1.Cell Autophagy of Digestive System Tumors Induced by Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Wenjun LI ; Chengzhi WANG ; Zhenyao YANG ; Mingyang HE ; Gelei ZHAO ; Dongdong LI ; Peimin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):314-320
As one of the most common malignant tumors, digestive system tumors exhibit an increase in the incidence and mortality year by year. Its pathogenesis is complex, making it difficult to carry out early prevention. Autophagy is a process in which cells use lysosomes to degrade their organelles and macromolecules to maintain cellular homeostasis under the regulation of autophagy-related genes. Cellular autophagy has a dual regulatory effect on the tumor microenvironment, which always affects the occurrence and development of digestive system tumors. Therefore, the effect and mechanism of action of cellular autophagy on digestive system tumors have become a hot topic in tumor therapy in recent years. Meanwhile, the remarkable research results of targeted autophagy drugs indicate that cellular autophagy may become an important target for anti-digestive system tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the comprehensive treatment of digestive system tumors with good efficacy. A variety of active ingredients in TCM, such as flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, quinones, and alkaloids, can increase the expression of autophagy-associated proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ/Ⅰ, autophagy-related gene (ATG)5, ATG7, inhibit the expression of autophagy-related protein p62 , and induce autophagy in digestive system tumor cells, thereby exerting the anti-digestive system tumor effect. By summarizing the research results in recent years on the modulation of cell autophagy by active ingredients in TCM to fight against digestive system tumors, this paper analyzed the relevant signaling pathways, regulatory factors, and functional characteristics of cell autophagy modulation, so as to elucidate the mechanism by which active ingredients of TCM induce autophagy and to provide ideas and references for clinical application.
2.Cell Autophagy of Digestive System Tumors Induced by Active Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Wenjun LI ; Chengzhi WANG ; Zhenyao YANG ; Mingyang HE ; Gelei ZHAO ; Dongdong LI ; Peimin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(3):314-320
As one of the most common malignant tumors, digestive system tumors exhibit an increase in the incidence and mortality year by year. Its pathogenesis is complex, making it difficult to carry out early prevention. Autophagy is a process in which cells use lysosomes to degrade their organelles and macromolecules to maintain cellular homeostasis under the regulation of autophagy-related genes. Cellular autophagy has a dual regulatory effect on the tumor microenvironment, which always affects the occurrence and development of digestive system tumors. Therefore, the effect and mechanism of action of cellular autophagy on digestive system tumors have become a hot topic in tumor therapy in recent years. Meanwhile, the remarkable research results of targeted autophagy drugs indicate that cellular autophagy may become an important target for anti-digestive system tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the comprehensive treatment of digestive system tumors with good efficacy. A variety of active ingredients in TCM, such as flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, quinones, and alkaloids, can increase the expression of autophagy-associated proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)Ⅱ/Ⅰ, autophagy-related gene (ATG)5, ATG7, inhibit the expression of autophagy-related protein p62 , and induce autophagy in digestive system tumor cells, thereby exerting the anti-digestive system tumor effect. By summarizing the research results in recent years on the modulation of cell autophagy by active ingredients in TCM to fight against digestive system tumors, this paper analyzed the relevant signaling pathways, regulatory factors, and functional characteristics of cell autophagy modulation, so as to elucidate the mechanism by which active ingredients of TCM induce autophagy and to provide ideas and references for clinical application.
