Yun-Gyoo Lee, Tae-Hwan Kim, Du-Young Kang, Ji Hyun Park, Kyoungmin Lee, Juwhan Choi, Sung Yong Lee, Ji Won Lee, Yoon Ji Choi, Ah-reum Lim, Jung Yoon Choi, Jung Sun Kim, Hee Kyung Ahn, Jin-Hyuk Choi, Eun Joo Kang
Received May 10, 2026 Accepted August 13, 2026 Published online August 14, 2026
Purpose
Chemoimmunotherapy has improved outcomes in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC), but its benefit in older adults remains uncertain because this population is underrepresented in clinical trials. We evaluated the real-world efficacy of first-line atezolizumab plus etoposide-carboplatin according to age in patients with ES-SCLC.
Materials and Methods
We conducted a multicenter retrospective study across seven Korean institutions and identified patients with ES-SCLC treated between 2016 and 2022 with atezolizumab plus etoposide-carboplatin or etoposide-platinum chemotherapy alone. Patients with recurrence after prior limited-stage disease or incomplete records were excluded. End points were overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), assessed using Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression models.
Results
Among 550 identified patients, 538 were included: 247 received atezolizumab plus chemotherapy and 291 received chemotherapy alone. Overall, 111 patients (20.2%) were aged 75–80 and 57 (10.4%) were older than 80years. In the overall population, atezolizumab was associated with improved PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.93; p=0.006) and OS (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.93; p=0.006). Age-stratified analyses showed significant PFS benefit only in patients aged 70–75 (HR, 0.67; p=0.049) and significant OS benefit only in patients aged 65–70 (HR, 0.65; p=0.044). Beyond 75 years, neither PFS nor OS was significantly improved. Patients aged ≥75years also had lower ORR and more progressive or non-evaluable disease compared with <75years.
Conclusion
The clinical benefit of adding atezolizumab appears attenuated in ES-SCLC patients age 75 years or older, supporting careful selection and age-adapted treatment strategies.
Se-Il Go, Jinyong Kim, Sehhoon Park, Il Hwan Kim, Dong-Wan Kim, Yun-Gyoo Lee, Jang Ho Cho, Eun Kyung Cho, Hyun Woo Lee, Ji-Hyun Park, Eun Joo Kang, Youngjoo Lee, Nak-Hoon Son, So Hyeon Gwon, Hyun Ae Jung, Jong-Mu Sun, Se-Hoon Lee, Jin Seok Ahn, Myung-Ju Ahn, Gyeong-Won Lee
Received June 7, 2026 Accepted August 7, 2026 Published online August 10, 2026
Purpose
We assessed whether baseline and early on-treatment measurements of host fitness using the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) provide complementary prognostic information in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Materials and Methods
Within the prospective, multicenter OPTIMUS trial, 497 patients with advanced NSCLC receiving first-line pembrolizumab-based therapy were analyzed. PNI was calculated from serum albumin and lymphocyte count at baseline and before cycle 2 (early on-treatment). Using a cutoff of 50.5, 441 patients with paired measurements were classified by baseline/early on-treatment PNI status as high/high, high/low, low/high, or low/low.
Results
Low baseline PNI was associated with lower objective response and higher treatment-related mortality. Among responders, low early on-treatment PNI was associated with lower odds of 6-month response maintenance (adjusted OR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.17–0.97). Response-maintenance rates were lowest in the low/low group at both 6 and 12 months. In multivariable analyses including both PNI time points, low early on-treatment PNI was associated with shorter PFS (HR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.11–2.04), whereas low baseline PNI was not (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.94–1.71). Both low baseline PNI (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.07–2.19) and low early on-treatment PNI (HR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.02–2.12) were associated with shorter OS. The higher mortality risk in the low/low group was generally consistent across PD-L1 expression and treatment regimen subgroups.
Conclusion
PNI assessment at baseline and before cycle 2 provides complementary prognostic information, with early on-treatment PNI particularly related to PFS and response durability (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04909164).
Purpose Tumor suppressor p53 (TP53) mutations are common in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). We evaluated their clinical impact in patients treated with targeted agents or immunotherapy in the KCSG HN15-16 TRIUMPH trial.
Materials and Methods We analyzed clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with TP53 mutations in the TRIUMPH trial, a multicenter, biomarker-driven umbrella trial in Korea. Patients were assigned to treatment groups based on genomic profiles: group 1, alpelisib; group 2, poziotinib; group 3, nintedanib; and group 4, abemaciclib. If there was no identifiable target, the patients were allocated to group 5 (durvalumab±tremelimumab).
