1.The Role and Clinical Application Progress of Exosomes in Gynecological Malignancies
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(2):266-274
Exosomes are small vesicles with a lipid bilayer membrane structure that have applied in precision medicine due to their non-invasive nature, high accessibility, and stability. Exosomes play a crucial role in processes such as tumor metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis. Gynecological malignancies primarily include cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer, and their early diagnosis and treatment have long been a focus of research. As novel biological markers, exosomes exhibit high specificity and can effectively block the occurrence and progression of gynecological malignancies. This article explores the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of exosomes in cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer in detail. In cervical cancer, exosomes are involved in processes such as HPV infection, angiogenesis, and immune evasion, with specific miRNAs (such as miR-30d-5p and let-7d-3p) serving as diagnostic markers. Furthermore, exosomes can act as targeted drug delivery vehicles and vaccine development platforms. In ovarian cancer, the miRNAs carried by exosomes (such as miR-21 and the miR-200 family) have reference value for early diagnosis, and exosomes play an important role in chemotherapy resistance and tumor progression. For endometrial cancer, miRNAs in exosomes (such as miR-15a-5p and miR-106b-5p) can serve as biomarkers for early detection. Additionally, this article highlights the challenges faced by exosomes in clinical applications, such as the complexity of isolation and extraction and the identification of cell sources, and emphasizes the necessity for further basic research and clinical trials. This study provides new ideas and methods for the early diagnosis and precision treatment of gynecological malignancies, holding significant theoretical and clinical importance.
2.Influence of Gene Mutation on the Effectiveness of Arsenic-Containing Herbal Compound Formula in Treatment of Myelodysplastic Syndromes of Different TCM Patterns
Zichun WANG ; Zhuo CHEN ; Dexiu WANG ; Haiyan XIAO ; Weiyi LIU ; Ruibai LI ; Chi LIU ; Fengmei WANG ; Shanshan ZHANG ; Mingjing WANG ; Liu LI ; Xiaoqing GUO ; Hongzhi WANG ; Xudong TANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1463-1472
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of gene mutation on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing Chinese herbal compound formulas in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) of different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) patterns, so as to provide the basis for the clinical application. MethodsClinical data of 442 MDS patients who were treated with arsenic-containing herbal compound formulas were retrospectively collected, including the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Based on the TCM four examinations, the patients were divided into the spleen-kidney deficiency group as well as the qi-yin deficiency group, and according to the results of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) test, they were divided into the group with and without gene mutation respectively. The influence of gene mutation on the clinical effectiveness of patients with different TCM patterns was analyzed, the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients with different outcomes of the two TCM patterns were compared, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of the effective rate of MDS patients with gene mutation. ResultsA total of 190 cases were included in the spleen-kidney deficiency group (119 cases with gene mutation) and 43 cases in the qi-yin deficiency group (23 cases with gene mutation). No statistically significant differences were noted in effectiveness assessment, total effective rate, and total response rate between the spleen-kidney deficiency group and the qi-yin deficiency group (P>0.05). In the spleen-kidney deficiency group, the total effective rate of MDS with gene mutation was 65.55% (78/119), which was lower than 80.28% (57/71) of MDS without gene mutation, with statistical significance (P = 0.033), while no statistical differences in effectiveness assessment and total response rate were noted (P>0.05). In the qi-yin deficiency group, no statistical differences were observed in effectiveness assessment, total effective rate, and total response rate of the patients in with or without gene mutation (P>0.05). In the spleen-kidney deficiency group with gene mutation, the rate of complex karyotype (P = 0.031) and the mutation rate of CBL gene (P = 0.032) in the ineffective population were higher than those in the effective population, while the mutation rate of DDX41 gene in the effective population was higher than that in the ineffective population (P = 0.033). No statistically significant differences were found in other gene mutations, age, gender distribution, number of gene mutations, bone marrow hyperplasia degree, blast cell range, reticular fiber tissue proliferation or not, and prognosis of chromosomal abnormalities between the effective and ineffective populations (P>0.05). In the qi-yin deficiency group with gene mutation, no statistically significant differences were found in various items between populations with different outcomes (P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that complex karyotype, CBL mutation, and DDX41 mutation were independently associated with the effective rate of MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency and gene mutation (P<0.05). DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group (OR>1), while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors (OR<1). ConclusionThe arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas exhibited better effectiveness in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without mutation; and in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without complex karyotypes, CBL mutation, and with DDX41 mutations. Furthermore, DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group, while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors. In MDS with qi-yin deficiency pattern, gene mutation-related factors showed no significant impact on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas.