3.Study on Graded Quantitative Diagnosis of Lung Qi Deficiency Syndrome in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Based on Latent Class Analysis Combined with Hidden Structure Model
Weike LI ; Mingyang YI ; Yuanyuan NI ; Lizhen YAN ; Jianxin GUAN ; Shihao WANG ; Huijie WANG ; Zhiwan WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(7):710-716
ObjectiveTo clarify the graded quantitative diagnostic characteristics of lung qi deficiency syndrome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on latent class analysis combined with a hidden structure model. MethodsClinical data, including the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), were collected from 745 COPD patients with lung qi deficiency syndrome. Latent class modeling was performed using R 4.1.2 software, and each patient was classified into one of three severity categories (mild, moderate, or severe) based on probabilistic parameterization, parameter estimation, and model fitting. A database was established for different severity levels of lung qi deficiency syndrome. Based on this, Lantern 5.0 software was used to construct hidden structure models for mild, moderate, and severe lung qi deficiency syndrome, and syndrome differentiation rules were developed through comprehensive clustering. ResultsA latent class model was constructed using 28 symptoms and signs with a frequency greater than 10%. Considering TCM theory and model simplicity, the optimal model was determined when the number of latent classes was three, categorizing lung qi deficiency syndrome into mild (298 cases), moderate (164 cases), and severe (283 cases). Hidden structure models were separately developed for each severity level, and syndrome differentiation rules were established. A comparison of common symptoms in the syndrome differentiation rules for mild and moderate lung qi deficiency syndrome showed no statistically significant differences in diagnostic values and weights (P>0.05), leading to their combined analysis and the development of a unified syndrome differentiation rule. Value and weight of quantitative diagnosis of mild-to-moderate lung qi deficiency syndrome were as followed: shortness of breath (diagnostic value 9.3, diagnostic weight 86.92%), dyspnea on exertion (8.2, 76.64%), low voice and reluctance to speak (6.7, 62.62%), poor appetite (4.0, 37.38%), loose stools (4.0, 37.38%), weak cough sound (2.9, 27.10%), wheezing (2.3, 21.50%), fatigue (1.8, 16.82%), spontaneous sweating (1.7, 15.89%), susceptibility to colds (1.6, 14.95%), swollen tongue (1.4, 13.08%), teeth marks on the tongue edge (1.2, 11.21%), deep pulse (1.6, 14.95%), with a diagnostic threshold of 10.3. Value and weight of quantitative diagnosis of severe lung qi deficiency syndrome were as followed: weak cough sound (15.1, 61.13%), soreness and weakness of the waist and knees (12.6, 51.01%), shortness of breath (11.1, 44.94%), low voice and reluctance to speak (8.3, 33.60%), frequent nocturia (6.1, 24.70%), spontaneous sweating (3.7, 14.98%), susceptibility to colds (3.5, 14.17%), teeth marks on the tongue edge (7.8, 31.58%), pale tongue body (1.9, 7.69%), white tongue coating (5.5, 22.27%), thin pulse (1.5, 6.07%), with a diagnostic threshold of 23.7. ConclusionThe combination of latent class analysis and a hideen structure model effectively clarified the graded quantitative diagnostic characteristics of lung qi deficiency syndrome, providing a reference for the quantitative diagnosis of other fundamental syndromes in TCM.
4.Analysis of the clinical effect of tirofiban in the treatment of early neurological deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke
Xiaohui LI ; Xiaomin LI ; Mingyang WEI ; Huimin GUO ; Chen WANG ; Jianbin ZHANG ; Zhiqiang ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(10):1221-1225
OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of tirofiban for early neurological deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS A total of 126 patients with early neurological deterioration of acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the Department of Neurology, Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected and divided into observation group and control group according to random number table method, with 63 cases in each group. All patients received standardized treatment such as lipid-lowering and blood pressure-lowering therapy. Based on the standard treatment, patients in the control group additionally took Aspirin enteric-coated tablets 100 mg+Clopidogrel bisulfate tablets 75 mg orally (once a day, for 14 consecutive days). The patients in the observation group received Tirofiban hydrochloride and sodium chloride injection based on the standardized treatment [first intravenous infusion of 0.40 μg/(kg·min) for 30 min, and then continuous intravenous infusion of 0.10 μg/(kg·min) for 47.5 h]; subsequently, patients were given Aspirin enteric-coated tablets (100 mg) and Clopidogrel bisulfate tablets (75 mg) once a day for 14 consecutive days. The clinical efficacy, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, and hemorheological indexes before and after treatment were compared between the two groups, and the adverse reactions were recorded. RESULTS The total effective rate (87.30%) of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (71.43%) (P<0.05). NIHSS scores of the two groups at 1st, 7th and 14th day after treatment, the mRS score at 90th day after treatment, and the platelet aggregation rate, whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity and fibrinogen at 14th day after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment in the same group, and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group at the same period (P<0.05). The total incidences of adverse reactions such as nausea, headache, fever, gastrointestinal bleeding, oral and nasal mucosal bleeding and thrombocytopenia in both groups of patients were 28.57% respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS For patients with early neurological deterioration in acute ischemic stroke, the addition of tirofiban can accelerate the recovery of neurological function, improve blood hyperviscosity and platelet aggregation, and improve the prognosis of patients with good safety.
