Purpose: The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided. Results: From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient. Conclusion Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.

Purpose: The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided. Results: From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient. Conclusion Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.

Purpose: The Korean Cancer Study Group (KCSG) is a nationwide cancer clinical trial group dedicated to advancing investigator-initiated trials (IITs) by conducting and supporting clinical trials. This study aims to review IITs conducted by KCSG and quantitatively evaluate the survival and financial benefits of IITs for patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed IITs conducted by KCSG from 1998 to 2023, analyzing progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) gains for participants. PFS and OS benefits were calculated as the difference in median survival times between the intervention and control groups, multiplied by the number of patients in the intervention group. Financial benefits were assessed based on the cost of investigational products provided. Results: From 1998 to 2023, KCSG conducted 310 IITs, with 133 completed and published. Of these, 21 were included in the survival analysis. The analysis revealed that 1,951 patients in the intervention groups gained a total of 2,558.4 months (213.2 years) of PFS and 2,501.6 months (208.5 years) of OS, with median gains of 1.31 months in PFS and 1.58 months in OS per patient. When analyzing only statistically significant results, PFS and OS gain per patients was 1.69 months and 3.02 months, respectively. Investigational drug cost analysis from six available IITs indicated that investigational products provided to 252 patients were valued at 10,400,077,294 won (approximately 8,046,481 US dollars), averaging about 41,270,148 won (approximately 31,930 US dollars) per patient. Conclusion Our findings, based on analysis of published research, suggest that IITs conducted by KCSG led to survival benefits for participants and, in some studies, may have provided financial benefits by providing investment drugs.

Background: Obesity and weight loss are associated with increased mortality. Understanding the association between weight change and mortality is critical and can help inform effective prevention and intervention strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between weight change and mortality based on body mass index (BMI) intervals using data from a 12-year follow-up survey in Korea. Methods: We used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2018. Individuals aged 45–69 years without a history of malignancy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at baseline were selected. Cox regression analysis was used to compare mortality based on body mass index and weight change. Results: Compared with individuals with a body mass index of 20.0–25.0 kg/m2 and an increase in body weight of <5 kg, mortality was 3.8 times higher in the group with a body mass index of <20.0 kg/m2 and a weight loss of <5 kg, two times higher in the group with a body mass index of 20.0–25.0 kg/m2 and weight loss of >10 kg, and 4.3 times higher in the group with a body mass index of ≥25.0 kg/m2 and weight gain of ≥10 kg. Conclusions Weight loss in underweight or normal-weight individuals and weight gain in individuals with obesity increased the mortality rate compared with individuals with normal weight and less weight change. This suggests that body weight and the changes in the weight of individuals are crucial, and weight loss in patients with underweight and weight gain in patients with obesity are closely related to increased mortality.

Background: Obesity and weight loss are associated with increased mortality. Understanding the association between weight change and mortality is critical and can help inform effective prevention and intervention strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between weight change and mortality based on body mass index (BMI) intervals using data from a 12-year follow-up survey in Korea. Methods: We used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2018. Individuals aged 45–69 years without a history of malignancy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at baseline were selected. Cox regression analysis was used to compare mortality based on body mass index and weight change. Results: Compared with individuals with a body mass index of 20.0–25.0 kg/m2 and an increase in body weight of <5 kg, mortality was 3.8 times higher in the group with a body mass index of <20.0 kg/m2 and a weight loss of <5 kg, two times higher in the group with a body mass index of 20.0–25.0 kg/m2 and weight loss of >10 kg, and 4.3 times higher in the group with a body mass index of ≥25.0 kg/m2 and weight gain of ≥10 kg. Conclusions Weight loss in underweight or normal-weight individuals and weight gain in individuals with obesity increased the mortality rate compared with individuals with normal weight and less weight change. This suggests that body weight and the changes in the weight of individuals are crucial, and weight loss in patients with underweight and weight gain in patients with obesity are closely related to increased mortality.

