Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and oncologic outcomes of irreversible electroporation (IRE) using a clustered electrode in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Materials and Methods: In this single-center prospective cohort study, 13 patients with LAPC (median age, 60 years; range, 48–78 years) underwent clustered electrode IRE between September 2022 and September 2024. Patient characteristics, procedural details, and clinical outcomes were recorded. Endpoints included technical success, procedure-related complications, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Tumors were located in the pancreatic head in four patients (30.8%) and in the body/tail in nine (69.2%). The median tumor size was 2.4 cm (1.5–4.0 cm), and vascular invasion was present in all patients. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Intraoperative IRE was performed in 11 (84.6%) patients, and 2 (15.4%) patients underwent percutaneous IRE. Gastrointestinal bleeding events as major complications occurred in two patients (15.4%) and, both were successfully controlled by embolization. No 60-day mortality was observed. At a median follow-up of 24.5 months (range, 9.9–33.4 months) after IRE, median OS and PFS from IRE were 20.1 and 14.5 months, respectively. Conclusion IRE using clustered electrodes for LAPC appears to be a feasible therapeutic approach, offering reliable technical success and acceptable safety. Survival outcomes are encouraging; however, larger, controlled studies are required.

This article presents an interview with Professor Young-Mee Lee of Korea University College of Medicine, who is the recipient of the 14th Medical Education Innovation Award from the Korean Association of Medical Colleges. In the interview, Professor Lee shared her perspectives on three key issues in contemporary Korean medical education: the essential qualities of medical students in a changing healthcare environment, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical education and its implications for the essence of physicians, and the educational significance of Korea’s combined six-year medical curriculum. First, Professor Lee identified humility and the capacity for self-directed learning as core qualities required of medical students, framing professionalism as a foundational concept in medical training. Second, she addressed medical AI education by outlining six core competency domains and emphasized that critical reasoning remains a uniquely human capacity that cannot be replaced by technological advances. Third, Professor Lee advocated for the combined six-year medical curriculum, characterizing it not as a simple extension of training time but as a structure that enables continuous self-reflection and intentional student development. Beyond issues of curricular design, she argued that meaningful innovation in medical education requires the restoration of trust among faculty, students, and society. Finally, she encouraged young physicians to first cultivate professional expertise within their current roles before expanding their involvement into the field of medical education.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Background: Atherogenic dyslipidemia, which is frequently associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance, contributes to the development of vascular complications. Statin therapy is the primary approach to dyslipidemia management in T2D, however, the role of non-statin therapy remains unclear. Ezetimibe reduces cholesterol burden by inhibiting intestinal cholesterol absorption. Fibrates lower triglyceride levels and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels via peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor alpha agonism. Therefore, when combined, these drugs effectively lower non-HDL-C levels. Despite this, few clinical trials have specifically targeted non-HDL-C, and the efficacy of triple combination therapies, including statins, ezetimibe, and fibrates, has yet to be determined. Methods: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, active-comparator controlled trial involving 3,958 eligible participants with T2D, cardiovascular risk factors, and elevated non-HDL-C (≥100 mg/dL). Participants, already on moderate-intensity statins, will be randomly assigned to either Ezefeno (ezetimibe/fenofibrate) addition or statin dose-escalation. The primary end point is the development of a composite of major adverse cardiovascular and diabetic microvascular events over 48 months. Conclusion This trial aims to assess whether combining statins, ezetimibe, and fenofibrate is as effective as, or possibly superior to, statin monotherapy intensification in lowering cardiovascular and microvascular disease risk for patients with T2D. This could propose a novel therapeutic approach for managing dyslipidemia in T2D.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) according to the size of the beads for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 212 patients with a single HCC ≤5 cm from five tertiary institutions. One hundred and nine patients were treated with 70–150-µm doxorubicin DEBs (group A), and 103 patients received 100–300-µm doxorubicin DEBs (group B). The initial tumor response (assessed between 3 weeks and 2 months after DEB-TACE), time to local tumor progression (TTLTP), restricted mean duration of complete response (RMDCR), rate of complications, incidence of post-embolization syndrome, and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression was used to analyze prognostic factors for initial tumor response. Results: The initial objective response rates were 91.7% (100/109) and 84.5% (87/103) for groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.101). In the subgroup analysis of tumors ≤3 cm, the initial objective response rates were 94.6% (53/56) and 78.0% (39/50) for groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.012). There was no significant difference in the TTLTP (median, 23.7 months for group A vs. 19.0 months for group B; P = 0.278 [log-rank], 0.190 [multivariable Cox regression]) or RMDCR at 24 months (11.4 months vs. 8.5 months, respectively; P = 0.088). In the subgroup analysis of tumors >3-cm, the RMDCR at 24 months was significantly longer in group A than in group B (11.8 months vs. 5.7 months, P = 0.024). The incidence of mild bile duct dilatation after DEB-TACE was significantly higher in group B than in group A (5.5% [6/109] vs. 18.4% [19/103], P = 0.003). Conclusion DEB-TACE using 70–150-µm microspheres demonstrated a higher initial objective response rate in ≤3-cm HCCs and a longer RMDCR at 24 months in 3.1–5-cm HCCs compared to larger DEBs (100–300-μm).