5.Regulation of Gastrointestinal Tumor Stem Cells by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Chenglei ZHENG ; Chengzhi WANG ; Zhenyao YANG ; Mingyang HE ; Wenjun LI ; Dongdong LI ; Peimin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(24):280-287
Gastrointestinal tumors (GTs), including colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer, are increasing in incidence worldwide and have become one of the major diseases threatening human health. Tumor stem cells (TSCs), an undifferentiated subpopulation within tumor tissues, possess biological characteristics such as self-renewal, multidirectional differentiation, high tumorigenicity, and resistance to radiochemotherapy. They play an important role in the occurrence, progression, recurrence, and metastasis of GTs and have increasingly become a research hotspot in GT treatment. Although modern medicine has made remarkable progress, there remain many problems in therapeutic approaches targeting TSCs. In this context, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its favorable safety profile and multi-target mechanisms, has shown potential advantages and value in regulating TSCs. It can reduce TSC drug resistance, enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents, inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, and has shown unique advantages in improving the quality of life and prolonging the survival of GT patients. Studies have found that active components of Chinese medicine, such as terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, glycosides, and quinones, and Chinese medicine compound formulas, including Zuojin pills, Sijunzi decoction, Biejiajian pills, and Xuanfu Daizhe decoction, can inhibit TSCs-related signaling pathways such as the Notch signaling pathway, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, and the Hippo signaling pathway. They also reduce the expression of TSC surface markers, including sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9), octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), prominin-1 (CD133), cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24), and thyroid transmembrane protein 1 (CD90), thereby hindering TSC differentiation, accelerating their metabolic processes, improving the tumor microenvironment, and consequently inhibiting GT growth. This study collects and analyzes recent research on the regulation of TSCs by TCM in the treatment of GT, aiming to provide a new theoretical basis for tumor therapy with TCM, expand its application in the comprehensive treatment of GT, and offer new therapeutic ideas and methods for clinical practice.
6.Intravenous delivery of STING agonists using acid-sensitive polycationic polymer-modified lipid nanoparticles for enhanced tumor immunotherapy.
Ying HE ; Ke ZHENG ; Xifeng QIN ; Siyu WANG ; Xuejing LI ; Huiwen LIU ; Mingyang LIU ; Ruizhe XU ; Shaojun PENG ; Zhiqing PANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(3):1211-1229
Although cancer immunotherapy has made great strides in the clinic, it is still hindered by the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway which can modulate TIME effectively has emerged as a promising therapeutic recently. However, the delivery of most STING agonists, specifically cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs), is performed intratumorally due to their insufficient pharmacological properties, such as weak permeability across cell membranes and vulnerability to nuclease degradation. To expand the clinical applicability of CDNs, a novel pH-sensitive polycationic polymer-modified lipid nanoparticle (LNP-B) system was developed for intravenous delivery of CDNs. LNP-B significantly extended the circulation of CDNs and enhanced the accumulation of CDNs within the tumor, spleen, and tumor-draining lymph nodes compared with free CDNs thereby triggering the STING pathway of dendritic cells and repolarizing pro-tumor macrophages. These events subsequently gave rise to potent anti-tumor immune reactions and substantial inhibition of tumors in CT26 colon cancer-bearing mouse models. In addition, due to the acid-sensitive property of the polycationic polymer, the delivery system of LNP-B was more biocompatible and safer compared with lipid nanoparticles formulated with an indissociable cationic DOTAP (LNP-D). These findings suggest that LNP-B has great potential in the intravenous delivery of CDNs for tumor immunotherapy.
7.OGT-Mediated O-GlcNAcylation of ATF2 Protects Against Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy by Inhibiting Microglial Pyroptosis.
