1.Research progress on antibody-drug conjugates in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer
Danna LIU ; Shuangshuang SONG ; Lu CHEN ; Yongqiang SUN ; Bo SUN ; Hanli ZHOU ; Xiaoli ZHAO ; Tiandong KONG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(1):124-129
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a novel class of anti-tumor agents composed of a targeted monoclonal antibody, a cytotoxic drug, and a linker connecting the two. They combine the high specificity of antibodies with the potent cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by high aggressiveness, elevated risks of recurrence and metastasis, and poor prognosis, largely due to the lack of effective therapeutic targets. This review summarizes the research progress of ADCs in the treatment of TNBC. It has been found that ADCs targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (such as trastuzumab deruxtecan), trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (such as sacituzumab govitecan and datopotamab deruxtecan), zinc transporter LIV-1 (such as ladiratuzumab vedotin), HER-3 (such as patritumab deruxtecan), epidermal growth factor receptor (such as AVID100), and glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (such as glembatumumab vedotin) have all demonstrated promising therapeutic effects against TNBC. Despite challenges including acquired resistance and treatment-related toxicities, ADCs are undoubtedly reshaping the therapeutic landscape for TNBC and are expected to occupy a more central position in TNBC treatment in the future.
2.Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulates NF-κB Signaling Pathway for Treating CP/CPPS: A Review
Pengdong YIN ; Guangwei JIN ; Shenglong LI ; Ganggang LU ; Yuanbo ZHAO ; Yongqiang ZHAO ; Xixiang LI ; Jiuyun ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(17):301-313
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a prevalent and complex condition in urology and one of the leading causes of chronic pelvic pain. Due to its prolonged duration and recurrent episodes,CP/CPPS significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Abnormal activation of the nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway influences pathological processes such as the inflammatory response,oxidative stress,apoptosis,and tissue fibrosis in the body,thereby promoting the progression of CP/CPPS. Currently,Western medical therapies include antibiotics,pain relievers,α-blockers,and physiotherapy,yet they still fail to halt the pathological process of CP/CPPS. Research indicates that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can modulate the NF-κB pathway through a multi-target and multi-pathway approach,effectively reducing prostate tissue damage and prostate index and alleviating pain and lower urinary tract symptoms. On the basis of existing studies,this paper systematically examines the intrinsic connection between CP/CPPS and the NF-κB pathway and summarizes the effects of TCM active ingredients (e.g.,emodin,quercetin,and gentiopicroside),extracts (e.g.,Oldenlandia diffusa extract),classical medidcinal pairs (e.g.,Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex-Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma),and compound prescriptions and Chinese patent medicines (e.g.,Qianliexiao decoction,Jiedu Huoxue decoction,Qianlie Shutong capsules) in treating CP/CPPS by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. The review of the research findings on treating CP/CPPS through this pathway aims to offer insights for clinical practice of TCM in the prevention and treatment of CP/CPPS,as well as to provide references for basic research and new drug development in this domain.
3.Prospective analysis of autophagy in prostate cancer cells based on gene expression databases and investigation of the C-Met regulatory mechanism
Ru ZHANG ; Yongqiang XIE ; Qiang ZHAO ; Keqiang CHAI ; Yulin LIU
Immunological Journal 2025;41(10):750-761
Objective To investigate the prognostic value of mitochondrial autophagy-related genes(MRGs)in prostate cancer(PCa),and to reveal their regulatory relationship with interstitial epidermal transforming factor(C-Met)based on the Gene Expression Database(GEO).Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data of three PCa samples were obtained from the GSE153892 dataset of GEO,and MRGs were collected from the Genecards database and previous literature.The scRNA-seq data were processed and analyzed using the Seurat software package,including quality control,gene expression screening,cell type annotation,differentially expressed genes(DEGs)identification,and intersection analysis with MRGs.The transcriptome data of PCa and control samples were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas Database(TCGA)-PRAD cohort,and differential expression analysis and copy number variation analysis were conducted.The non-negative matrix factorization algorithm is adopted to conduct cluster analysis on PCa samples to identify different PCa subtypes.A prognostic risk model based on intersection genes was constructed,and the predictive ability of the model was analyzed through Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Conduct independent prognostic analysis,construct a nomogram model based on risk scores and clinical characteristics,and evaluate its ability to predict patient survival rates.The possibility of immune infiltration and tumor immune escape in PCa samples was evaluated by using the single-sample Gene Set Enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)algorithm and the TIDE database.The relationship between intersection genes and C-Met expression was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results scRNA-seq data analysis identified five cell types including B lymphocytes,epithelial cells,monocytes,natural killer cells and T lymphocytes,and discovered the intersection genes that were highly expressed in different cell types.Through differential expression analysis,genes significantly related to the prognosis of PCa patients were screened out,and a prognostic risk model was constructed.Six genes such as ADH5 and CAT were retained through LASSO analysis.A diagnostic model was constructed and grouped.There was a significant difference in survival time between the two groups in the internal test set(P<0.05).ROC curve evaluation showed that the model had a good predictive ability for 1-,3-,and 5-year survival rates.The external test set verified that there was a statistically significant difference in the expression of intersection genes(P<0.05).Independent prognostic analysis identified T stage and risk score as independent prognostic factors.A nomogram model was constructed.Calibration curve and ROC curve analyses showed that the predictive ability of this model was superior to that of the simple risk model.ssGSEA analysis revealed differences in the abundance of immune cell inflammation and immune function scores between the two groups.Most immune cells,immune function,and risk scores were related to the modeling genes.There were significant differences in TIDE scores and multiple immune checkpoints between the high-risk and low-risk groups(P<0.05).BCAT2,DCXR,OGT and FUS were positively correlated with the expression of C-Met,while ADH5 and CAT were negatively correlated with the expression of C-Met(P<0.05).Conclusion The prognostic risk model based on intersection genes can effectively predict the prognosis of patients with PCa,and the risk score and T stage are independent prognostic factors for PCa.The correlation analysis of intersection genes and C-Met expression provides a new idea for the targeted therapy of PCa.
