1.Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for resectable non-small cell lung cancer
Dongbao YANG ; Kaize ZHONG ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Hongfeng LIU ; Liji CHEN ; Jishen ZHANG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(06):920-926
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods The clinical data of patients with stage ⅡA-ⅢB NSCLC who underwent surgical treatment after receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone at the First People’s Hospital of Jining between April 2021 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the preoperative neoadjuvant regimens, the patients were divided into a combined group and a chemotherapy group, and the clinical data of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 66 patients were included, including 61 males and 5 females. There were 53 patients in the combined group with a mean age of (63.40±6.80) years, and 13 patients in the chemotherapy group with a mean age of (58.62±8.30) years. There was a statistical difference in age between the two groups (P<0.001), while no statistical difference was observed in other baseline data (P>0.05). The major pathological response rates in the combined group and the chemotherapy group were 54.7% and 23.1%, respectively (P=0.041), and the pathological complete response rates were 39.6% and 0.0%, respectively (P=0.006). The operative time in the combined group was shorter (P=0.039). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative tube carrying, incidence of postoperative complications, overall survival, or event-free survival (P>0.05). Conclusion Surgical treatment following neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy is safe and feasible, and its long-term efficacy requires further follow-up for confirmation.
2.Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant sintilimab plus chemotherapy for locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Liji CHEN ; Junjun HUANG ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Dongbao YANG ; Jiuhe SUN ; Hongfeng LIU ; Kaize ZHONG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(07):1071-1078
Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant sintilimab combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Clinical data were collected from patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy followed by surgical treatment at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Jining No.1 People's Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022. The endpoints included major pathological response (MPR), pathological complete response (pCR), R0 resection rate, safety, and postoperative survival. Results A total of 43 patients with ESCC who received at least one cycle of neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery were included. Among them, there were 31 males and 12 females with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range: 58-69). All patients successfully completed the surgery without any surgical delays. The pCR rate was 14.0% (6/43), the MPR rate was 58.1% (25/43), and the R0 resection rate was 97.7% (42/43). Patients exhibited reliable safety during neoadjuvant therapy and postoperatively. The 2-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 90.7% and 81.4%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test revealed lower recurrence rates and better survival in the MPR patients compared to the non-MPR patients. Conclusion The combination of neoadjuvant sintilimab and chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced resectable ESCC has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy, while also being safe and reliable.
3.Association of HER2 expression with clinicopathologic features and prognosis in 519 cases of urothelial carcinoma
Aoling HUANG ; Ting XIE ; Hongfeng ZHANG ; Shuaijun CHEN ; Zhengzhuo CHEN ; Bin LUO ; Feng GUAN ; Hong-lin YAN ; Jingping YUAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(5):602-607,613
Purpose To investigate the immunohistochemical HER2 expression in a large group of patients with urothelial carcinoma and to compare the results with the pathologic features and survival rate.Methods A total of 519 urothelial carcinoma specimens were collected from two centers.HER2 expression was measured by EnVision immuno-histochemistry.HER2 expression was compared with clinicopathological parameters,and further analyzed in relation to patient prognosis.Results The median age of the 519 patients was 66 years with a male to female ratio of 1.93∶1.Among them,160 cases were radical specimens,and 359 were transurethral resection specimens.The overall HER2 positivity rate was 61.7%(320/519),of which 148 cases(28.5%)were HER2 1+,238(45.9%)were HER2 2+,and 82(15.8%)were HER2 3+.In addition,51 cases(9.8%)were HER2-negative.HER2-positive ex-pression was associated with age,tumor location,histological grade,histological type,surgical approach,lymphovas-cular invasion,and neural invasion(all P<0.05),but there was no significant correlation with gender,pT stage,muscular invasion,or lymph node metastasis.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age≥ 66 years,higher tumor grade,and lymphovascular invasion were risk factors for positive HER2 expression,and high histological grade and lymphovascular invasion were independent risk factors affecting HER2 expression after controlling for confounders.Survival analysis showed no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between patients with HER2-positive and HER2-negative non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma(P=0.274).Conclusion High histologic grade,tumor lymphovascular invasion,and neural invasion were associated with positive HER2 expression in patients with urothelial carcinoma,and higher histologic grade and lymphovascular invasion are important factors affect-ing HER2 expression.However,HER2-positive expression may not affect the prognosis of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma.
