Cancer Research and Treatment

Original Articles

Understanding the Unmet Needs in Diagnostics and Therapeutics of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in Korea: Eun Sang Yu, Soyean Kwon, Seonggyu Byeon, Ja Min Byun, Sung-Soo Park, Ki-Seong Eom, Chul Won Choi; Received September 15, 2025 Accepted January 23, 2026 Published online January 26, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2025.1008 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub: Purpose
Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of ibrutinib in 2012, the treatment landscape for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) has undergone a paradigm shift. Nevertheless, the disease remains incurable, posing ongoing clinical challenges. In Korea, these challenges are further compounded by unique characteristics of patients and national healthcare system.
Materials and Methods
The multicenter retrospective analysis included 519 patients diagnosed with CLL/SLL between 2006 and 2024 across three major Korean institutions.
Results
The median age at diagnosis was 62 years. Among 267 patients who received first-line therapy, 68.9% (184/267) were treated with immunochemotherapy, 19.4% (52/267) with cytotoxic chemotherapy, and 11.2% (30/267) with a Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. Since the Korean approval of ibrutinib in 2016, BTK inhibitor use has steadily increased. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that patients receiving BTK inhibitor–based therapy had more favorable outcomes compared to those treated with immunochemotherapy.
Conclusion
This study provides the most comprehensive real-world reflection of current diagnostic and therapeutic practices in Korea. Through comparative analysis with international data, it offers valuable insights into the limitations of current CLL/SLL care and may inform future strategies to optimize management in the Korean context.

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Prognostic Factors for Relapse and the Role of Maintenance Therapy in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Real-World Multicenter Study in Korea: Kunye Kwak, Mihee Kim, Dongjin Shin, Changgon Kim, Yoon Seok Choi, Ka-Won Kang, Byung Soo Kim, Min Ji Jeon, Eun Sang Yu, Dae Sik Kim, Chul Won Choi, Byung-Hyun Lee, Se Ryeon Lee, Hwa Jung Sung, Chang-Hoon Lee, Seo-Yeon Ahn, Ho-Young Yhim, Jae-Sook Ahn, Yong Park; Received August 26, 2025 Accepted November 6, 2025 Published online November 10, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2025.929 [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader ePub

Purpose
Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is curable, but relapse remains a concern, particularly in patients treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and chemotherapy-based regimens. The identification of prognostic factors for relapse is important for enhanced survival outcomes.
Materials and Methods
This retrospective multicenter study analyzed the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors for relapse in 286 Korean patients treated with ATRA and idarubicin-based chemotherapy protocols between 2002 and 2024.
Results
Propensity score-matched analysis revealed key prognostic factors, such as post-consolidation measurable residual disease (MRD) (hazard ratio [HR], 20.16, p < 0.001) and male sex (HR, 5.96; p=0.016). No significant benefit of ATRA-based maintenance therapy was observed in relapse-free survival, compared with observation alone. We also found that FLT3–internal tandem duplication mutations were associated with an increased risk of relapse.
Conclusion
These findings highlight prognostic factors for relapse and the importance of individualized therapeutic strategies for high-risk patients. Moreover, our findings indicate that post-consolidation MRD is the most significant predictor of relapse, emphasizing the need for molecular profiling and longitudinal monitoring. Future prospective studies should validate these prognostic markers and refine personalized therapeutic approaches for APL.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Induction-phase blood arsenic concentration and relapse risk in pediatric acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with arsenic and all-trans retinoic acid
Qingyuan Xu, Linya Wang, Ning Liao, Mincui Zheng, Yunpeng Dai, Diying Shen, Shaoyan Hu, Li Wang, Qun Hu, Xin Tian, Xiaohuan Wang, Yuanyuan Zhang, Pengli Huang, Jiaole Yu, Ying Wu, Wei Lin, Peijing Qi, Jia Fan, Ruidong Zhang, Yaguang Peng, Huyong Zheng, Hu
Leukemia.2026; 40(10): 2342. CrossRef

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Hematologic malignancy

Long-term Psychiatric and Endocrine Complications Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Hematologic Disease in Korea: A Nation-Wide Cohort Study: Min Ji Jeon, Eunjin Noh, Seok Joo Moon, Eun Sang Yu, Chul Won Choi, Dae Sik Kim, Eun Joo Kang; Cancer Res Treat. 2024;56(4):1262-1269. Published online May 9, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2024.047

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

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.