4.Comparison of the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound and CT for preoperative cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer
Chuning ZHANG ; Zongchen SUN ; Guangze SUN ; Yuchuan GE ; Shilin ZHAO ; Yue HUANG ; Bing GAO ; Qing ZHANG ; Yongqiang YAO
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2025;48(11):1035-1038
Objective:To compare the consistency and efficacy of ultrasound and CT in the preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer, and to explore the clinical value of the combined application of multimodal imaging.Methods:The 119 thyroid cancer patients underwent surgical treatment from January to September 2023 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent ultrasound and CT examinations before operation. The results of postoperative histopathology examination were taken as the gold standard, the efficacy of ultrasound and CT in preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis was compared.Results:A total of 1 721 cervical lymph nodes were detected in 119 patients with thyroid cancer, among which 1 378 lymph nodes were benign, and 343 lymph nodes were malignant, the rate of malignant lymph nodes was 19.93% (343/1 721). Among them, the proportion of malignant lymph nodes in area Ⅵ was the highest, 22.58% (245/1 085), followed by area Ⅲ, 21.26% (37/174). The sensitivity of CT in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer was significantly higher than that of ultrasound diagnosis: 58.46% (38/65) vs. 38.46% (25/65), the specificity was significantly lower than that of ultrasound diagnosis: 85.19% (46/54) vs. 96.30% (52/54), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 and <0.05); there was no statistical difference in accuracy between CT and ultrasound ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer by ultrasound and CT, ultrasound examination has no radiation risk, while CT examination has a higher diagnostic efficiency.
5.Combined physician-modified fenestration and inner branch techniques for aortic pathology with aberrant subclavian artery
Zhaohui HUA ; Hao ZHAO ; Yongqiang YUE ; Dongyan SHEN ; Qingquan LIU ; Hongtao WANG ; Qingsheng LIN ; Kunli CAO ; Wei LIU ; Zhen LI
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(12):1156-1162
Objective:To evaluate the early and mid-term efficacy of physician-modified fenestrated endovascular repair combined with inner branch techniques for aortic pathologies complicated by aberrant subclavian artery (ASA).Methods:A retrospective case series was conducted, including 24 patients with ASA-associated aortic pathologies who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) with physician-modified fenestration and inner branch reconstruction at 7 centers in China from February 2021 to March 2025. The cohort comprised 18 males and 6 females, with an age of (54.4±11.7) years (range:37 to 80 years). Pathological diagnoses included aortic aneurysm in 7 patients (29.2%), aortic dissection in 11 (45.8%; 6 chronic, 4 subacute, 1 acute), and penetrating aortic ulcer in 6 (25.0%; 3 with concomitant intramural hematoma). Preoperative planning was performed using three-dimensional CT angiographic reconstruction, incorporating both the greater-curvature hemodynamic length and the centerline wall-adherent length. Fenestration sites were verified on three-dimensional printed models, and precise fenestrations were created at the covered stent-graft locations corresponding to the subclavian artery and ASA anatomy. Patients subsequently underwent TEVAR combined with supra-aortic revascularization as indicated, followed by completion ascending aortography to evaluate the sealing of the main stent-graft and the patency of fenestrated or branched stents. Perioperative outcomes, complications, and early-to mid-term clinical efficacy were analyzed.Results:All procedures were technically successful. Immediate angiography identified one case of minor type Ⅳ endoleak that resolved spontaneously on 3-month follow-up CT angiography, and one case of mild type Ⅱ endoleak that was left untreated with a stable false lumen during follow-up. One patient died on postoperative day 7 of an undetermined cause. The mean follow-up period was (23.1±11.3)months (range:3 to 37 months). During follow-up, one patient developed mild bilateral lower-limb weakness 1 month after surgery. Vascular occlusion and spinal cord infarction were excluded, and the symptoms were considered related to postoperative spinal hemodynamic changes; the weakness resolved after blood pressure adjustment without recurrence. No other complications, including upper limb ischemia, spinal cord ischemia, or posterior circulation ischemia, were observed. Throughout follow-up, all branch and main stents remained patent with good structural integrity, without migration or device-related complications.Conclusions:Physician-modified fenestration combined with inner branch techniques for ASA-associated aortic pathologies is technically feasible and yields satisfactory early and mid-term results. Long-term outcomes require further follow-up.
