1.Research progress on strategies for toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement of triptolide
Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Ying DING ; Shanshan XU ; Long WANG ; Shanshan HAN ; Yaping XING ; Meng ZHANG ; Wenhao LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(11):1496-1501
Triptolide (TP), the core active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii , exhibits remarkable pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti-tumor effects, and holds broad application prospects in the treatment of major diseases such as autoimmune diseases and malignant tumors. However, TP has a narrow therapeutic window and causes multi-organ toxicities including liver, kidney and reproductive toxicities, which severely restrict its safe clinical application and new drug development. Therefore, toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement has become a core scientific problem urgently to be solved in this field. This paper systematically reviews the four core strategies for TP toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement, including structural modification, dosage form improvement, herbal compatibility, and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine. Among them, structural modification optimizes the toxic and efficacy characteristics of TP from the molecular structure level, with typica l derivatives including (5 R )-5-hydroxy triptolide, ZT01, PG490-88, etc. Dosage form modification achieves toxicity reduction and efficacy enhancement via targeted and sustained-controlled drug release of diverse delivery systems. It includes triptolide preparations such as nanoparticles, liposomes, microemulsion gels and liquid crystals, possessing favorable clinical transformation potential. The herbal compatibility and external therapies of traditional Chinese medicine conform to the holistic view of traditional Chinese medicine and have a profound clinical application foundation, but their mechanisms of action are insufficiently elucidated, and they lack unified standardized specifications and high-quality evidence-based proof. In the future, we should rely on multi-omics technology to elucidate the toxic and efficacy mechanisms, integrate technologies to optimize preparations, improve the evaluation system and promote clinical transformation.
2.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Approaches for Childhood IgA Vasculitis Nephritis from "Heat,Stasis and Deficiency"
Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Yifan LI ; Ying DING ; Shanshan XU ; Long WANG ; Yaping XING ; Wenchao XING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1673-1676
The core pathogenesis of childhood IgA vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN) lies in the intermingled conditions of heat, stasis and deficiency. Deficiency is the fundamental cause, while heat acts as the predominant manifestation at the initial stage, and stasis serves as the key factor leading to protracted illness. Based on this understanding, the overall therapeutic principle of clearing heat and cooling blood, dissolving stasis and unblocking collaterals, reinforcing healthy qi and consolidating the root is established. A self-formulated Qingre Zhixue Formula (清热止血方) is used as the basic prescription. According to the characteristics of different disease stages, childhood IgAVN is further classified into three main syndrome types, including blood heat with stasis obstruction, deficiency of both qi and yin, and deficiency of both spleen and kidney, with corresponding syndrome-based treatments. Throughout the treatment process, emphasis is placed on dissolving stasis and unblocking collaterals, while protecting the spleen and stomach of children and maintaining healthy qi. This paper provides new perspectives for diagnosis and treatment of childhood IgAVN with traditional Chinese medicine.
3.Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Approaches for Childhood IgA Vasculitis Nephritis from "Heat,Stasis and Deficiency"
Xiaoqing ZHENG ; Yifan LI ; Ying DING ; Shanshan XU ; Long WANG ; Yaping XING ; Wenchao XING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1673-1676
The core pathogenesis of childhood IgA vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN) lies in the intermingled conditions of heat, stasis and deficiency. Deficiency is the fundamental cause, while heat acts as the predominant manifestation at the initial stage, and stasis serves as the key factor leading to protracted illness. Based on this understanding, the overall therapeutic principle of clearing heat and cooling blood, dissolving stasis and unblocking collaterals, reinforcing healthy qi and consolidating the root is established. A self-formulated Qingre Zhixue Formula (清热止血方) is used as the basic prescription. According to the characteristics of different disease stages, childhood IgAVN is further classified into three main syndrome types, including blood heat with stasis obstruction, deficiency of both qi and yin, and deficiency of both spleen and kidney, with corresponding syndrome-based treatments. Throughout the treatment process, emphasis is placed on dissolving stasis and unblocking collaterals, while protecting the spleen and stomach of children and maintaining healthy qi. This paper provides new perspectives for diagnosis and treatment of childhood IgAVN with traditional Chinese medicine.
