Objective: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy (ET) constitute the standard systemic treatment for estrogen receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (ER+/HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, treatment responses remain heterogeneous, highlighting the need for reliable prognostic markers. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT findings in this setting. Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort study included patients with ER+/HER2- MBC who underwent18F-FDG PET/CT before initiating CDK4/6 inhibitors plus ET between 2018 and 2023. Maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax), whole-body metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated as the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively, using multivariable Cox models. PET parameters (SUVmax, MTV, and TLG) were analyzed as both continuous and dichotomized variables based on median values, adjusting for relevant clinical covariates. Results: Among the 374 patients, 82 (21.9%) presented with de novo metastatic disease, and 357 (95.5%) received CDK4/6 inhibitors as first-line therapy. In multivariable Cox analysis, all continuous PET parameters were independently associated with PFS (adjusted hazard ratio for SUVmax 1.05 [95% confidence interval 1.02–1.08]; log-transformed MTV 1.16 [1.08–1.25]; and log-transformed TLG 1.14 [1.07–1.23]) and OS (SUVmax 1.08 [1.04–1.11]; log-transformed MTV 1.24 [1.12–1.38]; and log-transformed TLG 1.22 [1.11–1.34]) with all P < 0.001. Results based on dichotomized PET parameters were similar to those obtained with continuous values: PFS (adjusted hazard ratio for SUVmax ≥ 7.6, 1.41 [1.08–1.85]; MTV ≥ 21.2 cm 3 , 1.41 [1.08–1.86]; and TLG ≥ 78.9, 1.51 [1.14–1.99]) with P ≤ 0.013 and OS (1.43 [1.01–2.04]; 1.84 [1.28– 2.66]; and 1.73 [1.20–2.50], respectively) with P ≤ 0.046. Conclusion Pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters are independent prognostic markers in patients with ER+/HER2- MBC receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors with ET, supporting their potential utility in risk stratification.

Purpose: Data regarding cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) by body mass index (BMI) category in Korean youth are sparse. Methods: Among the participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018, 9,984 youth aged 10–18 years were included in the study. Participants were classified into 4 groups based on BMI status: normal weight, overweight, class I, and class II/III obesity. CMRF prevalence, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and MetS, were determined using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and modified National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) III criteria based on BMI category. Results: The prevalence of overweight, class I, class II, and class III obesity was 9.52%, 7.73%, 2.10%, and 0.32%, respectively. Mean CMRF values increased with BMI, except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Age- and sex-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for prediction of CMRFs also increased with BMI. Adjusted ORs for MetS among overweight, class I, and class II/II obesity were 54.2, 283.3, and 950.3 for IDF criteria and 9.56, 37.9, and 126.8 for NCEP-ATP III criteria, respectively (all p<0.001). Conclusion Class II and III obesity in Korean children and adolescents was associated with significantly increased CMRF and MetS prevalence. Therefore, it can be useful to measure CMRFs in obese children and adolescents. Further studies are required to establish screening guidelines based on obesity severity.

Background: Hospital visitation has become challenging during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic because of quarantine measures and fear of infection. Consequently, newly diagnosed patients may present with more severe diseases during the pandemic. The present study analyzed the differences in the initial clinical presentations of newly diagnosed patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), comparing pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with T1D or T2D and aged < 18 years during 2018–2020 were included in the study. Data were collected retrospectively from four academic centers in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Initial clinical data were compared between the pre-pandemic (2018–2019) and pandemic (2020) periods. Results: In the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, 99 patients (41 T1D and 58 T2D patients) and 84 patients (51 T1D and 33 T2D patients) were identified, respectively. During the pandemic, the proportion of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) cases increased compared to the pre-pandemic period (21.2% during 2018–2019 vs. 38.1% in 2020; P = 0.012). In the prepandemic and pandemic periods, initial pH was 7.32 ± 0.14 and 7.27 ± 0.15, respectively (P = 0.040), and HbA1c values were 11.18 ± 2.46% and 12.42 ± 2.87%, respectively (P = 0.002). During the pandemic, there was an increased risk of DKA in patients with T1D (odds ratio, 2.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–5.62; P = 0.040). Conclusion During the pandemic, the proportion of DKA in newly diagnosed patients with T1D increased and clinical parameters showed a deteriorating pattern. Increased awareness of pediatric diabetes, especially DKA, could facilitate visit to the hospital for an early diagnosis; thus, reducing the number of DKA cases during the pandemic era.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of preoperative underlying hypertension (HTN) and body mass index (BMI) on oncologic outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNUx). Materials and Methods: From May 2003 to December 2018, 453 UTUC patients who underwent RNUx at a single institution were enrolled in the study. All patients were divided into 2 groups according to preoperative HTN and BMI (cutoff 24 kg/m2) and perioperative parameters and recurrence outcomes were compared. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to identify the significance of HTN and BMI regarding UTUC recurrence. Results: Among a total 453 UTUC patients, 233 (51.4%) had HTN, and 222 (49.0%) had BMI ≥24 kg/m2. The HTN versus no-HTN group had similar perioperative outcomes, except for the rate of diabetes (p<0.001). The high-BMI versus low-BMI group had similar outcomes, except for the prevalence of HTN (p=0.026). During median follow-up of 23 months, 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 76.2% in the HTN group and 79.9% in the non-HTN group (p=0.002), and 77.3% in the low-BMI group and 79.0% in the high-BMI group (p=0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that BMI (hazard ratio [HR], 0.740; p=0.046), and HTN (HR, 1.687; p=0.005) were significant predictors of cancer recurrence. Conclusions Among UTUC patients who underwent RNUx, patients with HTN and low-BMI showed worse prognosis regarding cancer recurrence. To validate our results, the mechanisms of association between HTN, BMI, and UTUC should be investigated in further prospective studies.

Purpose: To investigate the impact of preoperative underlying hypertension (HTN) and body mass index (BMI) on oncologic outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNUx). Materials and Methods: From May 2003 to December 2018, 453 UTUC patients who underwent RNUx at a single institution were enrolled in the study. All patients were divided into 2 groups according to preoperative HTN and BMI (cutoff 24 kg/m2) and perioperative parameters and recurrence outcomes were compared. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to identify the significance of HTN and BMI regarding UTUC recurrence. Results: Among a total 453 UTUC patients, 233 (51.4%) had HTN, and 222 (49.0%) had BMI ≥24 kg/m2. The HTN versus no-HTN group had similar perioperative outcomes, except for the rate of diabetes (p<0.001). The high-BMI versus low-BMI group had similar outcomes, except for the prevalence of HTN (p=0.026). During median follow-up of 23 months, 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 76.2% in the HTN group and 79.9% in the non-HTN group (p=0.002), and 77.3% in the low-BMI group and 79.0% in the high-BMI group (p=0.007). Multivariate analysis showed that BMI (hazard ratio [HR], 0.740; p=0.046), and HTN (HR, 1.687; p=0.005) were significant predictors of cancer recurrence. Conclusions Among UTUC patients who underwent RNUx, patients with HTN and low-BMI showed worse prognosis regarding cancer recurrence. To validate our results, the mechanisms of association between HTN, BMI, and UTUC should be investigated in further prospective studies.