3.Computational pathology in precision oncology: Evolution from task-specific models to foundation models.
Yuhao WANG ; Yunjie GU ; Xueyuan ZHANG ; Baizhi WANG ; Rundong WANG ; Xiaolong LI ; Yudong LIU ; Fengmei QU ; Fei REN ; Rui YAN ; S Kevin ZHOU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2868-2878
With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, computational pathology has been seamlessly integrated into the entire clinical workflow, which encompasses diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and biomarker discovery. This integration has significantly enhanced clinical accuracy and efficiency while reducing the workload for clinicians. Traditionally, research in this field has depended on the collection and labeling of large datasets for specific tasks, followed by the development of task-specific computational pathology models. However, this approach is labor intensive and does not scale efficiently for open-set identification or rare diseases. Given the diversity of clinical tasks, training individual models from scratch to address the whole spectrum of clinical tasks in the pathology workflow is impractical, which highlights the urgent need to transition from task-specific models to foundation models (FMs). In recent years, pathological FMs have proliferated. These FMs can be classified into three categories, namely, pathology image FMs, pathology image-text FMs, and pathology image-gene FMs, each of which results in distinct functionalities and application scenarios. This review provides an overview of the latest research advancements in pathological FMs, with a particular emphasis on their applications in oncology. The key challenges and opportunities presented by pathological FMs in precision oncology are also explored.
Humans
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Precision Medicine/methods*
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Medical Oncology/methods*
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Artificial Intelligence
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Neoplasms/pathology*
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Computational Biology/methods*
4.Effect of Exosomes CXCL1 on the Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration of Cervical Cancer Cells
Fengmei ZHANG ; Yanan¹ ZUO ; Juncheng¹ ZHANG ; Qianqian² HU ; Hongfang² LI
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences) 2025;46(6):1021-1028
ObjectiveTo explore the effects of exosomal CXCL on the biological behavior of cervical cancer cells and its underlying mechanisms. MethodsChemokine CXCL was first screened through bioinformatics databases. The GEPIA database was analyze CXCL expression in cervical cancer tissues and adjacent normal cervical tissues. Western blot was performed to detect CXCL expression levels in cervical cancer cells (Caski) and normal cervical epithelial cells (H8). The successful isolation of exosomes was confirmed by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Western blot. ELISA was employed to detect the expression level of exosomes CXCL was determined by ELISA. After CXCL knockdown via siRNA transfection, cells were divided into three groups: blank control, negative control and experimental groups. Cell proliferation was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay, while cell migration and invasion were assessed by Transwell assays. ResultsExosomal CXCL expression was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer cells compared with normal cervical epithelial cells (P<0. 01), and also markedly elevated in cervical cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. After low expression of CXCL knockdown significantly reduced CXCL expression in both cancer cells and their derived exosomes(P<0. 05). Low expression markedly inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration abilities ConclusionSilencing exosomal CXCL may inhibit the malignant biological behavior of cancer cells.