4.Association of HER2 expression with clinicopathologic features and prognosis in 519 cases of urothelial carcinoma
Aoling HUANG ; Ting XIE ; Hongfeng ZHANG ; Shuaijun CHEN ; Zhengzhuo CHEN ; Bin LUO ; Feng GUAN ; Hong-lin YAN ; Jingping YUAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(5):602-607,613
Purpose To investigate the immunohistochemical HER2 expression in a large group of patients with urothelial carcinoma and to compare the results with the pathologic features and survival rate.Methods A total of 519 urothelial carcinoma specimens were collected from two centers.HER2 expression was measured by EnVision immuno-histochemistry.HER2 expression was compared with clinicopathological parameters,and further analyzed in relation to patient prognosis.Results The median age of the 519 patients was 66 years with a male to female ratio of 1.93∶1.Among them,160 cases were radical specimens,and 359 were transurethral resection specimens.The overall HER2 positivity rate was 61.7%(320/519),of which 148 cases(28.5%)were HER2 1+,238(45.9%)were HER2 2+,and 82(15.8%)were HER2 3+.In addition,51 cases(9.8%)were HER2-negative.HER2-positive ex-pression was associated with age,tumor location,histological grade,histological type,surgical approach,lymphovas-cular invasion,and neural invasion(all P<0.05),but there was no significant correlation with gender,pT stage,muscular invasion,or lymph node metastasis.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age≥ 66 years,higher tumor grade,and lymphovascular invasion were risk factors for positive HER2 expression,and high histological grade and lymphovascular invasion were independent risk factors affecting HER2 expression after controlling for confounders.Survival analysis showed no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between patients with HER2-positive and HER2-negative non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma(P=0.274).Conclusion High histologic grade,tumor lymphovascular invasion,and neural invasion were associated with positive HER2 expression in patients with urothelial carcinoma,and higher histologic grade and lymphovascular invasion are important factors affect-ing HER2 expression.However,HER2-positive expression may not affect the prognosis of patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinoma.
5.Ovarian mature cystic teratoma with mucinous tumors:a clinicopathological anal-ysis of 14 cases
Xiaoxiao ZHAO ; Shuaijun CHEN ; Bo LUO ; Yonghui XIE ; Hongfeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(11):1472-1477,1484
Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,differential diagnosis,immuno-phenotype,and prognosis of ovarian mature cystic teratoma(MCT)with an associated mucinous tumor(MT).Meth-ods Clinicopathological and follow-up data from 14 cases of MCT with MT were retrospectively analyzed and supple-mented with a literature review.Results 14 patients' ages ranged from 21-70 years,with a median age of 33 years.Tumors were located in the left ovary(4 cases),right ovary(9 cases),or bilaterally(1 case).The tumors,cystic or cyst-solid,measured 6.0-24.0 cm in maximum diameter(mean:11.7±5.7 cm).Histologically,the MT compo-nents were classified as mucinous cystadenoma(MCA)in 9 cases,borderline mucinous cystadenoma(MBT)in 4 ca-ses,and mucinous adenocarcinoma(MAC)in 1 case.Microscopically,MCT elements from multiple germ layers were identified in 13 cases,with one case showing only mature thyroid tissue.The mucinous epithelium in MCA showed no significant atypia.Mucinous epithelial proliferation accounted>10%in MBT.MAC demonstrated moderate-to-severe atypia and invasive growth.Immunohistochemically,the MT epithelium was frequently positive for CK7(6/7),CK20(4/5),CDX2(5/6),Villin(4/4),SATB2(3/3),MUC2(2/3),MUC5AC(2/2),MUC6(1/1),and PAX-8(2/7),while negative for ER(6/6),PR(5/5),and WT-1(5/5).The Ki-67 proliferation index was low(<5%)in 6 cases and high(50%)in one case.During a follow-up of 9-110 months,patients with MCT associated with MCA or MBT were alive without recurrence.The patient with MCT and MAC experienced recurrence 34 months after surgery.Conclusion Ovarian MCT with MT is rare and lacks specific clinical manifestations.Pathological examina-tion combined with immunophenotyping is essential for accurate diagnosis and classification.
