Seung-Jin Kwag

Prof. Dr. Seung-Jin Kwag

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

15Years (2012-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 January 2019 in World Journal of Surgical Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JCJin-Kyu Cho
Jin-Kyu Cho
WLWoohyung Lee
Woohyung Lee
JJJae Yool Jang
Jae Yool Jang
HKHan-Gil Kim
Han-Gil Kim
JKJae-Myung Kim
Jae-Myung Kim
CJChi-Young Jeong
Chi-Young Jeong
While extended cholecystectomy is recommended for T2 gallbladder cancer (GBC), the role of hepatic resection for T2 GBC is unclear. This study aimed to identify the necessity of hepatic resection in patients with T2 GBC. Data of 81 patients with histopathologically proven T2 GBC who underwent surgical resection between January 1999 and December 2017 were enrolled from a retrospective database. Of these, 36 patients had peritoneal-side (T2a) tumors and 45 had hepatic-side (T2b) tumors. To identify the optimal surgical management method, T2 GBC patients were classified into the hepatic resection group (n = 44, T2a/T2b = 20/24) and non-hepatic resection group (n = 37, T2a/T2b = 16/21). The recurrence pattern and role of hepatic resection for T2 GBC were then investigated. Mean age of the patients was 69 (range 36–88) years, and the male-to-female ratio was 42:39 (male, 51.9%; female, 48.1%). Hepatic-side GBC had a higher rate of recurrence than peritoneal-side GBC (44.4% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.006). The most common type of recurrence in T2a GBC was para-aortic lymph node recurrence (n = 2, 5.6%); the most common types of recurrence in T2b GBC were para-aortic lymph node recurrence (n = 7, 15.6%) and intrahepatic metastasis (n = 6, 13.3%). Hepatic-side GBC patients had worse survival outcomes than peritoneal-side GBC patients (76.0% vs. 96.6%, p = 0.041). Hepatic resection had no significant treatment effect in T2 GBC patients (p = 0.272). Multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis was the only significant prognostic factor (p = 0.002). Hepatic resection is not essential for curative treatment in T2 GBC, and more systemic treatments are needed for GBC patients, particularly for those with T2b GBC.

8 February 2026 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YHYoung-Sool Hah
Young-Sool Hah
JHJeongyun Hwang
Jeongyun Hwang
SLSeung-Jun Lee
Seung-Jun Lee
SKSeung-Jin Kwag
Seung-Jin Kwag
Skeletal muscle is increasingly recognized as a dynamic endocrine and paracrine organ that communicates with distal tissues through a diverse secretome of peptides, proteins, metabolites, and extracellular vesicles (EVs), collectively referred to as myokines and exerkines. Beyond cataloging individual factors, emerging evidence suggests that muscle-derived signals can convey information through an integrated, context-dependent “endocrine code”—a pattern defined by secretion kinetics, co-released signal combinations, delivery modalities, and target-tissue receptor landscapes. This review synthesizes current evidence on (i) conceptual and experimental criteria for defining bona fide myokines, (ii) mechanisms governing myokine expression, processing, and release across exercise modes and physiological states, and (iii) major muscle–organ axes that connect physical activity to systemic metabolic homeostasis, immune remodeling, tissue regeneration, and neurocognitive adaptation. We further discuss non-protein mediators such as lactate, succinate, and β-aminoisobutyric acid, and highlight EVs as a multiplexed delivery modality whose interpretation requires stringent isolation, contamination controls, and functional validation. Finally, we evaluate translational opportunities—including biomarker panels, therapeutic targeting of the myostatin/activin, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) pathways, and precision exercise prescriptions informed by multi-omics and artificial intelligence—while emphasizing analytical standardization, causal validation, and transparent reporting as prerequisites for clinical impact.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JCJin-Kyu Cho
Jin-Kyu Cho
JKJae Ri Kim
Jae Ri Kim
JJJae-Yool Jang
Jae-Yool Jang
HKHan-Gil Kim
Han-Gil Kim
JKJae-Myung Kim
Jae-Myung Kim
JCJin-Kyu Cho
Jin-Kyu Cho
Although laparoscopic treatment for T1 gallbladder cancer (GBC) has been described previously, the differences in oncologic outcomes between laparoscopic and conventional open surgery for T2 GBC have not been investigated. We aimed to assess the role of laparoscopic surgery using retrospectively collected data for 81 patients with T2 GBC who underwent surgical resection between January 2010 and December 2017. Eligible patients were classified into “laparoscopic” and “open” groups. Propensity-score matching was performed in a 1:1 ratio. The effects of surgery type on surgical and oncological outcomes were investigated. After propensity-score matching, 19 patients were included in the open and laparoscopic surgery groups. The median follow-up durations were 70 and 26 months in the open and laparoscopic groups, respectively. The operative time (316.8 ± 80.3 vs. 218.9 ± 145.0 min, p = 0.016) and length of postoperative hospital stay (14.4 ± 6.0 vs. 8.4 ± 5.9 days, p = 0.004) were significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group. The three-year overall (86.3% vs. 88.9%, p = 0.660) and disease-free (76.4% vs. 60.2%, p = 0.448) survival rates were similar between the groups. Propensity-score matching showed that laparoscopic surgery for T2 GBC yielded similar long-term oncological outcomes and favorable short-term outcomes in comparison with open surgery. Laparoscopic treatment should be considered in patients with T2 GBC.

