1.Chronic Stress Promotes Tumor Progression and Metastasis: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies
Pan YU ; Jialiang YAO ; Jianhui TIAN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(4):324-330
Metastasis is a key cause of death in tumor patients, and a number of tumor patients have comorbid psychosomatic abnormalities and are in a state of chronic stress. Chronic stress affects the release of many kinds of hormones and neurotransmitters, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, glucocorticoids, cortisol, sex hormones, etc., through the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis and sympathetic nervous system. These substances can act on the β-adrenergic receptor, glucocorticoid receptor, etc., on tumor cells, immune cells, and other cells in the tumor microenvironment and promote the tumor progression and metastasis by directly enhancing the invasive and metastatic ability of tumor cells, inducing the formation of the immunosuppressive microenvironment and promoting tumor angiogenesis and other pathways. Antipsychotic drugs, β-blockers, and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists have inhibitory effects on chronic stress-mediated tumor metastasis and have achieved certain clinical efficacy. Relevant studies have been carried out on traditional Chinese medicine decoctions and monomers, which can inhibit tumor metastasis by modulating the immune microenvironment and reversing chronic stress-mediated hormonal changes. The psychological problems of tumor patients have gradually received attention, and the development of new anti-metastatic drugs based on the mechanism of action of chronic stress in promoting tumor progression and metastasis provides new ideas for the improvement of the overall efficiency of tumor prevention and treatment.
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
;
Male
;
Neoplastic Cells, Circulating/drug effects*
3.Preventive Protection Strategies for Organ Injury Related to Cancer Therapy: Research Advances and Challenges
Tianqi AN ; Yun YANG ; Jianhui TIAN ; Yao LIU ; Jialiang YAO ; Yanhong WANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(12):1006-1011
Organ damage from cancer treatment remarkably effects patients’ prognosis and quality of life. In recent years, preventive organ protection strategies, such as interdisciplinary collaboration, early prevention, precision interventions, psychological support, and the integrated application of traditional Chinese medicine, have demonstrated substantial clinical value and achieved notable progress. However, these approaches still encounter multiple challenges. Establishing multidisciplinary teams, optimizing therapeutic balance, and strengthening evidence-based research are essential for addressing the challenges related to treatment balance optimization, multidisciplinary coordination, and clinical translation of novel technologies. This review systematically summarizes recent advancements in preventive organ protection, analyzes existing challenges and potential solutions, and offers forward-looking recommendations. It aims to provide valuable insights for optimizing comprehensive cancer treatment strategies and improving long-term patient outcomes.
4.Initial Construction of the Tumor Metastatic State Doctrine under the Perspective of Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine
Jianhui TIAN ; Bin LUO ; Zujun QUE ; Yun YANG ; Jialiang YAO ; Yan LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(20):2065-2069
Based on the concepts of "people-oriented" in traditional Chinese medicine and "tumor-suppression" in modern medicine, we have combed the studies on the spatial and temporal evolution of tumor metastasis and its biological characteristics in different perspectives, and initially proposed the theory of tumor metastasis from the perspective of the dynamic game between the tumor cells and the body's immune system under the theory of the integration of Chinese and Western medicine, that is, the formation of metastasis is the result of the dynamic evolution of the cancer cells and their surrounding environmental factors in the body over time and space. It is believed that the symptomatic manifestation of metastasis is systematic, the triggering factors of metastasis are constant, and the clinical outcome of metastasis is staged. Accordingly, it is proposed to understand the mechanism of metastasis from the perspective of spatial and temporal dynamics, to establish a clinical and pathological model for identifying metastasis, and to reveal the critical point of metastasis, so as to facilitate the change of the research on tumor metastasis from static to dynamic, and provide ideas for the formulation of metastasis prevention and treatment strategies, and the construction of a new system of metastasis prevention and treatment in the clinical tumor field.
5.Jinfukang Inhibits Lung Cancer Metastasis by Regulating Immune Senescence
Wang YAO ; Zujun QUE ; Jialiang YAO ; Pan YU ; Bin LUO ; Jianhui TIAN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2022;49(11):1134-1138
Objective To explore the effect of immune senescence on lung cancer metastasis and reveal the mechanism of Fuzheng traditional Chinese medicine Jinfukang in the prevention and treatment of the metastasis. Methods A lung metastasis model of Lewis lung cancer cells was established in C57BL/6 mice with different ages (15 months, 6 months, and 2 months). Mice in the 6-month-old group were given Jinfukang intragastrically for 42 days. Pulmonary metastasis was analyzed by
7.Biomimetic Biphasic Electrospun Scaffold for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tissue Engineering
Ya TANG ; Jialiang TIAN ; Long LI ; Lin HUANG ; Quan SHEN ; Shanzhu GUO ; Yue JIANG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2021;18(5):819-830
Background:
Replacing damaged anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) with tissue-engineered artificial ligaments is challenging because ligament scaffolds must have a multiregional structure that can guide stem cell differentiation. Here, we designed a biphasic scaffold and evaluated its effect on human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under dynamic culture conditions as well as rat ACL reconstruction model in vivo.
