1.Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer
Pei-Yang LI ; Feng-Qi LI ; Xiao-Jun HOU ; Xue-Ren LI ; Xin MU ; Hui-Min LIU ; Shou-Chun PENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(8):1998-2017
Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide, ranking first in both incidence and mortality rates. According to the latest statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 2.5 million new cases and around 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer occurred in 2022, placing a tremendous burden on global healthcare systems. The high mortality rate of lung cancer is closely linked to its subtle early symptoms, which often lead to diagnosis at advanced stages. This not only complicates treatment but also results in substantial economic losses. Current treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Among these, immunotherapy has emerged as the most groundbreaking advancement in recent years, owing to its unique antitumor mechanisms and impressive clinical benefits. Unlike traditional therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy activates or enhances the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. It offers advantages such as more durable therapeutic effects and relatively fewer toxic side effects. The main approaches to lung cancer immunotherapy include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies, adoptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virus therapies. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use in lung cancer, significantly improving outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although other immunotherapy strategies are still in clinical trials, they show great potential in improving treatment precision and efficacy. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress in lung cancer immunotherapy, including the development of novel immune checkpoint molecules, optimization of treatment strategies, identification of predictive biomarkers, and findings from recent clinical trials. It also discusses the current challenges in the field and outlines future directions, such as the development of next-generation immunotherapeutic agents, exploration of more effective combination regimens, and the establishment of precise efficacy prediction systems. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for the continued advancement of lung cancer immunotherapy.
2.Interventional Treatment of Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect in Children
Wei HU ; Jinnan LI ; Wei YANG ; Li SU ; Zhuo YU ; Zhisong CHEN
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2024;45(3):48-53
Objects To explore the effectiveness and safety of using the Cardio-O-Fix Plug occluder in the treatment of muscular ventricular septal defect(mVSD)in children.Methods 14 patients with mVSD were taken to the cardiology department of First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from July 2015 to June 2021 as research subjects.They were divided into two groups:14 children who received Cardi-O-Fix Plug occluder as the experimental group,and 10 children who received Cardi-O-O-Fix mVSD occluder as the control group.Electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiography were used to evaluate the occlusive efficacy and incidence of complications 1 day after surgery and 1 month,3 months,and 6 months of follow-up.Results Among the 24 pediatric patients,22 cases were successfully occluded,and 2 cases were unsuccessful(1 in the experi-mental group and 1 in the control group).The success rate of the experimental group was 92.8%(13/14),while the success rate of the control group was 90.0%(9/10).The average surgical duration of the experimental group was(71.93±14.85)minutes,while the average surgical duration of the control group was(90.70±19.78)minutes.There was a significant statistical difference between the two groups(P<0.05).Both the experimental group and the control group did not experience serious complications during surgery and follow-up.There was no significant difference in cardiac ultrasound indicators(including left ventricular ejection fraction,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter,and pulmonary artery pressure)between the two groups at different time points(P>0.05).Conclusion Trans-catheter closure of mVSD using Cardi-O-Fix Plug occluder in children is both safe and effective.The incidence of arrhythmia is low in the short,medium and long term.
3.Predictive value of serum glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B in patients with non-small cell lung cancer accompanied by epidermal growth factor receptor amplification with mutation
Bangqing LIU ; Jianfeng LI ; Xiaohui LIU ; Jinnan ZHANG ; Yali HU
Journal of China Medical University 2024;53(2):127-131
Objective To evaluate the clinical value of free glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B(GPNMB)as a drug resis-tance and prognostic marker for non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)amplifica-tion accompanied by mutations.Methods Fifty-five cases of NSCLC patients with EGFR amplification associated with mutations who received treatment from March 2018 to September 2019 were included as the observation group.All patients received an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor(EGFR-TKI)as the first-line treatment;67 blood samples from the physical examination center during the same period were randomly included as healthy control.We compared the expression levels of free GPNMB between the two groups,explored the correlation between GPNMB expression and the clinicopathological information in the observation group;and combined the clinical efficacy to evaluate its value as a drug resistance marker.Through follow-up,the progress free survival(PFS)of patients was statistically analyzed,and through multivariate Cox regression analysis,independent risk factors affecting the survival in the observation group were explored.Results Compared with that in the control group,the expression level of free GPNMB in the observation group was signi-ficantly up-regulated.The expression level of free GPNMB in the observation group is significantly related to the clinical efficacy of EGFR-TKI(P = 0.016).Patients with high GPNMB expression have significantly stronger drug resistance,and patients with high GPNMB expression have significantly shorter PFS duration(P = 0.032).A high free GPNMB expression(HR = 4.029,95%CI:1.942-8.358,P<0.001)is also an independent risk factor affecting patient survival.Conclusion The expression level of free GPNMB in patients with EGFR amplification accompanied by mutant NSCLC is significantly up-regulated,and its high expression is significantly related to the enhancement of the patient's drug resistance.High GPNMB expression is significantly related to the poor prognosis of patients and is an independent risk factor affecting patient survival.
