1.Research progress on treatment of pleural effusion related to immune checkpoint inhibitors
Tianqi AN ; Jianhui TIAN ; Yiyang ZHOU ; Bin LUO ; Zujun QUE ; Yao LIU ; Pan YU ; Ruihua ZHAO ; Yun YANG
China Oncology 2025;35(3):333-338
Immunotherapy for cancer,as an emerging treatment modality,has made significant strides in recent years and has become a crucial therapeutic approach following surgery,radiotherapy,chemotherapy,and targeted therapy.In particular,the clinical utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)has not only enhanced the survival rates of patients with refractory or recurrent tumors but has also significantly optimized the overall strategy for cancer treatment.However,as the population undergoing cancer immunotherapy continues to grow,this expansion not only yields clinical benefits but also precipitates a range of specific adverse reactions known as immune-related adverse events(irAEs).Pleural effusion is a common and severe complication in cancer patients,significantly affecting both their quality of life and treatment outcomes.Typically,tumor-related pleural effusion is often due to pleural metastasis,with malignant pleural effusion(MPE)characterized by rapid growth,being difficult to control,and tendency for recurrence.With the approval of new drugs and the expansion of indications for existing medications,the number of cancer patients receiving ICIs treatment is increasing,bringing ICIs-related pleural effusion into focus.While ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion is relatively rare in clinical practice,it is closely linked to treatment choices of patients and prognosis.Unlike MPE,the pathogenesis of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion is more complex,not only involving non-specific immune activation leading to autoimmune inflammatory reactions but also potentially related to nodular pleural granulomatous reactions,eosinophilic chronic pleurisy,and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.In terms of diagnosis,ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion is typically diagnosed through exclusion,requiring the exclusion of other causes such as tumor progression,radiotherapy,and chemotherapy-induced pleural effusion,adding complexity and difficulty to the diagnostic process.Treatment for ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion often involves glucocorticoids,tocilizumab,or infliximab,aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve prognosis by suppressing excessive immune reactions.Preventing the occurrence of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion is equally crucial,necessitating comprehensive patient assessment before ICIs administration and continuous monitoring during treatment to promptly detect and manage potential adverse reactions.Through this comprehensive management approach,the impact of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion on patient quality of life and treatment outcomes can be minimized,optimizing overall treatment results.This review aimed to explore the pathogenesis,histological features,clinical manifestations,diagnostic methods and treatment strategies of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion,and delve into the characteristics of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion,in order to enhance understanding of this complication and provide a reference for clinical practice.
2.TSZAF monomer combination downregulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and inhibits neutrophil recruitment to prevent lung cancer metastasis.
Pan YU ; Jialiang YAO ; Long ZHANG ; Yanhong WANG ; Xinyi LU ; Jiajun LIU ; Zujun QUE ; Yao LIU ; Qian BA ; Jiwei LIU ; Yan WU ; Jianhui TIAN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(9):1069-1079
Metastasis remains the primary cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent critical targets for metastasis prevention and treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine may prevent lung cancer metastasis through long-term intervention in CTC activity. Tiao-Shen-Zhi-Ai Formular (TSZAF) represents a Chinese medicine compound prescription utilized clinically for lung cancer treatment. This study combined three principal active ingredients from TSZAF into a novel TSZAF monomer combination (TSZAF mc) to investigate its anti-metastatic effects and mechanisms. TSZAF mc demonstrated significant inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion in CTC-TJH-01 and LLC cells, while inducing cellular apoptosis in vitro. Moreover, TSZAF mc substantially inhibited LLC cell growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, TAZSF mc significantly suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and CXCL5 expression in lung cancer cells and tissues. Additionally, TAZSF mc notably reduced neutrophil infiltration in metastatic lesions. These findings indicate that TSZAF mc inhibits lung cancer growth and metastasis by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and reducing CXCL5 secretion, thereby decreasing neutrophil recruitment and infiltration. TSZAF mc demonstrates potential as an effective therapeutic agent for lung cancer metastasis.
