1.Interpretation of research progress on EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
Xuxu ZHANG ; Jiahe LI ; Jipeng ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Wen LIU ; Bo BAO ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):19-29
The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting was held in Chicago. At the meeting, researches on the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) once again took the spotlight. Combination therapy strategies have demonstrated the potential to overcome resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) and prolong survival. Meanwhile, progress has also been made in individualized treatment strategies for young patients and those with fibrotic interstitial lung disease. However, the complexity of resistance mechanisms, special treatment considerations for different populations, and the impact of socioeconomic factors on treatment accessibility remain challenges in the field of EGFR-mutant NSCLC treatment. In the future, it is necessary to further explore more effective treatment regimens and expand the accessibility of precision medicine to maximize patient benefits.
2.Interpretation of advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC)
Bo BAO ; Jiayu LU ; Wen LIU ; Xuxu ZHANG ; Jiahe LI ; Jipeng ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):218-230
The 26th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) was held in Barcelona during September 6-9, 2025. As the world's largest and most influential academic meeting in the field of lung cancer, this year's congress unveiled long-term follow-up data from several pivotal studies and significant advances in novel therapeutic strategies. In the realm of targeted therapy, a next-generation combination strategy has been established as the new standard of care for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), demonstrating a significant improvement in overall survival. In immunotherapy, novel combination regimens have not only addressed the therapeutic challenge of acquired resistance to EGFR targeted therapies, but also shown clear long-term survival benefits in both the perioperative and locally advanced settings. These findings pave the way for shifting the treatment paradigm to earlier stages for patients with NSCLC. Antibody-drug conjugates have made remarkable strides in this field. They have shown outstanding efficacy in patients with specific resistance mutations and those with brain metastases, and have also demonstrated immense potential in treating patients with HER2-aberrant lung cancer and broader NSCLC populations. This offers new therapeutic options for patients with refractory lung cancer.However, significant challenges remain, including the heterogeneity of resistance mechanisms, the selection of optimal treatment regimens, and management strategies for special populations. Future research should focus on identifying novel precision biomarkers and optimizing therapeutic strategies to ultimately improve clinical outcomes for all patients with lung cancer.
3.Interpretation of advances in immune therapy for non-small cell lung cancer at the 2025 European Lung Cancer Congress
Wen LIU ; Jiayu LU ; Xuxu ZHANG ; Xinyao XU ; Jipeng ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Guizhen LI ; Bo BAO ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(08):1063-1071
The 2025 European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) convened in Paris, France, centering on the optimization and innovation of immunotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Key topics at the congress included the application strategies for perioperative immunotherapy, breakthroughs in combination therapy models for advanced NSCLC, and the emerging roles of biomarkers in predicting diverse treatment outcomes. This paper integrates data from several key pivotal studies to systematically analyze the clinical value of neoadjuvant therapy within the perioperative setting, the potential of targeted combination regimens, and the challenges of managing drug resistance, thus offering new directions for clinical practice.
4.Study on the inhibition of cell cycle progression and proliferation ability of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway by morin
Juzheng WANG ; Jiayu LU ; Qingshi WANG ; Wen LIU ; Bo BAO ; Yiming LI ; Qiang LU
International Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2025;46(20):2513-2517
Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of morin on the cell cycle progression and prolif-eration ability of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating the transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1)/Smads signaling pathway.Methods Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 was used for in vitro experiments.Different concentrations of morin(0,30,90,150 μg/mL)were used to treat human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549.Cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8 method,cell cycle distribution was detected by Hoechst 33342 staining method,cell proliferation ability was detected by clone formation assay,cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell invasion assay,cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining method,and the expres-sion levels of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway related proteins were analyzed by Western blot.Results CCK-8 experimental results showed that the survival rate of A549 cells in the morin-treated group significantly decreased with the increase in morin concentration(P<0.05).The results of Hoechst 33342 staining showed that the proportion of G1 phase cells in the morin-treated group significantly increased,and the proportion of S phase and G2/M phase cells significantly decreased(P<0.05).The results of the colony formation assay showed that the number of colonies formed in the morin-treated group was significantly less than that in the control group,and the colony formation rates in the 90 μg/mL and 150 μg/mL groups were reduced by approximately 50%and 70%respectively(P<0.05).Transwell invasion assay results showed that the number of invasive cells in the morin-treated group was significantly reduced(P<0.05).TUNEL staining results showed that the proportion of apoptotic cells in the morin-treated group significantly increased(P<0.05).Western blot results showed that the expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad2/3 in the morin-treated group were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and the expression level of Smad7 was significantly in-creased(P<0.05).Conclusion Morin blocks A549 cells in the G1 phase by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting cell proliferation,reducing cell invasion ability,and inducing cell apopto-sis.This indicates that morin has potential application value in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.
