Purpose: This study evaluated long-term trends in gastric cancer epidemiology and survival with a focus on conditional relative survival (CRS). Materials and Methods: Using the Korea Central Cancer Registry, we analyzed 665,184 patients who were newly diagnosed with gastric cancer between 1999 and 2022.The study period was divided into four intervals: Period I (1999–2005), Period II (2006–2011), Period III (2012–2017), and Period IV (2018–2022). Temporal trends in the incidence and mortality were assessed using crude and age-standardized rates. Relative survival was estimated using the Ederer II method, and the 5-year CRS was calculated according to the survival duration after diagnosis. Results: The incidence of gastric cancer increased until 2011 and subsequently declined, with a marked decrease observed in 2020. Individuals aged ≥70 years consistently had the highest incidence rates. Mortality rates showed a sustained decline throughout the study period. The overall 5-year relative survival improved from 69.8% in Period II to 78.4% in Period IV. The 5-year CRS increased from 86.1% at 1 year after diagnosis to 96.3% at 5 years.Patients with localized stage maintained a 5-year CRS above 95% at 1 year after diagnosis, whereas those with regional and distant stages showed 5-year CRS that consistently remained below 95%. Conclusions The incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer in Korea have declined over the past two decades, accompanied by improved survival outcomes. The CRS analysis suggests that long-term follow-up is warranted, with the optimal duration varying according to patient characteristics.

Objective: The prognostic value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) volume and density was derived from an automated artificial intelligence (AI)-based analysis of non-electrocardiogram-gated chest CT. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 7,552 asymptomatic adults who underwent chest CT as part of a national health screening program between 2007 and 2014 at two tertiary hospitals were examined for eligibility, of whom 1,109 with detectable CAC were analyzed. CAC density was derived by back-calculation from the Agatston score and CAC volume, both of which were obtained using AI software on chest CT. Differences in the probability of being free from major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) across the four combined CAC volume-density groups were assessed using Kaplan–Meier curves and restricted mean survival time (RMST). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between CAC volume and density and MACE. Results: Among the 1,109 participants with nonzero CAC (median age, 60.3 years; 87% men), 207 experienced MACE during a median follow-up of 7.7 years. Ten-year RMSTs were 9.45 years in the low-volume-high-density group, 9.07 years in the lowvolume-low-density group, 8.03 years in the high-volume-high-density group, and 7.68 years in the high-volume-low-density group. Differences in time to MACE were predominantly driven by CAC volume, with no significant density-related differences within the volume strata. CAC density demonstrated a significant, independent, inverse association after adjusting for CAC volume and clinical covariates (hazard ratio [HR] per increase by standard deviation [SD], 0.786; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.659–0.936; P = 0.007). CAC volume also remained independently associated with an increased risk of MACE (HR per increase by SD, 2.608; 95% CI, 2.016–3.374; P < 0.001). Conclusion CAC density derived from chest CT using automated AI quantification was independently and inversely associated with MACE, providing additional prognostic value when added to CAC volume.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration and significant depression. However, the mechanisms linking depression to AD pathology remain unclear. Here, we investigated whether Notch2 signaling mediates depressionlike behaviors in presenilin-2 (PS2) N141I mutant mice, an early-onset AD model. PS2 wild-type (WT) and mutant (MT) mice aged 12-15 months were subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) for 4 weeks, followed by sucrose preference, tail-hanging, and forced swimming tests. Behavioral assessments showed that UCMS exacerbated anhedonia and immobility only in PS2 MT mice. Molecular analysis revealed concomitant increases in plasma corticosterone, hippocampal γ-secretase activity, and Notch2 expression, and elevated total and phosphorylated glucocorticoid receptor levels in PS2 MT-UCMS mice. Gene expression profiling of human hippocampal datasets confirmed upregulation of NOTCH2 in Alzheimer’s disease and depression.Pharmacological inhibition of γ-secretase and Notch signaling with DAPT normalizes depressive behavior, reduces corticosterone release, attenuates GR phosphorylation, and inhibits Notch2 signaling in PS2 MT mice. These findings identify Notch2 as a pivotal mediator linking chronic stress to molecular changes associated with depression and AD, and suggest that targeting Notch2 signaling may provide therapeutic benefits for comorbid mood and neurodegenerative disorders.

Purpose: This study aimed to project cancer incidence and mortality for 2026 to estimate Korea’s current cancer burden. Materials and Methods: Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2023 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, while cancer mortality data from 1993 to 2024 were acquired from the Ministry of Data and Statistics. Cancer incidence and mortality were projected by fitting a linear regression model to observed age-specific cancer rates against their respective years and then by the projected age-specific rates by the anticipated age-specific population for 2026. A joinpoint regression model was applied to identify significant changes in trends, using only the most recent trend data for predictions. Results: A total of 308,876 new cancer cases and 86,317 cancer deaths are expected in Korea in 2026. The most commonly diagnosed cancer is projected to be thyroid cancer, followed by the colorectal, lung, breast, prostate and stomach cancers. These six cancers are expected to account for 63.5% of all newly diagnosed cancers. Lung cancer is expected to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, followed by liver, colorectal, pancreatic, gallbladder, and stomach cancers, together comprising 65.9% of all cancer deaths. Conclusion Korea’s cancer burden continues to shift toward malignancies prevalent in older populations. The sustained increase in prostate cancer among men and the rising mortality impact of pancreatic cancer reflect structural changes in the national cancer profile amid rapid population aging.

