Real-World Efficacy and Safety of Teclistamab for Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Nationwide Retrospective Analysis of the Named Patient Program in Korea.

Purpose: The prognosis for heavily pretreated patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) remains poor. Teclistamab, a bispecific antibody targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and CD3, has demonstrated deep and durable responses in triple-class exposed RRMM patients in the MajesTEC-1 trial. To further evaluate the efficacy and safety of teclistamab in Korean patients, we conducted a nationwide retrospective analysis.

Expanded and activated marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes exhibit potent antimyeloma activity against autologous multiple myeloma cells.

Adoptive immunotherapy represents a promising treatment for multiple myeloma (MM), relying on the availability of sustainable tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells. This study generated potent ex vivo expanded and activated marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes (eMILs) from MM patients and evaluated their immunologic characteristics and cytotoxic potential. MILs were expanded using anti-CD3/CD28 beads in the presence of IL-2, IL-7, and IL-15.

Machine learning-based classification of Taekwondo Poomsae side kick performance using kinematic parameters and physical characteristics.

To develop and validate machine learning (ML) models for classifying Taekwondo Poomsae side kick (SK) performance using kinematic parameters and physical function characteristics. Forty collegiate Taekwondo Poomsae athletes performed SKs with both legs. Two models were developed: a kinematic model incorporating SK and pelvic tilt angles at face and maximal heights, and a physical function model including range of motion measurements and Y-balance test scores.

A Phase II Study of Daratumumab in Combination with Bortezomib and Dexamethasone in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Who Received One Prior Line of Therapy (KMM1906).

Purpose: Daratumumab combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone (DVd) has been established as the standard treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) based on pivotal phase 3 trials. A subgroup analysis demonstrated enhanced efficacy in the second-line setting, although the fixed duration of bortezomib administration remained a limitation. Therefore, we conducted a phase II trial evaluating continuous bortezomib as maintenance in a DVd regimen for second-line treatment.

Comparison of upper trapezius muscle stiffness between female assembly workers with and without myofascial trigger points.

BackgroundMuscle stiffness in the upper trapezius (UT) muscle is a significant parameter for evaluating myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). Because the measuring position influences UT muscle stiffness, investigating UT muscle stiffness in different working postures would be useful for evaluating and planning effective interventions for MTrPs.ObjectiveTo identify differences in UT muscle stiffness measured in the resting and working postures among female assembly workers, both with and without MTrPs.

Clinical Implication of Sequential Circulating Tumor DNA Assessments for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Background/objectives: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a promising biomarker for non-invasive tumor monitoring in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Methods: In this study, 52 patients with newly diagnosed advanced-stage DLBCL treated with R-CHOP underwent serial ctDNA analysis at baseline, interim (after three cycles), and end of treatment. The prognostic significance of ctDNA dynamics was evaluated, and its predictive value was compared with the PET/CT response.

Chromosomal Rearrangements in 1,787 Cases of Acute Leukemia in Korea over 15 Years.

Background: Chromosomal alterations serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers in acute leukemia. Given the evolving landscape of chromosomal abnormalities in acute leukemia, we previously studied these over two periods. In this study, we investigated the frequency of these abnormalities and clinical trends in acute leukemia in Korea across three time periods.

Comparison of the sagittal distance of cervical protraction and retraction ratio between females with and without neck pain.

Background: Head excursion (HE) is a clinical tool used to assess neck pain. Although many clinicians use head retraction (HR) exercises to treat neck pain, studies investigating whether head protraction (HP) and HR differ between individuals with and without neck pain are lacking.

Objective:  This study aimed to compare the differences in the sagittal distances of the HP, HR, HE, and protraction-to-retraction (PR) ratio, measured in a zero-starting position, in females with and without neck pain.

Nationwide study on clinical impact of early tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors following first intestinal resection in biologics-naïve Crohn's disease patients.

In Crohn's disease (CD) patients who have undergone surgery, postoperative recurrence remains a challenge, and there is a lack of investigation into the impact of early anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy following surgery on clinical outcomes compared to late use of anti-TNF agents. Utilizing the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database, we conducted a retrospective cohort study comprising 481 CD patients who underwent their first intestinal resection and were naïve to preoperative biological therapy from 2010 to 2018. Patients initiating anti-TNF agents early (within one year post-surgery) were compared to those starting later for prognosis.

Real-world effectiveness of ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone in Asians with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Randomized clinical trials have shown ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (IRd) to be efficacious and safe in Asian patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM); however, real-world data are limited. The APEX study was a multicenter, observational cohort study of IRd conducted at 16 sites across South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. Overall, 104 patients treated with IRd during 2016-2023 were enrolled; data were collected by retrospective chart review and 6-month prospective follow-up.

Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison of Daratumumab-Pomalidomide-Dexamethasone and Pomalidomide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Background: Standard-of-care treatment for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) typically includes frontline lenalidomide until disease progression, making lenalidomide-refractoriness a challenge in relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM). Lenalidomide-sparing triplet therapies, daratumumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (DPd) and pomalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (PVd), demonstrated efficacy in lenalidomide-exposed patients in the APOLLO and OPTIMISMM trials, respectively. Without head-to-head trial data, we assessed the comparative effectiveness of DPd versus PVd via matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC).

