Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Korea and the third leading cause of death from cancer. Treatment outcomes for colon cancer are steadily improving due to national health screening programs with advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques, and therapeutic agents.. The Korea Colon Cancer Multidisciplinary (KCCM) Committee intends to provide professionals who treat colon cancer with the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice guidelines to improve outcomes and help them make decisions that reflect their patients’ values and preferences. These guidelines have been established by consensus reached by the KCCM Guideline Committee based on a systematic literature review and evidence synthesis and by considering the national health insurance system in real clinical practice settings. Each recommendation is presented with a recommendation strength and level of evidence based on the consensus of the committee.

Purpose: The genetic attribution for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has been reported as 5%-10%. However, the incidence of germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in Korean PDAC patients has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we studied to identify the risk factors and prevalence of PV for future treatment strategies in PDAC. Materials and Methods: Total of 300 (155 male) patients with a median age of 65 years (range, 33 to 90 years) were enrolled in National Cancer Center in Korea. Cancer predisposition genes, clinicopathologic characteristics, and family history of cancer were analyzed. Results: PVs were detected in 20 patients (6.7%, median age 65) in ATM (n=7, 31.8%), BRCA1 (n=3, 13.6%), BRCA2 (n=3), and RAD51D (n=3). Each one patient showed TP53, PALB2, PMS2, RAD50, MSH3, and SPINK1 PV. Among them, two likely PVs were in ATM and RAD51D, respectively. Family history of various types of cancer including pancreatic cancer (n=4) were found in 12 patients. Three patients with ATM PVs and a patient with three germline PVs (BRCA2, MSH3, and RAD51D) had first-degree relatives with pancreatic cancer. Familial pancreatic cancer history and PVs detection had a significant association (4/20, 20% vs. 16/264, 5.7%; p=0.035). Conclusion Our study demonstrated that germline PVs in ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, and RAD51D are most frequent in Korean PDAC patients and it is comparable to those of different ethnic groups. Although this study did not show guidelines for germline predisposition gene testing in patients with PDAC in Korea, it would be emphasized the need for germline testing for all PDAC patients.

Purpose: Desmoid tumor, also known as aggressive fibromatosis, is well-characterized by abnormal Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Various therapeutic options, including imatinib, are available to treat desmoid tumor. However, the molecular mechanism of why imatinib works remains unclear. Here, we describe potential roles of NOTCH2 and HES1 in clinical response to imatinib at genome and transcriptome levels. Materials and Methods: We identified somatic mutations in coding and noncoding regions via whole-genome sequencing. To validate the genetic interaction with expression level in desmoid-tumor condition, we utilized large-scale whole-genome sequencing and transcriptome datasets from the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes project. RNA-sequencing was performed using prospective and retrospective cohort samples to evaluate the expressional relevance with clinical response. Results: Among 20 patients, four (20%) had a partial response and 14 (66.7%) had stable disease, 11 of which continued for ≥ 1 year. With gene-wise functional analyses, we detected a significant correlation between recurrent NOTCH2 noncoding mutations and clinical response to imatinib. Based on Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes data analyses, NOTCH2 mutations affect expression levels particularly in the presence of CTNNB1 missense mutations. By analyzing RNA-sequencing with additional desmoid tumor samples, we found that NOTCH2 expression was significantly correlated with HES1 expression. Interestingly, NOTCH2 had no statistical power to discriminate between responders and non-responders. Instead, HES1 was differentially expressed with statistical significance between responders and non-responders. Conclusion Imatinib was effective and well tolerated for advanced desmoid tumor treatment. Our results show that HES1, regulated by NOTCH2, as an indicator of sensitivity to imatinib, and an important therapeutic consideration for desmoid tumor.

Percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) is one of the essential diagnostic procedures for pulmonary lesions. Its role is increasing in the era of CT screening for lung cancer and precision medicine. The Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology developed the first evidence-based clinical guideline for PTNB in Korea by adapting pre-existing guidelines. The guideline provides 39 recommendations for the following four main domains of 12 key questions: the indications for PTNB, pre-procedural evaluation, procedural technique of PTNB and its accuracy, and management of post-biopsy complications. We hope that these recommendations can improve the diagnostic accuracy and safety of PTNB in clinical practice and promote standardization of the procedure nationwide.

Background: The Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology (KSTR) recently constructed a nation-wide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) database and imaging repository, referred to the Korean imaging cohort of COVID-19 (KICC-19) based on the collaborative efforts of its members. The purpose of this study was to provide a summary of the clinico-epidemiological data and imaging data of the KICC-19. Methods: The KSTR members at 17 COVID-19 referral centers retrospectively collected imaging data and clinical information of consecutive patients with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction-proven COVID-19 in respiratory specimens from February 2020 through May 2020 who underwent diagnostic chest computed tomography (CT) or radiograph in each participating hospital. Results: The cohort consisted of 239 men and 283 women (mean age, 52.3 years; age range, 11–97 years). Of the 522 subjects, 201 (38.5%) had an underlying disease. The most common symptoms were fever (n = 292) and cough (n = 245). The 151 patients (28.9%) had lymphocytopenia, 86 had (16.5%) thrombocytopenia, and 227 patients (43.5%) had an elevated CRP at admission. The 121 (23.4%) needed nasal oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation (n = 38; 7.3%), and 49 patients (9.4%) were admitted to an intensive care unit.Although most patients had cured, 21 patients (4.0%) died. The 465 (89.1%) subjects underwent a low to standard-dose chest CT scan at least once during hospitalization, resulting in a total of 658 CT scans. The 497 subjects (95.2%) underwent chest radiography at least once during hospitalization, which resulted in a total of 1,475 chest radiographs. Conclusion The KICC-19 was successfully established and comprised of 658 CT scans and 1,475 chest radiographs of 522 hospitalized Korean COVID-19 patients. The KICC-19 will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the clinical, epidemiological, and radiologic characteristics of patients with COVID-19.

