1.Optimization of Natural Killer Cell Expansion with K562-mbIL-18/-21 Feeder Cells and Assurance of Feeder Cell-Free Products
Hantae JO ; Yujung JO ; Seung Kwon KOH ; Mijeong LEE ; Jinho KIM ; SoonHo KWEON ; Jeehun PARK ; Hyun‑Young KIM ; Duck CHO
Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2026;46(2):180-189
Background:
Cancer cell line-derived feeder cells enhance natural killer (NK) cell expansion; however, concerns regarding viable residual feeder cells in the final product limit their use. Evidence supporting the safety of NK-sensitive K562-based feeders, even when irradiated, is scarce. We optimized an NK cell expansion protocol using genetically engineered K562-mbIL-18/-21 (GE-K562) feeder cells and clinical-grade media and confirmed the absence of residual feeder cells.
Methods:
NK cell expansion efficiency was compared between feeder-free and feederbased systems using CTS NK-Xpander Medium. To achieve optimal NK expansion, various peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-to-feeder ratios and re-stimulation frequencies were tested over 21 days. Flow cytometry and BCR::ABL1 quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to confirm the absence of feeder cells in the final NK cell product.
Results:
Feeder-based systems showed superior NK cell fold expansion compared with that of feeder-free systems. Among feeder-based conditions, NK cells expanded 5,224-fold at a 2:1 PBMC-to-feeder ratio after 3 weeks, relative to 1,450-fold at a 6:1 ratio (P < 0.05).Re-stimulation on days 7 and 14 further increased expansion up to 261,457-fold. Irradiated feeder cells showed no proliferation and were eliminated within 3–6 days. On day 21, flow cytometry and BCR::ABL1 RT-qPCR results confirmed the absence of residual feeder cells.
Conclusions
Our optimized NK cell expansion protocol using irradiated GE-K562 feeder cells and clinical-grade media offers a safe and scalable approach to generating large numbers of NK cells, supporting its potential use in clinical immunotherapy applications.
2.Ethnic Heterogeneity in Reproductive Risk Factors for Breast Cancer, With a Focus on Asian Populations:A Meta-analysis
Youjin HONG ; Soseul SUNG ; Woojin LIM ; Sungji MOON ; Kwang-Pil KO ; Jung Eun LEE ; Inah KIM ; Sun Ha JEE ; Sun-Seog KWEON ; Min-Ho SHIN ; Sangmin PARK ; Seung-Ho RYU ; Sun Young YANG ; Jeongseon KIM ; Sang-Wook YI ; Sue K. PARK
Journal of Cancer Prevention 2026;31(1):20-27
suggest that some reproductive factors associated with BC differ across ethnicities and time trends, perhaps due to the prevalence of reproductive factors and the baseline hazard of BC.
3.Mediating Effect of Empowerment in the Relationship between Nursing Professionalism and Job Satisfaction among Insurance Review Nurses
Eun Jung PARK ; Young-Ran KWEON
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration 2026;32(1):28-38
This study examined the mediating effect of empowerment on the relationship between nursing professionalism and job satisfaction, with the goal of informing strategies to enhance job satisfaction among insurance review nurses. Methods: A total of 165 insurance review nurses with more than 1 year of work experience in 12 general hospitals (≥500 beds) participated in this study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The mediating effect was tested using the PROCESS Macro (model 4) in SPSS version 26.0 with 10,000bootstrap samples. Results: The mean scores for nursing professionalism, empowerment, and job satisfaction were 100.37 (standard deviation [SD], 17.03), 86.24 (SD, 17.70), and 45.44 (SD, 9.17), respectively. Significant positive correlations were observed between nursing professionalism and job satisfaction (r=.64, p<.001), empowerment and job satisfaction (r=.77, p<.001), and nursing professionalism and empowerment. Empowerment was found to partially mediate the relationship between nursing professionalism and job satisfaction (95% CI, .20–.44). Conclusion: Enhancing empowerment and strengthening nursing professionalism are essential for improving job satisfaction among insurance review nurses. Institutional interventions that promote professional identity and provide structural empowerment may increase job satisfaction and support retention within this specialized nursing workforce.
4.Primary Cutaneous CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders in South Korea: A Nationwide, Multi-Center, Retrospective, Clinical, and Prognostic Study
Woo Jin LEE ; Sook Jung YUN ; Joon Min JUNG ; Joo Yeon KO ; Kwang Ho KIM ; Dong Hyun KIM ; Myung Hwa KIM ; You Chan KIM ; Jung Eun KIM ; Chan-Ho NA ; Je-Ho MUN ; Jong Bin PARK ; Ji-Hye PARK ; Hai-Jin PARK ; Dong Hoon SHIN ; Jeonghyun SHIN ; Sang Ho OH ; Seok-Kweon YUN ; Dongyoun LEE ; Seok-Jong LEE ; Seung Ho LEE ; Young Bok LEE ; Soyun CHO ; Sooyeon CHOI ; Jae Eun CHOI ; Mi Woo LEE ; On behalf of The Korean Society of Dermatopathology
Annals of Dermatology 2025;37(2):75-85
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.
