https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2020.sw.kumedicine/444 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:29:57 GMT 2026-04-04T13:29:57Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79286 Title: Ebastine targets HER2/HER3 signaling and cancer stem cell traits to overcome trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer Authors: Jung, Eun Sun; Kim, Ji Young; Ko, Dongmi; Seo, Juyeon; Lee, Sang Yoon; Lee, Daeun; Kim, Subeen; Park, Minsu; Kim, Seongjae; Park, Soeun; Lee, Kyoungmin; Kang, Yong Koo; Nam, Kee Dal; Kim, Yoon-Jae; Seo, Jae Hong Abstract: Despite advances in HER2-targeted therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer, resistance to trastuzumab and tumor recurrence remain major barriers to durable outcomes. The present study evaluated the therapeutic potential of ebastine, a second-generation H1-antihistamine, as a repurposing candidate to overcome trastuzumab resistance by targeting HER2 signaling and cancer stem cell (CSC)-associated phenotypes in HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Molecular docking studies revealed that ebastine bound to the ATP-binding site of the HER2 tyrosine kinase domain, thereby suppressing the phosphorylation of HER2, p95HER2 and HER3, as assessed by immunoblotting. Immunoprecipitation assay further demonstrated that this binding disrupted HER2/HER3 and HER2/EGFR heterodimerization, leading to reduced downstream AKT activation. Ebastine significantly decreased aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)1 activity, decreased the CD44high/CD24low CSC-like population, as assessed by flow cytometry, and inhibited mammosphere formation. In a trastuzumab-resistant xenograft model, ebastine markedly suppressed tumor growth, decreased the Ki-67 proliferation index and angiogenesis and induced apoptosis. These effects were accompanied by decreased expression of HER2, HER3, ALDH1, CD44, and vimentin in tumor tissues, as determined by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, serum biochemical analyses revealed no significant hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity, indicating a favorable in vivo safety profile. These findings demonstrated that ebastine effectively disrupts key pathways involved in CSC-like traits and HER2 activity, even under trastuzumab-resistant conditions. Its multifaceted inhibitory effects support the repositioning of ebastine as a promising therapeutic strategy for treating refractory HER2-positive breast cancer. Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79286 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79282 Title: Declining laser peripheral iridotomy for angle closure alongside rising cataract surgeries: A nationwide cohort study in South Korea Authors: Kim, Woojin; Park, Chan Mi; Kong, Seokjin; Kim, Dong Hyun; Eom, Youngsub; Song, Jong Suk Abstract: Purpose: To examine recent nationwide trends in cataract surgeries and laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in Korea, and to assess their temporal association and patient-level characteristics influencing procedure patterns. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Information Database. Individuals aged 65 years and older who underwent cataract surgery or LPI between 2016 and 2021 were analyzed. Primary outcomes included the annual volumes of cataract surgeries and LPIs, their temporal association, patient demographics, the proportion of LPI patients subsequently undergoing cataract surgery, and the interval to surgery. Results: Cataract surgeries increased annually until 2019, declined in 2020, and rose again in 2021, whereas LPI procedures steadily decreased after 2017. A negative correlation was observed between annual cataract surgeries and LPIs (r = −0.657, P = 0.156), although not statistically significant. Among patients aged 65–74 years, the correlation was significant (r = −0.943, P = 0.005). Among those who underwent LPI, 92.1% subsequently received cataract surgery, with a median interval of 121 days between procedures. Conclusion: This nationwide study demonstrated a temporal association and demographic characteristics underlying the recent increase in cataract surgeries and the concurrent decline in LPI procedures in Korea. Notably, most patients who underwent LPI subsequently received cataract surgery within a relatively short interval, suggesting a possible clinical shift toward earlier lens extraction in the management of angle closure. Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79282 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79483 Title: MT1B overexpression enhances malignancy of non-small cell lung cancer cells Authors: Park, Yoon Hee; LEE, Hong; Kim, Haewon; Park, Hayan; Park, Su A.; Choi, Jin Young; Park, Chaewon; Nam, Yoon Jeong; Lee, Hye Jin; Lee, Yu-Seon; Kim, Jea young; Lee, Byoungcheun; Kim, Hye-Jin; Lee, Ju Han; Jeong, Sang Hoon Abstract: Metallothioneins (MTs) are metal-binding proteins that are involved in heavy metal homeostasis and protection against oxidative stress. The MT1 family comprises several isoforms that are implicated in various diseases, including cancer. Although the dysregulated expression of MT1 isoforms has been observed in lung cancer, the specific role of MT isoform MT1B remains unclear. To investigate the role of MT1B in lung cancer progression, A549 lung cancer cells were transfected with an MT1B expression vector. In vitro assays were performed to assess cell viability, migration, invasion, and colony formation. Western blot analysis revealed increased expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers Snail, Vimentin, and N-cadherin, and decreased levels of E-cadherin, indicating EMT induction. In the xenograft model, the MT1B-transfected group formed tumors more rapidly and exhibited significantly increased tumor growth compared to the controls. In addition, RNA sequencing was performed to identify MT1B-dependent gene alterations, and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was applied to characterize the canonical pathways and predicted biological functions associated with these MT1B-specific genes. These findings suggest that cellular MT1B overexpression has the potential to promote lung cancer growth. [BMB Reports 2026; 59(2): 161-168] Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79483 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79215 Title: Comparative Epidemiology and Treatment Patterns of Acute Postoperative and Endogenous Endophthalmitis in South Korea Authors: Kim, Woojin; Park, Chan Mi; Kim, Dong Hyun; Eom, Youngsub; Song, Jong Suk Abstract: Purpose: To compare epidemiologic trends, clinical characteristics, and treatment patterns of acute postoperative endophthalmitis (APE) and endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) in a nationwide cohort. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used Korean National Health Insurance Service claims data from 2013 to 2022. Patients with confirmed endophthalmitis treated by intravitreal injection (IVI) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) were included. A total of 7625 patients with APE and 649 with EE were analyzed. APE required recent intraocular surgery; EE required systemic infection and exclusion of corneal ulcer – associated endophthalmitis. Outcomes included yearly trends, patient profiles, treatment type (IVI, PPV, or combined), and outpatient care within one year. Results: Among 16,009 patients with endophthalmitis, 7625 (47.6%) had APE and 649 (4.1%) had EE. APE cases increased until 2020—peaking during a fungal outbreak from contaminated viscoelastic material – then declined. The proportion of IVI-related APE rose from 13.1% in 2013 to 26.2% in 2022. EE cases remained stable. EE patients were younger (mean age, 62.6 vs. 67.6 years) and had greater comorbidity (mean Charlson Comorbidity Index, 1.30 vs. 0.98). IVI-only was most common in both groups, whereas combined IVI with PPV was more frequent in EE. Outpatient care was less common in EE (57.6% vs. 83.4%) yet lasted longer (median 269 vs. 67 days) with more IVIs (mean 3.48 vs. 2.62 injections). Conclusion: APE was more prevalent and increasingly IVI-associated. EE, though less common, involved greater systemic morbidity and longer treatment duration. Findings underscore the need for infection control in IVI and multidisciplinary EE care. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/79215 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z