1.Cell components of tumor microenvironment in lung adenocarcinoma: Promising targets for small-molecule compounds.
Mingyu HAN ; Feng WAN ; Bin XIAO ; Junrong DU ; Cheng PENG ; Fu PENG
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(8):905-915
Lung cancer is one of the most lethal tumors in the world with a 5-year overall survival rate of less than 20%, mainly including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Tumor microenvironment (TME) has become a new research focus in the treatment of lung cancer. The TME is heterogeneous in composition and consists of cellular components, growth factors, proteases, and extracellular matrix. The various cellular components exert a different role in apoptosis, metastasis, or proliferation of lung cancer cells through different pathways, thus contributing to the treatment of adenocarcinoma and potentially facilitating novel therapeutic methods. This review summarizes the research progress on different cellular components with cell-cell interactions in the TME of LUAD, along with their corresponding drug candidates, suggesting that targeting cellular components in the TME of LUAD holds great promise for future theraputic development.
Humans
;
Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects*
;
Adenocarcinoma of Lung/drug therapy*
;
Lung Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Adenocarcinoma/metabolism*
;
Animals
;
Apoptosis/physiology*
3.Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating "inflammation-cancer" transformation in gastric mucosa based on NLRP3 inflammasome.
Liu-Hong YANG ; Jia LIU ; Lan LIANG ; Jie LIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2334-2348
Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the digestive tract, which has the characteristics of high morbidity and mortality. However, gastric cancer is not achieved overnight but is gradually developing through the interaction of many factors. Therefore, actively delaying or blocking the "inflammation-cancer" transformation in gastric mucosa is the key to treatment. Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome is a multi-protein signal complex and one of the important innate immune signal receptors. Inflammation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, and continuous inflammation mediation will trigger the transformation from inflammation to cancer. Therefore, the significance of NLRP3 inflammasome to gastric mucosa lies in the transformation between inflammation and cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) has the functions of multi-components, multi-targets, and few adverse reactions. A large number of studies show that TCM and related monomers have significant effects in treating liver, kidney, and immune diseases through mediating NLRP3 inflammasome, but there is less research on the "inflammation-cancer" transformation in gastric mucosa. By combing the NLRP3-related nuclear factor-κB transcription factor(NF-κB), hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), and other signal pathways, this paper clarified their mechanisms in the "inflammation-cancer" transformation in gastric mucosa, delayed the process of "inflammation-cancer" transformation in gastric mucosa through four aspects: energy metabolism, pyroptosis, immune response, and vascular endothelial growth factor, and prevented and treated "inflammation-cancer" transformation in gastric mucosa from three aspects: TCM monomer, TCM compound prescription, and other therapies, so as to provide ideas for the subsequent treatment of "inflammation-cancer" transformation in gastric mucosa with TCM.
Humans
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism*
;
Inflammasomes/metabolism*
;
Gastric Mucosa/metabolism*
;
Stomach Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Animals
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Inflammation/drug therapy*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
4.Mechanisms and treatment of inflammation-cancer transformation in colon from perspective of cold and heat in complexity in integrative medicine.
Ning WANG ; Han-Zhou LI ; Tian-Ze PAN ; Wei-Bo WEN ; Ya-Lin LI ; Qian-Qian WAN ; Yu-Tong JIN ; Yu-Hong BIAN ; Huan-Tian CUI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2605-2618
Colorectal cancer(CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, primarily originating from recurrent inflammatory bowel disease(IBD). Therefore, blocking the inflammation-cancer transformation in the colon has become a focus in the early prevention and treatment of CRC. The inflammation-cancer transformation in the colon involves multiple types of cells and complex pathological processes, including inflammatory responses and tumorigenesis. In this complex pathological process, immune cells(including non-specific and specific immune cells) and non-immune cells(such as tumor cells and fibroblasts) interact with each other, collectively promoting the progression of the disease. In traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), inflammation-cancer transformation in the colon belongs to the categories of dysentery and diarrhea, with the main pathogenesis being cold and heat in complexity. This paper first elaborates on the complex molecular mechanisms involved in the inflammation-cancer transformation process in the colon from the perspectives of inflammation, cancer, and their mutual influences. Subsequently, by comparing the pathogenic characteristics and clinical manifestations between inflammation-cancer transformation and the TCM pathogenesis of cold and heat in complexity, this paper explores the intrinsic connections between the two. Furthermore, based on the correlation between inflammation-cancer transformation in the colon and the TCM pathogenesis, this paper delves into the importance of the interaction between inflammation and cancer. Finally, it summarizes and discusses the clinical and basic research progress in the TCM intervention in the inflammation-cancer transformation process, providing a theoretical basis and treatment strategy for the treatment of CRC with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
Humans
;
Colon/pathology*
;
Integrative Medicine
;
Animals
;
Cold Temperature
;
Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/drug effects*
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Medicine, Chinese Traditional
;
Hot Temperature
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Inflammation
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy*
5.Clinical Features and Prognosis of Primary Tonsil Lymphoma.