4.Correlation Study on the Odor Spectrum and Gut Microbiota in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis with Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Yuyu XIE ; Long ZHU ; Mengting ZHANG ; Xuejuan LIN ; Shanshan DING ; Xiaofen HOU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):163-171
Objective To collect oral exhaled odor spectrum of patients of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)with yin deficiency syndrome and detect their gut microbiota;To elucidate the mechanism of odor changes from the perspective of gut microbiota changes;To provide a basic research for the objectification of TCM olfactory diagnosis in CAG.Methods Totally 110 patients with CAG,including 55 patients with CAG yin deficiency syndrome,55 patients with CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome,and 30 healthy individuals were collected.The electronic nose technology was used to collect the oral exhaled odor spectrum of all subjects,and an improved Transformer model was used to identify the breath odor spectrum of CAG yin deficiency syndrome patients and healthy individuals,CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome patients and healthy individuals,CAG yin deficiency syndrome patients and CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome patients.At the same time,16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing method was used to detect the gut microbiota of the subjects'fecal samples,and the correlation analysis between the odor spectrum characteristics of CAG yin deficiency syndrome and gut microbiota was conducted.Results ① Analysis and recognition of odor spectrum characteristic.Amplitude characteristics:The response curves A,C,D,G,H,I and J of the odor spectrum in the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group and the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group were all lower in amplitude than those in the healthy group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Slope characteristics:The slopes of response curves A,B,C,D,E,G,H,I and J in the odor spectrum of the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group and the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group were lower than those of the healthy group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Pattern recognition:The accuracy of pattern recognition between the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group and the healthy group reached 0.904,with an area under ROC curve(AUC)of 0.91;the accuracy of pattern recognition between the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group and the healthy group reached 0.885,AUC=0.89;the accuracy of pattern recognition between the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group and the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group reached 0.747,AUC=0.75.② Species composition:At the genus level,compared with the healthy group,the abundance of Actinomyces,Escherichia-Shigella and Tyzzerella in the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group increased(P<0.05),while the abundance of Prevotella,Sutterella and Subdoligranulum decreased(P<0.05);the abundance of[Ruminococcus]_gnavus_group and Escherichia-Shigella in the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group increased significantly(P<0.01),while the abundance of Prevotella and Subdoligranulum decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group,the non-yin deficiency syndrome group showed significant enrichment of the Dialister(P<0.05).③ Correlation analysis between odor spectrum characteristics and gut microbiota in CAG yin deficiency syndrome:This study identified 17 bacterial genera that showed positive and negative correlations with the amplitude and slope characteristics of the odor spectrum in CAG yin deficiency syndrome,namely Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group,Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group,Faecalibacterium,UCG-002,UCG-005,Coprococcus,CAG-352,Parabacteroides,Actinomyces,Streptococcus,Anaerostipes,Blautia,Dorea,[Eubacterium]_hallii_group,Phascolarctobacterium,Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1,Enterobacter.The above-mentioned bacterial genera could be classified into the following bacterial families:Trichomonas,Clostridia,Porphyromonas,Actinobacteria,Ruminococcus,Streptococcus,Bacteroidetes,Clostridium,Veillonellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae.Conclusion The use of electronic nose technology can accurately identify the oral exhaled odor of patients with CAG yin deficiency syndrome,CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome,and healthy individuals;the odor spectrum characteristics of patients with CAG yin deficiency syndrome are correlated with multiple bacterial genera,and the changes in related metabolites and gases produced by the disruption of their gut microbiota may be one of the biological bases for the changes in oral exhaled odor in CAG yin deficiency syndrome.