Background: Obesity and weight loss are associated with increased mortality. Understanding the association between weight change and mortality is critical and can help inform effective prevention and intervention strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between weight change and mortality based on body mass index (BMI) intervals using data from a 12-year follow-up survey in Korea. Methods: We used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2018. Individuals aged 45–69 years without a history of malignancy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at baseline were selected. Cox regression analysis was used to compare mortality based on body mass index and weight change. Results: Compared with individuals with a body mass index of 20.0–25.0 kg/m2 and an increase in body weight of <5 kg, mortality was 3.8 times higher in the group with a body mass index of <20.0 kg/m2 and a weight loss of <5 kg, two times higher in the group with a body mass index of 20.0–25.0 kg/m2 and weight loss of >10 kg, and 4.3 times higher in the group with a body mass index of ≥25.0 kg/m2 and weight gain of ≥10 kg. Conclusions Weight loss in underweight or normal-weight individuals and weight gain in individuals with obesity increased the mortality rate compared with individuals with normal weight and less weight change. This suggests that body weight and the changes in the weight of individuals are crucial, and weight loss in patients with underweight and weight gain in patients with obesity are closely related to increased mortality.

Background: Obesity and weight loss are associated with increased mortality. Understanding the association between weight change and mortality is critical and can help inform effective prevention and intervention strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between weight change and mortality based on body mass index (BMI) intervals using data from a 12-year follow-up survey in Korea. Methods: We used data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2018. Individuals aged 45–69 years without a history of malignancy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at baseline were selected. Cox regression analysis was used to compare mortality based on body mass index and weight change. Results: Compared with individuals with a body mass index of 20.0–25.0 kg/m2 and an increase in body weight of <5 kg, mortality was 3.8 times higher in the group with a body mass index of <20.0 kg/m2 and a weight loss of <5 kg, two times higher in the group with a body mass index of 20.0–25.0 kg/m2 and weight loss of >10 kg, and 4.3 times higher in the group with a body mass index of ≥25.0 kg/m2 and weight gain of ≥10 kg. Conclusions Weight loss in underweight or normal-weight individuals and weight gain in individuals with obesity increased the mortality rate compared with individuals with normal weight and less weight change. This suggests that body weight and the changes in the weight of individuals are crucial, and weight loss in patients with underweight and weight gain in patients with obesity are closely related to increased mortality.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers in Korea and the world. Since 2004, this is the 4th gastric cancer guideline published in Korea which is the revised version of previous evidence-based approach in 2018. Current guideline is a collaborative work of the interdisciplinary working group including experts in the field of gastric surgery, gastroenterology, endoscopy, medical oncology, abdominal radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology and guideline development methodology. Total of 33 key questions were updated or proposed after a collaborative review by the working group and 40 statements were developed according to the systematic review using the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and KoreaMed database. The level of evidence and the grading of recommendations were categorized according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation proposition. Evidence level, benefit, harm, and clinical applicability was considered as the significant factors for recommendation. The working group reviewed recommendations and discussed for consensus. In the earlier part, general consideration discusses screening, diagnosis and staging of endoscopy, pathology, radiology, and nuclear medicine. Flowchart is depicted with statements which is supported by meta-analysis and references. Since clinical trial and systematic review was not suitable for postoperative oncologic and nutritional follow-up, working group agreed to conduct a nationwide survey investigating the clinical practice of all tertiary or general hospitals in Korea. The purpose of this survey was to provide baseline information on follow up. Herein we present a multidisciplinary-evidence based gastric cancer guideline.

Background/Aims: This study evaluated the long-term cardiovascular complications among Korean patients with hypertension and compared them with that of controls without hypertension. Methods: The Korean Hypertension Cohort (KHC) enrolled 11,043 patients with hypertension and followed them for more than 10 years. Age- and sex-matched controls without hypertension were enrolled at a 1:10 ratio. We compared the incidence of cardiovascular events and death among patients and controls without hypertension. Results: The mean age was 59 years, and 34.8% and 16.5% of the patients belonged to the high and moderate cardiovascular risk groups, respectively. During the 10-year follow-up, 1,591 cardiovascular events (14.4%) with 588 deaths (5.3%) occurred among patients with hypertension and 7,635 cardiovascular events (6.9%) with 4,826 deaths (4.4%) occurred among controls. Even the low-risk population with hypertension showed a higher cardiovascular event rate than the population without hypertension. Although blood pressure measurements in the clinic showed remarkable inaccuracy compared with those measured in the national health examinations, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 150 mmHg was significantly associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events. Conclusions This long-term follow-up study confirmed the cardiovascular event rates among Korean hypertensive patients were substantial, reaching 15% in 10 years. SBP levels ≥ 150 mmHg were highly associated with occurrence of cardiovascular event rates.