Lung Neoplasms/genetics*
;
Wnt Signaling Pathway/drug effects*
;
Animals
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Mice
;
Neoplasm Metastasis/prevention & control*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Neutrophil Infiltration/drug effects*
;
Down-Regulation/drug effects*
;
Cell Movement/drug effects*
;
beta Catenin/genetics*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Male
;
Neoplastic Cells, Circulating/drug effects*
3.Modified Maimendong Decoction Inhibits Lung Cancer Metastasis by Up-Regulating Levels of NK and CD8+ T Cells in Peripheral Blood and Tumor Microenvironment
Zhipeng ZHANG ; Jianhui TIAN ; Zujun QUE ; Ziqi CHEN ; Bin LUO ; Shihui LIU
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(6):466-473
Objective To explore the mechanism of modified maimendong decoction (MMD) in inhibiting lung cancer metastasis from the perspective of immune regulation. Methods CTC-TJH-01 and LLC cells were intervened with different concentrations of modified maimendong decoction. The cell proliferation was detected with a CCK-8 kit, apoptosis was detected with an Annexin V-FITC/PI kit, and cell migration was detected through Transwell assays. A lung metastasis model was established through the tail vein injection of LLC cells into C57BL/6 mice, and body weight change and lung tumor metastasis in the mice were evaluated after continuous gavage intervention with MMD. HE staining, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were employed to observe the histomorphology, Ki-67 protein level, and NK and T cell levels of metastatic lesions. The levels of NK and T cells in the peripheral blood of mice were detected throughflow cytometry. Results MMD had no significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of CTC-TJH-01 and LLC cells in vitro. In mice, MMD could significantly inhibit the lung metastasis of LLC cells, increase the proportion of NK and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood and tumor microenvironment (P<0.05), and reduce the expression of Ki-67 protein in metastatic tumor tissues (P<0.05). Conclusion MMD may inhibit the growth of metastatic tumors by upregulating the expression levels of NK and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood to promote the elimination of circulating tumor cells, and regulating the infiltration of NK and CD8+ T cells in the immune microenvironment of metastatic tumors, then play an antimetastatic role in lung cancer.
4.Research progress on treatment of pleural effusion related to immune checkpoint inhibitors
Tianqi AN ; Jianhui TIAN ; Yiyang ZHOU ; Bin LUO ; Zujun QUE ; Yao LIU ; Pan YU ; Ruihua ZHAO ; Yun YANG
China Oncology 2025;35(3):333-338
Immunotherapy for cancer,as an emerging treatment modality,has made significant strides in recent years and has become a crucial therapeutic approach following surgery,radiotherapy,chemotherapy,and targeted therapy.In particular,the clinical utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)has not only enhanced the survival rates of patients with refractory or recurrent tumors but has also significantly optimized the overall strategy for cancer treatment.However,as the population undergoing cancer immunotherapy continues to grow,this expansion not only yields clinical benefits but also precipitates a range of specific adverse reactions known as immune-related adverse events(irAEs).Pleural effusion is a common and severe complication in cancer patients,significantly affecting both their quality of life and treatment outcomes.Typically,tumor-related pleural effusion is often due to pleural metastasis,with malignant pleural effusion(MPE)characterized by rapid growth,being difficult to control,and tendency for recurrence.With the approval of new drugs and the expansion of indications for existing medications,the number of cancer patients receiving ICIs treatment is increasing,bringing ICIs-related pleural effusion into focus.While ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion is relatively rare in clinical practice,it is closely linked to treatment choices of patients and prognosis.Unlike MPE,the pathogenesis of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion is more complex,not only involving non-specific immune activation leading to autoimmune inflammatory reactions but also potentially related to nodular pleural granulomatous reactions,eosinophilic chronic pleurisy,and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.In terms of diagnosis,ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion is typically diagnosed through exclusion,requiring the exclusion of other causes such as tumor progression,radiotherapy,and chemotherapy-induced pleural effusion,adding complexity and difficulty to the diagnostic process.Treatment for ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion often involves glucocorticoids,tocilizumab,or infliximab,aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve prognosis by suppressing excessive immune reactions.Preventing the occurrence of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion is equally crucial,necessitating comprehensive patient assessment before ICIs administration and continuous monitoring during treatment to promptly detect and manage potential adverse reactions.Through this comprehensive management approach,the impact of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion on patient quality of life and treatment outcomes can be minimized,optimizing overall treatment results.This review aimed to explore the pathogenesis,histological features,clinical manifestations,diagnostic methods and treatment strategies of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion,and delve into the characteristics of ICIs treatment-related pleural effusion,in order to enhance understanding of this complication and provide a reference for clinical practice.