5.Study on the Clinical and Mechanism of Stomach Disease Involving Intestine in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis from the Correlation of"Qi-Bacteria-Symptom"
Mengting ZHANG ; Suhua XU ; Yan XIONG ; Yimeng CHEN ; Yanfeng SHAO ; Shanshan DING ; Long ZHU ; Xuejuan LIN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):149-155
Objective Chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)is often accompanied by intestinal flora disorder and intestinal symptoms,forming the phenomenon of"stomach disease involving intestine".This study explored the dynamic correlation between intestinal symptoms and qi-stagnation degree in patients with CAG qi-stagnation syndrome and analyzed the characteristics of gut microbiota from the perspective of"spleen-stomach system serving as the pivotal hub of qi movement"in TCM.Methods According to the syndrome element differentiation method,410 patients with CAG were divided into four groups:non-qi-stagnation group,mild qi-stagnation group,moderate qi-stagnation group and severe qi-stagnation group.Correlation analysis and 16S intestinal flora sequencing technology were used to analyze the correlation and differential flora between the degree of CAG qi-stagnation and intestinal symptoms.Results Patients with CAG qi-stagnation syndrome were often accompanied by intestinal symptoms such as frequent flatulence,poor defecation and alternating loose-constipated stools.The frequency of cases was significantly positively correlated with the degree of qi-stagnation"non-mild-moderate-severe"(P<0.05).There was a difference in the abundance of gut microbiota between the four groups of CAG qi-stagnation none,mild,moderate and severe.The relative abundance of Streptococcus,Subdoligranulum,Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Haemophilus was positively correlated with the degree of qi-stagnation.The relative abundance of Ruminococcus_torques_group and Butyricicoccus showed a negative correlation,and Haemophilus was statistically significant among the four groups(P<0.05).Conclusion This study can provide clinical evidence and micro-mechanism for the connotation of"gastrointestinal co-morbidities"and"different diseases with the same syndrome",which may open up new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
6.Correlation Study on the Odor Spectrum and Gut Microbiota in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis with Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Yuyu XIE ; Long ZHU ; Mengting ZHANG ; Xuejuan LIN ; Shanshan DING ; Xiaofen HOU
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):163-171
Objective To collect oral exhaled odor spectrum of patients of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)with yin deficiency syndrome and detect their gut microbiota;To elucidate the mechanism of odor changes from the perspective of gut microbiota changes;To provide a basic research for the objectification of TCM olfactory diagnosis in CAG.Methods Totally 110 patients with CAG,including 55 patients with CAG yin deficiency syndrome,55 patients with CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome,and 30 healthy individuals were collected.The electronic nose technology was used to collect the oral exhaled odor spectrum of all subjects,and an improved Transformer model was used to identify the breath odor spectrum of CAG yin deficiency syndrome patients and healthy individuals,CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome patients and healthy individuals,CAG yin deficiency syndrome patients and CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome patients.At the same time,16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing method was used to detect the gut microbiota of the subjects'fecal samples,and the correlation analysis between the odor spectrum characteristics of CAG yin deficiency syndrome and gut microbiota was conducted.Results ① Analysis and recognition of odor spectrum characteristic.Amplitude characteristics:The response curves A,C,D,G,H,I and J of the odor spectrum in the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group and the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group were all lower in amplitude than those in the healthy group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Slope characteristics:The slopes of response curves A,B,C,D,E,G,H,I and J in the odor spectrum of the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group and the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group were lower than those of the healthy group(P<0.01,P<0.05).Pattern recognition:The accuracy of pattern recognition between the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group and the healthy group reached 0.904,with an area under ROC curve(AUC)of 0.91;the accuracy of pattern recognition between the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group and the healthy group reached 0.885,AUC=0.89;the accuracy of pattern recognition between the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group and the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group reached 0.747,AUC=0.75.