5.Upregulation of miR-1287-5p promotes paclitaxel resistance in human esophageal cancer cell line KYSE30
Juzheng WANG ; Jiayu LU ; Qingshi WANG ; Wen LIU ; Bo BAO ; Yiming LI ; Qiang LU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(11):1473-1479
Objective To discover the mechanism by which miR-1287-5p affects the sensitivity of human esophageal cancer cell line KYSE30 to paclitaxel.Methods KYSE30 cells were divided into control group,group of transfected with miR-1287-5p mimic and inhibitor groups.RT-qPCR was used to detect the transfection rate.A paclitaxel-resistant cell line was established and cell viability and half inhibitory concentration(IC50)were detected by CCK-8 assay.The scratch test,Transwell chamber test and TUNEL method were used to evaluate the migration,invasion and apoptosis of cells.Western blot and immunocytochemistry(ICC)were used to detect the expression and localization of Akt and GSK-3β in cells.Results The expression level of miR-1287-5p in the miR-1287-5p mimic group was significantly higher than that in the miR-NC group and control group(P<0.05),while the ex-pression level of the miR-1287-5p inhibitor group was significantly lower than that in miR-NC group and control group(P<0.05).The cell survival rate of the miR-1287-5p mimic group was higher than that of the miR-NC group and the miR-1287-5p inhibitor group(P<0.05).The cell migration rate and number of invasive cells in the miR-1287-5p mimic group were higher than those of the miR-NC group(P<0.05),and the apoptosis rate was lower than that of the miR-NC group(P<0.05).While in miR-1287-5p,the cell migration rate was lower and invasive cells were less in the inhibitor group and the apoptosis rate was increased as compared to the miR-NC group(P<0.05).The expression of Akt and GSK-3β in the miR-1287-5p mimic group was significantly increased than in the miR-NC group(P<0.05),while the expression in the miR-1287-5p inhibitor group was significantly inhibited than in miR-NC group(P<0.05).Conclusions Up-regulation of miR-1287-5p can promote the migration and invasion of paclitaxel-resistant cell lines,inhibit cell apoptosis and thereby promote the development of paclitaxel resistance.
6.Functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with preservation of pelvic stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of neurovascular bundle
Xinyang LIAO ; Yige BAO ; Zhenhua LIU ; Lu YANG ; Shi QIU ; Liangren LIU ; Ping HAN ; Qiang WEI
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(2):128-134
Objectives:To examine the functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of the neurovascular bundle (PEEL).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between June 1, 2022, and March 20, 2023, 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 153 cases of RARP with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure (PPSS) were included in this study. All patients were males, aged (62.5±5.2) years (range: 50 to 73 years). There were 18 cases of ≤T2b stage and 9 cases of T2c stage. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, the postoperative functional outcomes of 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 27 cases of RARP with PPSS were compared. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon and included patients were clinically staged as cT1-2N0M0 without preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. In RARP with PEEL, the prostate was cut near the midline at the front when dissecting the neurovascular bundle, dissection was performed between the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia and the prostatic fascia, preserving the parietal layer and the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia, and the neurovascular bundle was retrogradely released from the apex. The cumulative probability curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in functional outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare postoperative urinary continence and sexual function.Results:The recovery time of continence and potency was significantly longer in the PPSS group than in the PEEL group (all P<0.05). The continence rate of the PEEL group was significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (92.59% vs. 68.10%, P=0.026) at 3 months after surgery. The potency rate of the PEEL group was also significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (40.70% vs. 15.10%, P=0.037) at 3 months after surgery. In the univariate analysis, compared to the PPSS technique, the PEEL technique was associated with a shorter recovery time of continence ( HR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.48, P=0.027) and a shorter recovery time of potency ( HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.13, P=0.042). In the multivariate analysis, the PEEL technique was an independent prognosis factor for postoperative recovery of continence ( HR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.01 to 4.17, P=0.047) and potency ( HR=3.57, 95% CI: 1.43 to 8.92, P=0.007). All the cases of the PPSS group and the PEEL group were performed successfully with negative surgical margins. Conclusion:Compared with PPSS, PEEL may be more conducive to the recovery of urinary continence and sexual function after RARP.
