Purpose: To develop the 2025 update to the Korean colorectal cancer (CRC) screening guidelines by systematically evaluating recent evidence, integrating domestic data, and addressing changes since the 2015 guideline revision, thereby providing an evidence-based standard for clinicians and policymakers. Methods: A multidisciplinary committee developed the guidelines using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. The process included formulation of three key questions addressing screening efficacy, diagnostic accuracy, and optimal screening age and interval. A systematic review of international guidelines and primary literature was conducted, yielding 327 eligible studies. In addition, a utility-based analysis using a Markov model was performed to determine optimal screening ages and intervals. Results: The evidence synthesis identified high-certainty evidence supporting the use of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for reducing CRC mortality and moderate-certainty evidence for colonoscopy. Evidence for computed tomographic colonography (CTC) and stool DNA testing was rated as very low certainty. Based on the evidence review and cost-utility analysis, the committee conditionally recommends CRC screening for asymptomatic, average-risk adults aged 45–74 years using either colonoscopy every 10 years or FIT every 1–2 years. CTC and stool DNA testing were not recommended owing to insufficient evidence. Conclusion The 2025 Korean Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening present updated, evidence-based recommendations tailored to the domestic healthcare context. By conditionally endorsing both colonoscopy and FIT for individuals aged 45–74 years, these guidelines aim to improve population-level screening effectiveness and reduce the burden of CRC in South Korea.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition characterized by declining kidney function principally driven by diabetes mellitus, glomerulonephritis, and hypertension. Although renal biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing CKD, its invasive nature restricts its use for early detection and routine clinical applications. Current noninvasive biomarkers, including the estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin-to-creatinine ratio, are useful indicators of kidney dysfunction but fall short in specificity and sensitivity required to distinguish between CKD subtypes, including diabetic kidney disease and glomerulonephritis. Recently, urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs), nano-sized lipid bilayer entities ranging from 30 to 1,000 nm in diameter and secreted by renal cells, have emerged as promising biomarkers for CKD. uEVs encapsulate a diverse array of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that mirror kidney pathophysiology, presenting a noninvasive means to assess disease progression, inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress within the urinary system. Furthermore, uEVs offer a molecular fingerprint of kidney health, positioning them as potential tools for precision medicine. This review explores the diagnostic potential of uEVs, underscoring the need for standardization in urine collection, normalization techniques, and uEV isolation methodologies. We also highlight uEV-based biomarkers that distinguish various CKD subtypes and mirror pathological changes within the kidneys and urogenital system. As molecular proxies of their cells of origin, uEVs hold significant promise in enhancing CKD diagnostics to enable early detection, disease classification, and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Objectives: Large language models (LLMs) demonstrate remarkable potential in healthcare communication. However, whether they can process complex, high-volume medical information, such as stroke-related content, remains insufficiently validated. This study aimed to evaluate the natural language processing capabilities of LLMs in handling such content and to develop an evaluation instrument. Methods: A survey compared educational materials generated by two LLMs (ChatGPT 4.0 and Claude 3) with neurologist-authored content on stroke. The materials were based on two clinical scenarios representing distinct stroke etiologies: cardioembolism and large-artery atherosclerosis. They were evaluated in terms of accuracy, legality, ethics, comprehensiveness, and information delivery. Scores for comprehensiveness and information delivery were compared according to participants’ agreement with the use of LLMs in healthcare. Results: ChatGPT received the highest scores across all domains, except for legality in Scenario 2. In Scenario 1, the ranking for accuracy and summarization of clinical information was, from highest to lowest, ChatGPT, Claude, and the neurologist (η2 = 0.140, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.175, p < 0.001). The same hierarchy was observed in Scenario 2 for accuracy (η2 = 0.077, p < 0.001) and summarization (η2 = 0.194, p < 0.001). Participants who agreed with the use of LLMs in healthcare assigned higher scores for the comprehensiveness (Scenario 1, p = 0.005; Scenario 2, p = 0.007) and information delivery (Scenario 1, p = 0.003; Scenario 2, p = 0.026) of ChatGPT-generated materials than participants who did not agree. Conclusions LLMs demonstrated adequate capability to convey complex content, such as stroke-related information, in an accessible and understandable manner for non-experts.

The sixth edition of the Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder (KMAP-DD) was published in 2025. This review compared KMAP-DD 2025 with four major international clinical practice guidelines: Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Major Depressive Disorders, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Depression Guideline, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders, and British Association for Psychopharmacology Guideline. While KMAP-DD is based on expert consensus, and others on evidence-based methods, overall treatment strategies for depressive episodes were fairly consistent. Especially, KMAP-DD 2025 offers more structured recommendations in areas lacking strong evidence, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder, perinatal depression, and depression with medical comorbidities. KMAP-DD 2025 also reflected Korean clinical practice patterns emphasizing rapid symptom relief and early use of combination strategies. Despite limitations as a consensus-based guideline, KMAP-DD 2025 complements evidence-based approaches and provides practical, situation-specific guidance for real-world clinical decision-making in Korea.

