1.The Mechanisms of Quercetin in Improving Alzheimer’s Disease
Yu-Meng ZHANG ; Yu-Shan TIAN ; Jie LI ; Wen-Jun MU ; Chang-Feng YIN ; Huan CHEN ; Hong-Wei HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):334-347
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. As the incidence of AD continues to rise annually, researchers have shown keen interest in the active components found in natural plants and their neuroprotective effects against AD. Quercetin, a flavonol widely present in fruits and vegetables, has multiple biological effects including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the pathogenesis of AD, and the antioxidant properties of quercetin are essential for its neuroprotective function. Quercetin can modulate multiple signaling pathways related to AD, such as Nrf2-ARE, JNK, p38 MAPK, PON2, PI3K/Akt, and PKC, all of which are closely related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, quercetin is capable of inhibiting the aggregation of β‑amyloid protein (Aβ) and the phosphorylation of tau protein, as well as the activity of β‑secretase 1 and acetylcholinesterase, thus slowing down the progression of the disease.The review also provides insights into the pharmacokinetic properties of quercetin, including its absorption, metabolism, and excretion, as well as its bioavailability challenges and clinical applications. To improve the bioavailability and enhance the targeting of quercetin, the potential of quercetin nanomedicine delivery systems in the treatment of AD is also discussed. In summary, the multifaceted mechanisms of quercetin against AD provide a new perspective for drug development. However, translating these findings into clinical practice requires overcoming current limitations and ongoing research. In this way, its therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD can be fully utilized.
2.Research progress in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Abelmoschi Corolla and prediction of its quality markers.
Shi-Han GUAN ; Chang LIU ; Xiao-Tong YAN ; Jin-Wei HAN ; Feng-Ting YIN ; Hui SUN ; Guang-Li YAN ; Ling KONG ; Ying HAN ; Xi-Jun WANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(4):908-921
Abelmoschi Corolla, the dried corolla of Abelmoschus manihot, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrosis activities. Its chemical constituents mainly include flavonoids, organic acids, steroids, and polysaccharides. This study reviewed the research progress in the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Abelmoschi Corolla in recent 20 years. According to the concept of quality marker(Q-marker), the Q-markers of Abelmoschi Corolla were predicted from plant phylogeny, chemical constituent specificity, traditional efficacy, chemical constituent measurability, and absorbed constituents. The primary Q-markers for Abelmoschi Corolla were anticipated to include quercetin-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, gossypetin-8-O-β-D-glucuronide, isoquercetin, myricetin,quercetin, and hyperoside, with the aim of providing reference data for improving the quality evaluation system of Abelmoschi Corolla.
Abelmoschus/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Flowers/chemistry*
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Humans
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Animals
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Quality Control
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Flavonoids/chemistry*
3.Expert consensus on evaluation index system construction for new traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) from TCM clinical practice in medical institutions.
Li LIU ; Lei ZHANG ; Wei-An YUAN ; Zhong-Qi YANG ; Jun-Hua ZHANG ; Bao-He WANG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Zu-Guang YE ; Ling HAN ; Yue-Hua ZHOU ; Zi-Feng YANG ; Rui GAO ; Ming YANG ; Ting WANG ; Jie-Lai XIA ; Shi-Shan YU ; Xiao-Hui FAN ; Hua HUA ; Jia HE ; Yin LU ; Zhong WANG ; Jin-Hui DOU ; Geng LI ; Yu DONG ; Hao YU ; Li-Ping QU ; Jian-Yuan TANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3474-3482
Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards*
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Humans
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Consensus
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
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Surveys and Questionnaires
4.Genetic screening and follow-up results in 3 001 newborns in the Yunnan region.
Ao-Yu LI ; Bao-Sheng ZHU ; Jin-Man ZHANG ; Ying CHAN ; Jun-Yue LIN ; Jie ZHANG ; Xiao-Yan ZHOU ; Hong CHEN ; Su-Yun LI ; Na FENG ; Yin-Hong ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(6):654-660
OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the application value of genetic newborn screening (gNBS) in the Yunnan region.