Citations

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Psychological Prehabilitation for People Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplant: A Qualitative Study
K. Wilkin, F. Lynch, J. Todd, V. White
Psycho-Oncology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
The feasibility of ovarian tissue cryopreservation in selected females after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Jiaojiao Cheng, Juan Du, Muqing Gu, Xiangyan Ruan, Fengyu Jin, Jing Jin, Zecheng Wang, Yurui Wu, Qin Zhou, Yanqiu Li, Yanglu Li, Lingling Jiang, Mingzhen Zhang, Anming Liu, Yuejiao Wang, Alfred O. Mueck
Bone Marrow Transplantation.2026; 61(8): 1063. CrossRef
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-associated partial lipodystrophy
Masanori Adachi
Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology.2026; 35(3): 201. CrossRef

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Case Report

Bladder and Liver Involvement of Visceral Larva Migrans May Mimic Malignancy: Eun Joo Kang, Yoon Ji Choi, Jung Sun Kim, Byung Hyun Lee, Ka-Won Kang, Hong Jun Kim, Eun Sang Yu, Yeul Hong Kim; Cancer Res Treat. 2014;46(4):419-424. Published online July 18, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2013.104

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub

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.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Insights Into Toxocara canis‐Induced Liver Fibrosis
Iman F. Abou‐El‐Naga
Parasite Immunology.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Human toxocariasis
Susana Lopez-Alamillo, Pravallika Padyala, Megan Carey, Megan M. Duffey, Jill E. Weatherhead, Louisa A. Messenger, Bachir Medrouh, Marcelo U. Ferreira
Clinical Microbiology Reviews.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Pulmonary and Liver Toxocariasis Mimicking Metastatic Tumors in a Patient with Colon Cancer
Miju Cheon, Jang Yoo
Diagnostics.2023; 14(1): 58. CrossRef
Eosinophilic Granuloma of the Liver Mimicking Metastatic Liver Tumor
Yotaro Uchida, Keiji Yokoyama, Tomotaka Higashi, Takanori Kitaguchi, Hiromi Fukuda, Ryo Yamauchi, Naoaki Tsuchiya, Atsushi Fukunaga, Kaoru Umeda, Kazuhide Takata, Takashi Tanaka, Yasuaki Takeyama, Satoshi Shakado, Shotaro Sakisaka, Hiroyuki Hayashi, Yoshi
Internal Medicine.2022; 61(10): 1511. CrossRef
Toxocariasis-associated urinary system diseases: a systematic review of reported cases
Ali Ardekani, Amirhossein Roshanshad, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Jean-François Magnaval, Ali Abdollahi, Ali Rostami
Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.2022; 116(7): 668. CrossRef
Toxocariasis Suspected of Having Infiltrated Directly from the Liver to the Lung through the Diaphragm
Masaki Kakimoto, Masayuki Murata, Fujiko Mitsumoto-Kaseida, Eiichi Ogawa, Yuji Matsumoto, Akira Kusaga, Kazuhiro Toyoda, Takeo Hayashi, Kazuya Ura, Keishi Kanno, Norihiro Furusyo, Susumu Tazuma
Internal Medicine.2019; 58(18): 2737. CrossRef
Klasyczne i nowoczesne metody diagnozowania toksokarozy u dzieci
Anna Kroteń, Artur Sulik, Elżbieta Ołdak
Pediatria Polska.2015; 90(4): 319. CrossRef

18,278 View
86 Download
7 Web of Science
7 Crossref

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