② Species composition:At the genus level,compared with the healthy group,the abundance of Actinomyces,Escherichia-Shigella and Tyzzerella in the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group increased(P<0.05),while the abundance of Prevotella,Sutterella and Subdoligranulum decreased(P<0.05);the abundance of[Ruminococcus]_gnavus_group and Escherichia-Shigella in the CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome group increased significantly(P<0.01),while the abundance of Prevotella and Subdoligranulum decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the CAG yin deficiency syndrome group,the non-yin deficiency syndrome group showed significant enrichment of the Dialister(P<0.05).③ Correlation analysis between odor spectrum characteristics and gut microbiota in CAG yin deficiency syndrome:This study identified 17 bacterial genera that showed positive and negative correlations with the amplitude and slope characteristics of the odor spectrum in CAG yin deficiency syndrome,namely Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group,Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group,Faecalibacterium,UCG-002,UCG-005,Coprococcus,CAG-352,Parabacteroides,Actinomyces,Streptococcus,Anaerostipes,Blautia,Dorea,[Eubacterium]_hallii_group,Phascolarctobacterium,Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1,Enterobacter.The above-mentioned bacterial genera could be classified into the following bacterial families:Trichomonas,Clostridia,Porphyromonas,Actinobacteria,Ruminococcus,Streptococcus,Bacteroidetes,Clostridium,Veillonellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae.Conclusion The use of electronic nose technology can accurately identify the oral exhaled odor of patients with CAG yin deficiency syndrome,CAG non-yin deficiency syndrome,and healthy individuals;the odor spectrum characteristics of patients with CAG yin deficiency syndrome are correlated with multiple bacterial genera,and the changes in related metabolites and gases produced by the disruption of their gut microbiota may be one of the biological bases for the changes in oral exhaled odor in CAG yin deficiency syndrome.
7.Study on the Clinical and Mechanism of Stomach Disease Involving Intestine in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis from the Correlation of"Qi-Bacteria-Symptom"
Mengting ZHANG ; Suhua XU ; Yan XIONG ; Yimeng CHEN ; Yanfeng SHAO ; Shanshan DING ; Long ZHU ; Xuejuan LIN
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(11):149-155
Objective Chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG)is often accompanied by intestinal flora disorder and intestinal symptoms,forming the phenomenon of"stomach disease involving intestine".This study explored the dynamic correlation between intestinal symptoms and qi-stagnation degree in patients with CAG qi-stagnation syndrome and analyzed the characteristics of gut microbiota from the perspective of"spleen-stomach system serving as the pivotal hub of qi movement"in TCM.Methods According to the syndrome element differentiation method,410 patients with CAG were divided into four groups:non-qi-stagnation group,mild qi-stagnation group,moderate qi-stagnation group and severe qi-stagnation group.Correlation analysis and 16S intestinal flora sequencing technology were used to analyze the correlation and differential flora between the degree of CAG qi-stagnation and intestinal symptoms.Results Patients with CAG qi-stagnation syndrome were often accompanied by intestinal symptoms such as frequent flatulence,poor defecation and alternating loose-constipated stools.The frequency of cases was significantly positively correlated with the degree of qi-stagnation"non-mild-moderate-severe"(P<0.05).There was a difference in the abundance of gut microbiota between the four groups of CAG qi-stagnation none,mild,moderate and severe.The relative abundance of Streptococcus,Subdoligranulum,Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Haemophilus was positively correlated with the degree of qi-stagnation.The relative abundance of Ruminococcus_torques_group and Butyricicoccus showed a negative correlation,and Haemophilus was statistically significant among the four groups(P<0.05).Conclusion This study can provide clinical evidence and micro-mechanism for the connotation of"gastrointestinal co-morbidities"and"different diseases with the same syndrome",which may open up new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
8.Impact of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities on the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with post-transplantation Cyclophosphamide in pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Fei LONG ; Zhi CHEN ; Li YANG ; Zhuo WANG ; Yan CHEN ; Yu DU ; Wenjie LU ; Ming SUN ; Shanshan QI ; Hao XIONG
Chinese Journal of Applied Clinical Pediatrics 2025;40(12):939-945
