Background: Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (pcCD30-LPDs) are a diseases with various clinical and prognostic characteristics. Objective: Increasing our knowledge of the clinical characteristics of pcCD30-LPDs and identifying potential prognostic variables in an Asian population. Methods: Clinicopathological features and survival data of pcCD30-LPD cases obtained from 22 hospitals in South Korea were examined. Results: A total of 413 cases of pcCD30-LPDs (lymphomatoid papulosis [LYP], n=237; primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma [C-ALCL], n=176) were included. Ninety percent of LYP patients and roughly 50% of C-ALCL patients presented with multiple skin lesions. Both LYP and C-ALCL affected the lower limbs most frequently. Multiplicity and advanced T stage of LYP lesions were associated with a chronic course longer than 6 months. Clinical morphology with patch lesions and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase were significantly associated with LPDs during follow-up in LYP patients. Extracutaneous involvement of C-ALCL occurred in 13.2% of patients. Lesions larger than 5 cm and increased serum lactate dehydrogenase were associated with a poor prognosis in C-ALCL. The survival of patients with C-ALCL was unaffected by the anatomical locations of skin lesions or other pathological factors. Conclusion The multiplicity or size of skin lesions was associated with a chronic course of LYP and survival among patients with C-ALCL.

We explored the utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sequencing as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for detecting central nervous system (CNS) involvement in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Secondary CNS involvement in DLBCL, although rare (~5% of cases), presents diagnostic and prognostic challenges during systemic disease progression or relapse. Effective treatment is impeded by the blood–brain barrier. This was a prospective cohort study (Samsung Lymphoma Cohort Study III) involving 17 patients with confirmed CNS involvement. High-throughput sequencing was conducted using targeted gene panels designed to detect low-frequency variants and copy number alterations pertinent to lymphomas in ctDNA extracted from archived CSF samples. Despite challenges such as low DNA concentrations affecting library construction, the overall variant detection rate was 76%. Detected variants included those in genes commonly implicated in CNS lymphoma, such as MYD88. The study highlights the potential of CSF ctDNA sequencing to identify CNS involvement in DLBCL, providing a promising alternative to more invasive diagnostic methods such as brain biopsy, which are not always feasible. Further validation is necessary to establish the clinical utility of this method, which could significantly enhance the management and outcomes of DLBCL patients with suspected CNS involvement.

Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a potential biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, studies on residual ctDNA in patients post-chemotherapy are limited. We assessed the prognostic value of residual ctDNA in metastatic PDAC relative to that of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). Methods: ctDNA analysis using a targeted next-generation sequencing panel was performed at baseline and during chemotherapy response evaluation in 53 patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were first evaluated based on ctDNA positivity at baseline. For further comparison, patients testing ctDNA-positive at baseline were subdivided based on residual ctDNA into ctDNA responders (no residual ctDNA post-chemotherapy) and ctDNA non-responders (residual ctDNA post-chemotherapy). Additional survival analysis was performed based on CA19-9 levels. Results: The baseline ctDNA detection rate was 56.6%. Although clinical outcomes tended to be poorer in patients with baseline ctDNA positivity than in those without, the differences were not significant. Residual ctDNA post-chemotherapy was associated with reduced PFS and OS. The prognosis of ctDNA responders was better than that of non-responders but did not significantly differ from that of ctDNA-negative individuals (no ctDNA both at baseline and during post-chemotherapy). Compared with ctDNA responses to che-motherapy, a ≥ 50% decrease in the CA19-9 level had less effect on both PFS and OSbased on hazard ratios and significance levels. ctDNA could be monitored in half of the patients whose baseline CA19-9 levels were within the reference range. Conclusions Residual ctDNA analysis post-chemotherapy is a promising approach for predicting the clinical outcomes of patients with metastatic PDAC.

Background: Understanding the virulence and pathogenicity of invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella (iNTS) in children may support timely treatment and enable closer monitoring of chronic infections. iNTS epidemiology in Asia remains inadequately described. We analyzed the genetic diversity and virulence genes associated with extra-intestinal invasion in Korean children. Methods: Salmonella isolates from children < 18 yrs of age diagnosed with moderate-tosevere salmonellosis between January 2019 and December 2021 were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing. Results: In total, 58 cases were included. We identified 20 serotypes, the most prevalent being Salmonella Enteritidis (N = 21), followed by Infantis (N = 6), I 4,[5],12:i:- (N = 5), and Bareilly (N = 5). Extra-intestinal invasion occurred in 12 (20.7%) cases involving Salmonella Oranienburg (2/2), Give (1/1), Javiana (1/1), Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ (1/1), Schwarzengrund (1/1), Singapore (1/1), Montevideo (1/2), Saintpaul (1/2), I 4:b:- (1/2), Infantis (1/6), and Enteritidis (1/21). While the numbers of total virulence genes and genes belonging to major virulence categories did not significantly differ between iNTS and noniNTS, several genetic factors, including Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-1 (P = 0.039), SPI-2 (P = 0.020), SPI-5 (P = 0.014), SPI-13 (P = 0.010), cytolethal distending toxin-related genes (P = 1.4 × 10 –4 ), fepC (P = 0.021), and tcpC (P = 0.040) were more frequent in invasive isolates. Conclusions Salmonella Enteritidis-ST11 predominated in infections among Korean children, but invasive isolates were rare. Early detection of genetic factors associated with extra-intestinal invasion will be helpful for prompt and appropriate treatment.

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.

Despite being the leading cause of mortality among women, cardiovascular disease remains underrecognized and undertreated due to sex-related differences in clinical presentation, risk factors, and healthcare delivery. Women are often excluded from clinical trials, undergo fewer diagnostic evaluations, and are less likely to receive guideline-directed therapies. Additionally, female-specific risk factors, such as pregnancy-related disorders, early menopause, and autoimmune diseases, are frequently overlooked. Addressing these disparities through sex-specific risk assessment, increased clinician awareness, and inclusion of women in research is imperative to optimize prevention and treatment strategies and reduce cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality in women.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are two increasingly prevalent conditions that share common risk factors, including obesity, diabetes, and aging. NAFLD, marked by hepatic steatosis, is a leading cause of liver disease globally, with cardiovascular disease accounting for most deaths among those affected. HFpEF, characterized by diastolic dysfunction and systemic inflammation, accounts for a growing share of heart failure cases, especially among older adults. The bidirectional relationship between NAFLD and HFpEF involves shared mechanisms such as systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, and metabolic dysfunction. These overlapping processes create a vicious cycle that exacerbates each condition. This review emphasizes the shared pathophysiology, risk factors, and management strategies for these interconnected diseases. Promising interventions, including exercise, weight loss, and emerging pharmacological treatments like sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, are effective in addressing both NAFLD and HFpEF. By targeting these common pathways, there is a unique opportunity to develop integrated treatment approaches that could improve outcomes for affected patients.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in South Korea, imposing substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens on patients and society. Despite the high burden of symptom and complex care needs of HF patients, palliative care and hospice services remain underutilized in South Korea due to cultural, institutional, and knowledge-related barriers. This position statement from the Korean Society of Heart Failure emphasizes the need for integrating palliative and hospice care into HF management to improve quality of life and support holistic care for patients and their families. By clarifying the role of palliative care in HF and proposing practical referral criteria, this position statement aims to bridge the gap between HF and palliative care services in South Korea, ultimately improving patient-centered outcomes and aligning treatment with the goals and values of HF patients.