1.Study Protocol of Expanded Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro-EXP)
Jae Hoon MOON ; Eun Kyung LEE ; Wonjae CHA ; Young Jun CHAI ; Sun Wook CHO ; June Young CHOI ; Sung Yong CHOI ; A Jung CHU ; Eun-Jae CHUNG ; Yul HWANGBO ; Woo-Jin JEONG ; Yuh-Seog JUNG ; Kyungsik KIM ; Min Joo KIM ; Su-jin KIM ; Woochul KIM ; Yoo Hyung KIM ; Chang Yoon LEE ; Ji Ye LEE ; Kyu Eun LEE ; Young Ki LEE ; Hunjong LIM ; Do Joon PARK ; Sue K. PARK ; Chang Hwan RYU ; Junsun RYU ; Jungirl SEOK ; Young Shin SONG ; Ka Hee YI ; Hyeong Won YU ; Eleanor WHITE ; Katerina MASTROCOSTAS ; Roderick J. CLIFTON-BLIGH ; Anthony GLOVER ; Matti L. GILD ; Ji-hoon KIM ; Young Joo PARK
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;40(2):236-246
Background:
Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making.
Methods:
This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.
2.Profiling of Anti-Signal-Recognition Particle Antibodies and Clinical Characteristics in South Korean Patients With Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy
Soo-Hyun KIM ; Yunjung CHOI ; Eun Kyoung OH ; Ichizo NISHINO ; Shigeaki SUZUKI ; Bum Chun SUH ; Ha Young SHIN ; Seung Woo KIM ; Byeol-A YOON ; Seong-il OH ; Yoo Hwan KIM ; Hyunjin KIM ; Young-Min LIM ; Seol-Hee BAEK ; Je-Young SHIN ; Hung Youl SEOK ; Seung-Ah LEE ; Young-Chul CHOI ; Hyung Jun PARK
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2025;21(1):31-39
Background:
and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).
Methods:
We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined.
Results:
The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies.
Conclusions
This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.
3.Study Protocol of Expanded Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro-EXP)
Jae Hoon MOON ; Eun Kyung LEE ; Wonjae CHA ; Young Jun CHAI ; Sun Wook CHO ; June Young CHOI ; Sung Yong CHOI ; A Jung CHU ; Eun-Jae CHUNG ; Yul HWANGBO ; Woo-Jin JEONG ; Yuh-Seog JUNG ; Kyungsik KIM ; Min Joo KIM ; Su-jin KIM ; Woochul KIM ; Yoo Hyung KIM ; Chang Yoon LEE ; Ji Ye LEE ; Kyu Eun LEE ; Young Ki LEE ; Hunjong LIM ; Do Joon PARK ; Sue K. PARK ; Chang Hwan RYU ; Junsun RYU ; Jungirl SEOK ; Young Shin SONG ; Ka Hee YI ; Hyeong Won YU ; Eleanor WHITE ; Katerina MASTROCOSTAS ; Roderick J. CLIFTON-BLIGH ; Anthony GLOVER ; Matti L. GILD ; Ji-hoon KIM ; Young Joo PARK
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;40(2):236-246
Background:
Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making.
Methods:
This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.
4.Study Protocol of Expanded Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro-EXP)
Jae Hoon MOON ; Eun Kyung LEE ; Wonjae CHA ; Young Jun CHAI ; Sun Wook CHO ; June Young CHOI ; Sung Yong CHOI ; A Jung CHU ; Eun-Jae CHUNG ; Yul HWANGBO ; Woo-Jin JEONG ; Yuh-Seog JUNG ; Kyungsik KIM ; Min Joo KIM ; Su-jin KIM ; Woochul KIM ; Yoo Hyung KIM ; Chang Yoon LEE ; Ji Ye LEE ; Kyu Eun LEE ; Young Ki LEE ; Hunjong LIM ; Do Joon PARK ; Sue K. PARK ; Chang Hwan RYU ; Junsun RYU ; Jungirl SEOK ; Young Shin SONG ; Ka Hee YI ; Hyeong Won YU ; Eleanor WHITE ; Katerina MASTROCOSTAS ; Roderick J. CLIFTON-BLIGH ; Anthony GLOVER ; Matti L. GILD ; Ji-hoon KIM ; Young Joo PARK
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;40(2):236-246
Background:
Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making.
Methods:
This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.