Objective:To explore the influence of initial high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities on the outcomes of children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) after post-transplant Cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).Methods:A retrospective cohort study.AML children who underwent PTCy-based allo-HSCT after the first complete remission at Wuhan Children′s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology between April 2017 and April 2024 were enrolled.Patients were divided into intermediate-risk and high-risk groups based on their initial cytogenetic features.These patients were further divided into complex karyotype, 11q23 rearrangement, and other karyotype groups.Clinical characteristics and survival outcomes were compared among these groups.Measurement and count data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank-sum/Kruskal-Wallis and χ2 tests, respectively.Survival and risk factor analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards methods, respectively. Results:A total of 51 AML children who underwent allo-HSCT were included in this study.The median age at transplantation was 3.2 years and the median follow-up time was 4.6 years.There were 26 cases in the intermediate-risk group and 25 cases in the high-risk group; 8 cases in the complex karyotype group, 14 cases in the 11q23 rearrangement group, and 29 cases in the other karyotype groups.By the end of the follow-up on November 30, 2024, 11 patients relapsed, 8 patients died, and 13 patients developed grades Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).The 3-year overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and grades Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute GVHD-free and relapse-free survival (GRFS) were 84.0% (95% CI: 74.4%-94.8%), 74.5% (95% CI: 63.4%-87.5%), and 58.8% (95% CI: 46.7%-74.0%), respectively.The 3-year OS of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the intermediate-risk group (71.8% vs.96.2%, P=0.022), while differences in 3-year RFS and GRFS between the 2 groups were not statistically significant (68.0% vs.80.8%, P=0.400; 52.0% vs.65.4%, P=0.420).The 3-year OS, RFS and GRFS of the complex karyotype group were significantly lower than those of 11q23 rearrangement and other karyotype groups (50.0% vs.85.7%, 93.1%, P=0.009; 37.5% vs.85.7%, 79.3%, P=0.022; 25.0% vs.64.3%, 65.5%, P=0.049).Multivariate analysis showed that a complex karyotype was an independent prognostic factor affecting 3-year OS and GRFS [OS: HR=6.79 (95% CI: 1.13-43.80), P=0.044; GRFS: HR=3.72(95% CI: 1.13-12.20), P=0.030]. Conclusions:High-risk cytogenetic features are significant predictors of survival outcomes in pediatric AML patients undergoing PTCy-based allo-HSCT.
9.Health economic evaluation of minimally invasive surgery in treatment of digestive tract cancers: a Meta-analysis
Xiaoyue YIN ; Ning ZHOU ; Xueli YANG ; Zhuoyu SUN ; Yinghui BAO ; Shengshu WANG ; Ke HAN ; Jing LONG ; Min ZHAO ; Haowei LI ; Rongrong LI ; Shimin CHEN ; Junhan YANG ; Huaihao LI ; Yueting SHI ; Guoning ZHU ; Jianhua WANG ; Shanshan YANG ; Boyan LI ; Wenchang WANG ; Shengyan DU ; Yao HE ; Enqiang LING-HU ; Huikai LI ; Miao LIU ; Juan XIE
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):154-165
Objective:To compare minimally invasive surgery with traditional open surgery, analyze the current application status of health economic evaluations in the treatment of digestive tract cancers, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer by minimally invasive surgery and provide evidence for the rational selection of clinical treatment, alleviation of disease-related economic burdens, and rational allocation of healthcare resources.Methods:By using five databases, i.e. China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang data, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, and Embase, a database was established to retrieve all the papers about health economic studies of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer published until December 31, 2023. Literature was analyzed by using software NoteExpress 3.8, and data were processed using Excel 2021. The quality of included papers was evaluated using the CHEERS 2022 checklist, and Meta-analysis was conducted by using software Stata 17.0.Results:A total of 10 919 relevant papers were retrieved, and 59 studies were included. Only 14 studies (23.7%) used standard health economic evaluation methods. Meta-analysis results revealed no significant differences in direct medical expenditure and total expenditure between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery. However, the expenditure for minimally invasive surgery exhibited a significant increase [mean difference ( MD)=5 973.12 yuan, P<0.001], while hospital stay and indirect expenditure significantly decreased ( MD: -4.85 days and -733.79 yuan, P<0.001). In China, for gastric cancer, the direct medical expenditure of endoscopic surgery was lower than that of open surgery ( MD=-33 000.00 yuan) with no significant difference ( P<0.001). In colorectal cancer cases, the direct medical and surgical expenditures for laparoscopic surgery were higher than those for open surgery ( MD: 4 277.94 yuan and 4 267.80 yuan, P<0.001), while the indirect and total medical expenditures decreased ( MD: -768.34 yuan and -159.10 yuan). Hospital stays in patients who had minimally invasive surgery for all three types of cancer were shorter than those who had open surgery ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery shows higher expenditure, but has advantages, such as shorter hospital stay and lower indirect expenditure, and there were no significant differences in direct medical and total expenditures between the two approaches. When conducting health economic evaluation, factors such as postoperative complications, hospital stay, and patient's economic status should be considered for their impact on total medical expenditure. It is necessary to pay attention to the application of health economic evaluations in healthcare decision-making.
