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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies and causes of death worldwide. In this study, we assessed the correlation between clinicopathologic factors with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 (CTLA-4) expressions. Furthermore, we analyzed the prognostic significance of these proteins in a subgroup of patients. We retrospectively evaluated the PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 expressions in 294 HCC tissue microarray samples using immunohistochemistry. PD-1 and PD-L1 expressions were significant related to high CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) (r = 0.664, p < 0.001 and r = 0.149, p = 0.012). Only high Edmondson-Steiner grade was statistically related to high PD-1 expression. High PD-L1 expression was demonstrated as an independent poor prognostic factor for disease-free survival in addition to previous known factors, size >5 cm and serum albumin ≤3.5 g/dL in high CD8+ TILs group. We have demonstrated that the combined high expression of PD-L1 and CD8+ TIL is an important prognostic factor related to the immune checkpoint pathway in HCC and furthermore, there is a possibility that it could be used as a predictor of therapeutic response. Also, this result would be helpful in evaluating the applicable group of PD-1/PD-L1 blocking agent for HCC patients.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC), which was the fourth most common cancer in Korea at the time, is now the second most common cancer in Korea. Meanwhile, there have been many changes in the pathologic diagnosis of CRC, such as the diagnostic criteria for carcinoma, and pathologic findings included in the pathology report [1,2]. Molecular pathology tests for CRC have also become necessary tests, as targeted therapy and immunotherapy were introduced into the treatment of CRC. The existing standardization report does not reflect the recent changes in colon cancer diagnosis. There has been considerable demand for the revision of the

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.