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intranodal lymphangiography and thoracic duct embolization (TDE) for chyle leakage (CL) after thyroid surgery. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients who underwent intranodal lymphangiography and TDE for CL after thyroid surgery were included in this retrospective study. Among the 14 patients, 13 underwent bilateral total thyroidectomy with neck dissection (central compartment neck dissection [CCND], n = 13; left modified radical neck dissection (MRND), n = 11;bilateral MRND, n = 2), and one patient underwent left hemithyroidectomy with CCND. Ten patients (76.9%) had high-output CL (> 500 mL/d). Before the procedure, surgical intervention was attempted in three patients (thoracic duct ligation, n = 1;lymphatic leakage site ligation, n = 2). Lymphangiographic findings, technical and clinical successes, and complications were analyzed. Technical success was defined as the successful embolization of the thoracic duct after access to the lymphatic duct via the transabdominal route. Clinical success was defined as the resolution of CL or surgical drain removal. Results: On lymphangiography, ethiodized oil leakage near the surgical bed was identified in 12 of 14 patients (85.7%). The technical success rate of TDE was 78.6% (11/14). Transabdominal antegrade access was not feasible due to the inability to visualize the identifiable cisterna chyli or a prominent lumbar lymphatic duct. Among patients who underwent a technically successful TDE, the clinical success rate was 90.1% (10/11). The median time from the procedure to drain removal was 3 days (with a range of 1–13 days) for the 13 patients who underwent surgical drainage. No CL recurrence was observed during the follow-up period (ranging from 2–44 months; median, 8 months). There were no complications, except for one case of chylothorax that developed after TDE. Conclusion TDE appears to be a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment option for CL after thyroid surgery, with acceptable technical and clinical success rates.

Background/Aims: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) has shown promising results in treating advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT). However, whether TARE can provide superior or comparable outcomes to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in patients with HCC and PVTT remains unclear. We compared the outcomes of TARE and TKI therapy in treatment-naïve patients with locally advanced HCC and segmental or lobar PVTT. Methods: This multicenter study included 216 patients initially treated with TARE (n=124) or TKI (sorafenib or lenvatinib; n=92) between 2011 and 2021. Baseline characteristics were balanced using propensity score matching (PSM) or inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR). Results: In the unmatched cohort, the median OS of the TARE and TKI groups were 28.2 and 7.2 months, respectively (p<0.001), and the TARE group experienced significantly and independently longer OS compared to the TKI group (adjusted hazard ratio=0.41, 95% confidence interval=0.28–0.60, p<0.001). Similar results were observed in the study cohorts balanced with IPTW (p=0.003) or PSM (p=0.004). Although PFS was comparable between the two groups, the TARE group showed a trend of prolonged PFS in a subpopulation of patients with Vp1 or Vp2 PVTT (p=0.052). In the matched cohorts, the ORR of the TARE group was 53.0–56.7%, whereas that of the TKI group was 12.3–15.0%. Conclusions For patients with advanced HCC with segmental or lobar PVTT and well-preserved liver function, TARE may provide superior OS compared to sorafenib or lenvatinib.