METHODS:
A prospective study was conducted with a random selection of 3 001 newborns born in the Yunnan region from February to December 2021. Traditional newborn screening (tNBS) was used to test biochemical indicators, and targeted next-generation sequencing was employed to screen 159 genes related to 156 diseases. Positive-screened newborns underwent validation and confirmation tests, and confirmed cases received standardized treatment and long-term follow-up.
RESULTS:
Among the 3 001 newborns, 166 (5.53%) were initially positive for genetic screening, and 1 435 (47.82%) were genetic carriers. The top ten genes with the highest variation frequency were GJB2 (21.29%), DUOX2 (7.27%), HBA (6.14%), GALC (3.63%), SLC12A3 (3.33%), HBB (3.03%), G6PD (2.94%), SLC25A13 (2.90%), PAH (2.73%), and UNC13D (2.68%). Among the initially positive newborns from tNBS and gNBS, 33 (1.10%) and 47 (1.57%) cases were confirmed, respectively. A total of 48 (1.60%) cases were confirmed using gNBS+tNBS. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the areas under the curve for tNBS, gNBS, and gNBS+tNBS in diagnosing diseases were 0.866, 0.982, and 0.968, respectively (P<0.05). DeLong's test showed that the area under the curve for gNBS and gNBS+tNBS was higher than that for tNBS (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
gNBS can expand the range of disease detection, and its combined use with tNBS can significantly shorten diagnosis time, enabling early intervention and treatment.
Humans
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Infant, Newborn
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Neonatal Screening
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Genetic Testing
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Female
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Male
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Follow-Up Studies
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Prospective Studies
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China
5.Effectiveness of Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccine - a Propensity Score Matched Test Negative Design Case-Control Study Using Medical Big Data in Three Provinces of China.
Yue Xin XIU ; Lin TANG ; Fu Zhen WANG ; Lei WANG ; Zhen LI ; Jun LIU ; Dan LI ; Xue Yan LI ; Yao YI ; Fan ZHANG ; Lei YU ; Jing Feng WU ; Zun Dong YIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1032-1043
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of our study was to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) among < 5-year-old children in three provinces of China during 2020-2024 via a propensity score-matched test-negative case-control study.
METHODS:
Electronic health records and immunization information systems were used to obtain data on acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases tested for rotavirus (RV) infection. RV-positive cases were propensity score matched with RV-negative controls for age, visit month, and province.
RESULTS:
The study included 27,472 children with AGE aged 8 weeks to 4 years at the time of AGE diagnosis; 7.98% (2,192) were RV-positive. The VE (95% confidence interval, CI) of 1-2 and 3 doses of RV5 against any medically attended RV infection (inpatient or outpatient) was 57.6% (39.8%, 70.2%) and 67.2% (60.3%, 72.9%), respectively. Among children who received the 3rd dose before turning 5 months of age, 3-dose VE decreased from 70.4% (53.9%, 81.1%) (< 5 months since the 3rd dose) to 63.0% (49.1%, 73.0%) (≥ 1 year since the 3rd dose). The three-dose VE rate was 69.4% (41.3%, 84.0%) for RVGE hospitalization and 57.5% (38.9%, 70.5%) for outpatient-only medically attended RVGE.
CONCLUSION
Three-dose RV5 VE against rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) in children aged < 5 years was higher than 1-2-dose VE. Three-dose VE decreased with time since the 3rd dose in children who received the 3rd dose before turning five months of age, but remained above 60% for at least one year. VE was higher for RVGE hospitalizations than for medically attended outpatient visits.
Humans
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Rotavirus Vaccines/immunology*
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China/epidemiology*
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Case-Control Studies
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Child, Preschool
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Infant
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Rotavirus Infections/epidemiology*
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Male
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Propensity Score
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Female
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Vaccine Efficacy
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Gastroenteritis/virology*
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Vaccines, Attenuated
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Rotavirus
6.Effect of Afzelin on 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Induced Colitis in Mice.