Methods:
We designed a novel dual-phase electrospinning strategy wherein the scaffolds comprised randomly arranged phases at the two ends and an aligned phase in the middle. The morphological, mechanical properties and scaffold degradation were investigated. MSCs proliferation, adhesion, morphology and fibroblast markers were evaluated under dynamic culturing. This scaffold were tested if they could induce ligament formation using a rodent model in vivo.
Results:
Compared with other materials, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLGA/PCL) with mass ratio of 1:5 showed appropriate mechanical properties and biodegradability that matched ACLs. After 28 days of dynamic culturing, MSCs were fusiform oriented in the aligned phase and randomly arranged in a paving-stone-like morphology in the random phase. The increased expression of fibroblastic markers demonstrated that only the alignment of nanofibers worked with mechanical stimulation to promote effective fibroblast differentiation. This scaffold was a dense collagenous structure, and there was minimal difference in collagen direction in the orientation phase.
Conclusion
Dual-phase electrospun scaffolds had mechanical properties and degradability similar to those of ACLs. They promoted differences in the morphology of MSCs and induced fibroblast differentiation under dynamic culture conditions. Animal experiments showed that ligamentous tissue regenerated well and supported joint stability.
8.Prognosis and treatment of fetal/neonatal ovarian cysts: clinical analysis of 35 cases
Yuanlong FANG ; Wuping GE ; Yan ZHANG ; Jialiang ZHOU ; Rong HUANG ; Qingyuan WANG ; Song TIAN ; Like YUAN ; Xiaochun ZHU
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine 2021;24(9):671-676
Objective:To explore the prognosis and treatment experience of fetal/neonatal ovarian cyst.Methods:Clinical data of 35 cases of fetal/neonatal ovarian cyst (38 ovarian cysts) admitted to Guangdong Women and Children Hospital from June 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected, including the cyst size before and after birth, ultrasonic features, intraoperative conditions, and pathology. According to the ultrasonic features at the first prenatal detection, the ovarian cysts were divided into two groups: simple cyst group (25 cysts) and complex cyst group (13 cysts). Two independent samples t-test and Fisher exact test were used to compare the characteristics of cysts between the two groups. The outcomes and treatment experience were summarized. Results:(1) The ratio of intraoperative torsion in the complex cysts group was higher than that in the simple cysts group [10/13 vs 32% (8/25), Fisher exact test, P<0.05]. (2) Twenty-five simple cysts were found on the first prenatal ultrasound scan, and 32% (8/25) of them eventually transformed into complex cysts. Among these eight cysts, the maximum diameter of five cysts was >4 cm before the transformation. (3) Postnatal ultrasound found one cyst regressed spontaneously and among the remaining 37 cysts, simple and complex type cysts were accounted for 16 and 21, respectively. Among the complex type cysts, 90% (19/21) were consistent with prenatal ultrasound. (4) Out of the 21 complicated cysts, 19 were surgically removed; the remaining two cysts (maximum diameter <3 cm) were observed conservatively and disappeared spontaneously within one year. During the operation, 81% (17/21) of the complicated cysts were found with torsion and 24% (5/21) with ovarian loss. Conclusions:Simple cysts can transform into complex cysts, especially the biggest diameter >4 cm. Complex fetal/neonatal ovarian cysts indicated by ultrasonography were more prone to torsion, which required postnatal operation.
10.Biomimetic Biphasic Electrospun Scaffold for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tissue Engineering
Ya TANG ; Jialiang TIAN ; Long LI ; Lin HUANG ; Quan SHEN ; Shanzhu GUO ; Yue JIANG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2021;18(5):819-830
Background:
Replacing damaged anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) with tissue-engineered artificial ligaments is challenging because ligament scaffolds must have a multiregional structure that can guide stem cell differentiation. Here, we designed a biphasic scaffold and evaluated its effect on human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under dynamic culture conditions as well as rat ACL reconstruction model in vivo.
Methods:
We designed a novel dual-phase electrospinning strategy wherein the scaffolds comprised randomly arranged phases at the two ends and an aligned phase in the middle. The morphological, mechanical properties and scaffold degradation were investigated. MSCs proliferation, adhesion, morphology and fibroblast markers were evaluated under dynamic culturing. This scaffold were tested if they could induce ligament formation using a rodent model in vivo.
Results:
Compared with other materials, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLGA/PCL) with mass ratio of 1:5 showed appropriate mechanical properties and biodegradability that matched ACLs. After 28 days of dynamic culturing, MSCs were fusiform oriented in the aligned phase and randomly arranged in a paving-stone-like morphology in the random phase. The increased expression of fibroblastic markers demonstrated that only the alignment of nanofibers worked with mechanical stimulation to promote effective fibroblast differentiation. This scaffold was a dense collagenous structure, and there was minimal difference in collagen direction in the orientation phase.
Conclusion
Dual-phase electrospun scaffolds had mechanical properties and degradability similar to those of ACLs. They promoted differences in the morphology of MSCs and induced fibroblast differentiation under dynamic culture conditions. Animal experiments showed that ligamentous tissue regenerated well and supported joint stability.

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