4.Influence of Host Factors on Drug Resistance of Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Chen CHEN ; Ying WU ; Xian HUA ; Jinnan LU ; Yi LI ; Chunhua ZHAO ; Han MIN
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2024;15(5):1091-1099
To analyze the host factors affecting the drug resistance of Patients with Hp infection were consecutively recruited in the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from November 2021 to October 2023. Endoscopic biopsy specimens were collected for pathological diagnosis, Hp strain culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test. Nineteen factors involving the basic information, lifestyle, dietary habits, and health status of the patients were collected through electronic medical records and questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the patients' factors and drug resistance to clarithromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, furazolidone, tetracycline and metronidazole. A total of 115 patients (Hp strain 115) with Hp infection who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. There were 53 males (46.09%) and 62 females (53.91%), with an average age of (45.16±13.39) years. Gastroscopic pathology showed 86 cases (74.78%) of superficial gastritis, 6 cases (5.22%) of atrophic gastritis, 14 cases (12.17%) of intestinal metaplasia, 6 cases (5.22%) of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 3 cases (2.61%) of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia/gastric cancer. The drug resistance rates of Hp strains to metronidazole, levofloxacin and clarithromycin were 91.30% (105/115), 53.04% (61/115) and 51.30% (59/115), respectively. Resistance to amoxicillin, furazolidone and tetracycline was not found. Dual drug resistance: levofloxacin + metronidazole dual resistance rate was 50.43% (58/115), clarithromycin + metronidazole dual resistance rate was 47.83% (55/115), clarithromycin + levofloxacin dual resistance rate was 36.52% (42/115). Multidrug resistance: clarithromycin + levofloxacin + metronidazole triple resistance rate was 34.78% (40/115). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that (metronidazole was not included in the multivariate analysis due to the absence of sensitive strains), previous Hp eradication history ( The drug resistance rate of Hp strains isolated from patients in the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University to metronidazole, levofloxacin and clarithromycin were high, and dual drug resistance and multidrug resistance were prominent. Age, previous Hp eradication history and drinking water source may be associated with single or dual drug resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin. Comprehensive consideration, reasonable selection of antibiotics and individualized treatment should be taken into account during Hp eradication.