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of add-on gemigliptin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had inadequate glycemic control with metformin and dapagliflozin. Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind, phase III study, 315 patients were randomized to receive either gemigliptin 50 mg (n=159) or placebo (n=156) with metformin and dapagliflozin for 24 weeks. After the 24-week treatment, patients who received the placebo were switched to gemigliptin, and all patients were treated with gemigliptin for an additional 28 weeks. Results: The baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, except for body mass index. At week 24, the least squares mean difference (standard error) in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) changes was –0.66% (0.07) with a 95% confidence interval of –0.80% to –0.52%, demonstrating superior HbA1c reduction in the gemigliptin group. After week 24, the HbA1c level significantly decreased in the placebo group as gemigliptin was administered, whereas the efficacy of HbA1c reduction was maintained up to week 52 in the gemigliptin group. The safety profiles were similar: the incidence rates of treatment-emergent adverse events up to week 24 were 27.67% and 29.22% in the gemigliptin and placebo groups, respectively. The safety profiles after week 24 were similar to those up to week 24 in both groups, and no new safety findings, including hypoglycemia, were noted. Conclusion Add-on gemigliptin was well tolerated, providing comparable safety profiles and superior efficacy in glycemic control over placebo for long-term use in patients with T2DM who had poor glycemic control with metformin and dapagliflozin.

Purpose: To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes of transplanted amniotic membrane in patients who underwent permanent amniotic membrane transplantation (P-AMT) on cornea. Methods: From April 2014 to March 2021, medical records and digital photographs of 68 patients (72 eyes) who underwent P-AMT were analyzed retrospectively. The duration of complete re-epithelization of cornea and wearing therapeutic contact lense (T-lens) after surgery were investigated, the size of preserved amniotic membrane (AM) excluding the melted portion was analyzed using the Image J program every year up to 6 years after surgery, and it was compared by dividing into a single-layer group and a double-layer group. In addition, when the AM melts, the cause, time, and related factors of melting were analyzed. Results: The average duration to complete re-epithelialization after surgery was 12.2 ± 11.0 days, and T-lens were worn on average up to 8.7 ± 8.5 months after surgery. In total group, the average ratio of preserved AM annually up to 6 years after surgery was 94.9%, 94.3%, 97.8%, 96.4%, 95.8%, 91.6% respectively, and there was no significant difference between the single-layer group and the double-layer group. AM melting appeared in 38.9% (28 eyes) of the total group, and melting was first observed on average 16.4 ± 17.2 months after surgery. The formation and rupture of bullae was the most common cause of melting at 71.4% (20 eyes), and there were no statistically significant related factors involved in the formation of bullae. Conclusions In the case of P-AMT performed in various diseases of the cornea, the transplanted AM is partially melt but considered to be well preserved up to 6 years after surgery to form a stable ocular surface.

Cervical adenocarcinomas constitute for approximately 10%–20% of all invasive cervical cancers. Villoglandular adenocarcinomas (VGAs) are a rare subtype of cervical adenocarcinoma, representing approximately 5% of all cases of cervical adenocarcinomas. Herein, we report the case of a 49-year-old perimenopausal woman successfully treated for VGA. The patient presented to the hospital with a primary complaint of vaginal discharge persisting for 7 months with worsening symptoms. She had no underlying medical conditions or history of oral contraceptive use. A punch biopsy revealed an adenocarcinoma, and a human papillomavirus (HPV) test indicated positive for HPV-16. The patient underwent a radical hysterectomy with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, and a pathological diagnosis of VGA was established. After surgery, the patient underwent a 6-week course of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin. During the 42 months of follow-up, no signs of disease recurrence or metastasis were observed. Because of the limitations of specimen acquisition, achieving a precise diagnosis through cervicovaginal cytology and punch biopsy is challenging. Instead, conization should be considered to prevent misdiagnosis.