1.A retrospective study of postoperative adjuvant therapy following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical procedures for initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Zikun RAN ; Haowen TANG ; Yinbiao CAO ; Wenwen ZHANG ; Zhe LIU ; Tao WAN ; Xuerui LI ; Junfeng LI ; Tianyu JIAO ; Shichun LU
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(6):543-548
Objective:To report the clinical efficacy of adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical procedures in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. Data from 100 patients who underwent adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical procedures with long-term survival were collected from December 2018 to December 2022 at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 cases were included, among which patients who met the discontinuation criteria and maintained a drug-free tumor-free status. Thirty-nine male and eight female patients were included, with an age of (54.2±18.8)years(range:38 to 73 years) at initial diagnosis. At the time of initial diagnosis, 43 cases (91.5%) were classified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C. Survival curves were made using Kaplan Meier method.Results:Forty-seven patients underwent R0 resection, all achieved a drug-free tumor-free state through postoperative adjuvant therapy based on pathological examination results. Thirty-six patients(76.6%) maintained a drug-free tumor-free survival status for more than 6 months,28 patients(59.6%) for more than 12 months,and 8 patients(17.0%) for more than 24 months. The longest drug-free tumor-free survival in this cohort reached 48 months. The median follow-up time in this study was 32 months. After diagnosis, the overall survival rates at 1- and 3- years were 97.7%(95% CI:93.4% to 100%) and 90.7%(95% CI:82.5% to 99.8%). The postoperative recurrence-free survival rates at 1- and 3- years were 91.0%(95% CI:83.0% to 99.8%) and 71.3%(95% CI:58.7% to 86.5%). Conclusions:The adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical approach provides long-term survival benefits for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Standardized adjuvant therapy maybe sustain long-term tumor-free status,and achieve drug-free tumor-free survival.
2.Analysis of 15 misdiagnosed cases of thyroglossal duct cyst
Junjun ZHANG ; Qianqian ZHAO ; Leping LIANG ; Daqing ZHAO ; Xuerui DING
Chongqing Medicine 2024;53(10):1504-1507
Objective To analyze the pathological types and causes of misdiagnosis of thyroglossal duct cyst(TGDC).Methods The clinical data of 173 patients diagnosed with TGDC before operation in Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 2013 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Combined with postoperative pathology,a total of 15 patients were found to be misdiagnosed before operation,and the causes of misdiagnosis were summarized.Results The pathological types of 14 misdiagnosed cases in-cluded seven cases of dermoid cyst,three cases of thyroglossal duct papillary carcinoma,one case of accessory thyroid gland,one case of nodular goiter with intracapsular hemorrhage,one case of cervical lymphadenitis and one case of inflammatory nodule.All the 14 patients underwent standard Sistrunk surgery,and regular follow-up after surgery showed no hypothyroidism,recurrence or metastasis.Preoperative static thyroid imaging proved that the neck mass was vago thyroid in one patient,and surgery was not performed to avoid hypothy-roidism or parathyroidism caused by surgery.Conclusion Misdiagnosis of TGDC as other diseases is rare,cli-nicians should raise awareness to avoid the adverse consequences caused by blind operation.
3.A retrospective study of postoperative adjuvant therapy following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical procedures for initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Zikun RAN ; Haowen TANG ; Yinbiao CAO ; Wenwen ZHANG ; Zhe LIU ; Tao WAN ; Xuerui LI ; Junfeng LI ; Tianyu JIAO ; Shichun LU
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(6):543-548
Objective:To report the clinical efficacy of adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical procedures in patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. Data from 100 patients who underwent adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical procedures with long-term survival were collected from December 2018 to December 2022 at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, First Medical Center, Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 47 cases were included, among which patients who met the discontinuation criteria and maintained a drug-free tumor-free status. Thirty-nine male and eight female patients were included, with an age of (54.2±18.8)years(range:38 to 73 years) at initial diagnosis. At the time of initial diagnosis, 43 cases (91.5%) were classified as Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C. Survival curves were made using Kaplan Meier method.Results:Forty-seven patients underwent R0 resection, all achieved a drug-free tumor-free state through postoperative adjuvant therapy based on pathological examination results. Thirty-six patients(76.6%) maintained a drug-free tumor-free survival status for more than 6 months,28 patients(59.6%) for more than 12 months,and 8 patients(17.0%) for more than 24 months. The longest drug-free tumor-free survival in this cohort reached 48 months. The median follow-up time in this study was 32 months. After diagnosis, the overall survival rates at 1- and 3- years were 97.7%(95% CI:93.4% to 100%) and 90.7%(95% CI:82.5% to 99.8%). The postoperative recurrence-free survival rates at 1- and 3- years were 91.0%(95% CI:83.0% to 99.8%) and 71.3%(95% CI:58.7% to 86.5%). Conclusions:The adjuvant therapy based on pathological results following immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential curative surgical approach provides long-term survival benefits for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Standardized adjuvant therapy maybe sustain long-term tumor-free status,and achieve drug-free tumor-free survival.