5.Research on BHLHE40 targets HMGA2 to reduce the sensitivity of thyroid cancer cells to cisplatin through activating the oxidative phosphorylation pathway
Jinnan ZHANG ; Bangqing LIU ; Jun LI ; Xiaohui LIU
Journal of International Oncology 2023;50(7):398-406
Objective:To explore whether BHLHE40 can affect the sensitivity of thyroid cancer (TC) cells to cisplatin by activating oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway by targeting high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) .Methods:The mRNA expression of HMGA2 and its upstream transcription factor BHLHE40 in TC tissues was analyzed by TCGA-THCA and hTFtarget online databases. The si-HMGA2, oe-HMGA2, oe-BHLHE40, negative control si-NC and oe-NC were transfected into TC cells (K1 and SW579) by liposome transfection method. The mRNA expression levels of BHLHE40 and HMGA2 in TC cells (SW579, FTC-133, and K1) and normal thyroid cells (Nthy ori3-1) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). The cell viability was detected by MTT assay, the half inhibitory concentration (IC 50) value of cisplatin was calculated by CCK-8 assay, the apoptosis level was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression of OXPHOS complex was detected by Western blotting. Seahorse XFe 96 was used to analyze the oxygen consumption rate of the TC cells. Dual-luciferase assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were used to analyze the binding relationship between BHLHE40 and HMGA2. Results:TCGA database results showed that the mRNA expression levels of HMGA2 and BHLHE40 in TC tissues (10.57±2.58, 13.89±1.13) were higher than those in normal thyroid tissues (4.82±1.69, 12.28±1.01), with statistically significant differences ( t=16.69, P<0.001; t=10.43, P<0.001). The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative mRNA expression levels of HMGA2 in normal thyroid cells (Nthy ori3-1) and TC cells (SW579, FTC-133, and K1) were 1.00±0.13, 2.94±0.23, 4.71±0.41 and 6.29±0.49, while those of BHLHE40 were 1.00±0.12, 2.60±0.23, 3.39±0.35 and 6.18±0.51 respectively, both with statistically significant differences ( F=130.50, P<0.001; F=125.20, P<0.001). Further pairwise comparison showed that mRNA expression levels of HMGA2 and BHLHE40 in TC cells were significantly higher than those in normal thyroid cells (all P<0.001). According to MTT experimental results, si-HMGA2 treatment significantly reduced the cell viability of K1 cells compared to the si-NC group (all P<0.05). In addition, compared to the oe-NC group, oe-HMGA2 treatment significantly increased the cell viability of SW579 cells (all P<0.05). Compared to the oe-NC+DMSO group, the oe-HMGA2+DMSO group showed enhanced cell viability of SW579 cells, while the OXPHOS pathway inhibitor Gboxin was able to reverse the effect of overexpressing HMGA2 on cell viability (all P<0.05). The results of flow cytometry and CCK-8 experiments showed that compared to the si-NC group (apoptosis level: 6.19%±0.28%; cisplatin IC 50 value: 17.47 μmol/L), knocking down HMGA2 could increase the apoptosis level (11.96%±0.32%; t=19.17, P<0.001) and cisplatin sensitivity (IC 50 value: 1.49 μmol/L) of K1 cells. In addition, compared to the oe-NC group (apoptosis level: 9.98%±0.32%; cisplatin IC 50 value: 8.17 μmol/L), overexpressing HMGA2 significantly decreased the apoptosis level (4.32%±0.25%; t=19.65, P<0.001) and cisplatin sensitivity (IC 50 value: 34.95 μmol/L) of SW579 cells. The results of dual-luciferase assay showed that compared with the si-NC group, knocking down the expression of BHLHE40 in human kidney epithelial 293T cells significantly reduced the luciferase activity of wild-type HMGA2 (0.31±0.02 vs. 1.00±0.11; t=10.69, P=0.004). However, there was no significant effect on the luciferase activity of mutant-type HMGA2 (1.06±0.11 vs. 1.00±0.07; t=0.80, P=0.470). ChIP results showed that the mRNA expression level of HMGA2 in K1 cells was significantly increased in the anti-BHLHE40 group (6.57±0.62) compared with the IgG group (1.00±0.10; t=15.36, P<0.001). Compared to the oe-NC+DMSO group, the oe-HMGA2+DMSO group showed decreased apoptosis level ( P<0.05) and cisplatin sensitivity of SW579 cells, with a significant increase in the expression of OXPHOS complexes Ⅰ-Ⅴ and cellular oxygen consumption rates (all P<0.05). The effect of overexpressing HMGA2 was reversed by treatment with oe-HMGA2+Gboxin (all P<0.05). The recovery experiment showed that compared to the oe-NC+si-NC group, overexpression of BHLHE40 in SW579 cells increased cell viability and the expression of OXPHOS complexes Ⅰ-Ⅴ, while decreasing apoptosis levels and increasing cellular oxygen consumption rates and cisplatin IC 50 values (all P<0.05). However, simultaneous knockdown of HMGA2 reversed the effect of overexpressing BHLHE40 (all P<0.05) . Conclusion:BHLHE40 can activate the OXPHOS pathway by targeting and regulating the expression of HMGA2, thereby affecting the sensitivity of TC cells to cisplatin.