5.Comparison of Population Attributable Fractions of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Linked to Excess Body Weight in Korea from 2015 to 2030
Youjin HONG ; Jihye AN ; Jeehi JUNG ; Hyeon Sook LEE ; Soseul SUNG ; Sungji MOON ; Inah KIM ; Jung Eun LEE ; Aesun SHIN ; Sun Ha JEE ; Sun-Seog KWEON ; Min-Ho SHIN ; Sangmin PARK ; Seung-Ho RYU ; Sun Young YANG ; Seung Ho CHOI ; Jeongseon KIM ; Sang-Wook YI ; Yoon-Jung CHOI ; Sangjun LEE ; Woojin LIM ; Kyungsik KIM ; Sohee PARK ; Jeong-Soo IM ; Hong Gwan SEO ; Kwang-Pil KO ; Sue K. PARK
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;39(6):921-931
Background:
The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs.
Methods:
Levin’s formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies. To account for the 15-year latency period when estimating the PAF in 2020, the prevalence rates from 2015 and attributable cases or deaths from 2020 were used.
Results:
The PAF attributed to EBW was similar for both cancer incidence and deaths using either the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific region standard or a modified Asian standard, with the WHO standard yielding the lowest values. In the Korean population, the PAFs of EBW for cancer incidence were 2.96% in men and 3.61% in women, while those for cancer deaths were 0.67% in men and 3.06% in women in 2020. Additionally, PAFs showed a gradual increase in both sexes until 2030.
Conclusion
The EBW continues to have a significant impact on cancer incidence and deaths in Korea. Effective prevention strategies targeting the reduction of this modifiable risk factor can substantially decrease the cancer burden.
6.Mediating Effect of Autonomy Support between Exercise Knowledge and Exercise Self-Efficacy of Patients with Severe Mental Illness
Journal of Korean Academy of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 2024;33(2):104-112
Purpose:
This study aimed to explore how autonomy support mediates the association between exercise knowledge and exercise self-efficacy in patients with severe mental illness.
Methods:
A total of 181 individuals were selected through convenience sampling. They completed self-administered surveys measuring exercise knowledge, autonomy support, and exercise self-efficacy. The data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression. To determine the statistical significance of the mediating effect, a bootstrapping test was also conducted.
Results:
This research revealed that autonomy support significantly predicted exercise self-efficacy and partially mediated the association between exercise knowledge and exercise self-efficacy (lower limit confidence interval [LLCI]: 2.34; upper limit confidence interval [ULCI]: 5.97). The model incorporating exercise knowledge and autonomy support explained 42.0% of the variance in exercise self-efficacy.
Conclusion
Collaborative endeavors involving mental health practitioners and exercise experts demonstrate notable efficacy in enhancing exercise self-efficacy of individuals with mental illness.
7.Comparison of Population Attributable Fractions of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Linked to Excess Body Weight in Korea from 2015 to 2030
Youjin HONG ; Jihye AN ; Jeehi JUNG ; Hyeon Sook LEE ; Soseul SUNG ; Sungji MOON ; Inah KIM ; Jung Eun LEE ; Aesun SHIN ; Sun Ha JEE ; Sun-Seog KWEON ; Min-Ho SHIN ; Sangmin PARK ; Seung-Ho RYU ; Sun Young YANG ; Seung Ho CHOI ; Jeongseon KIM ; Sang-Wook YI ; Yoon-Jung CHOI ; Sangjun LEE ; Woojin LIM ; Kyungsik KIM ; Sohee PARK ; Jeong-Soo IM ; Hong Gwan SEO ; Kwang-Pil KO ; Sue K. PARK
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;39(6):921-931
Background:
The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs.
Methods:
Levin’s formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies. To account for the 15-year latency period when estimating the PAF in 2020, the prevalence rates from 2015 and attributable cases or deaths from 2020 were used.
Results:
The PAF attributed to EBW was similar for both cancer incidence and deaths using either the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific region standard or a modified Asian standard, with the WHO standard yielding the lowest values. In the Korean population, the PAFs of EBW for cancer incidence were 2.96% in men and 3.61% in women, while those for cancer deaths were 0.67% in men and 3.06% in women in 2020. Additionally, PAFs showed a gradual increase in both sexes until 2030.
Conclusion
The EBW continues to have a significant impact on cancer incidence and deaths in Korea. Effective prevention strategies targeting the reduction of this modifiable risk factor can substantially decrease the cancer burden.
8.Comparison of Population Attributable Fractions of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Linked to Excess Body Weight in Korea from 2015 to 2030
Youjin HONG ; Jihye AN ; Jeehi JUNG ; Hyeon Sook LEE ; Soseul SUNG ; Sungji MOON ; Inah KIM ; Jung Eun LEE ; Aesun SHIN ; Sun Ha JEE ; Sun-Seog KWEON ; Min-Ho SHIN ; Sangmin PARK ; Seung-Ho RYU ; Sun Young YANG ; Seung Ho CHOI ; Jeongseon KIM ; Sang-Wook YI ; Yoon-Jung CHOI ; Sangjun LEE ; Woojin LIM ; Kyungsik KIM ; Sohee PARK ; Jeong-Soo IM ; Hong Gwan SEO ; Kwang-Pil KO ; Sue K. PARK
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;39(6):921-931
Background:
The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs.
