OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-utility of benmelstobart combined with anlotinib and chemotherapy as first-line treatment for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer （ES-SCLC） from the perspective of China’s healthcare system. METHODS Based on the data from the ETER 701 study， a partitioned survival model was constructed with a cycle of 3 weeks to simulate the total cost， quality-adjusted life years （QALY）， and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） over 10 years for patients with ES- SCLC treated with benmelstobart plus anlotinib and chemotherapy， or chemotherapy alone. One-way sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis were performed to verify the robustness of the simulation results. The willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold was set at 3 times the per capita gross domestic product （GDP） of China in 2023， which amounted to 268 074 yuan/QALY. RESULTS Compared with chemotherapy alone， benmelstobart combined with anlotinib and chemotherapy gained 0.438 QALY more at the cost of 403 505.55 yuan more， with an ICER of 922 031.37 yuan/QALY， which was higher than the WTP threshold set in this study. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that benmelstobart’s cost and utility value of the progression-free survival state had a greater impact on the ICER value； probabilistic sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the model； only when the price of benmelstobart was reduced by 75.4%， the combined regimen would be cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS The first-line treatment of ES-SCLC with benmelstobart combined with anlotinib and chemotherapy is not cost-effective from the perspective of China’s healthcare system at present.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Objective:To discuss the effect of zanubrutinib(BGB-3111)combined with bortezomib(Btz)on the apoptosis of the human multiple myeloma(MM)cells,and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:The human MM cell lines U266,PS-R,RPMI8226,KMS28-PE,KMS28-BM,and H929 were cultured in vitro.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression level of Bruton's tyrosine kinase(BTK)protein in various cells;cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to detect the survival rates of the RPMI8226,U266,and KMS28-BM cells after treated with 0,10,20,30,40,and 50 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111.The RPMI8226,U266,and KMS28-BM cells at the logarithmic growth phase were selected and divided into control group,BGB-3111 group,Btz group,and BGB-3111+Btz group.Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of myeloid cell leukemia 1(MCL-1),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-interacting mediator of cell death(Bim),phosphorylated Bim(p-Bim),P65,phosphorylated P65(p-P65),tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor(TRAF)2,and tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3(A20)in different kinds of cells.The U266 cells were divided into A20 overexpression group(A20-OE group)and empty vector control group(EV group).Each group was further divided into control group,BGB-3111 group,Btz group,and BGB-3111+Btz group.The corresponding plasmids were transfected;Western blotting method was used to detect the transfection efficiency of the cells in various groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells in various groups after over-expression of A20.Results:The Western blotting results showed that compared with KMS28-BM cells,the expression levels of BTK protein in the U266,RPMI8226,and H929 cells were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The CCK-8 results showed that compared with 0 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 group,the survival rates of the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in 10,20,30,40,and 50 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the survival rates of the KMS28-BM cells in 20,30,40,and 50 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with RPMI8226 and U266 cells,the survival rates of the KMS28-BM cells in 20,30,and 40 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 groups were significantly increased(P<0.05).Therefore,10 μmol·L?1 BGB-3111 was selected for subsequent experiments.The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,the apoptotic rates of the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111 group,Btz group,and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);compared with BGB-3111 group and Btz group,the apoptotic rates of the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with control group,the apoptotic rates of the KMS28-BM cells in Btz group and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with BGB-3111 group,the apoptotic rate of the KMS28-BM cells in BGB-3111+Btz group was significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with EV group,the apoptotic rates of the cells in A20-OE group in Btz group and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of Bim protein in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111 group,Btz group,and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of MCL-1,p-Bim,and Bcl-2 proteins in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in Btz group and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with BGB-3111 group and Btz group,the expression levels of Bim protein in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of MCL-1,p-Bim,and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of p-P65 protein in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in Btz group and BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of TRAF2 and A20 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with BGB-3111 group and Btz group,the expression levels of p-P65 protein in the RPMI8226 and U266 cells in BGB-3111+Btz group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while the expression levels of TRAF2 and A20 proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with EV group,the expression level of A20 protein in A20-OE group cells was significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:BGB-3111 induces apoptosis in the MM cells by inhibiting BTK activity and enhances the pro-apoptotic effect of Btz.Over-expression of A20 increases the sensitivity of the MM cells to the combined treatment.The antitumor effect may be related to the inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the role of heat shock transcription factor 1(HSF1)in hepatitis B virus X protein(HBx)-driven migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)cells,and to preliminarily explore the mechanism of HSF1 mediating HBx-driven HCC progression.Methods:4D label-free quantitative proteomics and Western blot were used to analyze the effect of HBx on HSF1 expression.HBx was overexpressed in the HCC cell lines Huh7 and MHCC97H,and its impact on the mRNA and protein levels and stability of HSF1 was assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot.The Cancer Genome Atlas database was used to analyze the expres-sion of HSF1 in hepatitis B virus(HBV)-associated HCC tissues and its relationship with tumor stage/grade and patient prognosis,and Western blot was used to measure the expression of HSF1 in HBV-associated HCC tissues.HBx was overexpressed in HCC cells,fol-lowed by HSF1 knockdown or cell treatment with the HSF1 inhibitor KRIBB11,and Transwell migration and invasion assay,scratch as-say,and F-actin staining experiment were performed to analyze the role of HSF1 in HBx-driven HCC cell migration and invasion.GEO and HCMDB datasets were used to identify the downstream target of HSF1,and the role of downstream target c-Myb in HSF1-me-diated HBx-driven HCC progression.Results:HBx upregulated HSF1 protein levels without significantly affecting its mRNA expres-sion,through enhancing HSF1 protein stability.HSF1 was highly ex-pressed in HBV-associated HCC tissues,and its elevated expres-sion correlated with tumor stage/grade and poor prognosis.HBx overexpression significantly promoted the migration,invasion,wound-healing capacity,and pseudopodia formation capacity of Huh7 and MHCC97H cells,while HSF1 knockdown or KRIBB11 treatment significantly attenuated the HBx-driven migration and in-vasion of HCC.HSF1 promoted the expression of the metastasis-associated protein c-Myb,and c-Myb overexpression in HSF1-knock-down HCC cells restored the promotive effect of HBx on HCC cell migration and invasion.Conclusion:HBx enhances HSF1 protein stability to promote its expression.Upregulation of c-Myb by HSF1 plays a pivotal role in HBx-driven HCC cell migration and inva-sion.Targeting HSF1 may help to delay the progression of HBV-associated HCC.

