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.

Background and objectives: This study aimed to analyze and present updated trends in atrial fibrillation (AF) epidemiology within the Korean population, providing a foundation for planning and implementing appropriate management and treatment strategies for patients with AF. Patients and methods: We used the Korean National Health Insurance Service database to evaluate the prevalence, incidence, comorbidities, and clinical adverse outcomes of patients with AF in Korea between 2013 and 2022. Results: AF prevalence in Korean adults aged ≥ 20 years doubled (1.1 to 2.2%) between 2013 and 2022, with significant increases observed across various sex and age groups. Similarly, the number of newly diagnosed patients with AF per year increased steadily, with the incidence rising from 184 to 275 per 100,000 person-years, particularly among older populations. Over this period, the mean age of patients with AF increased from 67.7 to 70.3 years, and comorbidities prevalence and CHA2DS2-VASc score rose significantly, indicating a higher stroke risk. Compared with patients without AF, AF was associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.78), ischemic stroke (HR: 2.39), major bleeding (HR: 2.10), myocardial infarction (HR: 1.44), and heart failure admission (HR: 2.42). Conclusion AF prevalence and incidence have steadily increased between 2013 and 2022, with a more pronounced increase in older patients. Patients with AF are increasingly becoming a high-risk population and are at increased risk of clinical adverse outcomes compared to non-AF patients. Therefore, a sustained national effort to improve AF awareness and comprehensive care quality for patients with AF is required.

Background: The Chiari network (CN) is the net-like embryonic remnants of the right valve of the sinus venosus.Catheter entrapment by CN is a not uncommon complication during catheter manipulation inside the right atrium (RA).Case presentation A 49-year-old man with atrial fibrillation was admitted for cryoablation. Transesophageal echo‑ cardiography revealed a prominent CN in the RA. Through the sheath placed in the right femoral vein, a diagnostic electrophysiologic duo-decapolar (DD) catheter (Livewire, St Jude Medical, St Paul, MN) was advanced. The catheter tip was knotted after multiple rotations in the RA to properly locate the DD catheter at the RA wall and coronary sinus (CS). Initial attempts to disentangle the folded catheter tip by traction and rotation maneuvers were unsuccessful.We inserted the large-bore sheath (Sentrant; Medtronic, 20 Fr) into the patient’s left femoral vein and then, captured the folded catheter tip with the 20-mm circular snare catheter (Snare Kit, Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN). Then, we cut the proximal portion of the DD catheter externally and removed it retrogradely through the Flexcath sheath. We found that the catheter tip was entrapped by the fibrous tissue of the CN. After a successful retrieval, cryoablation was conducted as planned. Follow-up echocardiography did not reveal any peri-procedural complications. Conclusions The electrophysiological procedure that exists at the RA entails a potential risk of catheter entrapment manipulating the catheter at the RA. If catheter entrapment occurs during the procedure, the entrapped catheter may be removed via a large-bore sheath using a snare catheter.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare 24-h diet recall (DR) and 24-h urine collection (UC) for estimating sodium and potassium intakes and their ratio (Na/K), identifying factors associated with sodium and potassium intakes and Na/K, and identifying those who were likely to underestimate sodium and potassium intakes by DR. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 640 healthy adults aged 19–69 yrs completed a questionnaire survey, salty taste assessment, anthropometric measurement, two 24-h DRs, and two 24-h UCs. RESULTS: The mean sodium and potassium intakes and Na/K were 3,755 mg/d, 2,737 mg/d, and 1.45 according to DR, and 4,145 mg/d, 2,812 mg/d, and 1.57 according to UC, with percentage differences of −9.4%, −2.7%, and −7.6% in the values between the two methods, respectively.Men, older adults, smokers, obese individuals, those who consumed all the liquid in the soup, and those who were found to be salty in the salty taste assessment consumed significantly more sodium; older adults, the heavy- activity group, and obese individuals consumed more potassium; and men, younger adults, smokers, and obese individuals had a significantly higher Na/K, according to UC. Compared with UC, DR was more likely to underestimate sodium intake in older adults, smokers, obese individuals, those who consumed all the liquid in the soup, and those who consumed eating-out/delivery food at least once a day, and potassium intake in older adults, the heavy-activity group, and obese individuals. CONCLUSIONS The mean sodium and potassium intakes and Na/K estimated by DR were comparable to those measured by UC. However, the association of sodium and potassium intakes with sociodemographic and health-related factors showed inconsistent results when estimated by DR and UC. Factors influencing the underestimation of sodium intake by DR compared to UC should be further investigated.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between daily beverage intake and obesity in young adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 256 adults in their 20s and 30s. Obesity was evaluated by anthropometric measurement of body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio and waist to height ratio. In addition, the daily intake of milk, caffeinated beverages, sweetened beverages, and alcoholic beverages was investigated using the dietary record and 24-h recall methods. Based on the BMI, men and women were classified into underweight, normal, overweight and obese. Among men, 38.3% were found to be normal, 28.1% were overweight and 31.3% obese. Among women, 11.7% were underweight, 73.4% were normal, and 10.2% were overweight, which was significantly different from men. In women, the BMI of the milk consumers was significantly lower than the non-consumers. Also, the obesity indices of caffeinated beverage consumers were significantly lower than the non-consumers. An analysis of the correlation between beverage intake and the obesity index showed that the intake of caffeinated beverages among women had a significant negative correlation with the obesity index, and intake of alcoholic beverages had a significant positive correlation with waist to height ratio. This study suggests that intake of milk and caffeinated beverage may have a positive effect on obesity, whereas the intake of alcoholic beverages may have a negative effect, especially in young adult women.