6.Consideration and Suggestions on Dosage Labeling Issues in Chinese Patent Medicines Instructions
Juan XU ; Gaiping WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Lingjun DONG ; Junfei WANG ; Hongfeng LIU ; Weihong CHEN
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(5):720-726
Objective To explore a standardized approach for indicating dosages in Chinese patent medicines(CPM)instructions.Methods A review of 1 378 classic formulas of traditional Chinese medicine in the 2020 edition of the Pharmaco-poeia of the People's Republic of China(Chinese Pharmacopoeia)was conducted,focusing on three aspects:overdose,different dosage forms,and inclusion of toxic herbs.Approximately 50 representative formulas were selected,and their daily dosage of herbal pieces and the corresponding dosage of individual herbs were calculated.These results were then compared and analyzed against the dosages stipulated in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Results ①Overdose:Among the 1 378 reviewed formulas,146(10.60%)were found to involve overdose.Specifically,eight formulas were identified as having an overdose of approximately 3 to 5 times the recommended dose,including Duanxueliu tablets and Zhixue Fumai mixture.②Dosage variations across dosage forms:Based on the conversion of the Ming-Qing dynasty dosage of one liang(Chinese traditional weight unit)to 36 g,the estimated dai-ly dose per component of crude herbs in Yinqiao powder was close to the upper limit specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.The total daily dose of crude herbs(75.60 g)was approximately five times that of the Yinqiao powder(15 g)listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and three times that of the Japanese Kampo Yinqiao powder(23.868 g).Significant differences in dosage were ob-served among Yinqiao Jiedu preparations of different dosage forms.In terms of total daily dose of crude herbs,granules(52.50 g)had the highest dose,approximately 3-5 times that of tablets/capsules(11.20 g),soft capsules(13.44 g),and powders(15.00 g),but still 30% lower than the original prescription from ancient texts(75.6 g).Comparing the daily dose per compo-nent,granules fell within the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose range,while tablets,capsules,soft capsules,and powders were all below the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose.③Inclusion of toxic herbs:Among the 20 oral formulations containing Strychnos nux-vomica(Maqianzi)listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,seven species exceeded the pharmacopoeial dose of 0.3-0.6 g per day.Notably,Shenjin Huoluo pill and Shufeng Dingtong pill exceeded the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose by 1.5-2 times.The daily dose of strych-nosine in Shenjin Huoluo pill was 21.3 mg,exceeding the toxic dose range of 5-10 mg.Conclusions The dosage indications in CPM instructions must adhere to a unified format,clearly stating the daily dose per component of crude herbs,the total daily dose of crude herbs,and the total number of administrations under the"Dosage and Administration"section.For instance,"Yinqiao Jiedu granules,with a total daily dose equivalent to 60 g of crude herbs taken in four doses(including:Flos Lonicerae 10.71 g,Fructus Forsythiae 10.71 g,Radix Platycodi 6.43 g,Herba Menthae Haplocalycis 6.43 g,Fructus Arctii 6.43 g,Semen Sojae Preparatum 5.36 g,Radix Glycyrrhizae 5.36 g,Herba Lophatheri 4.29 g,Herba Schizonepetae 4.29 g)."For CPM containing tox-ic herbs,dosage indications are even more crucial,such as specifying the daily dose of Maqianzi powder/processed Maqianzi and strychnosine in formulations containing this herb.