6.The impact of myocardial infarct size dynamics on left ventricular remodeling in STEMI patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Si CHEN ; Xin A ; Yiqing ZHAO ; Zhenyan MA ; Ying ZHANG ; Ke LIU ; Lei FU ; Liping ZHANG ; Yongqiang YANG ; Ping LI ; Jinwen TIAN ; Hongbo ZHANG ; Lei ZHAO ; Geng QIAN
Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2025;53(6):653-660
Objective:To explore the impact of changes of myocardial infarct size on left ventricular adverse remodeling in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods:This was a prospective cohort study. The STEMI patients who underwent primary PCI in the First Medical Center of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Hainan Hospital of the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital and Guangxi Yulin First People Hospital from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2022 were enrolled. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed to dynamically assess the myocardial infarct size and calculate the rate of infarct size change between the acute phase (5 to 7 days post-primary PCI) and 6-month follow-up. The endpoint was left ventricular adverse remodeling which was defined as an increase of more than 20% in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) assessed by CMR at 6 months after primary PCI compared with LVEDV at 1 week after primary PCI. Based on serial CMR assessments, the patients were divided into left ventricular adverse remodeling group and non-remodeling group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of infarct size change for left ventricular adverse remodeling, and according to the optimal cutoff value, improved infarct size was defined as a decrease of >20% in the infarct size measured by CMR at 6 months after primary PCI compared with infarct size at 1 week after primary PCI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the protective factors and risk factors for left ventricular adverse remodeling.Results:A total of 267 patients were enrolled, aged (58±11) years, with 234 males (87.6%). And 73 cases in the left ventricular remodeling group and 194 cases in the non-remodeling group. Infarct size assessed by CMR at 6 months after primary PCI decreased significantly compared with infarct size at 1 week after primary PCI in the left ventricular remodeling group ((23±13)% vs. (27±12)%, P=0.004), the same as in the non-remodeling group ((18±10)% vs. (23±10)%, P<0.001). The area under the ROC curve for the rate of infarct size change in predicting left ventricular remodeling was 0.735 (95% CI 0.670-0.799, P<0.001), a 20% reduction was the optimal cut-off value. Compared to the patients with non-improved infarct size, the incidence of left ventricular adverse remodeling was significantly lower in the patients with improved infarct size (18% (24/133) vs. 37% (49/134), P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that improvement in IS was a protective factor for left ventricular adverse remodeling ( OR=0.376, 95% CI 0.236-0.721, P=0.002). Conclusion:Patients with STEMI who experience obvious reduction in infarct size after primary PCI have a significantly reduced risk of left ventricular adverse remodeling.
7.Mechanism of copper homeostasis-cuprotosis in osteoarticular diseases and potential applications targeting cuprotosis
Xianjun ZHANG ; Xiaoping WANG ; Mingwang ZHOU ; Yongqiang ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(6):1235-1241
Osteoarticular diseases,common chronic degenerative disorders in the elderly,involve the gradual deterioration and degeneration of bones or joints.The metabolic capacity declines with age.Impaired bone metabolism dis-rupts homeostasis,leading to osteoarticular dysfunctions.Cuprotosis,a novel form of programmed cell death mediated by ferredoxin 1,matters for the pathologic process in osteoarticular diseases.Cuprotosis influences the levels of intercellular signal transduction to induce oxidative stress,inflammation,pyroptosis,and ferroptosis in joints.Those cell death and mi-tochondrial dysfunction ultimately exacerbate the progression of osteoarticular diseases.Therefore,this review summarizes the mechanism of copper homeostasis-cuprotosis in osteoarticular diseases and the potential applications targeting copper homeostasis-cuprotosis.
