Metastatic bladder cancer has historically been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy as the standard firstline therapy. Since the introduction of cisplatin-based regimens, advancements in treatment strategies have been limited. However, the recent emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has significantly transformed the treatment landscape. Notably, the combination of enfortumab vedotin (EV) and pembrolizumab has demonstrated considerable clinical benefits, challenging traditional chemotherapy. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advancements in the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer.Current Concepts: Recent phase III clinical trials, notably EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 and CheckMate 901, have reshaped the first-line management. EV combined with pembrolizumab has shown superior progression-free survival and overall survival compared to platinum-based chemotherapy, establishing it as a new standard of care. Patients ineligible for this regimen due to underlying comorbidities or toxicity may still benefit from alternative options. Such alternatives include platinum-based chemotherapy with ICI maintenance therapy, including avelumab or nivolumab. The selection of treatments should be individualized, taking into account specific patient factors, particularly platinum eligibility, renal function, and performance status.Discussion and Conclusion: The incorporation of ICIs and ADCs into the therapeutic landscape for metastatic bladder cancer has significantly improved patient outcomes. EV plus pembrolizumab has demonstrated substantial survival benefits, establishing it as a preferred first-line regimen for eligible patients. However, not all patients are candidates for this combination, emphasizing the necessity of individualized treatment strategies. Future research should focus on managing treatment-related adverse events and developing personalized therapies to maximizing efficacy while minimizing toxicity.

Metastatic bladder cancer has historically been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy as the standard firstline therapy. Since the introduction of cisplatin-based regimens, advancements in treatment strategies have been limited. However, the recent emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has significantly transformed the treatment landscape. Notably, the combination of enfortumab vedotin (EV) and pembrolizumab has demonstrated considerable clinical benefits, challenging traditional chemotherapy. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advancements in the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer.Current Concepts: Recent phase III clinical trials, notably EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 and CheckMate 901, have reshaped the first-line management. EV combined with pembrolizumab has shown superior progression-free survival and overall survival compared to platinum-based chemotherapy, establishing it as a new standard of care. Patients ineligible for this regimen due to underlying comorbidities or toxicity may still benefit from alternative options. Such alternatives include platinum-based chemotherapy with ICI maintenance therapy, including avelumab or nivolumab. The selection of treatments should be individualized, taking into account specific patient factors, particularly platinum eligibility, renal function, and performance status.Discussion and Conclusion: The incorporation of ICIs and ADCs into the therapeutic landscape for metastatic bladder cancer has significantly improved patient outcomes. EV plus pembrolizumab has demonstrated substantial survival benefits, establishing it as a preferred first-line regimen for eligible patients. However, not all patients are candidates for this combination, emphasizing the necessity of individualized treatment strategies. Future research should focus on managing treatment-related adverse events and developing personalized therapies to maximizing efficacy while minimizing toxicity.

Metastatic bladder cancer has historically been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy as the standard firstline therapy. Since the introduction of cisplatin-based regimens, advancements in treatment strategies have been limited. However, the recent emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) has significantly transformed the treatment landscape. Notably, the combination of enfortumab vedotin (EV) and pembrolizumab has demonstrated considerable clinical benefits, challenging traditional chemotherapy. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advancements in the treatment of metastatic bladder cancer.Current Concepts: Recent phase III clinical trials, notably EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 and CheckMate 901, have reshaped the first-line management. EV combined with pembrolizumab has shown superior progression-free survival and overall survival compared to platinum-based chemotherapy, establishing it as a new standard of care. Patients ineligible for this regimen due to underlying comorbidities or toxicity may still benefit from alternative options. Such alternatives include platinum-based chemotherapy with ICI maintenance therapy, including avelumab or nivolumab. The selection of treatments should be individualized, taking into account specific patient factors, particularly platinum eligibility, renal function, and performance status.Discussion and Conclusion: The incorporation of ICIs and ADCs into the therapeutic landscape for metastatic bladder cancer has significantly improved patient outcomes. EV plus pembrolizumab has demonstrated substantial survival benefits, establishing it as a preferred first-line regimen for eligible patients. However, not all patients are candidates for this combination, emphasizing the necessity of individualized treatment strategies. Future research should focus on managing treatment-related adverse events and developing personalized therapies to maximizing efficacy while minimizing toxicity.

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.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the incidence and management of venous ruptures after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for dysfunctional arteriovenous (AV) access. Materials and Methods: From January 1998 to December 2015, 13506 PTA, mechanical thrombectomy, and thrombolysis procedures were performed in 6732 patients. The venous rupture rate following PTA was obtained, and access circuit primary patency (ACPP) was compared according to the etiology (PTA, thrombotic occlusion, and treatment type) of the venous rupture present. Results: Venous rupture developed in 604 of the 13506 procedures. Venous ruptures were more frequent in female, AV graft cases, and in cases accompanied by thrombosis. Balloon tamponade was performed in 604 rupture cases, and stents were deployed in 119 cases where contrast extravasation and flow stasis persisted. ACPP was significantly better in the non-ruptured AV access circuits than in the ruptured group. However, AV access type and thrombosis was not associated with primary patency. In ruptured cases, ACPP is 8.4 months for prolonged balloon tamponade and 11.2 months for bare-metal stent insertion, showing statistically significant difference. Conclusion Balloon tamponade and bare-metal stent placement are effective treatment for PTA-induced venous ruptures. In particular, stent placement showed a similar ACPP to that of non-ruptured AV access circuits.