love and relationships, and helping them come to terms with death while maintaining hope.

Development and pilot study of "Smart Cancer Care": a platform for managing side effects of chemotherapy.

Background: As outpatient chemotherapy treatment increases, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy spend more time at home. In addition, since the types of chemotherapy are gradually expanding, it will be essential to prepare patient self-management strategies for various chemotherapy-related side effects. This study aimed to develop a platform (called Smart Cancer Care) to implement a chemotherapy side effect management program and to evaluate its feasibility.

Effects of a Meaning-Centered Spiritual Care Training Program for Hospice Palliative Care Teams in South Korea: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Spiritual care is an essential part and a core component of quality palliative care, as identified by the World Health Organization. However, spiritual care training for hospice palliative care teams (HPCTs) is infrequent.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a meaning-centered spiritual care training program for HPCTs (McSCTP-HPCT).

Genomic analysis of plasma circulating tumor DNA in patients with heavily pretreated HER2 + metastatic breast cancer.

We explored accumulated genomic alterations in patients with heavily treated HER2 + metastatic breast cancer enrolled in the KCSG BR18-14/KM10B trial. Targeted sequencing was performed with circulating tumor DNAs (ctDNAs) collected before the treatment of 92 patients. ctDNAs collected at the time of disease progression from seven patients who had a durable response for > 12 months were also analyzed.