Methods:
Levin’s formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies. To account for the 15-year latency period when estimating the PAF in 2020, the prevalence rates from 2015 and attributable cases or deaths from 2020 were used.
Results:
The PAF attributed to EBW was similar for both cancer incidence and deaths using either the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific region standard or a modified Asian standard, with the WHO standard yielding the lowest values. In the Korean population, the PAFs of EBW for cancer incidence were 2.96% in men and 3.61% in women, while those for cancer deaths were 0.67% in men and 3.06% in women in 2020. Additionally, PAFs showed a gradual increase in both sexes until 2030.
Conclusion
The EBW continues to have a significant impact on cancer incidence and deaths in Korea. Effective prevention strategies targeting the reduction of this modifiable risk factor can substantially decrease the cancer burden.
9.Comparison of Population Attributable Fractions of Cancer Incidence and Mortality Linked to Excess Body Weight in Korea from 2015 to 2030
Youjin HONG ; Jihye AN ; Jeehi JUNG ; Hyeon Sook LEE ; Soseul SUNG ; Sungji MOON ; Inah KIM ; Jung Eun LEE ; Aesun SHIN ; Sun Ha JEE ; Sun-Seog KWEON ; Min-Ho SHIN ; Sangmin PARK ; Seung-Ho RYU ; Sun Young YANG ; Seung Ho CHOI ; Jeongseon KIM ; Sang-Wook YI ; Yoon-Jung CHOI ; Sangjun LEE ; Woojin LIM ; Kyungsik KIM ; Sohee PARK ; Jeong-Soo IM ; Hong Gwan SEO ; Kwang-Pil KO ; Sue K. PARK
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;39(6):921-931
Background:
The increasing rate of excess body weight (EBW) in the global population has led to growing health concerns, including cancer-related EBW. We aimed to estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of cancer incidence and deaths linked to EBW in Korean individuals from 2015 to 2030 and to compare its value with various body mass index cutoffs.
Methods:
Levin’s formula was used to calculate the PAF; the prevalence rates were computed using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, while the relative risks of specific cancers related to EBW were estimated based on the results of Korean cohort studies. To account for the 15-year latency period when estimating the PAF in 2020, the prevalence rates from 2015 and attributable cases or deaths from 2020 were used.
Results:
The PAF attributed to EBW was similar for both cancer incidence and deaths using either the World Health Organization (WHO) Asian-Pacific region standard or a modified Asian standard, with the WHO standard yielding the lowest values. In the Korean population, the PAFs of EBW for cancer incidence were 2.96% in men and 3.61% in women, while those for cancer deaths were 0.67% in men and 3.06% in women in 2020. Additionally, PAFs showed a gradual increase in both sexes until 2030.
Conclusion
The EBW continues to have a significant impact on cancer incidence and deaths in Korea. Effective prevention strategies targeting the reduction of this modifiable risk factor can substantially decrease the cancer burden.
10.Student Engagement in Student Support System Reform: A Case Study
Yena JANG ; Seo Yoon KIM ; Ji Yoon KANG ; Donghwa KANG ; Na Hyeon KWEON ; Ga Yeon KIM ; Narae KIM ; Sang Hun KIM ; Seongwoo KIM ; Juhee KIM ; Chae Yeon KIM ; Shinyoung PARK ; Ju Yeon PARK ; Ji Su PARK ; Geon Ho LEE ; Bora IM ; Bo Young YOON
Korean Medical Education Review 2023;25(2):174-183
Educational evaluation involves data collection and the analysis of various education-related factors to make decisions that improve educational quality. Systematic educational evaluation is essential for enhancing the quality of education. This study reports a case of student-conducted process evaluation of a medical school’s student support system and the procedure for devising improvement plans. Sixteen Inje University College of Medicine students participated in the Education Evaluation Committee (IUCM-EEC) to understand the educational improvement process as learners and actively achieve improvement. The Quality Improvement Committee of the Inje University College of Medicine (IUCM-QIC) decided to reform its student support system based on a previous educational evaluation in 2019. The evaluation of the student support system was conducted for 10 months in 2021 by the student subcommittee, under the guidance of the IUCM-EEC. The CIPP (context-input-process-product) evaluation model was used for a systematic evaluation. Accordingly, the subcommittee developed evaluation criteria and indicators, and analyzed relevant data collected from surveys and the previous literature. For further recommendations and revision ideas, the student subcommittee members interviewed faculty members from six other medical schools and also conducted a focus group interview with the dean and vice deans of IUCM. Finally, the student subcommittee submitted a report to the IUCM-QIC. Communication with various stakeholders is essential for a successful evaluation process. In this case, students, as key stakeholders in education, evaluated the student support system. Their active participation helped improve their understanding of the evaluation process.

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