5.Profiling of Anti-Signal-Recognition Particle Antibodies and Clinical Characteristics in South Korean Patients With Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy
Soo-Hyun KIM ; Yunjung CHOI ; Eun Kyoung OH ; Ichizo NISHINO ; Shigeaki SUZUKI ; Bum Chun SUH ; Ha Young SHIN ; Seung Woo KIM ; Byeol-A YOON ; Seong-il OH ; Yoo Hwan KIM ; Hyunjin KIM ; Young-Min LIM ; Seol-Hee BAEK ; Je-Young SHIN ; Hung Youl SEOK ; Seung-Ah LEE ; Young-Chul CHOI ; Hyung Jun PARK
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2025;21(1):31-39
Background:
and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).
Methods:
We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined.
Results:
The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies.
Conclusions
This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.
6.Study Protocol of Expanded Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro-EXP)
Jae Hoon MOON ; Eun Kyung LEE ; Wonjae CHA ; Young Jun CHAI ; Sun Wook CHO ; June Young CHOI ; Sung Yong CHOI ; A Jung CHU ; Eun-Jae CHUNG ; Yul HWANGBO ; Woo-Jin JEONG ; Yuh-Seog JUNG ; Kyungsik KIM ; Min Joo KIM ; Su-jin KIM ; Woochul KIM ; Yoo Hyung KIM ; Chang Yoon LEE ; Ji Ye LEE ; Kyu Eun LEE ; Young Ki LEE ; Hunjong LIM ; Do Joon PARK ; Sue K. PARK ; Chang Hwan RYU ; Junsun RYU ; Jungirl SEOK ; Young Shin SONG ; Ka Hee YI ; Hyeong Won YU ; Eleanor WHITE ; Katerina MASTROCOSTAS ; Roderick J. CLIFTON-BLIGH ; Anthony GLOVER ; Matti L. GILD ; Ji-hoon KIM ; Young Joo PARK
Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;40(2):236-246
Background:
Active surveillance (AS) has emerged as a viable management strategy for low-risk papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC), following pioneering trials at Kuma Hospital and the Cancer Institute Hospital in Japan. Numerous prospective cohort studies have since validated AS as a management option for low-risk PTMC, leading to its inclusion in thyroid cancer guidelines across various countries. From 2016 to 2020, the Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study of Active Surveillance on Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma (MAeSTro) enrolled 1,177 patients, providing comprehensive data on PTMC progression, sonographic predictors of progression, quality of life, surgical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness when comparing AS to immediate surgery. The second phase of MAeSTro (MAeSTro-EXP) expands AS to low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tumors larger than 1 cm, driven by the hypothesis that overall risk assessment outweighs absolute tumor size in surgical decision-making.
Methods:
This protocol aims to address whether limiting AS to tumors smaller than 1 cm may result in unnecessary surgeries for low-risk PTCs detected during their rapid initial growth phase. By expanding the AS criteria to include tumors up to 1.5 cm, while simultaneously refining and standardizing the criteria for risk assessment and disease progression, we aim to minimize overtreatment and maintain rigorous monitoring to improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
This study will contribute to optimizing AS guidelines and enhance our understanding of the natural course and appropriate management of low-risk PTCs. Additionally, MAeSTro-EXP involves a multinational collaboration between South Korea and Australia. This cross-country study aims to identify cultural and racial differences in the management of low-risk PTC, thereby enriching the global understanding of AS practices and their applicability across diverse populations.
7.Profiling of Anti-Signal-Recognition Particle Antibodies and Clinical Characteristics in South Korean Patients With Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy
Soo-Hyun KIM ; Yunjung CHOI ; Eun Kyoung OH ; Ichizo NISHINO ; Shigeaki SUZUKI ; Bum Chun SUH ; Ha Young SHIN ; Seung Woo KIM ; Byeol-A YOON ; Seong-il OH ; Yoo Hwan KIM ; Hyunjin KIM ; Young-Min LIM ; Seol-Hee BAEK ; Je-Young SHIN ; Hung Youl SEOK ; Seung-Ah LEE ; Young-Chul CHOI ; Hyung Jun PARK
Journal of Clinical Neurology 2025;21(1):31-39
Background:
and Purpose This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of an anti-signal-recognition particle 54 (anti-SRP54) antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as well as the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of patients with SRP immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM).
Methods:
We evaluated 87 patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and 107 healthy participants between January 2002 and December 2023. The sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies were assessed, and the clinical profiles of patients with antiSRP54 antibodies were determined.