Results TP53 mutations were detected in 116/179 patients (64.8%), more frequently in human papillomavirus–negative and non-oropharyngeal cancers. Patients with TP53 mutations exhibited shorter progression-free survival than TP53 wild-type in all the patients (1.7 vs. 3.8 months, p=0.002) and in those who received targeted treatments (2.5 vs. 7.3 months, p=0.009). Furthermore, TP53 mutations were strongly associated with poor overall survival than TP53 wild-type in all the patients (11.1 vs. 28.8 months, p=0.005) and in group 5 (8.1 vs. 33.0 months, p=0.001).
Conclusion TP53 mutations were associated with aggressive clinical characteristics and poor survival, particularly in HNSCC patients treated with immunotherapy.
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Purpose Numerous patients experience long-term complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This study aimed to identify the frequency and risk factors for psychiatric and endocrine complications following HSCT through big data analyses.
Materials and Methods We established a cohort of patients with hematologic disease who underwent HSCT in Korea between 2010 and 2012 using the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service data. A total of 3,636 patients were identified, and insurance claims were tracked using psychiatric and endocrine diagnostic International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes for the ensuing decade. We identified the incidence rates of long-term complications based on the baseline disease and HSCT type. Prognostic factors for each complication were scrutinized using logistic regression analysis.
Results A total of 1,879 patients underwent allogeneic HSCT and 1,757 patients received autologous HSCT. Post-HSCT, 506 patients were diagnosed with depression, 465 with anxiety disorders, and 659 with diabetes. The highest incidence of long-term complications occurred within the first year post-HSCT (12.2%), subsequently decreasing over time. Risk factors for depressive disorders after allogeneic HSCT included female sex, a total body irradiation–based conditioning regimen, and cyclosporine. Identified risk factors for diabetes mellitus comprised old age, total body irradiation–based conditioning regimen, and non-antithymocyte globulin protocol. Regarding autologous HSCT, only female sex was identified as a risk factor for depressive disorders, whereas elderly patients and those with multiple myeloma were identified as poor prognostic factors for diabetes mellitus.
Conclusion The incidence of long-term psychiatric and endocrine complications post-HSCT remains high, and patients with risk factors for these complications require vigilant follow-up.
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Purpose In this study, we evaluated 66 patients diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) enrolled in two Korean Cancer Study Group trials to investigate the response and progression patterns in recurrent and/or metastatic ACC treated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs).
Materials and Methods We evaluated 66 patients diagnosed with ACC who were enrolled in the Korean Cancer Study Group trials. The tumor measurements, clinical data, treatment outcomes, and progression patterns of therapy were analyzed.
Results In the 66 patients (53 receiving axitinib and 13 receiving nintedanib), the disease control rate was 61%, and three patients achieved partial response. The median follow-up, median progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival, and 6-month PFS rate were 27.6%, 12.4%, and 18.1% months and 62.1%, respectively. Among 42 patients who experienced progression, 27 (64.3%) showed target lesion progression. Bone metastasis was an independent poor prognostic factor.
Conclusion Overall, most patients demonstrated stable disease with prolonged PFS; however, prominent target lesion progression occurred in some patients. Thus, PFS may capture VEGFR-TKI efficacy better than the objective response rate.
Yoon Ji Choi, Jung Yoon Choi, Ju Won Kim, Ah Reum Lim, Youngwoo Lee, Won Jin Chang, Soohyeon Lee, Jae Sook Sung, Hee-Joon Chung, Jong Won Lee, Eun Joo Kang, Jung Sun Kim, Taekyu Lim, Hye Sook Kim, Yu Jung Kim, Mi Sun Ahn, Young Saing Kim, Ji Hyun Park, Seungtaek Lim, Sung Shim Cho, Jang Ho Cho, Sang Won Shin, Kyong Hwa Park, Yeul Hong Kim
Cancer Res Treat. 2022;54(1):30-39. Published online May 20, 2021
Purpose K-MASTER project is a Korean national precision medicine platform that screened actionable mutations by analyzing next-generation sequencing (NGS) of solid tumor patients. We compared gene analyses between NGS panel from the K-MASTER project and orthogonal methods.
Materials and Methods Colorectal, breast, non–small cell lung, and gastric cancer patients were included. We compared NGS results from K-MASTER projects with those of non-NGS orthogonal methods (KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF mutations in colorectal cancer [CRC]; epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR], anaplastic lymphoma kinase [ALK] fusion, and reactive oxygen species 1 [ROS1] fusion in non–small cell lung cancer [NSCLC], and Erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) positivity in breast and gastric cancers).