7.The influence of knocking down the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor associated proteins on the vascular abnormalities in hepatocellular carcinoma and its mechanisms
Qiang WU ; Linlin ZHAN ; Yu WANG ; Yuchao HE ; Lu CHEN ; Ziye CHEN ; Guangtao LI ; Dongming LIU ; Xu BAO ; Xiaomeng LIU ; Hua GUO ; Tianqiang SONG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(5):399-408
Objectives:To investigate the effect of the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor associated protein (LDLR) on the vascular abnormalities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its mechanisms.Methods:Based on the information of Oncomine Cancer GeneChip database, we analyzed the correlation between the expression level of LDLR and the expression level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CD31 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. Lentiviral transfection of short hairpin RNA target genes was used to construct LDLR-knockdown MHCC-97H and HLE hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The differential genes and their expression level changes in LDLR-knockdown hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by transcriptome sequencing, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein immunoblotting. The gene-related signaling pathways that involve LDLR were clarified by enrichment analysis. The effect of LDLR on CEA was assessed by the detection of CEA content in conditioned medium of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Angiogenesis assay was used to detect the effect of LDLR on the angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as well as the role of CEA in the regulation of angiogenesis by LDLR. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of LDLR in 176 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and CEA and CD31 in 146 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and analyze the correlations between the expression levels of LDLR, CEA, and CD31 in the tissues, serum CEA, and alanine transaminase (ALT).Results:Oncomine database analysis showed that the expressions of LDLR and CEA in the tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein metastasis were negatively correlated ( r=-0.64, P=0.001), whereas the expressions of CEA and CD31 in these tissues were positively correlated ( r=0.46, P=0.010). The transcriptome sequencing results showed that there were a total of 1 032 differentially expressed genes in the LDLR-knockdown group and the control group of MHCC-97H cells, of which 517 genes were up-regulated and 515 genes were down-regulated. The transcript expression level of CEACAM5 was significantly up-regulated in the cells of the LDLR-knockdown group. The Gene Ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis showed that the differential genes were most obviously enriched in the angiogenesis function. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis showed that the relevant pathways involved mainly included the cellular adhesion patch, the extracellular matrix receptor interactions, and the interactions with the extracellular matrix receptors. The CEA content in the conditioned medium of the LDLR-knockdown group was 43.75±8.43, which was higher than that of the control group (1.15±0.14, P<0.001). The results of angiogenesis experiments showed that at 5 h, the number of main junctions, the number of main segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by HUVEC cells cultured with the conditioned medium of MHCC-97H cells in the LDLR-knockdown group were 295.3±26.4, 552.5±63.8, and 2 239 781.0±13 8211.9 square pixels, which were higher than those of the control group (113.3±23.5, 194.8±36.5, and 660 621.0±280 328.3 square pixels, respectively, all P<0.01).The number of vascular major junctions, the number of major segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by HUVEC cells cultured in conditioned medium with HLE cells in the LDLR-knockdown group were 245.3±42.4, 257.5±20.4, and 2 535 754.5±249 094.2 square pixels, respectively, which were all higher than those of the control group (113.3±23.5, 114.3±12.2, and 1 565 456.5±219 259.7 square pixels, respectively, all P<0.01). In the conditioned medium for the control group of MHCC-97H cells,the number of main junctions, the number of main segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by the addition of CEA to cultured HUVEC cells were 178.9±12.0, 286.9±12.3, and 1 966 990.0±126 249.5 spixels, which were higher than those in the control group (119.7±22.1, 202.7±33.7, and 1 421 191.0±189 837.8 square pixels, respectively). The expression of LDLR in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was not correlated with the expression of CEA, but was negatively correlated with the expression of CD31 ( r=-0.167, P=0.044), the level of serum CEA ( r=-0.061, P=0.032), and the level of serum ALT (r=-0.147, P=0.05). The expression of CEA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was positively correlated with the expression of CD31 ( r=0.192, P=0.020). The level of serum CEA was positively correlated with the level of serum ALT ( r=0.164, P=0.029). Conclusion:Knocking down LDLR can promote vascular abnormalities in HCC by releasing CEA.