5.Clinical value of peripheral immune function status in the assessment of'Deficiency of Vital Qi'in lung cancer metastasis
Fan XU ; Jianhui TIAN ; Youjun LIU ; Zhenyang CHENG ; Zujun QUE ; Bin LUO ; Yun YANG ; Jialiang YAO ; Wang YAO ; Xinyi LU ; Yao LIU ; Yiyang ZHOU ; Jianchun WU ; Yingbin LUO ; Minghua LI ; Wenfei SHI ; Yajing CUI ; Wenji SHANGGUAN ; Yan LI
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(10):1065-1070
Objective:To investigate the association between peripheral immune function status and lung cancer metastasis,and to identify peripheral blood immune biomarkers for'Deficiency of Vital Qi'assessment in lung cancer metastasis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on peripheral blood immune markers collected before treatment from lung cancer patients admitted into Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,between March 2023 and April 2025.Patients were categorized into the non-metastatic and the metastatic groups based on the presence of distant metastasis,and the differences in the expressions of immune cells and cytokines between groups were compared.Peripheral blood immune markers with P<0.05 in univariate analysis were incorporated into a multivariate binary logistic regression model to identify independent predictors of lung cancer metastasis.Results:A total of 193 lung cancer patients were included(101 in the non-metastatic group and 92 in the metastatic group).There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender,age,smoking history,drinking history,or pathological type(all P>0.05).Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in multiple immune markers between the non-metastatic and metastatic groups(all P<0.05),including:lymphocyte count,CD3+,CD4+,and CD8+T,CD19+B cells,absolute counts of CD3-CD16+CD56+NK cells,percentages of Treg cells,CD8+CD28+Treg cells,G-MDSC,and CD3-CD16+CD56+dim NK cells,and levels of cytokine IL-1β,IL-6,and IL-10.Binary logistic regression analysis of differential indicators suggested that the percentage of Treg cells and CD8+CD28+Treg cells in peripheral blood were independent predictors of distant metastasis in lung cancer(OR=1.193,95%CI[1.047,1.36],P<0.01;OR=0.978,95%CI[0.957,0.999],P<0.05).Conclusion:Peripheral blood immune dysfunction is the biological basis for'qi deficiency'in lung cancer metastasis.This study quantitatively demonstrates the correlation between peripheral immune function status and lung cancer metastasis,providing empirical evidence for the theories of'qi deficiency and hidden toxicity'and'metastatic state of tumors'.
6.Risk Factors for Moderate-severe Acute Kidney Injury,In-hospital Mortality and Dialysis Dependence After Acute Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection Surgery
Zhaojing CHENG ; Jinhua WEI ; Zujun CHEN ; Lili LIU ; Jianfang CAI
Chinese Circulation Journal 2024;39(6):586-591
Objectives:This study was aimed to investigate the risk factors for moderate and severe acute kidney injury(AKI),in-hospital mortality and dialysis dependence after acute Stanford type A aortic dissection(TAAD)surgery. Methods:Complete clinical data of 294 TAAD patients who underwent ascending aorta replacement,total aortic arch replacement combined with frozen elephant trunk between December 2014 and December 2016 with time between symptom onset and diagnosis<14 days were retrospectively and consecutively collected and analyzed.AKI was defined according to the SCr component of the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes(KDIGO)2012 consensus criteria,and classified as moderate-severe AKI(AKI stage 2-3)or non-moderate-severe AKI(no AKI or AKI stage 1).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for moderate to severe AKI,in-hospital mortality or dialysis dependence after TAAD surgery. Results:AKI occurs in 232 out of 294 patients(79.3%),124(42.2%)with AKI stage 1,45(15.3%)with AKI stage 2,63(21.4%)with AKI stage 3,and 27(9.2%)requiring continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT).The dialysis dependence rate at discharge was 3.1%(n=9),and overall in-hospital mortality rate was 3.7%(n=11).Univariate analysis revealed that patients who developed the moderate-severe AKI were more likely to present with hypertension,preoperative renal hypoperfusion,longer duration of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB),longer duration of aortic cross-clamp and higher intraoperative ultrafiltration volume(all P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that renal hypoperfusion(OR=4.95,95%CI:1.97-12.26,P<0.001),and prolonged CPB time(OR=1.01,95%CI:1.00-1.02,P=0.016)were independent risk factors for moderate-severe AKI after TAAD surgery.Further analysis revealed that prolonged CPB time(OR=1.02,95%Cl:1.01-1.03,P=0.007)and moderate-severe AKI(OR=10.49,95%Cl:1.22-90.62,P=0.033)were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality or dialysis dependence after TAAD surgery. Conclusions:Preoperative renal hypoperfusion and prolonged CPB time are independent risk factors for moderate-severe AKI after TAAD surgery.Prolonged CPB time and occurrence of moderate to severe AKI significantly increase the risk of in-hospital mortality and dialysis dependence,indicating that close clinical follow-up of these patients is required.