4.Progress on internal exposure to typical environmental persistent organic pollutants and cancer
Xuerui MA ; Wanjing TONG ; Yijia ZHANG ; Wenjuan ZHANG ; Yong LIANG ; Maoyong SONG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(4):442-450
Environmental pollution is closely linked to the occurrence and development of cancer. Chemical carcinogens are the most important environmental factors causing cancer in humans. Among them, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are characterized by their widespread distribution, persistence, and bioaccumulation. Research on the carcinogenic effects of POPs has received considerable attention in recent years. This article reviewed the internal exposure, association with cancer risk, and potential carcinogenic mechanisms of five typical classes of POPs in the environment, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs). These five types of POPs have distinct carcinogenic mechanisms, including interfering with cell proliferation cycle, altering epigenetic inheritance, promoting oxidative stress, altering energy metabolism, and affecting immune function. The development of cancer is the result of interaction between intrinsic genetic factors and external environmental factors. In addition to focusing on how environmental POPs affect the genetic material of organisms, it is also important to consider their effects on the tumor microenvironment, including tumor immunity and angiogenesis. Understanding these effects is crucial for guiding future efforts in pollution control and precision medicine in cancer treatment.
5.Effective Ingredients of Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Osteoarthritis by Regulating Oxidative Stress: A Review
Shuang ZHANG ; Yingyan BI ; Xiaoting LIU ; Yusuo GONG ; Xuerui LIU ; Baohua YUAN ; Chenglong LU ; Xufan CHEN ; Ying WANG ; Jiaru GUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):282-289
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease with a rising incidence rate year by year. Treatment often relies on analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can lead to gastrointestinal damage with long-term use and the recurrence of symptoms. Chinese medicine has a long history of preventing and treating OA, with widespread application and fewer side effects. It offers unique advantages such as a broad treatment scope, multiple targets, and pathways. The effective components of Chinese medicine can reduce the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), relieve oxidative stress (OS) damage, and increase the antioxidant capacity of the body by interfering with the expression of biomarkers of OS response such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Through the modulation of signaling pathways such as nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), and osteoprotegerin (OPG), they downregulated the expression of inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), thereby effectively relieving local joint inflammation, protecting chondrocytes and bone tissue, inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis, and further alleviating the progression of OA. Currently, there are still certain limitations in the medical research status and development trends of OA, necessitating the continued advancement of traditional Chinese medicine. This paper reviewed the literature on the regulation of OS response by effective components of Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of OA, providing new directions and ideas for future research.
6.Long-term efficacy of sequential surgery after immune combined with targeted therapy for initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Xuerui LI ; Junfeng LI ; Wenwen ZHANG ; Zhijun WANG ; Bingyang HU ; Haowen TANG ; Bing LIU ; Tao WAN ; Zhe LIU ; Zhanbo WANG ; Shichun LU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2024;30(1):9-14
Objective:To assess the long-term outcome of sequential radical surgery after immune combined with targeted therapy for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 100 patients with initially unresectable HCC undergoing sequential radical surgery after immune combined with targeted therapy at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2018 to August 2023 were prospectively collected, including 87 males and 13 females, with a median age of 55 (24-73) years. The pre-treatment tumor staging was determined using the China liver cancer staging (CNLC). The efficacy of immune combined with targeted therapy was accessed using the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor (mRECIST). The cycles of immune combined with targeted therapy were analyzed. The tumor residual of resected tissue was analyzed through a standard pathological protocol. The prognosis was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Upon initial diagnosis, there were 46 cases (46.0%) staged CNLC-Ⅲa and 40 (40.0%) staged CNLC-Ⅲb. There were also 14 cases (14.0%) staged CNLC-Ⅰb, Ⅱa, and Ⅱb who underwent immune combined with targeted therapy due to rupture of tumor or insufficient liver remnant. All patients received a median of 5 (3-28) cycles of immune combined with targeted therapy and underwent radical surgery after successful conversion. According to mRECIST, 14 (14.0%) were determined as complete remission, 63 (63.0%) as partial remission, 18 (18.0%) as stable disease, and 5 (5.0%) as disease progression. Of 24 (24.0%) were defined as pathologically complete remission by postoperative pathology. Furthermore, pathological tumor residue was less than 10% in 61 (61.0%) cases and less than 50% in 82 (82.0%) cases. The 1, 3, and 5 year-overall survival rates of patients were 98.0%, 83.1%, and 74.5%, respectively. The 1, 2 and 3 year-recurrence-free survival rates were 67.5%, 54.8%, and 49.6%, respectively.Conclusion:Sequential radical surgery after immune combined with targeted therapy benefits the long-term survival of patients with initially unresectable HCC.