7.Ovarian mature cystic teratoma with mucinous tumors:a clinicopathological anal-ysis of 14 cases
Xiaoxiao ZHAO ; Shuaijun CHEN ; Bo LUO ; Yonghui XIE ; Hongfeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Pathology 2025;41(11):1472-1477,1484
Purpose To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,differential diagnosis,immuno-phenotype,and prognosis of ovarian mature cystic teratoma(MCT)with an associated mucinous tumor(MT).Meth-ods Clinicopathological and follow-up data from 14 cases of MCT with MT were retrospectively analyzed and supple-mented with a literature review.Results 14 patients' ages ranged from 21-70 years,with a median age of 33 years.Tumors were located in the left ovary(4 cases),right ovary(9 cases),or bilaterally(1 case).The tumors,cystic or cyst-solid,measured 6.0-24.0 cm in maximum diameter(mean:11.7±5.7 cm).Histologically,the MT compo-nents were classified as mucinous cystadenoma(MCA)in 9 cases,borderline mucinous cystadenoma(MBT)in 4 ca-ses,and mucinous adenocarcinoma(MAC)in 1 case.Microscopically,MCT elements from multiple germ layers were identified in 13 cases,with one case showing only mature thyroid tissue.The mucinous epithelium in MCA showed no significant atypia.Mucinous epithelial proliferation accounted>10%in MBT.MAC demonstrated moderate-to-severe atypia and invasive growth.Immunohistochemically,the MT epithelium was frequently positive for CK7(6/7),CK20(4/5),CDX2(5/6),Villin(4/4),SATB2(3/3),MUC2(2/3),MUC5AC(2/2),MUC6(1/1),and PAX-8(2/7),while negative for ER(6/6),PR(5/5),and WT-1(5/5).The Ki-67 proliferation index was low(<5%)in 6 cases and high(50%)in one case.During a follow-up of 9-110 months,patients with MCT associated with MCA or MBT were alive without recurrence.The patient with MCT and MAC experienced recurrence 34 months after surgery.Conclusion Ovarian MCT with MT is rare and lacks specific clinical manifestations.Pathological examina-tion combined with immunophenotyping is essential for accurate diagnosis and classification.
8.Research progress on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal cancer
Liji CHEN ; Hongmei MA ; Shifa ZHANG ; Kaize ZHONG ; Dongbao YANG ; Jiuhe SUN ; Hongfeng LIU ; Ru SONG ; Jishan ZHANG ; Haibo CAI
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):714-721
Esophageal cancer is one of the malignant tumors that poses a threat to human health, with both high incidence and malignancy. Currently, surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer; however, the long-term prognosis remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, inhibitors of programmed death protein-1 (PD-1) and its ligand (programmed death ligand-1, PD-L1) have achieved breakthrough progress in other solid tumors, and research on esophageal cancer is gradually being conducted. With the demonstration of good efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the first-line and second-line treatment of advanced unresectable esophageal cancer, their incorporation into neoadjuvant treatment regimens has become a hot topic. Therefore, this article reviews the mechanism of action of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and their application in the neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer.