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of deucravacitinib in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis from the perspective of the Chinese health system.Methods Based on POETYK PSO-1 study and related cost and utility data,a decision tree combined with Markov model was established.The model period was 10 years,and the output indicators of the model were cost and quality-adjusted life year(QALY).The evaluation index of the model was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER).The willingness-to-pay threshold(WTP)was 3 times of China's per capita GDP in 2023.Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the robustness of the model results.Results The incremental utility and incremental cost were 0.598QALYs and 130 677.51 yuan(RMB),respectively.The ICER of the two strategies was 218 487.11 yuan(RMB)per QALY gained,which was less than 3 times GDP per capita in 2023.Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the model.Conclusion Under the threshold of 3 times the GDP per capita in China,deucravacitinib is cost-effective in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sacituzumab tirumotecan （ST） versus chemotherapy treatment physician’s choice （TPC） as second-line and later-line treatment for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer （mTNBC） from the perspective of China’s healthcare system. METHODS A partitioned survival model was constructed based on the OptiTROP-Breast 01 trial， with a cycle length of 4 weeks and a time horizon of 10 years， applying a 5% discount rate. Quality adjusted life year （QALY） and costs were used as outcome measures， and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER） of ST versus TPC for second-line and later-line treatment of mTNBC was calculated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the robustness of the base-case results. RESULTS At a willingness-to-pay threshold （WTP） of 3 times China’s 2024 per capita gross domestic product （GDP） （287 247 yuan/QALY）， patients receiving ST gained incremental utility （0.42 QALY） at a higher cost， yielding an ICER of 205 562.07 yuan/QALY， which was lower than WTP， indicating that ST was more cost-effective compared to TPC. One-way sensitivity analysis revealed that key factors influencing the ICER included the utility value of progression-free survival and the price of ST. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis showed that the base-case results were robust. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of China’s healthcare system， at a WTP of 3 times China’s per capita GDP， ST is more cost-effective than TPC as second-line and later-line treatment for mTNBC.

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of deucravacitinib in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis from the perspective of the Chinese health system.Methods Based on POETYK PSO-1 study and related cost and utility data,a decision tree combined with Markov model was established.The model period was 10 years,and the output indicators of the model were cost and quality-adjusted life year(QALY).The evaluation index of the model was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER).The willingness-to-pay threshold(WTP)was 3 times of China's per capita GDP in 2023.Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the robustness of the model results.Results The incremental utility and incremental cost were 0.598QALYs and 130 677.51 yuan(RMB),respectively.The ICER of the two strategies was 218 487.11 yuan(RMB)per QALY gained,which was less than 3 times GDP per capita in 2023.Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the model.Conclusion Under the threshold of 3 times the GDP per capita in China,deucravacitinib is cost-effective in the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with aromatase inhibitor(AI)versus AI monotherapy as first-line treatment for hormone receptor-positive(HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative(HER2-)metastatic breast cancer,thereby providing evidence-based support for clinical therapeutic decision-making and healthcare policy formulation.METHODS Based on the MECCA trial,a partitioned survival model was constructed using a 4-week cycle length to simulate outcomes over patients'lifetime.The model outputs included total costs,quality-adjusted life year(QALY),and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio(ICER).Sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the robustness of base-case results,while scenario analyses examined the cost-effectiveness of both treatment strategies under 10-year,20-year,and lifetime time horizons.RESULTS With the willingness-to-pay(WTP)threshold set at 1 times China's 2024 per capita gross domestic product(GDP)(95 749 yuan/QALY),patients receiving capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with AI regimen gained incremental utility(0.66 QALYs)while incurring higher costs,with ICER of 27 684.85 yuan/QALY.Results of the one-way sensitivity analysis showed that factors with significant impacts on ICER included the cost discount rate,drug costs of the capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with AI group,utility value in the progression-free survival state,follow-up costs,and treatment costs in the subsequent stable phase.Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that when the WTP threshold≥49 250 yuan/QALY,the capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with AI regimen had a 100%probability of being cost-effective.Scenario analysis results demonstrated that capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with AI regimen was more cost-effective than the AI alone regimen across 10-year,20-year,and lifetime study horizons.CONCLUSIONS Under the premise that the WTP threshold is set at 1 times China's per capita GDP in 2024,capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy combined with AI regimen is more cost-effective than the AI alone regimen as the first-line treatment for HR+/HER2-metastatic breast cancer.