5.Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of chronic dacryocystitis-related corneal ulcers
Qing HUANG ; Fengmei SHAN ; Jie LI ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Xiuhai LU ; Fuhua WANG ; Hua GAO ; Xiaolin QI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Ophthalmology 2024;42(5):442-447
Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of chronic dacryocystitis-related corneal ulcers and to provide a basis for the rational clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:An observational case series study was performed.A total of 31 patients (31 eyes) diagnosed with chronic dacryocystitis-related corneal ulcers in Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University were enrolled from January 2016 to January 2020, with an average age of (53.0±10.8) years.The typical ocular signs, results of the etiological examination and microbial sensitivity test, treatment process and outcomes were analyzed.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (No.20191020-1).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before any medical examination.Results:The average history of chronic dacryocystitis was (3.6±1.9) years.Corneal ulcers were mostly located in the peripheral cornea and had a rounded morphology with clear borders.The positive rate of corneal scraping was 74.2%(23/31), with bacteria in 19 eyes, fungal hyphae in 3 eyes, and both gram-positive cocci and fungal hyphae in 1 eye.The positive rate of microbial culture was 74.2%(23/31), with positive bacterial culture in 20 eyes (gram-positive cocci in 16 eyes and gram-negative bacilli in 4 eyes) and fungal growth in 3 eyes.The sensitivity rates of gram-positive cocci to vancomycin, rifampicin, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin were 100%(16/16), 87.5%(14/16), 81.3%(13/16), and 75.0%(12/16), respectively.All patients were treated with surgery for chronic dacryocystitis, including 22 cases of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, 7 cases of dacryocystectomy, and 2 cases of lacrimal duct probing combined with intubation.Among the 9 cases with an ulcer depth of <1/3 of the corneal thickness (CT), 6 cases were cured after (10.8±3.2) days of drug treatment and 3 cases underwent corneal lesion resection.The 6 patients with an ulcer depth of 1/3-2/3 of the CT underwent conjunctival flap covering surgery.Among the 16 patients with an ulcer depth of >2/3 of the CT, lamellar keratoplasty was performed in 6 cases, penetrating keratoplasty in 8 cases and evisceration in 2 cases with infectious endophthalmitis.Conclusions:Chronic dacryocystitis-related corneal ulcers are mainly located at the periphery of the cornea, and gram-positive cocci infections are the most common pathogenic bacteria.In patients with mild symptoms, corneal ulcers heal gradually after treatment with sensitive antibiotics.For patients with severe infections, appropriate surgery should be selected according to the depth of the corneal ulcer.
6.Clinical characteristics and risk factors for death of respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Yao LI ; Feng ZHANG ; Chang LIU ; Xiaosu ZHAO ; Xiaodong MO ; Fengrong WANG ; Chenhua YAN ; Zhidong WANG ; Jun KONG ; Yuanyuan ZHANG ; Fengmei ZHENG ; Yang LIU ; Leqing CAO ; Daoxing DENG ; Xiaojun HUANG ; Xiaohui ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(10):916-922
Objective:To summarize the clinical features associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in patients following the hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and exploring the risk factors for death.Methods:Patients who had RSV infection after undergoing HSCT from October 2023 to January 2024 in the hematology department of Peking University People’s Hospital were enrolled in the study. The clinical characteristics of the participating patients were summarized. The clinical characteristics of the surviving and the dying patients were compared, and the risk factors of death were analyzed by binary logistic regression.Results:Among the 43 RSV-positive HSCT patients, 20 (46.5%) were hypoxemic, six (14.0%) were admitted to the ICU for further treatment, four (9.3%) required tracheal intubation assisted ventilation, and seven patients (16.3%) died. A comparison of the clinical features of the surviving patients and the deceased patients demonstrated that the deceased patients had a lower PLT when infected with RSV [74.5 (8.0-348.0) ×10 9/L vs 15.0 (10.0-62.0) ×10 9/L, P=0.003], a higher incidence of simultaneous bacterial infections (85.7% vs 41.7%, P=0.046), and a higher rate of hematological recurrence (71.4% vs 13.9%, P=0.004). Hematological recurrence ( OR=15.500, 95% CI 2.336-102.848, P=0.005), influenza A viral infection ( OR=14.000, 95% CI 1.064-184.182, P=0.045), and low PLT at the time of RSV infection ( OR=0.945, 95% CI 0.894-0.999, P=0.048) were the factors associated with death following HSCT. Conclusion:Patients infected with RSV after undergoing HSCT have a poor prognosis, and active prevention and treatment of RSV in the autumn and winter requires urgent attention.