Combination therapy with expanded natural killer cells and atezolizumab exerts potent antitumor immunity in small cell lung cancer.

Despite an initial response to platinum-based chemotherapy, most patients with extensive stage of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) have a poor prognosis due to recurrence. Additionally, the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors is more modest than non-small cell lung cancer. Natural killer (NK) cells can directly eliminate cancer cells without prior sensitization; this is largely governed by inflammatory cytokines, which serve as killing signals to cancer cells.

Validating the Korean Geriatric Assessment Tool in Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Multicenter Study.

Purpose: This study evaluates the Korean Cancer Study Group Geriatric Score-7 (KG-7) frailty screening tool's effectiveness in elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients to prevent under and over-treatment.

Materials And Methods: This prospective pilot cohort study included 100 elderly patients aged 70 and older with newly diagnosed MM who had not undergone transplantation from August 2020 to January 2022.

Results: The median age was 77 years, and 73% of patients were classified at International Staging System (ISS) stages 2 or 3.

Prognostic Value of 18 F-FDG PET in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma : Assessing Interim Metabolic Response for Improving Patient Stratification.

Purpose Of The Report: The usefulness of brain 18 F-FDG PET/CT in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) remains underexplored. This study investigated whether early metabolic responses in interim brain FDG PET/CT serve as a prognostic indicator of PCNSL treatment outcomes.

Patients And Methods: This prospective study included 53 patients with PCNSL who underwent a high-dose methotrexate-based treatment.

Real-world outcomes of maintenance therapy post-autologous stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Background: In the Republic of Korea, only lenalidomide, bortezomib, ixazomib, and thalidomide monotherapy are available as maintenance therapy post-autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT).

Methods: To determine whether maintenance therapy confers a survival benefit in the real world, we compared treatment outcomes according to the use and type of maintenance therapy in patients who underwent ASCT following frontline therapy with the triplet regimen of bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in 15 nationwide centers.

Results: A total of 512 patients were analyzed (no-maintenance group, n = 359, and maintenance group, n = 153 patients).

Evidence-based Korean guidelines for the clinical management of multiple myeloma: addressing 12 key clinical questions.

Multiple myeloma (MM), a hematological malignancy, is characterized by malignant plasma cell proliferation in the bone marrow. Recent treatment advances have significantly improved patient outcomes associated with MM. In this study, we aimed to develop comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of MM.

Role of Mesoporosity in Hard Carbon Anodes for High-Energy and Stable Potassium-Ion Storage.

Herein, NaCl-templated mesoporous hard carbons (NMCs) have been designed and engineered with tunable surface properties as anode materials for potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) and hybrid capacitors (KICs). By utilizing "water-in-oil" emulsions, the size of NaCl templates is precisely modified, leading to smaller particles that enable the formation of primary carbon structures with reduced particle size and secondary structures with 3D interconnected mesoporosity. These features significantly enhance electrode density, reduce particle-to-particle resistance, and improve electrolyte wettability.

Image Synthesis in Nuclear Medicine Imaging with Deep Learning: A Review.

Nuclear medicine imaging (NMI) is essential for the diagnosis and sensing of various diseases; however, challenges persist regarding image quality and accessibility during NMI-based treatment. This paper reviews the use of deep learning methods for generating synthetic nuclear medicine images, aimed at improving the interpretability and utility of nuclear medicine protocols. We discuss advanced image generation algorithms designed to recover details from low-dose scans, uncover information hidden by specific radiopharmaceutical properties, and enhance the sensing of physiological processes.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Intravenous Daratumumab in Patients with Multiple Myeloma: A Multicenter, Observational Study from Korea.

Purpose: Daratumumab is a novel, first-in-class monoclonal antibody approved for use as monotherapy and in combination with other treatments for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of daratumumab in real-world clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: This observational multicenter study collected data from patients with MM treated in Korea between June 1, 2018, and February 28, 2022.

Association between urine creatinine excretion and bone mineral density in chronic kidney disease: Results from the KNOW-CKD study.

Background: Decreased lean body mass or muscle mass is associated with decreased bone mineral density in individuals with preserved renal function. However, the association between muscle mass and bone mineral density in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is not well known. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between muscle mass estimated from urine creatinine (UCr) and bone mineral density in Korean CKD patients.

Ensemble approach for predicting the diagnosis of osteoarthritis using physical activity factors.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease of the joints. Risk factors for OA include non-modifiable factors such as age and sex, as well as modifiable factors like physical activity.

Objectives: this study aimed to construct a soft voting ensemble model to predict OA diagnosis using variables related to individual characteristics and physical activity and identify important variables in constructing the model through permutation importance.

Comparative analysis of single versus tandem autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma in Korea: the KMM2102 study.

Tandem autologous stem cell transplantation can improve the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma. However, the precise role of tandem transplantation remains debatable. We evaluated the clinical benefits of tandem transplantation retrospectively.