8.The influence of knocking down the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor associated proteins on the vascular abnormalities in hepatocellular carcinoma and its mechanisms
Qiang WU ; Linlin ZHAN ; Yu WANG ; Yuchao HE ; Lu CHEN ; Ziye CHEN ; Guangtao LI ; Dongming LIU ; Xu BAO ; Xiaomeng LIU ; Hua GUO ; Tianqiang SONG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(5):399-408
Objectives:To investigate the effect of the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor associated protein (LDLR) on the vascular abnormalities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its mechanisms.Methods:Based on the information of Oncomine Cancer GeneChip database, we analyzed the correlation between the expression level of LDLR and the expression level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CD31 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. Lentiviral transfection of short hairpin RNA target genes was used to construct LDLR-knockdown MHCC-97H and HLE hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The differential genes and their expression level changes in LDLR-knockdown hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by transcriptome sequencing, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein immunoblotting. The gene-related signaling pathways that involve LDLR were clarified by enrichment analysis. The effect of LDLR on CEA was assessed by the detection of CEA content in conditioned medium of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Angiogenesis assay was used to detect the effect of LDLR on the angiogenic capacity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as well as the role of CEA in the regulation of angiogenesis by LDLR. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of LDLR in 176 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and CEA and CD31 in 146 hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, and analyze the correlations between the expression levels of LDLR, CEA, and CD31 in the tissues, serum CEA, and alanine transaminase (ALT).Results:Oncomine database analysis showed that the expressions of LDLR and CEA in the tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein metastasis were negatively correlated ( r=-0.64, P=0.001), whereas the expressions of CEA and CD31 in these tissues were positively correlated ( r=0.46, P=0.010). The transcriptome sequencing results showed that there were a total of 1 032 differentially expressed genes in the LDLR-knockdown group and the control group of MHCC-97H cells, of which 517 genes were up-regulated and 515 genes were down-regulated. The transcript expression level of CEACAM5 was significantly up-regulated in the cells of the LDLR-knockdown group. The Gene Ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis showed that the differential genes were most obviously enriched in the angiogenesis function. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis showed that the relevant pathways involved mainly included the cellular adhesion patch, the extracellular matrix receptor interactions, and the interactions with the extracellular matrix receptors. The CEA content in the conditioned medium of the LDLR-knockdown group was 43.75±8.43, which was higher than that of the control group (1.15±0.14, P<0.001). The results of angiogenesis experiments showed that at 5 h, the number of main junctions, the number of main segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by HUVEC cells cultured with the conditioned medium of MHCC-97H cells in the LDLR-knockdown group were 295.3±26.4, 552.5±63.8, and 2 239 781.0±13 8211.9 square pixels, which were higher than those of the control group (113.3±23.5, 194.8±36.5, and 660 621.0±280 328.3 square pixels, respectively, all P<0.01).The number of vascular major junctions, the number of major segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by HUVEC cells cultured in conditioned medium with HLE cells in the LDLR-knockdown group were 245.3±42.4, 257.5±20.4, and 2 535 754.5±249 094.2 square pixels, respectively, which were all higher than those of the control group (113.3±23.5, 114.3±12.2, and 1 565 456.5±219 259.7 square pixels, respectively, all P<0.01). In the conditioned medium for the control group of MHCC-97H cells,the number of main junctions, the number of main segments, and the total area of the lattice formed by the addition of CEA to cultured HUVEC cells were 178.9±12.0, 286.9±12.3, and 1 966 990.0±126 249.5 spixels, which were higher than those in the control group (119.7±22.1, 202.7±33.7, and 1 421 191.0±189 837.8 square pixels, respectively). The expression of LDLR in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was not correlated with the expression of CEA, but was negatively correlated with the expression of CD31 ( r=-0.167, P=0.044), the level of serum CEA ( r=-0.061, P=0.032), and the level of serum ALT (r=-0.147, P=0.05). The expression of CEA in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was positively correlated with the expression of CD31 ( r=0.192, P=0.020). The level of serum CEA was positively correlated with the level of serum ALT ( r=0.164, P=0.029). Conclusion:Knocking down LDLR can promote vascular abnormalities in HCC by releasing CEA.