9.Consideration and Suggestions on Dosage Labeling Issues in Chinese Patent Medicines Instructions
Juan XU ; Gaiping WANG ; Yu ZHANG ; Lingjun DONG ; Junfei WANG ; Hongfeng LIU ; Weihong CHEN
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(5):720-726
Objective To explore a standardized approach for indicating dosages in Chinese patent medicines(CPM)instructions.Methods A review of 1 378 classic formulas of traditional Chinese medicine in the 2020 edition of the Pharmaco-poeia of the People's Republic of China(Chinese Pharmacopoeia)was conducted,focusing on three aspects:overdose,different dosage forms,and inclusion of toxic herbs.Approximately 50 representative formulas were selected,and their daily dosage of herbal pieces and the corresponding dosage of individual herbs were calculated.These results were then compared and analyzed against the dosages stipulated in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Results ①Overdose:Among the 1 378 reviewed formulas,146(10.60%)were found to involve overdose.Specifically,eight formulas were identified as having an overdose of approximately 3 to 5 times the recommended dose,including Duanxueliu tablets and Zhixue Fumai mixture.②Dosage variations across dosage forms:Based on the conversion of the Ming-Qing dynasty dosage of one liang(Chinese traditional weight unit)to 36 g,the estimated dai-ly dose per component of crude herbs in Yinqiao powder was close to the upper limit specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.The total daily dose of crude herbs(75.60 g)was approximately five times that of the Yinqiao powder(15 g)listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and three times that of the Japanese Kampo Yinqiao powder(23.868 g).Significant differences in dosage were ob-served among Yinqiao Jiedu preparations of different dosage forms.In terms of total daily dose of crude herbs,granules(52.50 g)had the highest dose,approximately 3-5 times that of tablets/capsules(11.20 g),soft capsules(13.44 g),and powders(15.00 g),but still 30% lower than the original prescription from ancient texts(75.6 g).Comparing the daily dose per compo-nent,granules fell within the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose range,while tablets,capsules,soft capsules,and powders were all below the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose.③Inclusion of toxic herbs:Among the 20 oral formulations containing Strychnos nux-vomica(Maqianzi)listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,seven species exceeded the pharmacopoeial dose of 0.3-0.6 g per day.Notably,Shenjin Huoluo pill and Shufeng Dingtong pill exceeded the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose by 1.5-2 times.The daily dose of strych-nosine in Shenjin Huoluo pill was 21.3 mg,exceeding the toxic dose range of 5-10 mg.Conclusions The dosage indications in CPM instructions must adhere to a unified format,clearly stating the daily dose per component of crude herbs,the total daily dose of crude herbs,and the total number of administrations under the"Dosage and Administration"section.For instance,"Yinqiao Jiedu granules,with a total daily dose equivalent to 60 g of crude herbs taken in four doses(including:Flos Lonicerae 10.71 g,Fructus Forsythiae 10.71 g,Radix Platycodi 6.43 g,Herba Menthae Haplocalycis 6.43 g,Fructus Arctii 6.43 g,Semen Sojae Preparatum 5.36 g,Radix Glycyrrhizae 5.36 g,Herba Lophatheri 4.29 g,Herba Schizonepetae 4.29 g)."For CPM containing tox-ic herbs,dosage indications are even more crucial,such as specifying the daily dose of Maqianzi powder/processed Maqianzi and strychnosine in formulations containing this herb.
10.Tumor-intrinsic PRMT5 upregulates FGL1 via methylating TCF12 to inhibit CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity in liver cancer.
Jiao SUN ; Hongfeng YUAN ; Linlin SUN ; Lina ZHAO ; Yufei WANG ; Chunyu HOU ; Huihui ZHANG ; Pan LV ; Guang YANG ; Ningning ZHANG ; Wei LU ; Xiaodong ZHANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):188-204
Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) acts as an oncogene in liver cancer, yet its roles and in-depth molecular mechanisms within the liver cancer immune microenvironment remain mostly undefined. Here, we demonstrated that disruption of tumor-intrinsic PRMT5 enhances CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity both in vivo and in vitro. Further experiments verified that this effect is achieved through downregulation of the inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule, fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1). Mechanistically, PRMT5 catalyzed symmetric dimethylation of transcription factor 12 (TCF12) at arginine 554 (R554), prompting the binding of TCF12 to FGL1 promoter region, which transcriptionally activated FGL1 in tumor cells. Methylation deficiency at TCF12-R554 residue downregulated FGL1 expression, which promoted CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Notably, combining the PRMT5 methyltransferase inhibitor GSK591 with PD-L1 blockade efficiently inhibited liver cancer growth and improved overall survival in mice. Collectively, our findings reveal the immunosuppressive role and mechanism of PRMT5 in liver cancer and highlight that targeting PRMT5 could boost checkpoint immunotherapy efficacy.

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