Dan LUO ; Qi-Miao SHAN ; Hua DING ; Jiao LIU ; Zi-Qing HUANG ; Feng ZHU
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1042-1046
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors of primary tonsil lymphoma (PTL).
METHODS:
The clinical data of 41 patients diagnosed with PTL and treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2015 to December 2022 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Their clinical features and prognostic factors were analyzed.
RESULTS:
All the 41 patients were newly diagnosed with PTL, and the median age of onset was 58(19-85) years. Among them, 19 patients started with pharyngeal pain, 12 patients presented with dysphagia, 8 patients presented with pharyngeal mass, and 2 patients presented with blurred articulation. The most common pathological type was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (24 cases, 58.54%). All patients received chemotherapy, and 3 patients were combined with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Among 41 patients, 11 (26.83%) achieved complete response, 14 (34.15%) achieved partial response, and the total response rate was 60.98% (25/41). The median follow-up time was 37(6-107) months, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 70.81% and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 66.20%. Univariate analysis showed that B symptoms, Ki-67, β2-MG and IPI score had significant effects on PFS and OS of patients (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that IPI score was an independent risk factor for PFS and OS of patients (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The clinical manifestations of PTL lack specificity, and the prognosis is relatively good. Most patients can achieve long-term survival after treatment. IPI score is related to the prognosis.
Tonsillar Neoplasms/pathology*
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Lymphoma/pathology*
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Humans
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Prognosis
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Retrospective Studies
;
Drug Therapy
;
Progression-Free Survival
;
Male
;
Female
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Young Adult
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Adult
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Middle Aged
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Lymphoma, B-Cell/pathology*
;
Survival Rate
6.Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Brain Metastases from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with Actionable Gene Alterations in China (2025 Edition).
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2025;28(1):1-21
Brain metastasis has emerged as a significant challenge in the comprehensive management of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in those harboring driver gene mutations. Traditional treatments such as radiotherapy and surgery offer limited clinical benefits and are often accompanied by cognitive dysfunction and a decline in quality of life. In recent years, novel small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and other pathways have been developed, effectively penetrating the blood-brain barrier while enhancing intracranial drug concentrations and improving patient outcomes. This advancement has transformed the treatment landscape for brain metastases in NSCLC. Consequently, the Lung Cancer Medical Education Committee of the Chinese Medical Education Association and the Brain Metastasis Collaboration Group of the Lung Cancer Youth Expert Committee of the Beijing Medical Reward Foundation have jointly initiated and formulated the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Brain Metastases from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer with Actionable Gene Alterations in China (2025 Edition). This guideline integrates the latest research findings with clinical experience, adhering to multidisciplinary treatment principles, and encompasses aspects such as diagnosis, timing of intervention, and systemic and local treatment options for driver gene positive NSCLC brain metastases. Additionally, it proposes individualized treatment strategies tailored to different driver gene types, aiming to provide clinicians with a reference to enhance the overall diagnostic and therapeutic standards for NSCLC brain metastases in China.
.
Humans
;
Brain Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology*
;
China
;
Lung Neoplasms/genetics*
7.Successful in situ 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy in a 53-year-old female with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Limin LUO ; Xiaoling JIANG ; Jianjun QIAO ; Hong FANG ; Jun LI
Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B 2025;26(9):915-922
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), as certain forms of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or keratinocyte carcinoma, are the most common forms of malignant neoplasms worldwide (Sharp et al., 2024). BCC and cSCC have been identified as two major components of NMSC, comprising one-third of all malignancies (Burton et al., 2016). Generally speaking, patients with NMSC tend to have relatively favorable survival outcomes, while different histopathological subtypes of NMSC exhibit distinct biological behaviors (Stătescu et al., 2023). Keratinocyte carcinoma, although not considered as deadly as melanoma, tends to metastasize if left untreated (Civantos et al., 2023; Nanz et al., 2024). cSCC can evolve locally, then aggressively metastasize, invade, and even lead to fatal consequences in a subset of patients (Winge et al., 2023). A solid, pigmented, smooth plaque or a hyperkeratotic papule with or without central ulceration and hemorrhage appears to be characteristic of cSCC (Thompson et al., 2016; Zhou et al., 2023). Of note, a rare type of intraepidermal cSCC in situ often appears as a velvety, demarcated, slightly raised erythematous plaque on the genitalia of men (Yamaguchi et al., 2016). Accounting for approximately 16.0% of scalp tumors and with a rising incidence, cSCC is now the second most common NMSC in humans (Verdaguer-Faja et al., 2024). According to the latest statistics, up to 2%‒5% of cSCCs in situ may gradually progress into invasive cSCCs in the final step (Rentroia-Pacheco et al., 2023). Several risk factors for the carcinogenesis and development of cSCC have been identified, including age, accumulative exposure to ultraviolet light radiation A and B, human papillomavirus infection, arsenic ingestion, chronic scarring, xeroderma pigmentosa, a relevant history of ionizing radiation, androgenetic alopecia in males, and immunosuppression therapy (Martinez and Otley, 2001; Welsch et al., 2012; Mortaja and Demehri, 2023).