7.Compound Danshen Dripping Pill inhibits hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure in ApoE and LDLR dual deficient mice via multiple mechanisms.
Yanfang YANG ; Ke FENG ; Liying YUAN ; Yuxin LIU ; Mengying ZHANG ; Kaimin GUO ; Zequn YIN ; Wenjia WANG ; Shuiping ZHOU ; He SUN ; Kaijing YAN ; Xijun YAN ; Xuerui WANG ; Yajun DUAN ; Yunhui HU ; Jihong HAN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(3):1036-1052
Heart failure is the leading cause of death worldwide. Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) or CDDP combined with simvastatin has been widely used to treat patients with myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases in China. However, the effect of CDDP on hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure is unknown. We constructed a new model of heart failure induced by hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and LDL receptor (LDLR) dual deficient (ApoE-/-LDLR-/-) mice and investigated the effect of CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin on the heart failure. CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited heart injury by multiple actions including anti-myocardial dysfunction and anti-fibrosis. Mechanistically, both Wnt and lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) pathways were significantly activated in mice with heart injury. Conversely, CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited Wnt pathway by markedly up-regulating expression of Wnt inhibitors. While the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress by CDDP were achieved by inhibiting KDM4A expression and activity. In addition, CDDP attenuated simvastatin-induced myolysis in skeletal muscle. Taken together, our study suggests that CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin can be an effective therapy to reduce hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure.
8.Pharmacodynamic substances and mechanism of Chelidonii Herba-Corydalis Rhizoma against estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
Xiang ZOU ; Qi SHU ; Shuang WU ; Jiahui YU ; Xuerui ZHANG ; Yuheng SUN ; Zhongyuan QU
China Pharmacy 2023;34(8):935-940
OBJECTIVE To analyze the main components of Chelidonii Herba-Corydalis Rhizoma (CHCR), and to predict pharmacodynamic substances against estrogen receptor (ER) -positive breast cancer and their potential targets and signaling pathways, followed by verifying experiments. METHODS The ethanol extract of CHCR was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The network pharmacology analysis was performed for the screened components. The network diagram of CHCR “active components-target-pathway” was constructed, and the enrichment pathway in vitro was validated. RESULTS A total of 58 chemical components were identified, including 57 alkaloids and 1 organic acid. A total of 38 active ingredients were screened from the network pharmacology, and 38 core targets were found in the protein-protein interaction network of “component-disease” intersection targets; 258 gene ontology entries and 137 Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomics pathways were obtained, mainly including estrogen signal pathway, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signal pathway, etc. The results of validation test showed that the median inhibitory concentration of CHCR to MCF-7 cells was 693 μg/mL; 150, 300, 600 μg/mL CHCR could significantly reduce the expressions of phosphorylated PI3K, phosphorylated Akt, ERα protein and ESR1 mRNA (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The anti-ER-positive breast cancer effect of CHCR may be related to the regulation of ER and PI3K/Akt pathways, which has the characteristics of multi-component and multi-target effects.