7.Efficacy evaluation of extending or switching to tenofovir amibufenamide in patients with chronic hepatitis B: a phase Ⅲ randomized controlled study
Zhihong LIU ; Qinglong JIN ; Yuexin ZHANG ; Guozhong GONG ; Guicheng WU ; Lvfeng YAO ; Xiaofeng WEN ; Zhiliang GAO ; Yan HUANG ; Daokun YANG ; Enqiang CHEN ; Qing MAO ; Shide LIN ; Jia SHANG ; Huanyu GONG ; Lihua ZHONG ; Huafa YIN ; Fengmei WANG ; Peng HU ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Qunjie GAO ; Chaonan JIN ; Chuan LI ; Junqi NIU ; Jinlin HOU
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(10):883-892
Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the efficacy of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects who were previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extended or switched TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on virological, serological, biological parameters, and fibrosis staging. Statistical analysis was performed using the McNemar test, t-test, or Log-Rank test according to the data. Results:593 subjects from the initial TMF group and 287 subjects from the TDF group were included at week 144, with the proportions of HBV DNA<20 IU/ml at week 144 being 86.2% and 83.3%, respectively, and 78.1% and 73.8% in patients with baseline HBV DNA levels ≥8 log10 IU/ml. Resistance to tenofovir was not detected in both groups. For HBeAg loss and seroconversion rates, both groups showed a further increase from week 96 to 144 and the 3-year cumulative rates of HBeAg loss were about 35% in each group. However, HBsAg levels were less affected during 96 to 144 weeks. For patients switched from TDF to TMF, a substantial further increase in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate was observed (11.4%), along with improved FIB-4 scores.Conclusion:After 144 weeks of TMF treatment, CHB patients achieved high rates of virological, serological, and biochemical responses, as well as improved liver fibrosis outcomes. Also, switching to TMF resulted in significant benefits in ALT normalization rates (NCT03903796).
8.Safety profile of tenofovir amibufenamide therapy extension or switching in patients with chronic hepatitis B: a phase Ⅲ multicenter, randomized controlled trial
Zhihong LIU ; Qinglong JIN ; Yuexin ZHANG ; Guozhong GONG ; Guicheng WU ; Lvfeng YAO ; Xiaofeng WEN ; Zhiliang GAO ; Yan HUANG ; Daokun YANG ; Enqiang CHEN ; Qing MAO ; Shide LIN ; Jia SHANG ; Huanyu GONG ; Lihua ZHONG ; Huafa YIN ; Fengmei WANG ; Peng HU ; Xiaoqing ZHANG ; Qunjie GAO ; Peng XIA ; Chuan LI ; Junqi NIU ; Jinlin HOU
Chinese Journal of Hepatology 2024;32(10):893-903
Objective:In chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with previous 96-week treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), we investigated the safety profile of sequential TMF treatment from 96 to 144 weeks.Methods:Enrolled subjects that previously assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks received extending or switching TMF treatment for 48 weeks. Safety profiles of kidney, bone, metabolism, body weight, and others were evaluated.Results:666 subjects from the initial TMF group and 336 subjects from TDF group with at least one dose of assigned treatment were included at week 144. The overall safety profile was favorable in each group and generally similar between extended or switched TMF treatments from week 96 to 144. In subjects switching from TDF to TMF, the non-indexed estimated glomerular filtration rate (by non-indexed CKD-EPI formula) and creatinine clearance (by Cockcroft-Gault formula) were both increased, which were (2.31±8.33) ml/min and (4.24±13.94) ml/min, respectively. These changes were also higher than those in subjects with extending TMF treatment [(0.91±8.06) ml/min and (1.30±13.94) ml/min]. Meanwhile, switching to TMF also led to an increase of the bone mineral density (BMD) by 0.75% in hip and 1.41% in spine. On the other side, a slight change in TC/HDL ratio by 0.16 (IQR: 0.00, 0.43) and an increase in body mass index (BMI) by (0.54±0.98) kg/m 2 were oberved with patients switched to TMF, which were significantly higher than that in TMF group. Conclusion:CHB patients receiving 144 weeks of TMF treatment showed favorable safety profile. After switching to TMF, the bone and renal safety was significantly improved in TDF group, though experienceing change in metabolic parameters and weight gain (NCT03903796).