10.Health economic evaluation of minimally invasive surgery in treatment of digestive tract cancers: a Meta-analysis
Xiaoyue YIN ; Ning ZHOU ; Xueli YANG ; Zhuoyu SUN ; Yinghui BAO ; Shengshu WANG ; Ke HAN ; Jing LONG ; Min ZHAO ; Haowei LI ; Rongrong LI ; Shimin CHEN ; Junhan YANG ; Huaihao LI ; Yueting SHI ; Guoning ZHU ; Jianhua WANG ; Shanshan YANG ; Boyan LI ; Wenchang WANG ; Shengyan DU ; Yao HE ; Enqiang LING-HU ; Huikai LI ; Miao LIU ; Juan XIE
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2025;46(1):154-165
Objective:To compare minimally invasive surgery with traditional open surgery, analyze the current application status of health economic evaluations in the treatment of digestive tract cancers, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer by minimally invasive surgery and provide evidence for the rational selection of clinical treatment, alleviation of disease-related economic burdens, and rational allocation of healthcare resources.Methods:By using five databases, i.e. China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang data, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, and Embase, a database was established to retrieve all the papers about health economic studies of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer published until December 31, 2023. Literature was analyzed by using software NoteExpress 3.8, and data were processed using Excel 2021. The quality of included papers was evaluated using the CHEERS 2022 checklist, and Meta-analysis was conducted by using software Stata 17.0.Results:A total of 10 919 relevant papers were retrieved, and 59 studies were included. Only 14 studies (23.7%) used standard health economic evaluation methods. Meta-analysis results revealed no significant differences in direct medical expenditure and total expenditure between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery. However, the expenditure for minimally invasive surgery exhibited a significant increase [mean difference ( MD)=5 973.12 yuan, P<0.001], while hospital stay and indirect expenditure significantly decreased ( MD: -4.85 days and -733.79 yuan, P<0.001). In China, for gastric cancer, the direct medical expenditure of endoscopic surgery was lower than that of open surgery ( MD=-33 000.00 yuan) with no significant difference ( P<0.001). In colorectal cancer cases, the direct medical and surgical expenditures for laparoscopic surgery were higher than those for open surgery ( MD: 4 277.94 yuan and 4 267.80 yuan, P<0.001), while the indirect and total medical expenditures decreased ( MD: -768.34 yuan and -159.10 yuan). Hospital stays in patients who had minimally invasive surgery for all three types of cancer were shorter than those who had open surgery ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery shows higher expenditure, but has advantages, such as shorter hospital stay and lower indirect expenditure, and there were no significant differences in direct medical and total expenditures between the two approaches. When conducting health economic evaluation, factors such as postoperative complications, hospital stay, and patient's economic status should be considered for their impact on total medical expenditure. It is necessary to pay attention to the application of health economic evaluations in healthcare decision-making.

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