8.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Signaling Pathways Related to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Review
Shenglong LI ; Ganggang LU ; Yonglin LIANG ; Xu MA ; Meisheng GONG ; Hui LI ; Yuanbo ZHAO ; Dacheng TIAN ; Yongqiang ZHAO ; Xixiang LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):287-295
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic progressive disease in middle-aged and elderly men, characterized by prostate enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and difficulty urinating. The pathogenesis of BPH involves factors such as aging, hormonal metabolic abnormalities, inflammatory responses, and imbalances in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Currently, the main treatment methods for BPH include medication, physical therapy, and surgical intervention. However, medication may cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and hypotension, physical therapy has limited efficacy, and surgery carries risks and postoperative complications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find safer and more effective treatment options. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its focus on treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic approach, offers therapeutic advantages through multiple pathways and mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that TCM regulates pathways such as phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE), androgen receptor (AR), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor (HIF-1α/VEGF) to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response, reduce prostate cell proliferation, and promote apoptosis, thus exerting therapeutic effects. This article summarizes and analyzes the roles of these signaling pathways in the occurrence and development of BPH and the mechanisms of TCM intervention, aiming to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment and drug development for BPH.
9.Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention in Signaling Pathways Related to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Review
Shenglong LI ; Ganggang LU ; Yonglin LIANG ; Xu MA ; Meisheng GONG ; Hui LI ; Yuanbo ZHAO ; Dacheng TIAN ; Yongqiang ZHAO ; Xixiang LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):287-295
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common chronic progressive disease in middle-aged and elderly men, characterized by prostate enlargement and bladder outlet obstruction, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and difficulty urinating. The pathogenesis of BPH involves factors such as aging, hormonal metabolic abnormalities, inflammatory responses, and imbalances in cell proliferation and apoptosis. Currently, the main treatment methods for BPH include medication, physical therapy, and surgical intervention. However, medication may cause side effects like sexual dysfunction and hypotension, physical therapy has limited efficacy, and surgery carries risks and postoperative complications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find safer and more effective treatment options. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with its focus on treatment based on syndrome differentiation and a holistic approach, offers therapeutic advantages through multiple pathways and mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that TCM regulates pathways such as phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE), androgen receptor (AR), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor (HIF-1α/VEGF) to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammatory response, reduce prostate cell proliferation, and promote apoptosis, thus exerting therapeutic effects. This article summarizes and analyzes the roles of these signaling pathways in the occurrence and development of BPH and the mechanisms of TCM intervention, aiming to provide scientific evidence for clinical treatment and drug development for BPH.
10.IFN-γ inhibits human liver cancer cell migration and stem cell differentiation via the Akt/JNK-IL-8 signaling pathway
Yue ZHANG ; Lu ZHENG ; Xinwei XU ; Yuting MA ; Chengwen ZHAO ; Xinyu WANG ; Feng GU ; Yongqiang CHEN
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology 2025;45(7):587-594
Objective:To explore the effects of IFN-γ on IL-8 secretion by human liver cancer cells and the impact on their malignant biological functions in vitro. Methods:HuH7 and Hep3B cells were treated with different concentrations of IFN-γ for 24 or 48 h. Changes in the cellular activity, IL-8 secretion, and the proportion of CD133 + liver cancer stem cells were evaluated using CCK8 kit and flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the effects of IFN-γ on the expression of several molecules such as phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), vimentin, and E-cadherin in the liver cancer cells. Effects of IFN-γ with or without IL-8 on the migration of liver cancer cells were detected by transwell assay. Additionally, effects of IFN-γ combined with IL-8 or IL-8 receptor inhibitor repertaxin on the differentiation of liver cancer stem cells were detected by flow cytometry. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer test were used for statistical analysis. Results:HuH7 and Hep3B cells secreted significantly higher levels of IL-8 than normal hepatocytes LO2 ( P<0.01) and high expression level of IL-8 gene ( CXCL8) was closely correlated with the expression levels of vimentin gene ( VIMENTIN), CD133 gene ( PRCM1), PD-L1 gene ( CD274), PD-1 gene ( PDCD1), and CD163 gene ( CD163), as well as the poor prognosis of liver cancer patients ( P<0.01). IFN-γ (1-100 ng/ml) had no significant effect on the proliferative activity of HuH7 and Hep3B cells ( P>0.05), but could significantly inhibit IL-8 secretion, cell migration, CD133 + liver cancer stem cell differentiation and suspension tumor sphere formation through the Akt and JNK pathways ( P<0.01). IFN-γ combined with IL-8 could significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of IFN-γ on liver cancer cell migration, stem cell differentiation, and suspension tumor sphere formation ( P<0.01). IFN-γ in combination with repertaxin could synergistically inhibited the differentiation of CD133 + liver cancer stem cells ( P<0.01). Conclusion:IFN-γ inhibits the differentiation and migration of human liver cancer cells through the Akt/JNK-IL-8 signaling pathway, providing a new strategy for future clinical immunotherapy of liver cancer.

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