Huan YAO ; Caixia LIANG ; Xueting WANG ; Chengwei DUAN ; Xiao SONG ; Yanxing SHANG ; Mingyang ZHANG ; Yiyun PENG ; Dongmei ZHANG
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(10):1761-1778
Microglial pyroptosis and neuroinflammation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation is involved in neurodevelopment and injury. However, its regulatory function in microglial pyroptosis and involvement in SAE remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that OGT deficiency augmented microglial pyroptosis and exacerbated secondary neuronal injury. Furthermore, OGT inhibition impaired cognitive function in healthy mice and accelerated the progression in SAE mice. Mechanistically, OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation of ATF2 at Ser44 inhibited its phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, thereby amplifying NLRP3 inflammasome activation and promoting inflammatory cytokine production in microglia in response to LPS/Nigericin stimulation. In conclusion, this study uncovers the critical role of OGT-mediated O-GlcNAcylation in modulating microglial activity through the regulation of ATF2 and thus protects against SAE progression.
Animals
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Microglia/metabolism*
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Pyroptosis/physiology*
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Mice
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Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy/prevention & control*
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Activating Transcription Factor 2/metabolism*
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N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases/genetics*
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Male
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Mice, Knockout
8.Effect of polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide on acute kidney injury in mice induced by cisplatin and its ferroptosis mechanism
Fangyang JIANG ; Jing XIAO ; He CHANG ; Mingyang SUN ; Wenjing ZHANG ; Guangfu LYU ; He LIN ; Zhe LIN ; Xiaowei HUANG ; Yuchen WANG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(5):1235-1242
Objective:To discuss the protective effect of polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide(POP)on the mice with cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury(AKI),and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,POP group,and ferroptosis inducer Erastin combined with POP(Erastin+POP)group,and there were 10 mice in each group.The mice in POP group and Erastin+POP group were given intragastric administration of POP(400 mg·kg-1),and on the 7th day,the mice in model group,POP group,and Erastin+POP group were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin(20 mg·kg-1)to establish the AKI models,the mice in control group were injected with the same volume of normal saline,and the mice in Erastin+POP group were intraperitoneally injected with Erastin(40 mg·kg-1)one day in advance(on the 6th day of the experiment).After 9 d,the mice were killed and the serum and kidney tissue were collected,and the levels of serum creatinine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by kit;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of kidney tissue of the mice in various groups;the expression levels of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1(FSP1),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by immunohistochemistry;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups.Results:Compared with control group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in model group were significantly increased(P<0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was significantly increased(P<0.01),and the level of GSH was significantly decreased(P<0.01);most kidney tubules were dilated,the epithelial cells were swollen,the vacuolar degeneration and epithelial cells fell off,and the protein-like tubules could be seen in the lumen;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue were decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with model group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in POP group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the level of GSH was significantly increased(P<0.01);the dilatation of kidney tubular lumen,epithelial cell swelling,vacuolar degeneration,and epithelial cell exfoliation were decreased;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in POP group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with POP group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in Erastin+POP group were significantly increased(P<0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was increased(P<0.05),and the level of GSH was significantly decreased(P<0.01);the pathological injury of kidney tissue was aggravated obviously;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:POP can reduce the AKI in the mice induced by cisplatin,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibitory effect of POP on the ferroptosis induced by cisplatin.
