Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Purpose: Since 1995, the Korean Gastric Cancer Association (KGCA) has been periodically conducting nationwide surveys on patients with surgically treated gastric cancer. This study details the results of the survey conducted in 2023. Materials and Methods: The survey was conducted from March to December 2024 using a standardized case report form. Data were collected on 86 items, including patient demographics, tumor characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes. The results of the 2023 survey were compared with those of previous surveys. Results: Data from 12,751 cases were collected from 66 institutions. The mean patient age was 64.6 years, and the proportion of patients aged ≥71 years increased from 9.1% in 1995 to 31.7% in 2023. The proportion of upper-third tumors slightly decreased to 16.8% compared to 20.9% in 2019. Early gastric cancer accounted for 63.1% of cases in 2023.Regarding operative procedures, a totally laparoscopic approach was most frequently applied (63.2%) in 2023, while robotic gastrectomy steadily increased to 9.5% from 2.1% in 2014.The most common anastomotic method was the Billroth II procedure (48.8%) after distal gastrectomy and double-tract reconstruction (51.9%) after proximal gastrectomy in 2023.However, the proportion of esophago-gastrostomy with anti-reflux procedures increased to 30.9%. The rates of post-operative mortality and overall complications were 1.0% and 15.3%, respectively. Conclusions The results of the 2023 nationwide survey demonstrate the current status of gastric cancer treatment in Korea. This information will provide a basis for future gastric cancer research.

Background and Objectives: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects across various tumor types. This study investigated the effectiveness of combining metformin with radiotherapy (RT) to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Materials and Method In vitro experiments were conducted in which FaDu and SCC-25 cells were treated with metformin, followed by irradiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis was assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to evaluate changes in apoptotic markers. In vivo experiments were performed using a murine AT-84 allograft model, where tumor volume was measured and serum samples were collected to assess the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: The combination of metformin and RT significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and led to a significant increase in the apoptotic rate, accompanied by the upregulation of cleaved caspase-8 and FoxO3, and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The combination treatment also exhibited antiangiogenic effects, as shown by the reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha level and inhibited tube formation in the endothelial cells. The combined therapy in the mouse model led to marked decrease in tumor volume and the serum VEGF level in comparison to both the control group and the RT alone. Conclusion The concurrent use of metformin and RT successfully suppressed cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and increased the antiangiogenic effects in HNSCC. These results support the use of metformin as an adjunct to RT for the treatment of HNSCC.

This guideline aims to promote the prudent use of antibacterial agents for managing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections in clinical practice in Korea. The general section encompasses recommendations for the management of common CRE infections and diagnostics, whereas each specific section is structured with key questions that are focused on antibacterial agents and disease-specific approaches. This guideline covers both currently available and upcoming antibacterial agents in Korea.

Background and Objectives: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects across various tumor types. This study investigated the effectiveness of combining metformin with radiotherapy (RT) to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Materials and Method In vitro experiments were conducted in which FaDu and SCC-25 cells were treated with metformin, followed by irradiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis was assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to evaluate changes in apoptotic markers. In vivo experiments were performed using a murine AT-84 allograft model, where tumor volume was measured and serum samples were collected to assess the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: The combination of metformin and RT significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and led to a significant increase in the apoptotic rate, accompanied by the upregulation of cleaved caspase-8 and FoxO3, and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The combination treatment also exhibited antiangiogenic effects, as shown by the reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha level and inhibited tube formation in the endothelial cells. The combined therapy in the mouse model led to marked decrease in tumor volume and the serum VEGF level in comparison to both the control group and the RT alone. Conclusion The concurrent use of metformin and RT successfully suppressed cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and increased the antiangiogenic effects in HNSCC. These results support the use of metformin as an adjunct to RT for the treatment of HNSCC.

Background and Objectives: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects across various tumor types. This study investigated the effectiveness of combining metformin with radiotherapy (RT) to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Materials and Method In vitro experiments were conducted in which FaDu and SCC-25 cells were treated with metformin, followed by irradiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis was assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to evaluate changes in apoptotic markers. In vivo experiments were performed using a murine AT-84 allograft model, where tumor volume was measured and serum samples were collected to assess the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: The combination of metformin and RT significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and led to a significant increase in the apoptotic rate, accompanied by the upregulation of cleaved caspase-8 and FoxO3, and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The combination treatment also exhibited antiangiogenic effects, as shown by the reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha level and inhibited tube formation in the endothelial cells. The combined therapy in the mouse model led to marked decrease in tumor volume and the serum VEGF level in comparison to both the control group and the RT alone. Conclusion The concurrent use of metformin and RT successfully suppressed cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and increased the antiangiogenic effects in HNSCC. These results support the use of metformin as an adjunct to RT for the treatment of HNSCC.