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is crucial for maintaining the HIV-RNA suppression in patients living with HIV/AIDS. This study aims to analyze the risk factors contributing to low medication adherence among individuals with HIV/ AIDS by analyzing data from the Korean HIV/AIDS cohort study. Methods: The dependent variable is ART medication adherence.The depressive symptom and anxiety scores were collected as main independence variables. Covariates included gender, age, transmission route, alcohol and smoking information, and antiviral treatment regimen details. To predict the relationship between ordinal dependent variables and independent variables, an ordered logistic regression analysis was conducted, and odds ratios (OR) were calculated. Results: The results of the ordered logistic regression analysis showed that female was associated with a higher risk of low medication adherence (OR=2.91, 95% CI=1.08, 7.83). Among the subjects who were non-smokers and non-drinkers, the risk of low medication adherence was lower (OR=0.36, 95% CI=0.18, 0.70). Depending on the ART treatment group, individuals taking integrase inhibitor had a lower risk of medication adherence (OR=0.31, 95% CI=0.13, 0.76), and those experiencing depressive symptoms were related with a higher risk of low medication adherence (OR=1.97, 95% CI=1.12, 3.46). Conclusions The encouragement and emotional support of healthcare professionals are essential for patients living with HIV/AIDS who experience depressive symptoms to maintain ART adherence. Additionally, further research is needed to ensure that HIV/AIDS infected female with concurrent depressive symptoms can achieve appropriate ART therapeutic effect.

Background: Human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUCB-MSCs) have been studied in osteoarthritis (OA) and cartilage regeneration. Our previous study demonstrated that hUCB-MSCs combined with cartilage acellular matrix injection (CAM Inj.) represent potential therapeutic agents for structural improvement and anti-inflammatory effects in a rabbit model of OA. Methods: Based on a previous study, this study has evaluated the safety and efficacy of hUCB-MSCs combined with CAM Inj. in an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) with medial meniscectomy (MMx) in a goat model. In this study, 27 goats were divided into 5 groups: normal (n = 3), OA (n = 6), OA + CAM Inj. (n = 6), OA + hUCB-MSCs (n = 6), and OA + hUCB-MSCs + CAM Inj. (n = 6). Lameness and radiographic parameters were assessed 6 months after administration, and macroscopic and histological evaluations of the goat articular cartilage were performed 6 months after intervention. Results: The results showed significant improvement in lameness score only in the OA + hUCB-MSCs group at 5 months after treatment (*p < 0.05), whereas the K&L score showed significant improvement only in the OA + hUCB-MSCs + CAM Inj. group 6 months after intervention (*p< 0.05). In addition, the gross findings showed significance in OA + CAM Inj. and OA + hUCB-MSCs + CAM Inj. groups 6 months after treatment (*,p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01). Conclusion In conclusion, treatment with a combination of hUCB-MSCs and CAM Inj. reduced OA symptoms and induced effective cartilage tissue repair in a goat model. We suggest the combination of hUCB-MSCs and CAM Inj. as an alternative therapy for OA.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic strategies that can promote platelet production are in demand to enhance clinical outcomes of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Our research group has studied human tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) and their effectiveness in promoting bone marrow (BM) engraftment. Here, we analyzed the effects of T-MSCs on platelet production and hemostasis. METHODS: Donor BM cells (BMCs) were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and transplanted with or without T-MSCs to BALB/c recipient mice. Mice were sacrificed and blood cells were counted using an Auto Hematology Analyzer. Femur sections were stained with CD41 antibody to analyze megakaryocytes in the BM. Growth factor secretion from MSCs was analyzed using the Quantibody Array. Effects of T-MSC conditioned medium (CM) on megakaryopoiesis were investigated using the MegaCult assay. In a mouse model of BMT, T-MSC CM was injected with or without anti-placental growth factor (a-PlGF) blocking antibody, and blood cell numbers and coagulation were analyzed. RESULTS: T-MSC co-transplantation increased percent survival of BMT mice. Platelet numbers were significantly lower in the BMC-only group, whereas T-MSC co-transplantation restored circulating platelets to levels similar to those of the control group. Significantly reduced numbers of CD41 ? megakaryocytes in Bu-Cy and BMC groups were increased by T-MSC co-transplantation. PlGF secretion from T-MSCs were detected and enhanced megakaryopoiesis, platelet production, and coagulation by T-MCS CM were disrupted in the presence of the a-PlGF blocking antibody. CONCLUSION We demonstrated the effectiveness of T-MSC co-transplantation in promoting platelet production and coagulation after BMT. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic relevance of T-MSCs for preventing thrombocytopenia after BMT.