Objectives: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a standard minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study presents the first nationwide survey of patients with EGC treated with ESD in 2023, conducted by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from participating referral centers across Korea using a standardized case report form covering patient characteristics, tumor features, procedural details, histopathological findings, and clinical outcomes. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to summarize nationwide ESD practice patterns and outcomes. Results: Data from 5460 ESD cases from 5250 patients across 27 institutions were analyzed. The mean age was 67.4 years, with 74.1% males. Multiple synchronous lesions were identified in 3.7%. Most lesions were located in the lower third of the stomach (64.0%), and differentiated-type adenocarcinomas accounted for 87.8%. The en bloc and complete resection rates were 99.2% and 91.4%, respectively. Curative resection was achieved in 80.5%, whereas local non-curative resection (L-NCR) and surgical non-curative resection (S-NCR) were identified in 2.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Additional surgery was performed more frequently in patients with S-NCR than in those with L-NCR (59.3% vs. 24.7%). The bleeding and perforation rates were 3.6% and 0.9%, respectively, and were mostly managed conservatively or endoscopically. The median length of hospitalization was 4.0 days. Conclusions This first nationwide survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current practice of EGC treatment using ESD in Korea, demonstrating high technical success and safety, and establishing a baseline dataset for future longitudinal research.

Purpose: We aimed to compare the final adult height (FAH) of male patients with central precocious puberty (CPP) after treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa). Specifically, we compared FAH with the target height (TH) and the predicted adult height (PAH) before and after GnRHa treatment to quantify height gain and identify predictive factors. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 92 male patients with CPP and known FAH after GnRHa treatment at the Department of Pediatrics of Severance Children’s Hospital between January 2000 and June 2024. Results: The mean duration of GnRHa treatment was 2.7±1.3 years. A significant 1.1±0.9 years narrowing was observed in the difference between bone age (BA) and chronological age (CA) during treatment (P<0.001). TH was 172.4±3.4 cm. FAH was 173.6±6.4 cm. FAH was greater than TH by 1.2±5.9 cm (P=0.047). PAH before and after treatment was 179.9±8.1 and 181.2±7.4 cm, respectively. PAH was increased by 1.3±4.9 cm (P=0.012) after treatment. As the PAH standard deviation score (SDS) before GnRHa treatment increased, FAH tended to exceed TH. In contrast, higher testosterone levels before treatment are associated with FAH falling below TH. A longer duration of treatment and taller TH are associated with an FAH SDS greater than height SDS before treatment. Conversely, a greater weight SDS, BA–CA difference, and testis size before treatment are associated with FAH SDS being less than height SDS before GnRHa treatment. Conclusion GnRHa treatment improved FAH and inhibited bone maturation in male patients with CPP.

Purpose: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a standard minimally invasive treatment for selected patients with early gastric cancer (EGC). This study presents the first nationwide survey of patients with EGC treated with ESD in 2023, conducted by the Korean College of Helicobacter and Upper Gastrointestinal Research. Materials and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from participating referral centers across Korea using a standardized case report form covering patient characteristics, tumor features, procedural details, histopathological findings, and clinical outcomes.Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to summarize nationwide ESD practice patterns and outcomes. Results: Data from 5,460 ESD cases from 5,250 patients across 27 institutions were analyzed. The mean age was 67.4 years, with 74.1% males. Multiple synchronous lesions were identified in 3.7%. Most lesions were located in the lower third of the stomach (64.0%), and differentiated-type adenocarcinomas accounted for 87.8%. The en bloc and complete resection rates were 99.2% and 91.4%, respectively. Curative resection was achieved in 80.5%, whereas local non-curative resection (L-NCR) and surgical non-curative resection (S-NCR) were identified in 2.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Additional surgery was performed more frequently in patients with S-NCR than in those with L-NCR (59.3% vs. 24.7%). The bleeding and perforation rates were 3.6% and 0.9%, respectively, and were mostly managed conservatively or endoscopically. The median length of hospitalization was 4.0 days. Conclusions This first nationwide survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current practice of EGC treatment using ESD in Korea, demonstrating high technical success and safety, and establishing a baseline dataset for future longitudinal research.

Background: Despite advancements in laboratory animal facility management, pinworm infections remain a persistent issue in immunodeficient mouse colonies. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are crucial to mitigating potential scientific and economic consequences. Effective control requires both the administration of anthelmintic agents and rigorous environmental decontamination. However, the safety and efficacy of these treatments in genetically modified mouse models remains uncertain.Case presentation Aspiculuris tetraptera infestation was identified in multiple immunodeficient mouse models housed in a laboratory facility. Diagnosis was confirmed through fecal flotation for egg detection and necropsy for adult worm examination in the large intestines. Mice received three subcutaneous ivermectin injections at two-week intervals, coupled with environmental decontamination using ivermectin spray for four consecutive weeks. Following treatment, all colonies tested negative for A. tetraptera without any mortality. Conclusions A combination of subcutaneous ivermectin injection and environmental spray application effectively eradicated A. tetraptera infestation in immunodeficient mouse colonies. The treatment protocol led to the complete elimination of eggs and adult worms, offering a practical strategy for managing pinworm infections in genetically modified mouse models. Limitations include the small sample size, and the lack of a comprehensive evaluation of physiological and metabolic safety in immunodeficient mice. Further validation will be required to confirm the broader applicability of this approach.

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.