Background and Objectives: Following the transsphenoidal approach (TSA), appropriate sphenoid sinus fat packing has been preferred to prevent postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage; however, studies on the behavior of fat tissue transplanted in the sphenoid sinus are lacking. This study aimed to determine the long-term fate of these fat grafts using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Subjects and Method: A total of 139 postoperative MRI scans of 41 patients who underwent sphenoid sinus fat packing using the standard TSA were evaluated. Additionally, MRI time series indicating the vital fat volumes were assessed postoperatively. Results: In 82.9% of cases, the fat volumes measured in the final MRI scans declined to <20% of the initial volumes; only 4.9% of cases exhibited declines to >60% of the initial volume. The fat tissue volume decreased significantly with time, with a median half-life of 18 months. Typically, the sphenoid sinus was eventually almost filled with air rather than transplanted fat. In the subgroup analysis, the fat clearance rate was significantly lower in patients with residual tumors than in those without such remnants (p=0.013). Conclusion Long-term MRI surveillance of fat grafts in the sphenoid sinus revealed that the transplanted fat graft had degraded and was gradually eliminated.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although abdominal visceral fat has been associated with erosive esophagitis in cross-sectional studies, there are few data on the longitudinal effect. We evaluated the effects of abdominal visceral fat change on the regression of erosive esophagitis in a prospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 163 participants with erosive esophagitis at baseline were followed up at 34 months and underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and computed tomography at both baseline and follow-up. The longitudinal effects of abdominal visceral fat on the regression of erosive esophagitis were evaluated using relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Regression was observed in approximately 49% of participants (n=80). The 3rd (RR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.71) and 4th quartiles (RR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.38) of visceral fat at follow-up were associated with decreased regression of erosive esophagitis. The highest quartile of visceral fat change reduced the probability of the regression of erosive esophagitis compared to the lowest quartile (RR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.28). Each trend showed a dose-dependent pattern (p for trend < 0.001). The presence of baseline Helicobacter pylori increased the regression of erosive esophagitis (RR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.05 to 5.48). CONCLUSIONS: Higher visceral fat at follow-up and a greater increase in visceral fat reduced the regression of erosive esophagitis in a dose-dependent manner.
Cohort Studies* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophagitis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Helicobacter pylori ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Prospective Studies*

PURPOSE: 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) screening results are difficult to interpret owing to the many influencing factors, and confirming the test results takes time. In this study, we examined the factors that affected the 17-OHP level in premature infants. We also evaluated the correlation between 17-OHP level and the clinical parameters related to adrenal cortical function. METHODS: From January 2012 to April 2017, 358 very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWI) born with birth weights of < 1,500 g were included in the study. Their 17-OHP levels were measured in the neonatal screening test after birth and analyzed by considering various factors that may have influenced the values. RESULTS: The 17-OHP levels negatively correlated with gestational age and birth weight. The values of the parameters that affected the 17-OHP levels were significantly higher in the infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). In relation to the clinical parameters, blood pressure measured within 24 hours, 72 hours, and 1 week after birth negatively correlated with the 17-OHP level. Serum sodium and 17-OHP levels 24 hours after birth were found to be positively correlated. Urine outputs in 1 and 3 days after birth showed significant positive correlations with the 17-OHP level. CONCLUSION: The 17-OHP levels of the VLBWIs were higher when gestational age and birth weight were lower, and were influenced by RDS in the VLBWI. In addition, hypotension and urine output values may be useful in the neonatal intensive care unit as a predictor of early adrenal insufficiency.
17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; Adrenal Insufficiency ; Birth Weight ; Blood Pressure ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Mass Screening ; Neonatal Screening ; Parturition ; Sodium

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine nanoemulsion 0.05% compared to cyclosporine emulsion 0.05% and diquafosol sodium 3%. METHODS: This was a multicenter, randomized, evaluator-masked, active control, parallel, phase IV study. A total of 227 patients were randomly allocated to instill cyclosporine nanoemulsion 0.05% (CN) twice daily, cyclosporine emulsion 0.05% (CE) twice daily, or diquafosol sodium 3% (DQ) six times daily. Non-inferiority of CN was analyzed by primary endpoint (cornea and conjunctival staining scores at week 12). The secondary endpoints were scores of corneal staining, conjunctival staining, tear break-up time, Schirmer test, and Ocular Surface Disease Index at weeks 4 and 12. RESULTS: Primary endpoints showed statistically significant improvements in all groups. Primary endpoints were −6.60 for the CN group, −5.28 for the CE group, and −6.63 for the DQ group (National Eye Institute scale from 0 to 33), verifying the non-inferiority of CN compared to CE (95% confidence interval, −0.15 to 2.80, Δ>−2.88). In intergroup comparison between CN and CE groups, the CN group had significantly more decreased conjunctival staining score at week 12. Intergroup comparison between CN and DQ groups showed consistent statistically significant improvements in TBUT and Schirmer test in the CN group. In the DQ group, TBUT showed late statistically significant improvement at week 12 and Schirmer test showed relatively short-term statistically significant improvement at week 4. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclosporine nanoemulsion 0.05% was equivalently efficient compared to cyclosporine emulsion 0.05% and diquafosol sodium 3%. In addition, CN showed significant improvements in several parameters for treatment of dry eyes.
Cyclosporine ; Dry Eye Syndromes ; Humans ; Nanotechnology ; Sodium ; Tears