Purpose: The current study provides national cancer statistics and their secular trends in Korea, including incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence in 2023, with international comparisons. Materials and Methods: Cancer incidence, survival, and prevalence rates were calculated using the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database (1999-2023), with survival follow-up until December 31, 2024. Mortality data were obtained from the Ministry of Data and Statistics, while international comparisons were based on GLOBOCAN data. Results: In 2023, 288,613 newly diagnosed cancer cases (age-standardized rate [ASR], 288.6 per 100,000) and 85,271 deaths from cancer (ASR, 64.3 per 100,000) were reported. Among the incident cases, 145,452 (50.4%) were aged 65 years or older. Prostate cancer became the most common cancer among men for the first time. The proportion of localized-stage cancers increased from 45.6% in 2005 to 51.8% in 2023. Korea had the lowest cancer mortality among countries with similar incidence rates and the lowest mortality-to-incidence ratios for stomach, colorectal, and breast cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate (2019-2023) was 73.7% overall and 92.7% for localized-stage cancers. Over 2.73 million prevalent cases were identified in 2023, representing 5.3% of the Korean population. Conclusion These findings indicate that Korea’s cancer control efforts have contributed to early detection and improved survival outcomes. As Korea enters a super-aged society in 2025, cancer burden will continue to increase, requiring sustained and adaptive cancer control strategies.

Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-related mechanisms and microglial galectin-3 expression in the mouse hippocampus using female 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Western blot analysis revealed neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier leakage, and increased levels of neuroinflammation-related proteins in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus of 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found more galectin-3 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2-positive microglia in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Using primary mouse microglial cells, galectin -3 was also increased by lipopolysaccharide treatment. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may play an important role in microglial activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.

Purpose: This study aimed to project cancer incidence and mortality for 2025 to estimate Korea’s current cancer burden. Materials and Methods: Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2022 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database, while cancer mortality data from 1993 to 2023 were acquired from Statistics Korea. Cancer incidence and mortality were projected by fitting a linear regression model to observed age-specific cancer rates against their respective years and then by multiplying the projected age-specific rates by the anticipated age-specific population for 2025. A joinpoint regression model was applied to identify significant changes in trends, using only the most recent trend data for predictions. Results: A total of 304,754 new cancer cases and 84,019 cancer deaths are expected in Korea in 2025. The most commonly diagnosed cancer is projected to be thyroid cancer, followed by the colorectal, lung, breast, prostate and stomach cancers. These six cancers are expected to account for 63.8% of the total cancer burden. Lung cancer is expected to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, followed by liver, colorectal, pancreatic, stomach, and gallbladder cancers, together comprising 66.6% of total cancer deaths. Conclusion The increasing incidence of female breast cancer and the rise in prostate and pancreatic cancers are expected to continue. As aging accelerates, cancer commonly found in older adults are projected to rise significantly.

Purpose: The current study provides national cancer statistics and their secular trends in Korea, including incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence in 2022, with international comparisons. Materials and Methods: Cancer incidence, survival, and prevalence rates were calculated using the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database (1999-2022), with survival follow-up until December 31, 2023. Mortality data obtained from Statistics Korea, while international comparisons were based on GLOBOCAN data. Results: In 2022, 282,047 newly diagnosed cancer cases (age-standardized rate [ASR], 287.0 per 100,000) and 83,378 deaths from cancer (ASR, 65.7 per 100,000) were reported. The proportion of localized-stage cancers increased from 45.6% in 2005 to 50.9% in 2022. Stomach, colorectal, and breast cancer showed increased localized-stage diagnoses by 18.1, 18.5, and 9.9 percentage points, respectively. Compared to 2001-2005, the 5-year relative survival (2018-2022) increased by 20.4 percentage points for stomach cancer, 7.6 for colorectal cancer, and 5.6 for breast cancer. Korea had the lowest cancer mortality among countries with similar incidence rates and the lowest mortality-to-incidence (M/I) ratios for these cancers. The 5-year relative survival (2018-2022) was 72.9%, contributing to over 2.59 million prevalent cases in 2022. Conclusion Since the launch of the National Cancer Screening Program in 2002, early detection has improved, increasing the diagnosis of localized-stage cancers and survival rates. Korea recorded the lowest M/I ratio among major comparison countries, demonstrating the effectiveness of its National Cancer Control Program.

Endometriosis, a prevalent but debilitating condition affecting women, poses significant challenges in diagnosis and management. The current 2024 guideline, developed by the Korean Society of Endometriosis (KSE), builds upon the 2018 KSE guideline. This guideline aims to provide customized recommendations tailored to Korea’s unique clinical aspects and medical environment, and addresses key areas such as diagnosis, medical and surgical management, considerations for special populations, and its complex relationship with cancer.

Microglial activation during aging is associated with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Galectin-3 plays a crucial role in microglial activation and phagocytosis. However, the role of galectin-3 in the aged brain is not completely understood. In the present study, we investigated aging-related mechanisms and microglial galectin-3 expression in the mouse hippocampus using female 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Western blot analysis revealed neurodegeneration, blood-brain barrier leakage, and increased levels of neuroinflammation-related proteins in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in activated microglia in the hippocampus of 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Furthermore, we found more galectin-3 and triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2-positive microglia in 24-month-old mice compared to 6- and 12-month-old mice. Using primary mouse microglial cells, galectin -3 was also increased by lipopolysaccharide treatment. These findings suggest that galectin-3 may play an important role in microglial activation and neuroinflammation during brain aging.