9.Assessment of baseline CCL19+dendritic cell infiltration for predicting responses to immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma patients
Mingyang ZHU ; Bokang WANG ; Xiusen ZHANG ; Kexu ZHOU ; Zeyu MIAO ; Jiangtao SUN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(8):1529-1536
Objective To explore the correlation of baseline CCL19+dendritic cell(CCL19+DC)infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment with immunotherapy efficacy and CD8+T cell infiltration.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with lung adenocarcinoma hospitalized at First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology from January,2020 to December,2023,and collected tissue samples from 96 patients undergoing immunotherapy for assessing CCL19+DC and CD8+T cell infiltration using immunofluorescence assay.We evaluated the predictive value of baseline CCL19+DCs for patient responses to immunotherapy using receiver-operating characteristics(ROC)curves and analyzed the correlations of baseline CCL19+DC expression with immunotherapy efficacy and CD8+T cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte(CTL)infiltrations.In co-culture systems of lung adenocarcinoma PC9 cells,CD8+T cells and DCs(overexpressing CCL19 with or without anti PD-1 antibody treatment),the expressions of granzyme B,perforin,IFN-γ,and Ki-67 in T cells were analyzed using flow cytometry.Results The patients with partial or complete remission following immunotherapy had a significantly higher baseline CCL19+DC infiltration level in lung adenocarcinoma tissues than those with poor responses.CCL19+DC infiltration had an area under ROC curve of 0.785,a sensitivity of 75.6%,and a specificity of 62.8%for predicting immunotherapy efficacy.The expression of CD8+T cell surface molecules Granzyme B(P<0.01),Perforin(P<0.01),IFN-γ(P<0.01)and Ki-67(P<0.001)in patients with high expression of CCL19+DC were higher than those in patients with low expression of CCL19+DC.The baseline CCL19+DC infiltration level was positively correlated with immunotherapy efficacy(P=0.003),CTL infiltration of(r=0.6657,P<0.001)and CD8+T cell infiltration(P=0.007).In the co-cultured cells,CCL19 overexpression combined with anti-PD1 treatment of the DCs more strongly enhanced cytotoxicity and proliferation of CD8+T lymphocytes than either of the single treatments(P<0.01 or 0.001).Conclusion The baseline CCL19+DC infiltration level in lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment is positively correlated with immunotherapy efficacy and CTL infiltration and can thus predict the response to immunotherapy.
10.Assessment of baseline CCL19+dendritic cell infiltration for predicting responses to immunotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma patients
Mingyang ZHU ; Bokang WANG ; Xiusen ZHANG ; Kexu ZHOU ; Zeyu MIAO ; Jiangtao SUN
Journal of Southern Medical University 2024;44(8):1529-1536
Objective To explore the correlation of baseline CCL19+dendritic cell(CCL19+DC)infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment with immunotherapy efficacy and CD8+T cell infiltration.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with lung adenocarcinoma hospitalized at First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology from January,2020 to December,2023,and collected tissue samples from 96 patients undergoing immunotherapy for assessing CCL19+DC and CD8+T cell infiltration using immunofluorescence assay.We evaluated the predictive value of baseline CCL19+DCs for patient responses to immunotherapy using receiver-operating characteristics(ROC)curves and analyzed the correlations of baseline CCL19+DC expression with immunotherapy efficacy and CD8+T cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte(CTL)infiltrations.In co-culture systems of lung adenocarcinoma PC9 cells,CD8+T cells and DCs(overexpressing CCL19 with or without anti PD-1 antibody treatment),the expressions of granzyme B,perforin,IFN-γ,and Ki-67 in T cells were analyzed using flow cytometry.Results The patients with partial or complete remission following immunotherapy had a significantly higher baseline CCL19+DC infiltration level in lung adenocarcinoma tissues than those with poor responses.CCL19+DC infiltration had an area under ROC curve of 0.785,a sensitivity of 75.6%,and a specificity of 62.8%for predicting immunotherapy efficacy.The expression of CD8+T cell surface molecules Granzyme B(P<0.01),Perforin(P<0.01),IFN-γ(P<0.01)and Ki-67(P<0.001)in patients with high expression of CCL19+DC were higher than those in patients with low expression of CCL19+DC.The baseline CCL19+DC infiltration level was positively correlated with immunotherapy efficacy(P=0.003),CTL infiltration of(r=0.6657,P<0.001)and CD8+T cell infiltration(P=0.007).In the co-cultured cells,CCL19 overexpression combined with anti-PD1 treatment of the DCs more strongly enhanced cytotoxicity and proliferation of CD8+T lymphocytes than either of the single treatments(P<0.01 or 0.001).Conclusion The baseline CCL19+DC infiltration level in lung adenocarcinoma microenvironment is positively correlated with immunotherapy efficacy and CTL infiltration and can thus predict the response to immunotherapy.

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