9.Functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy with preservation of pelvic stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of neurovascular bundle
Xinyang LIAO ; Yige BAO ; Zhenhua LIU ; Lu YANG ; Shi QIU ; Liangren LIU ; Ping HAN ; Qiang WEI
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2024;62(2):128-134
Objectives:To examine the functional outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure and early elevated retrograde liberation of the neurovascular bundle (PEEL).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Between June 1, 2022, and March 20, 2023, 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 153 cases of RARP with preservation of pelvic floor stabilized structure (PPSS) were included in this study. All patients were males, aged (62.5±5.2) years (range: 50 to 73 years). There were 18 cases of ≤T2b stage and 9 cases of T2c stage. After 1∶1 propensity score matching, the postoperative functional outcomes of 27 cases of RARP with PEEL and 27 cases of RARP with PPSS were compared. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon and included patients were clinically staged as cT1-2N0M0 without preoperative urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. In RARP with PEEL, the prostate was cut near the midline at the front when dissecting the neurovascular bundle, dissection was performed between the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia and the prostatic fascia, preserving the parietal layer and the visceral layer of the pelvic fascia, and the neurovascular bundle was retrogradely released from the apex. The cumulative probability curve was plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test was used to compare the differences in functional outcomes between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare postoperative urinary continence and sexual function.Results:The recovery time of continence and potency was significantly longer in the PPSS group than in the PEEL group (all P<0.05). The continence rate of the PEEL group was significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (92.59% vs. 68.10%, P=0.026) at 3 months after surgery. The potency rate of the PEEL group was also significantly higher than that of the PPSS group (40.70% vs. 15.10%, P=0.037) at 3 months after surgery. In the univariate analysis, compared to the PPSS technique, the PEEL technique was associated with a shorter recovery time of continence ( HR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.48, P=0.027) and a shorter recovery time of potency ( HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.13, P=0.042). In the multivariate analysis, the PEEL technique was an independent prognosis factor for postoperative recovery of continence ( HR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.01 to 4.17, P=0.047) and potency ( HR=3.57, 95% CI: 1.43 to 8.92, P=0.007). All the cases of the PPSS group and the PEEL group were performed successfully with negative surgical margins. Conclusion:Compared with PPSS, PEEL may be more conducive to the recovery of urinary continence and sexual function after RARP.
10.Cell softness reveals tumorigenic potential via ITGB8/AKT/glycolysis signaling in a mice model of orthotopic bladder cancer
Shi QIU ; Yaqi QIU ; Linghui DENG ; Ling NIE ; Liming GE ; Xiaonan ZHENG ; Di JIN ; Kun JIN ; Xianghong ZHOU ; Xingyang SU ; Boyu CAI ; Jiakun LI ; Xiang TU ; Lina GONG ; Liangren LIU ; Zhenhua LIU ; Yige BAO ; Jianzhong AI ; Tianhai LIN ; Lu YANG ; Qiang WEI
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(2):209-221
Background::Bladder cancer, characterized by a high potential of tumor recurrence, has high lifelong monitoring and treatment costs. To date, tumor cells with intrinsic softness have been identified to function as cancer stem cells in several cancer types. Nonetheless, the existence of soft tumor cells in bladder tumors remains elusive. Thus, our study aimed to develop a microbarrier microfluidic chip to efficiently isolate deformable tumor cells from distinct types of bladder cancer cells.Methods::The stiffness of bladder cancer cells was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The modified microfluidic chip was utilized to separate soft cells, and the 3D Matrigel culture system was to maintain the softness of tumor cells. Expression patterns of integrin β8 (ITGB8), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined by Western blotting. Double immunostaining was conducted to examine the interaction between F-actin and tripartite motif containing 59 (TRIM59). The stem-cell-like characteristics of soft cells were explored by colony formation assay and in vivo studies upon xenografted tumor models. Results::Using our newly designed microfluidic approach, we identified a small fraction of soft tumor cells in bladder cancer cells. More importantly, the existence of soft tumor cells was confirmed in clinical human bladder cancer specimens, in which the number of soft tumor cells was associated with tumor relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biomechanical stimuli arising from 3D Matrigel activated the F-actin/ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis pathways to enhance the softness and tumorigenic capacity of tumor cells. Simultaneously, we detected a remarkable up-regulation in ITGB8, TRIM59, and phospho-AKT in clinical bladder recurrent tumors compared with their non-recurrent counterparts.Conclusions::The ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis axis plays a crucial role in modulating tumor softness and stemness. Meanwhile, the soft tumor cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy after stiffening, that offers new insights for hampering tumor progression and recurrence.

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