6.An optimal medicinal and edible Chinese herbal formula attenuates particulate matter-induced lung injury through its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities.
Huan ZHANG ; Jun KANG ; Wuyan GUO ; Fujie WANG ; Mengjiao GUO ; Shanshan FENG ; Wuai ZHOU ; Jinnan LI ; Ayesha T TAHIR ; Shaoshan WANG ; Xinjun DU ; Hui ZHAO ; Weihua WANG ; Hong ZHU ; Bo ZHANG
Chinese Herbal Medicines 2023;15(3):407-420
OBJECTIVE:
Identifying novel strategies to prevent particulate matter (PM)-induced lung injury is crucial for the reduction of the morbidity of chronic respiratory diseases. The combined intervention represented by herbal formulae for simultaneously targeting multiple pathological processes can provide a more beneficial effect than the single intervention. The aim of this paper is therefore to design a safe and effective medicinal and edible Chinese herbs (MECHs) formula against PM-induced lung injury.
METHODS:
PM-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory response and apoptosis A549 cell model were used to screen anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic MECHs, respectively. A network pharmacology method was utilized to rationally design a novel herbal formula. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer was utilized to assess the quality control of MECHs formula. The excretion of magnetic iron oxide nanospheres of the MECHs formula was estimated in zebrafish. The MECH formula against PM-induced lung injury was investigated with mice experiments.
RESULTS:
Five selected herbs were rationally designed to form a new MECH formula, including Citri Exocarpium Rubrum (Juhong), Lablab Semen Album (Baibiandou), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Mori Folium (Sangye) and Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma (Yuzhu). The formula effectively promoted the magnetic iron oxide nanospheres excretion in zebrafish. The mid/high dose formula significantly prevented PM-induced lung damage in mice by enhancing the activity of SOD and GSH-Px, reducing the MDA and ROS level and attenuating the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α), down regulating the protein expression of NF-κB, STAT3 and Caspase-3.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that the effective MECHs formula will become a novel strategy for preventing PM-induced lung injury and provide a paradigm for the development of functional foods using MECHs.
7.Research on the development of bio-pharmaceutical industry integration and collaborative innovation in the Yangtze River Delta under the mode of Industry-University-Research cooperation
Li WAN ; Jinnan SUN ; Zuoqi DING ; Haiping HAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2022;53(6):742-749
After the integration of Yangtze River Delta was elevated and developed into a national strategy, few domestic studies have been conducted to explore the integrated and collaborative development of biopharmaceutical industry in the Yangtze River Delta region, which, as an important region of biopharmaceutical industry in China, has initially formed the development mode of industrial clusters. In this study, based on the industry-university-research model of patent and fund project cooperation, the social network analysis (SNA) method is used to analyze and study the cooperation of patent and Major Projects of National Natural Science Foundation of China in the biopharmaceutical industry in the Yangtze River Delta region. The study shows that the industry-university-research cooperation in the biomedical field in the Yangtze River Delta region is still in the development stage and the degree of integration needs to be improved. Universities and research institutes are more inclined to cooperate with enterprises for invention patents and with other universities for fund project research.It is suggested that the Yangtze River Delta region should adopt the deep integration mode of industry-university-research, relevant leading scientific research institutions should establish open innovation platforms, and pharmaceutical universities should cultivate innovative talents with the advantages of their disciplines, and adopt "Revealing the List and Taking Command" or other ways to tackle key core technologies.
8.Establishment of a rat model of laryngeal precancerous lesions induced by 4NQO smearing.