7.Advances of Fundamental Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine in Regulation of Tumor-associated Macrophages for the Prevention and Treatment of Lung Cancer Metastasis
LIU SHIHUI ; LI JIAXUAN ; QUE ZUJUN ; YU PAN ; TIAN JIANHUI
Chinese Journal of Lung Cancer 2024;27(7):541-549
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide,with metastasis being the primary cause of mortality in lung cancer patients,and its prevention and control efficacy remain limited.In recent years,immunothera-py has emerged as a promising direction for overcoming the bottleneck of metastasis.Macrophages,as essential components of innate immunity,participate in the entire process of tumor initiation and progression.Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)represent the most abundant immune population in the tumor microenvironment(TME),displaying both anti-tumor M1-like and pro-tumor M2-like phenotypes.The latter promotes tumor invasion and metastasis,angiogenesis,lymphangiogenesis,immune suppression,and reactivation of dormant disseminated tumor cells(DTCs),thereby facilitating tumor metastasis.In recent years,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has shown significant efficacy in inhibiting tumor metastasis and has been extensively validated.It exerts anti-tumor effects by reducing the recruitment of TAMs,inhibiting M2-like polarization,and modulating cytokines and proteins in the TME.This paper reviews the relationship between TAMs and lung cancer metastasis,elucidates the targets and mechanisms of TCM in regulating TAMs to prevent and treat lung cancer metastasis,aiming to pro-vide insights into lung cancer prevention and treatment.
8.Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for post-aortic surgery: A retrospective study in a single center
Shujie YAN ; Chun ZHOU ; Gang LIU ; Sizhe GAO ; Jiachen QI ; Cuntao YU ; Zujun CHEN ; Bingyang JI ; Song LOU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2024;31(05):751-756
Objective To describe the outcomes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for patients after aortic surgery and to summarize the experience. Methods The clinical data of patients who received ECMO support after aortic surgery in Fuwai Hospital from 2009 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who received an aortic dissection surgery were allocated into a dissection group, and the other patients were allocated into a non-dissection group. The in-hospital and follow-up survival rates were compared between the two groups, and the causes of death were analyzed. Results A total of 22 patients were enrolled, including 17 patients in the dissection group [13 males and 4 females, with a median age of 54 (46, 61) years] and 5 patients in the non-dissection group [3 males and 2 females, with a median age of 51 (41, 65) years]. There was no statistical difference in the age and gender between the two groups (P>0.05). The in-hospital survival rate (11.8% vs. 100.0%, P=0.001) and follow-up survival rate (11.8% vs. 80.0%, P=0.009) of the patients in the dissection group were significantly lower than those in the non-dissection group. The causes of death in the dissection group included massive bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation (3 patients), ventricular thrombosis (1 patient), irreversible brain injury (2 patients), visceral malperfusion syndrome (4 patients) and irreversible heart failure (5 patients). Conclusion ECMO after aortic dissection surgery is associated with high mortality, which is related to the pathological features of aortic dissection and severely disrupted coagulation system after the surgery. For these patients, strict indication selection and optimal management strategy are important.