Results In the CRC cohort (n=225), the sensitivity and specificity of NGS were 87.4% and 79.3% (KRAS); 88.9% and 98.9% (NRAS); and 77.8% and 100.0% (BRAF), respectively. In the NSCLC cohort (n=109), the sensitivity and specificity of NGS for EGFR were 86.2% and 97.5%, respectively. The concordance rate for ALK fusion was 100%, but ROS1 fusion was positive in only one of three cases that were positive in orthogonal tests. In the breast cancer cohort (n=260), ERBB2 amplification was detected in 45 by NGS. Compared with orthogonal methods that integrated immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, sensitivity and specificity were 53.7% and 99.4%, respectively. In the gastric cancer cohort (n=64), ERBB2 amplification was detected in six by NGS. Compared with orthogonal methods, sensitivity and specificity were 62.5% and 98.2%, respectively.
Conclusion The results of the K-MASTER NGS panel and orthogonal methods showed a different degree of agreement for each genetic alteration, but generally showed a high agreement rate.
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Purpose Certain patient subgroups who do not respond to induction chemotherapy (IC) show inherent chemoresistance in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC). This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of IC, and role of IC in guiding the selection of a definitive locoregional therapy.
Materials and Methods Out of the 445 patients in multi-institutional LA-HNSCC cohort, 158 (36%) receiving IC were enrolled. The study outcome was to assess overall survival (OS) through IC responsiveness and its role to select subsequent treatments.
Results Among 135 patients who completed subsequent treatment following IC, 74% responded to IC (complete response in 17% and partial response in 58%). IC-non-responders showed 4.5 times higher risk of mortality than IC-responders (hazard ratio, 4.52; 95% confidence interval, 2.32 to 8.81; p < 0.001). Among IC-responders, 84% subsequently received definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and OS was not differed by surgery or CCRT (p=0.960). Regarding IC-non-responders, 54% received CCRT and 46% underwent surgery, and OS was poor in CCRT (24-month survival rate of 38%) or surgery (24-month survival rate of 63%).
Conclusion Response to IC is a favorable prognostic factor. For IC-responders, either surgery or CCRT achieved similar survival probabilities. For IC-non-responder, multidisciplinary approach was warranted reflecting patients’ preference, morbidity, and prognosis.
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Purpose
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a deadly disease in which precision medicine needs to be incorporated. We aimed to implement next-generation sequencing (NGS) in determining actionable targets to guide appropriate molecular targeted therapy in HNSCC patients.
Materials and Methods
Ninety-three tumors and matched blood samples underwent targeted sequencing of 244 genes using the Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform with an average depth of coverage of greater than 1,000×. Clinicopathological data from patients were obtained from 17 centers in Korea, and were analyzed in correlation with NGS data.
Results
Ninety-two of the 93 tumors were amenable to data analysis. TP53 was the most common mutation, occurring in 47 (51%) patients, followed by CDKN2A (n=23, 25%), CCND1 (n=22, 24%), and PIK3CA (n=19, 21%). The total mutational burden was similar between human papillomavirus (HPV)–negative vs. positive tumors, although TP53, CDKN2A and CCND1 gene alterations occurred more frequently in HPV-negative tumors. HPV-positive tumors were significantly associated with immune signature-related genes compared to HPV-negative tumors. Mutations of NOTCH1 (p=0.027), CDKN2A (p < 0.001), and TP53 (p=0.038) were significantly associated with poorer overall survival. FAT1 mutations were highly enriched in cisplatin responders, and potentially targetable alterations such as PIK3CA E545K and CDKN2A R58X were noted in 14 patients (15%).
Conclusion
We found several targetable genetic alterations, and our findings suggest that implementation of precision medicine in HNSCC is feasible. The predictive value of each targetable alteration should be assessed in a future umbrella trial using matched molecular targeted agents.
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Visceral larva migrans (VLM) syndrome is a clinical manifestation of systemic organ involvement by Toxocara species. VLM with involvement of the bladder and liver is a rare finding. A 62-year-old woman presented with diffuse bladder wall thickening and multiple liver masses with peripheral eosinophilia and urinary symptoms. We considered malignancy or eosinophilic cystitis through clinical manifestations and imaging findings. However, no suspicious malignant lesions were observed on cystoscopy and liver mass biopsy revealed the presence of eosinophilic necrotizing granuloma without malignant cells. Anti-Toxocara antibodies were detected by western blotting and the patient was diagnosed with VLM syndrome. After taking prednisolone, urinary symptoms disappeared. On abdominal CT scan taken after three months, the size of multiple liver masses and bladder wall thickening had decreased. VLM syndrome should be suspected in patients with an atypical imaging pattern and peripheral eosinophilia.
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