1.Pharmaceutical care for a case of severe dermal toxicity induced by durvalumab
Liulian JI ; Zhengbi QIN ; Pengcheng LIU ; Xiaowen DENG ; Lili LIU ; Lijuan YAO ; Tingting LIU ; Pingchen GU
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):88-91
OBJECTIVE To provide references for the accurate identification and management of immune-related cutaneous adverse events (irCAEs) caused by durvalumab, and ensuring safe clinical drug use. METHODS Clinical pharmacists participated in the diagnosis and treatment process of a patient with gallbladder cancer who developed irCAEs caused by durvalumab. The clinical pharmacists systematically reviewed the patient’s past medical history and medication history, and assisted physicians in assessing the association between adverse drug reactions and administered drugs. Meanwhile, the clinical pharmacists conducted a graded assessment of the adverse reaction, proposed recommendations such as discontinuing durvalumab and adjusting the administration regimen of glucocorticoids, assisted physicians in restarting immunotherapy, and carried out medication education and other pharmaceutical care. RESULTS The occurrence of irCAEs in this patient was “highly likely” related to durvalumab and was classified as severe. The physicians adopted the clinical pharmacist’s opinion, and after symptomatic treatment, the patient’s skin symptoms improved, and discharged with medication. After the completion of glucocorticoid therapy for the patient, the physician restarted immunotherapy with tislelizumab, and no related adverse reactions occurred again in the patient. CONCLUSIONS Durvalumab can cause irCAEs such as severe skin maculopapular rash. In clinical practice, it is crucial to promptly identify and discontinue suspicious drugs, immediately implement effective symptomatic treatment measures, and actively resume immunotherapy to ensure the continuity and safety of the patient’s treatment.
2.Research progress of mitochondrial unfolded protein response in eye diseases
Liang GU ; Pengfei LI ; Huaijin GUAN ; Min JI
International Eye Science 2025;25(9):1425-1430
The mitochondrial unfolded protein response(UPRmt)represents a crucial intracellular stress response mechanism that plays a fundamental role in maintaining mitochondrial and cellular homeostasis. Growing evidence suggests that dysregulation of UPRmt contributes significantly to the pathogenesis of various systemic disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, as well as age-related pathologies. Emerging research has particularly highlighted the involvement of UPRmt in ocular diseases, including cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. This comprehensive review examines the physiological functions of UPRmt and its regulatory mechanisms in age-related eye diseases. The roles of key UPRmt downstream effector molecules in ocular cell populations such as lens epithelial cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and retinal ganglion cells are systematically analyzed. Importantly, the dual regulatory nature of UPRmt in ocular pathophysiology is discussed, that is, its moderate activation promotes mitochondrial homeostasis, mitigates oxidative stress, and suppresses inflammatory responses, its chronic or excessive activation triggers apoptotic pathways, induces metabolic dysfunction, and ultimately accelerates disease progression. By elucidating these mechanisms, our review provides novel insights into ocular disease pathogenesis and proposes potential therapeutic strategies targeting UPRmt modulation for the prevention and treatment of age-related eye disorders.
3.Laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer in Korea: a nationwide health insurance database analysis from 2019 to 2023
Eun Ji PARK ; Hyun Gu LEE ; Youn Young PARK ; Sun Jin PARK ; Kil Yeon LEE ; Suk-Hwan LEE
Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery 2025;28(1):25-35
Purpose:
This study examined nationwide data regarding laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Korea.
Methods:
Nationwide data concerning patients who underwent surgery for CRC from 2019 to 2023 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database.
Results:
From 2019 to 2023, a total of 109,573 patients with CRC underwent surgical resection in Korea. Among these, open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery comprised 17.2%, 71.5%, and 11.3%, respectively. Open surgery decreased from 18.3% in 2019 to 15.2% in 2023, whereas robotic surgery increased from 10.3% in 2019 to 12.7% in 2023. Regarding rectal cancer, the rate of robotic surgery increased from 23.0% in 2019 to 28.2% in 2023, and the rate of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) increased from 86.9% in 2019 to 89.2% in 2023.Patients with National Health Insurance had significantly shorter lengths of hospital stay after surgery than those with medical aid for all surgical methods (p < 0.0001). With respect to hospital size, 74,282 CRC surgeries (67.8%) were performed in tertiary general hospitals and 33,050 (30.2%) in general hospitals. By the region, 47,140 cases (43.0%) were performed in Seoul, 19,961 (18.2%) in Gyeonggi, and 7,417 (6.8%) in Daegu. Ostomy was created in 16,222 CRC surgeries (14.8%).
Conclusion
The rate of MIS adoption for CRC in Korea has increased, reaching 84.7% in 2023. The rate of laparoscopic surgery exceeded 70% and has plateaued. In contrast, the rate of robotic surgery adoption has steadily increased, particularly for rectal cancer, where it surpassed 28% in 2023.
4.A Genetically Confirmed Korean Case of CANVAS: Cerebellar Ataxia, Neuropathy, and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome
Seung Hee LEE ; Hee-Jae JUNG ; Ji-Hee YOON ; Gu-Hwan KIM ; June-Young KOH ; Yuna LEE ; Young Seok JU ; Eun-Jae LEE ; Beom Hee LEE ; Young-Min LIM ; Hyunjin KIM
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2025;43(1):45-49
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.
5.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
6.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
7.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.
8.Laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer in Korea: a nationwide health insurance database analysis from 2019 to 2023
Eun Ji PARK ; Hyun Gu LEE ; Youn Young PARK ; Sun Jin PARK ; Kil Yeon LEE ; Suk-Hwan LEE
Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery 2025;28(1):25-35
Purpose:
This study examined nationwide data regarding laparoscopic and robotic surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Korea.
Methods:
Nationwide data concerning patients who underwent surgery for CRC from 2019 to 2023 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database.
Results:
From 2019 to 2023, a total of 109,573 patients with CRC underwent surgical resection in Korea. Among these, open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery comprised 17.2%, 71.5%, and 11.3%, respectively. Open surgery decreased from 18.3% in 2019 to 15.2% in 2023, whereas robotic surgery increased from 10.3% in 2019 to 12.7% in 2023. Regarding rectal cancer, the rate of robotic surgery increased from 23.0% in 2019 to 28.2% in 2023, and the rate of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) increased from 86.9% in 2019 to 89.2% in 2023.Patients with National Health Insurance had significantly shorter lengths of hospital stay after surgery than those with medical aid for all surgical methods (p < 0.0001). With respect to hospital size, 74,282 CRC surgeries (67.8%) were performed in tertiary general hospitals and 33,050 (30.2%) in general hospitals. By the region, 47,140 cases (43.0%) were performed in Seoul, 19,961 (18.2%) in Gyeonggi, and 7,417 (6.8%) in Daegu. Ostomy was created in 16,222 CRC surgeries (14.8%).
Conclusion
The rate of MIS adoption for CRC in Korea has increased, reaching 84.7% in 2023. The rate of laparoscopic surgery exceeded 70% and has plateaued. In contrast, the rate of robotic surgery adoption has steadily increased, particularly for rectal cancer, where it surpassed 28% in 2023.
9.A Genetically Confirmed Korean Case of CANVAS: Cerebellar Ataxia, Neuropathy, and Vestibular Areflexia Syndrome
Seung Hee LEE ; Hee-Jae JUNG ; Ji-Hee YOON ; Gu-Hwan KIM ; June-Young KOH ; Yuna LEE ; Young Seok JU ; Eun-Jae LEE ; Beom Hee LEE ; Young-Min LIM ; Hyunjin KIM
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2025;43(1):45-49
Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.
10.Sentinel Safety Monitoring System for Adverse Events of Special Interest Associated With Non-NIP Vaccines in Korea
Hakjun HYUN ; Jung Yeon HEO ; Yu Jung CHOI ; Eliel NHAM ; Jin Gu YOON ; Ji Yun NOH ; Joon Young SONG ; Woo Joo KIM ; Won Suk CHOI ; Min Joo CHOI ; Yu Bin SEO ; Jacob LEE ; Hee Jin CHEONG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2025;40(16):e152-
South Korea’s current vaccination policies leave a surveillance gap for non-National Immunization Program (NIP) vaccines. In this study, we proposed a sentinel surveillance approach for monitoring the safety of non-NIP vaccines. Vaccination data were collected retrospectively among patients hospitalized with pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESI) by reviewing electronic medical records in five university hospitals. This approach incorporates expert assessment to determine the causal relationship. We confirmed that 16 patients had received non-NIP vaccines among 860 patients diagnosed with AESI.We concluded one case of preeclampsia was possibly related to tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccination. We propose a multi-hospital-based, retrospective assessment system for predefined AESIs as an alternative to active vaccine safety monitoring method. These efforts are expected to enhance both the accuracy and timeliness of safety monitoring in South Korea.

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