9.2024 Expert Consensus on Hospital Acquired Infection Control Principles in the Department of Critical Care Medicine
Wenzhao CHAI ; Jingjing LIU ; Xiaoting WANG ; Xiaojun MA ; Bo TANG ; Qing ZHANG ; Bin WANG ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Shihong ZHU ; Wenjin CHEN ; Zujun CHEN ; Quanhui YANG ; Rongli YANG ; Xin DING ; Hua ZHAO ; Wei CHENG ; Jun DUNA ; Jingli GAO ; Dawei LIU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(3):522-531
Critically ill patients are at high risk for hospital acquired infections, which can significantly increase the mortality rate and treatment costs for these patients. Therefore, in the process of treating the primary disease, strict prevention and control of new hospital infections is an essential component of the treatment for critically ill patients. The treatment of critically ill patients involves multiple steps and requires a concerted effort from various aspects such as theory, management, education, standards, and supervision to achieve effective prevention and control of hospital infections. However, there is currently a lack of unified understanding and standards for hospital infection prevention and control. To address this, in March 2024, a group of experts in critical care medicine, infectious diseases, and hospital infection from China discussed the current situation and issues of hospital infection control in the intensive care unit together. Based on a review of the latest evidence-based medical evidence from both domestic and international sources,
10.Feiji Formula inhibits the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells and lung metastasis in animal models by regulating complement-related proteins CFHR5/MBL2/C9
Bin LUO ; Yanhong WANG ; Jiajun LIU ; Shihui LIU ; Xinyi LU ; Jiaxuan LI ; Zujun QUE ; Jianhui TIAN
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2024;31(12):1194-1203
Objective:To investigate the effects of Feiji Formula on the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells,as well as lung metastasis in animal models and explore its possible mechanisms.Methods:TNMplot,TCGA,and DAVID databases were used to analyze the expression of complement-related proteins(CFHR5[complement factor H-related protein 5],MBL2[mannose-binding lectin 2],C9[complement component 9])in lung metastatic tissues and their relationship with immune cell infiltration,as well as related biological processes and signaling pathways.A subcutaneous xenograft mice model was established using 2LL cells.Mice were administered 2 g/mL Feiji Formula decoction(0.2 mL per dose)via oral gavage for 21 days.The effects of Feiji Formula on the incidence of lung metastasis,the number of lung metastatic nodules,and the protein expression of CFHR5/MBL2/C9 in the lung tissues of the model mice were observed.Exosome tracing assay was performed to observe the secretion and uptake of exosomes by CTC-TJH-01 and H1299 cells.Different concentrations of Feiji Formula were applied to treat H1299 and CTC-TJH-01 cells,and its effects on cell viability,invasion,migration,and CFHR5/MBL2/C9 protein expression were detected by CCK-8,scratch healing assay,Transwell assay,and WB method.Results:Network pharmacology analysis showed that CFHR5/MBL2/C9 proteins were highly expressed in lung metastatic tissues(all P<0.05)and were closely related to the complement system involved in immune response regulation.Compared with the control group,the Feiji Formula group demonstrated a significant reduction in the number of lung metastatic nodules(P<0.05).Feiji Formula(0-200 μg/mL)had no significant effect on the viability of H1299 and CTC-TJH-01 cells(both P>0.05).Both CTC-TJH-01 and H1299 cells could secrete and uptake each other's exosomes.Compared with the 0 μg/mL control group,Feiji Formula at concentrations of 50-200 μg/mL significantly inhibited the migration and invasion abilities of H1299 and CTC-TJH-01 cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and significantly reduced the protein expression levels of CFHR5 and MBL2(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Notably,the expression level of C9 protein in CTC-TJH-01 cells increased only after treatment with 200 μg/mL Feiji Formula(P<0.05).Conclusion:Feiji Formula can inhibit the migration and invasion of lung cancer cells as well as lung metastasis in model mice by regulating complement-associated proteins CFHR5/MBL2/C9.This effect may be related to exosome-mediated intercellular communication.

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