Results:
The ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies had a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 99%, respectively, along with a test–retest reliability of 0.92 (p<0.001). The 32 patients diagnosed with anti-SRP IMNM using a line-blot immunoassay included 28 (88%) who tested positive for anti-SRP54 antibodies using the ELISA, comprising 12 (43%) males and 16 (57%) females whose median ages at symptom onset and diagnosis were 43.0 years and 43.5 years, respectively. Symptoms included proximal muscle weakness in all 28 (100%) patients, neck weakness in 9 (32%), myalgia in 15 (54%), dysphagia in 5 (18%), dyspnea in 4 (14%), dysarthria in 2 (7%), interstitial lung disease in 2 (7%), and myocarditis in 2 (7%). The median serum creatine kinase (CK) level was 7,261 U/L (interquartile range: 5,086–10,007 U/L), and the median anti-SRP54 antibody level was 2.0 U/mL (interquartile range: 1.0–5.6 U/mL). The serum CK level was significantly higher in patients with coexisting anti-Ro-52 antibodies.
Conclusions
This study has confirmed the reliability of the ELISA for anti-SRP54 antibodies and provided insights into the clinical, serological, and pathological characteristics of South Korean patients with anti-SRP IMNM.
8.Central-variant Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome after Head Trauma
Hyunmin PARK ; Gi-Beom PARK ; Byeoung-Jun JEON ; Jin-Hyung LEE ; Meyung-Kug KIM ; Bong-Goo YOO
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2024;42(4):401-405
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a disorder of reversible vasogenic edema which mainly involves the parieto-occipital lobes in various clinical settings. Isolated involvement of the brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebellum is rare. An 81-year-old female was admitted because of a decreased level of consciousness, and she had a head trauma history a day before. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extensive confluent T2 hyperintensity with swelling involving the bilateral thalami, brainstem, and cerebellar peduncle without cortical lesions. We reports a case of central-variant PRES after traumatic brain injury.
9.Progression-directed therapy in patients with oligoprogressive castration-resistant prostate cancer
Jun Nyung LEE ; Mi Young KIM ; Jae Hoon KANG ; Jun-Koo KANG ; Jae-Wook CHUNG ; Yun-Sok HA ; Seock Hwan CHOI ; Bum Soo KIM ; Hyun Tae KIM ; Tae-Hwan KIM ; Eun Sang YOO ; See Hyung KIM ; Tae Gyun KWON
Investigative and Clinical Urology 2024;65(2):132-138
Purpose:
Oligoprogressive lesions are observed in a subset of patients who progress to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), while other lesions remain controlled by systemic therapy. This study evaluates the impact of progression-directed therapy (PDT) on these oligoprogressive lesions.
Materials and Methods:
This retrospective study included 40 patients diagnosed with oligoprogressive CRPC. PDT was performed for treating all progressive sites using radiotherapy. Fifteen patients received PDT using radiotherapy for all progressive sites (PDT group) while 25 had additional first-line systemic treatments (non-PDT group). In PDT group, 7 patients underwent PDT and unchanged systemic therapy (PDT-A group) and 8 patients underwent PDT with additional new line of systemic therapy on CRPC (PDT-B group). The Kaplan–Meier method was used to assess treatment outcomes.
Results:
The prostate specific antigen (PSA) nadir was significantly lower in PDT group compare to non-PDT group (p=0.007). A 50% PSA decline and complete PSA decline were observed in 13 patients (86.7%) and 10 patients (66.7%) of PDT group and in 18 patients (72.0%) and 11 patients (44.0%) of non-PDT group, respectively. The PSA-progression free survival of PDT-B group was significantly longer than non-PDT group. The median time to failure of first-line systemic therapy on CRPC was 30.2 months in patients in PDT group and 14.9 months in non-PDT group (p=0.014). PDT-B group showed a significantly longer time to progression than non-PDT group (p=0.025). Minimal PDT-related adverse events were observed.
Conclusions
PDT can delay progression of disease and enhance treatment efficacy with acceptable tolerability in oligoprogressive CRPC.
10.Central-variant Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome after Head Trauma
Hyunmin PARK ; Gi-Beom PARK ; Byeoung-Jun JEON ; Jin-Hyung LEE ; Meyung-Kug KIM ; Bong-Goo YOO
Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2024;42(4):401-405
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a disorder of reversible vasogenic edema which mainly involves the parieto-occipital lobes in various clinical settings. Isolated involvement of the brainstem, basal ganglia, and cerebellum is rare. An 81-year-old female was admitted because of a decreased level of consciousness, and she had a head trauma history a day before. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extensive confluent T2 hyperintensity with swelling involving the bilateral thalami, brainstem, and cerebellar peduncle without cortical lesions. We reports a case of central-variant PRES after traumatic brain injury.

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