9.Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy with Blood Stasis, Collateral Obstruction, and Qi and Yin Deficiency Syndrome with Tongluo Mingmu Capsules: A Randomized, Double-blind, and Multi-center Phase Ⅲ Clinical Trial
Junxia REN ; Yongzheng WANG ; Xiaofei LIU ; Li SUN ; Libo YANG ; Lie WU ; Fengmei LIAN ; Qiping WEI ; Lijuan WEI ; Jingsheng YU ; Jianke HAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(7):170-178
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tongluo Mingmu capsules in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis, collateral obstruction, and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome. MethodA randomized, double-blind, positive-control, and multi-center clinical trial design method was used. 416 patients with diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis, collateral obstruction, and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome in four test centers were included (the ratio of the treatment group to the control group was 3∶1). On the basis of standardized hypoglycemic treatment, the treatment group was given both four Tongluo Mingmu capsules and two Calcium Dobesilate capsule agents three times a day, while the control group were given both two Calcium Dobesilate capsules and four Tongluo Mingmu capsule agents three times a day. The course of treatment was 12 weeks. The curative effect of Tongluo Mingmu capsules was evaluated by comparing the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome score, corrected visual acuity, fundus changes, fundus fluorescence angiography, and other curative effect indexes before and after treatment in the two groups. At the same time, general examination, laboratory examination, and adverse events were performed to evaluate the safety of the drug. ResultThe baseline demographic data and disease characteristics of the treatment group and the control group were balanced and comparable, with the difference not statistically significant. After 12 weeks of treatment, the total effective rate of the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy in the treatment group (61.0%, 189/310) was better than that in the control group (44.1%, 45/102), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=8.880, P<0.01). The total effective rate of TCM syndromes in the treatment group (88.4%, 259/293) was better than that in the control group (69.9%, 65/93), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=17.927, P<0.01). The disappearance rate of dry eyes (χ2=8.305), dull complexion (χ2=4.053), lassitude (χ2=10.267), shortness of breath (χ2=8.494), and dry stool (χ2=8.657) in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.01). In terms of improving corrected visual acuity (χ2=8.382), fundus changes (χ2=6.026) , the treatment group was significantly better than the control group (P<0.05). During the trial, the incidence of adverse events in the treatment group and the control group was 1.3% and 2.9%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. In addition, there were no serious adverse events and adverse events leading to withdrawal in both groups. ConclusionTongluo Mingmu capsules can improve the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy and enhance the efficacy of TCM syndromes, visual acuity, fundus changes, and fundus fluorescein angiography, with great safety. Therefore, it can provide a new alternative therapeutic drug for patients with diabetic retinopathy.
10.Polymorphic BolA Ⅰα1α2 binds to constant chains and co-locates in eukaryotic cells
Fangfang CHEN ; Fengmei YU ; Cuiyan LIU ; Yaping GUI ; Jinchun LI
Chinese Journal of Immunology 2024;40(1):72-77
Objective:To demonstrate the polymorphism of α chain of bovine major histocompatibility complex(BoLA)classⅠmolecule and domain binding constant chain(Ii).Methods:Total 75 BoLA Iα genes were obtained from three Huaibei cattle and analyzed by molecular biology software;the genes of typical BoLA Iα domains and Ii were cloned,and then inserted into prokaryotic expression plasmid.After induced protein expression;the domains of BoLA Ⅰα chain binding to Ii were detected by pull-down meth-od and Western blot.The recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmids were constructed and the co-localization of BoLA Iα segments with Ii was observed by laser confocal microscopy.Results:Firstly,it was found that there were at least 5 kinds of BoLA Iα in the cloned gene sequence,which were highly polymorphic and they were mainly distributed in the antigen peptide binding region(PBR)of BoLA Ⅰ(α1α2)and cytoplasmic region.Secondly,the prokaryotic recombinant plasmids containing BoLA Ⅰα1α2α3,BoLA Ⅰα1α2 or BoLA Ⅰα 3 were constructed,then they were respectively induced to express and purified,in which,the BoLA Ⅰα1α2α3 and BoLA Ⅰα1α2 had the activity of binding to Ii.Finally,in 293T cells BoLA Ⅰα1α 2α3 or BoLA Ⅰα1α2 was found that could co-localize with Ii,while a single BoLA Ⅰα3 could not.Conclusion:BoLA Ⅰα gene is highly polymorphic.BoLA Ⅰα1α2 is a func-tional fragment that binds to Ii and co-locates intracellular.

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