9.Clinical efficacy of sequential surgery after immune and targeted therapy in downstaging initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Xuerui LI ; Wenwen ZHANG ; Bingyang HU ; Tao WAN ; Zhe LIU ; Haowen TANG ; Junfeng LI ; Yinbiao CAO ; Ze ZHANG ; Zhanbo WANG ; Shichun LU
Chinese Journal of Hepatobiliary Surgery 2023;29(1):15-21
Objective:To assess the clinical efficacy of sequential radical surgery after immune and targeted therapy in downstaging patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:Data were prospectively collected from December 2018 to July 2022 on patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma which were downstaged to undergo sequential surgery after treatment with immune and targeted therapy at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital. There were 79 patients, with 69 men and 10 women, aged (53.0±10.9) years, being enrolled into this study. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate, and the log-rank test was used for survival rate comparison. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze factors influencing patient prognosis.Results:There were 7 patients (8.9%) with China Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC) Ⅰb, Ⅱa, Ⅱb who had insufficient residual liver volume or tumor rupture before the downstaging therapy, and 38 patients (48.1%) with CNLC Ⅲa and 34 patients (43.0%) with CNLC Ⅲb. These 79 patients underwent R 0 resection after 3-20 cycles (median 5 cycles) of immune and targeted therapy. Based on the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor, the results of preoperative imaging assessment were: complete remission in 12 patients (15.2%), partial remission in 50 patients (63.3%), stable disease in 15 patients (19.0%), and disease progression in 2 patients (2.5%). The overall survival rates of patients at 1, 2, and 3 years after diagnosis were 96.1%, 83.5%, and 76.6%; and the recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery were 62.1%, 52.9%, and 34.7%, respectively. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, patients with a preoperative alpha-fetoprotein >20 μg/L ( HR=2.816, 95% CI: 1.232-6.432, P=0.014) and a high proportion of pathological residual tumors ( HR=1.015, 95% CI: 1.004-1.026, P=0.006) had a higher risk of postoperative recurrence; and patients with a high proportion of pathological residual tumors ( HR=1.028, 95% CI: 1.007-1.049, P=0.007) and preoperative alpha-fetoprotein >400 μg/L ( HR=4.099, 95% CI: 1.193-14.076, P=0.025) had a higher risk of death. Conclusion:Immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential surgery for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma provided long-term survival benefits. Elevated preoperative alpha-fetoprotein and a high proportion of pathological residual tumor were independent risk factors for recurrence-free survival and overall survival in this group of patients.
10.Effect of Qingkailing injection on platelets function preserved in vitro
Jie LI ; Xuerui ZHANG ; Wenbin FENG ; Yan HUANG ; Jun WANG ; Yunlong WANG ; Xiaoxia TAN ; Jiongcai LAN
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2022;35(4):387-391
【Objective】 To investigate the effect of Qingkailing injection on platelet function preserved in vitro. 【Methods】 A total of 15 bags of plateletpheresis (≥250 mL/bag), adding Qingkailing injection(1.25 mL/bag) at the final concentration of 1%, were stored at 22 ℃ with gentle agitation as the experimental group, and samples were collected on day 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 14 to detect the thromboelastogram (TEG), CD62p expression rate and mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1). The control group was set up synchronously, with the same volume and storage conditions as the experimental groups, and samples were taken on day 1, 3 and 5 after preservation to undertake the same test items as the experimental groups. The differences of detection indexes between the two groups were compared. 【Results】 1) In the experimental group, there was no significant change in K and α during day 1 to 14(P>0.05). The R value (min) increased from 6.12±1.58 to 11.02±2.26, and the CI value changed from 0.27±1.24 to -10.47±3.51 (P<0.05). The MA value (mm) had no significant change within 5 days (P>0.05), but decreased to 53.18±2.71 on day 8 and 22.88±3.45 on day 14 (P<0.05). In the control group during day 1 to 5, K(min) and α showed no significant change, while R(min) was significantly prolonged, MA (mm) decreased and CI increased significantly (P<0.05). 2) The expression rate of CD62p (%) was 70.50±9.12 in the experimental group on day 5 (vs 83.16±5.33 in the control groups, P<0.05) and 82.77±7.17 on day 14 (P<0.05). 3) There was no significant change in JC-1 (%) during regular preservation period between the experimental group and control group (P>0.05), but JC-1 (%) was 86.75±3.88 vs 70.36±19.8 on day 5 (P<0.05). In the experimental group, JC-1(%) was 81.04±9.50 vs 71.38±8.77 vs 82.77±7.17 on day 8, 10 and 14, respectively. 【Conclusion】 The activation and aggregation as well as anti-apoptosis function of plateletpheresis, adding Qingkailing injection at the final concentration of 1%, are similar to those of routine preservation.

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