Humans
;
Aminolevulinic Acid/therapeutic use*
;
Skin Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Photochemotherapy/methods*
;
Female
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Carcinoma, Basal Cell/drug therapy*
8.Endobronchial Metastasis From Rectal Cancer Treated by High-Frequency Electrocautery Ablation via Bronchoscope and Targeted Drugs:Report of One Case.
Jian-Hua YUAN ; Zong-Zhou XIE ; Y U WEI-LING ; Rong-Hua CUI ; L I JIAN-WANG
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(1):142-145
The lungs are the most common sites of metastases from non-pulmonarymalignancies. Endobronchial metastases are rare and have no specificity in clinical manifestations,thus being prone to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.The common tumors associated with endobronchial metastasis are renal,breast,and colorectal cancers.This article reported one case of postoperative rectal cancer with endobronchial and lung metastases,which was relieved by high-frequency electrocautery ablation via bronchoscope,chemotherapy,and targeted drugs,aiming to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Humans
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Rectal Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Electrocoagulation/methods*
;
Bronchial Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Bronchoscopy
;
Lung Neoplasms/secondary*
;
Bronchoscopes
9.Research progress on the effect of tumor-associated macrophages on breast cancer and its targeted therapy.
Juan ZHAO ; Junjun CHEN ; Yangyun ZHOU ; Lingyan XU ; Xiaohe WANG ; Yonglong HAN
Chinese Journal of Cellular and Molecular Immunology 2024;40(11):1035-1043
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), a crucial component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), are closely associated to the growth, invasion, metastasis, and prognosis of breast cancer. Targeting TAMs is considered to be a potential new strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of breast cancer. TAMs interact with breast cancer cells and influence the development and progression of various breast cancer subtypes through multiple pathways, including the secretion of proteins, cytokines, chemokines, and exosomes. Anti-breast cancer drugs targeting TAMs and emerging therapies are continually being discovered. This article explores the effects and mechanisms of TAMs in different breast cancer subtypes, examines the anti-breast cancer effects of herbal extracts and their active ingredients targeting TAMs, and introduces new technologies such as nano-agents, gene therapy, and immunocellular therapy that target TAMs. These therapeutic strategies targeting TAMs may be critical in improving the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of breast cancer patients.
Humans
;
Breast Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Female
;
Tumor-Associated Macrophages/drug effects*
;
Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Molecular Targeted Therapy/methods*
10.Expert consensus on PD-L1 expression testing in esophageal carcinoma in China.
Li Yan XUE ; Yin LI ; Jing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2023;45(4):291-297
In recent years, immunotherapy represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors programmed death 1 (PD-1) has made great progress in the treatment of esophageal cancer and is rewriting the global paradigm for the treatment of esophageal cancer. According to current data, only a small number of patients with esophageal cancer could benefit from immunotherapy. Therefore, it is a challenge to screen the potential beneficiaries of PD-1 inhibitors. Studies have shown that the expression level of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in esophageal cancer is closely associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors, and PD-L1 is the most important predictive biomarker of the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors. With the clinical application of different PD-1 inhibitors and PD-L1 protein expression detection platforms, clarifying the clinical significance and timing of detection of PD-L1 protein expression in esophageal cancer, and establishing a standardized PD-L1 testing procedure, are of great significance to improve the accuracy of detection and reduce the difference between laboratories, so as to maximize the therapeutic benefits for patients. This consensus was finally reached, based on the combination of literature, expert experience, and internal discussion and voting of committee members, to provide an accurate and reliable evidence for clinicians to make decisions.
Humans
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B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism*
;
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use*
;
Consensus
;
Esophageal Neoplasms/drug therapy*
;
Immunotherapy/methods*
;
Lung Neoplasms/pathology*

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