30 April 2022 in Annals of Coloproctology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HKHan-Gil Kim
Han-Gil Kim
JYJung Wook Yang
Jung Wook Yang
SHSoon-Chan Hong
Soon-Chan Hong
YJYoung-Tae Ju
Young-Tae Ju
CJChi-Young Jeong
Chi-Young Jeong
SKSeung-Jin Kwag
Seung-Jin Kwag
Small intestinal malignant tumor accounts for about 3% of all malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract, among which 13% are leiomyosarcoma (LMS). In addition, epithelioid LMS is of very rare occurrence. As small intestinal malignant tumors are initially asymptomatic and nonspecific, diagnosis is often delayed, and this can lead to large tumor at the time of detection and lead to intussusception. We observed ileocolonic intussusception in an 80-year-old male patient who was admitted to the hospital with a complaint of abdominal pain and palpable mass on right lower quadrant. The laparoscopic ileocecectomy was performed by the emergency operation because of obstruction. The pathologic examination revealed that the epithelioid LMS developed in the terminal ileum was the leading point of intussusception. To the best of our knowledge, laparoscopic surgery for ileocolonic intussusception with epithelioid LMS has not yet been reported.

1 April 2019 in Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
HKHan-Gil Kim
Han-Gil Kim
YJYoung-Tae Ju
Young-Tae Ju
JLJin-Kwon Lee
Jin-Kwon Lee
SHSoon-Chan Hong
Soon-Chan Hong
YLYoung-Joon Lee
Young-Joon Lee
SKSeung-Jin Kwag
Seung-Jin Kwag
Background: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of three-port laparoscopic right colectomy (3-LRC) for right-sided colon cancer compared with conventional five-port laparoscopic right colectomy (5-LRC). Materials and Methods: One hundred sixty-three patients diagnosed with right-sided colon adenocarcinoma underwent laparoscopic right colectomy (LRC) between April 2011 and December 2017. Seventy-four of these patients underwent 3-LRC procedure and 89 patients underwent 5-LRC. Clinical characteristics, perioperative short-term outcomes, and pathologic data were analyzed. Results: There were no differences in TNM stage, tumor location, estimated blood loss, complications, and open conversion rates. The operation time was shorter in the 3-LRC group than in 5-LRC group (140.9 ± 27.5 minutes versus 178.2 ± 38.2 minutes; P = .001). The number of harvested lymph nodes (28.5 ± 13.9 versus 22.6 ± 11.7; P = .004) was also higher in the 3-LRC group. The first passage of flatus and first oral diet were significantly faster in the 3-LRC group than in the 5-LRC group (2.8 ± 1.0 days versus 4.0 ± 1.2 days; P = .001, 3.6 ± 2.9 days versus 5.0 ± 1.5 days; P = .001). The number of patients who required analgesics is less in the 3-LRC group (32.4% versus 43.8%; P = .583). Conclusion: 3-LRC for right-sided colon cancer is technically feasible and is associated with a short operation time. We believe that 3-LRC effectively reduces the costs associated with equipment and manpower and represents a standard procedure.

30 June 2018 in Annals of Coloproctology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HKHan-Gil Kim
Han-Gil Kim
JYJung-Wook Yang
Jung-Wook Yang
SHSoon-Chan Hong
Soon-Chan Hong
YLYoung-Joon Lee
Young-Joon Lee
YJYoung-Tae Ju
Young-Tae Ju
SKSeung-Jin Kwag
Seung-Jin Kwag
Toxocara canis is an important roundworm of canids and a fearsome animal parasite of humans. Human infections can lead to syndromes called visceral larva migrans (VLM), ocular larva migrans, neurotoxocariasis, and covert toxocariasis. VLM is most commonly diagnosed in children younger than 8 years of age, but adult cases are relatively frequent among those infected by ingesting the raw tissue of paratenic hosts in East Asia. This research reports the case of a 59-year-old man with sigmoid colon cancer, who visited our institution for surgery. An intraperitoneal mass was found on preoperative computed tomography, and it was thought to be a metastatic mass from sigmoid colon cancer. A postoperative histologic examination and serum test showed eosinophilic granuloma due to toxocariasis. Diagnosis of VLM is often difficult and highly suspicious in adults. Researchers suggest, although rarely, that VLM be included in the differential diagnosis as a cause of intraperitoneal tumors.