Jun Tao NIU ; Shu Guang LIU ; Ning JIANG ; Li WANG ; Chao LI
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2022;57(8):969-973
Objective: To establish a rat model for laryngeal precancerous lesions histologically and pathologically comparable to the human counterpart. Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental group and control group, with 18 rats in each group, and 1% 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) solution and saline were respectively applied to the laryngeal mucosas of rats in two groups. During subsequent 20 weeks, the changes of laryngeal mucosas were regularly observed with naked eyes and endoscope and lesions were determined by histology. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The food intake, water intake and body weight of the rats in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). White plaque, superficial ulcer, erosion and miliary particles were present in the larynxes of rats in the experimental group, with histological manifestations of atypical hyperplasia or carcinoma in situ, and normal epitheliums were shown in the control group. The number of Ki67 positive cells in the laryngeal mucosas of rats in the experimental group at the 4 th, 8 th, 12 th, 16 th, and 20 th weeks were 13.5±2.4, 35.6±5.8, 53.4±8.3, 78.8±11.6, 80.6±12.4, respectively, no Ki67 positive cells were found in the control group at individual time points, and the differences were statistically significant (t=9.74, 10.63, 11.14, 11.77, 11.26, respectively, all P<0.01). Conclusion: 4NQO can credibly cause rats laryngeal precancerous lesions, which morphologically and histologically mimic laryngeal carcinnogenesis. This method is practical, easy and reliable to prepare the animal model of laryngeal precancerous lesions.
Animals
;
Carcinoma in Situ
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology*
;
Humans
;
Larynx/pathology*
;
Precancerous Conditions/pathology*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Wistar
9.Study of association between bile acid metabolites in early pregnancy and overweight
Ming GAO ; Jinnan LIU ; Junhong LENG ; Weiqin LI ; Xilin YANG ; Jing LI
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2021;37(6):523-528
Objective:This study examined the associations between the levels of bile acids in early pregnancy and the occurrence of overweight.Methods:From 2010 to 2012, 22 302 pregnant women were recruited by Tianjin Women and Children′s Health Center to investigate gestational diabetes. Two hundred and forty-three women with gestational diabetes mellitus provided overnight fasting blood samples in the first trimester, and 243 counterparts without gestational diabetes mellitus matched on age were selected randomly to establish a nested case-control study. The association between bile acids and overweight were evaluated by binary logistic regression with data from 166 overweight pregnant women (body mass index≥24.0 kg/m 2) and 320 normal weight subjects (body mass index <24.0 kg/m 2). Results:Compared to non-overweight group, the level of primary unconjugated bile acids in overweight group was significantly higher. After adjustment of confounding factors, the OR of cholic acid (CA)>0.086 nmol/mL for overweight was 2.09 (95% CI 1.14-3.80, adjusted P=0.040), and OR of chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA)>0.043 nmol/mL was 2.15 (95% CI 1.22-3.78, adjusted P=0.040) compared with the lower groups. However, the significant associations between the other bile acids and overweight were not detected. Stepwise selection was used to identify significant bile acid species in logistic regression. We found that only CA was independently associated with overweight, and the OR of CA>0.086 nmol/mL vs≤0.086 nmol/mL was 2.03 (95% CI 1.11-3.74, P=0.022). Conclusion:CA and CDCA in early pregnancy maybe associated with overweight, and CA might be independently associated with overweight.
10.Evaluation of representative research works in pharmaceutical field based on Z-index model
Zuoqi DING ; Furong LI ; Jinnan SUN ; Haiping HAO
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2021;52(4):505-512
This paper aims to explore the feasibility of establishing a representative work screening method based on the academic recognition of the paper. Through comparative analysis of the strong and weak points of representative method, h-index core method, the subjective selection results by faculty applying for higher professional titles, and the academic recognition method established in this research (Q1 Journal-Percentile in Subject Area-Category Normalized Citation Impact, Q1-PSA-CNCI), representative works were introduced into the Z-index to form the Zh, Zr and Zq-index, and the correlations between the indicators were analyzed. Compared with other methods, the number of representative works obtained by the Q1-PSA-CNCI method is more reasonable. There was significant correlation among the indicators (P < 0.05), with no significant difference in the Zq-index among faculty evaluated for different professional titles (P > 0.05). Studies have shown that the Q1-PSA-CNCI method could help to screen representative works and was more reasonable than the number of representative works selected based on the other two methods, so Zq-index could be used as an indicator for representative work evaluation to provide reference for the qualitative evaluation of papers. It is more reasonable to improve the review process with the participation of "small peers".

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail