Purpose: The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided. Results: From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient. Conclusion Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.

Purpose: The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided. Results: From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient. Conclusion Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.

Purpose: The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided. Results: From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient. Conclusion Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptability, availability and sustainability of a pilot prenatal program developed by an interdisciplinary team. Methods: Out of 19 multicultural women participated in the 6-session prenatal program, 6 women took part in an exit- focus group interview as a part of formative evaluation. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interview data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: In general, the participants expressed high satisfaction with program content, educators and education methods. A hybrid model including health professionals and community health workers and using online and offline education modes was suggested as a way to disseminate the program at a national level. Interventions using aesthetic approaches such as music and an integrated method such as the introduction of available social services in pregnancy and during the postpartum period may play a role as the facilitator of the program participation of multicultural women. These approaches may also help them develop healthy coping skills, problem solving skills and empowerment in multicultural childbearing women who need to adjust to life in a new country simultaneously taking a new role as a mother. Conclusion An interdisciplinary prenatal program using a holistic approach contributes to enhancing multicultural women’s empowerment to become a mother in a new country.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptability, availability and sustainability of a pilot prenatal program developed by an interdisciplinary team. Methods: Out of 19 multicultural women participated in the 6-session prenatal program, 6 women took part in an exit- focus group interview as a part of formative evaluation. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interview data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: In general, the participants expressed high satisfaction with program content, educators and education methods. A hybrid model including health professionals and community health workers and using online and offline education modes was suggested as a way to disseminate the program at a national level. Interventions using aesthetic approaches such as music and an integrated method such as the introduction of available social services in pregnancy and during the postpartum period may play a role as the facilitator of the program participation of multicultural women. These approaches may also help them develop healthy coping skills, problem solving skills and empowerment in multicultural childbearing women who need to adjust to life in a new country simultaneously taking a new role as a mother. Conclusion An interdisciplinary prenatal program using a holistic approach contributes to enhancing multicultural women’s empowerment to become a mother in a new country.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptability, availability and sustainability of a pilot prenatal program developed by an interdisciplinary team. Methods: Out of 19 multicultural women participated in the 6-session prenatal program, 6 women took part in an exit- focus group interview as a part of formative evaluation. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interview data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: In general, the participants expressed high satisfaction with program content, educators and education methods. A hybrid model including health professionals and community health workers and using online and offline education modes was suggested as a way to disseminate the program at a national level. Interventions using aesthetic approaches such as music and an integrated method such as the introduction of available social services in pregnancy and during the postpartum period may play a role as the facilitator of the program participation of multicultural women. These approaches may also help them develop healthy coping skills, problem solving skills and empowerment in multicultural childbearing women who need to adjust to life in a new country simultaneously taking a new role as a mother. Conclusion An interdisciplinary prenatal program using a holistic approach contributes to enhancing multicultural women’s empowerment to become a mother in a new country.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptability, availability and sustainability of a pilot prenatal program developed by an interdisciplinary team. Methods: Out of 19 multicultural women participated in the 6-session prenatal program, 6 women took part in an exit- focus group interview as a part of formative evaluation. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interview data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: In general, the participants expressed high satisfaction with program content, educators and education methods. A hybrid model including health professionals and community health workers and using online and offline education modes was suggested as a way to disseminate the program at a national level. Interventions using aesthetic approaches such as music and an integrated method such as the introduction of available social services in pregnancy and during the postpartum period may play a role as the facilitator of the program participation of multicultural women. These approaches may also help them develop healthy coping skills, problem solving skills and empowerment in multicultural childbearing women who need to adjust to life in a new country simultaneously taking a new role as a mother. Conclusion An interdisciplinary prenatal program using a holistic approach contributes to enhancing multicultural women’s empowerment to become a mother in a new country.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the acceptability, availability and sustainability of a pilot prenatal program developed by an interdisciplinary team. Methods: Out of 19 multicultural women participated in the 6-session prenatal program, 6 women took part in an exit- focus group interview as a part of formative evaluation. The verbatim transcriptions of semi-structured interview data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: In general, the participants expressed high satisfaction with program content, educators and education methods. A hybrid model including health professionals and community health workers and using online and offline education modes was suggested as a way to disseminate the program at a national level. Interventions using aesthetic approaches such as music and an integrated method such as the introduction of available social services in pregnancy and during the postpartum period may play a role as the facilitator of the program participation of multicultural women. These approaches may also help them develop healthy coping skills, problem solving skills and empowerment in multicultural childbearing women who need to adjust to life in a new country simultaneously taking a new role as a mother. Conclusion An interdisciplinary prenatal program using a holistic approach contributes to enhancing multicultural women’s empowerment to become a mother in a new country.

Purpose: Despite advances in neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and anal sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer, bowel dysfunction is still unavoidable and negatively affects patients’ quality of life. In this longitudinal study, we aimed to investigate the changes in bowel function with follow-up time and the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy on bowel function following low anterior resection for rectal cancer. Methods: In this study, 171 patients with upper or middle rectal cancer who underwent low anterior resection between 2012 and 2018 were included. Bowel function was assessed longitudinally with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Bowel Function Instrument and Wexner scores every 6 months after restoration of bowel continuity. Patients with at least 2 follow-up visits were included. Results: Overall, 100 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Urgency, soilage, and fecal incontinence were noted within 24 months in the patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. After 2 years of follow-up, significant bowel dysfunction and fecal incontinence were observed in the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy group. Low tumor level and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were associated with delayed bowel dysfunction. Conclusion Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in combination with low tumor level was significantly associated with delayed bowel dysfunction even after 2 years of follow-up. Therefore, careful selection and discussion with patients are paramount.