Zhi-Jun GENG ; Li-Xia YIN ; Min-Zhu NIU ; Jing-Jing YANG ; Xiao-Feng ZHANG ; Jing LI
Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 2025;47(2):207-218
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of afzelin(AFZ)in treating Crohn's disease-like colitis.Methods A mouse model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis was established to assess the effect of AFZ on experimental colitis in vivo.A Caco-2 cell model of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α-induced inflammation was established to evaluate the effects of AFZ on the intestinal barrier function,intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis,and mitochondrial function in vitro.The animal and cell experiments were performed to validate the regulatory role of the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/silent information regulater 1(SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator(PGC)-1α pathway in the treatment of colitis with AFZ.Results AFZ reduced the disease activity index(P=0.003),weight loss(P<0.001),colon shortening(P<0.001),inflammation score(P=0.002),pro-inflammatory cytokine release(interleukin-6:P<0.001;TNF-α:P=0.010),and intestinal barrier permeability(fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 4:P<0.001;intestinal-type fatty acid-binding protein:P=0.013).Meanwhile,AFZ increased the colonic transepithelial electric resistance(P=0.001),reduced bacterial translocation(P<0.001),and promoted the localization and up-regulated the expression of tight junction proteins [zonula occluden-1(P=0.005) and Claudin-1(P=0.024)].AFZ exerted a protective effect on the Caco-2 cells exposed to TNF-α in terms of intestinal epithelial cell permeability(P=0.017),transepithelial electric resistance(P=0.014),and tight junction protein[zonula occluden-1(P=0.014) and Claudin-1(P=0.006)] localization and expression.Furthermore,the cell and animal experiments confirmed that AFZ reduced the percentage of apoptosis(P<0.001,P=0.013)and the expression of cleaved-caspase 3(P=0.028,P=0.004)and Bax(P=0.004,P=0.020),and upregulated the Bcl2(P=0.020,P=0.006)level in intestinal epithelial cells.Additionally,AFZ increased the number of mitochondria,mitochondrial membrane potential,and copy number of mitochondrial DNA(P=0.007)in intestinal epithelial cells,while enhancing the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex Ⅰ(P=0.005)and complex Ⅳ(P=0.001).The activation of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway was involved in the protective effects of AFZ on mitochondrial function and apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells.Conclusion AFZ alleviates mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells by activating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway,thereby ameliorating intestinal barrier dysfunction and experimental colitis.
Animals
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Colitis/drug therapy*
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Humans
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Caco-2 Cells
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Mice
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Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
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Apoptosis/drug effects*
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Disease Models, Animal
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AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*
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Sirtuin 1/metabolism*
7.Analysis on epidemiological characteristics of severe congenital heart disease in Chongqing city during 2007-2023
Fen WANG ; Guanghui YIN ; Jie ZHANG ; Miao FENG ; Jun LIU
Chongqing Medicine 2025;54(2):505-511
Objective To understand the epidemiological characteristics of severe congenital heart dis-ease in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 to provide a basis for its comprehensive prevention and control measures.Methods Based on hospital monitoring data,453 children patients with severe congenital heart dis-ease monitored by the birth defects monitoring institutions in Chongqing city from January 2007 to December 2023 were included in the study.They were grouped by year,perinatal infants gender,maternal permanent res-idence(urban/rural),maternal age,different regions and other categories.The χ2 test was used to analyze the difference in the incidence rate of different categories of severe congenital heart diseases,and the Joinpoint re-gression model was used to analyze the change trend.Results A total of 1 468 005 perinatal neonates were monitored in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 and 453 cases of severe congenital heart disease were found,with an incidence rate of 3.09/10 000,in which the incidence rate of atrioventricular septal defect was 2.16/10 000,the incidence rate of tetralogy of fallot was 0.66/10 000 and the incidence rate of transposition of great ar-teries was 0.27/10 000.The total incidence rate of cities and towns was higher than that in the countryside(χ2=64.08,P<0.001),the urban area was higher than the Chongqing southeast and Chongqing northeast towns cluster(χ2=49.34,P<0.001),the female was higher than the male(χ2=5.63,P=0.018).The inci-dence rates in different ages groups showed the U shape distribution(χ2=31.63,P<0.001).The incidence rate of the pregnant women<20 years old group and pregnant women≥35 years old group was higher,which of the 25-29 years old group was lower.The incidence rate of severe congenital heart disease in Chongqing City during 2007-2023 appeared the turning point,which during 2007-2016 was gradually increased(APC=-15.95),and which during 2016-2023 was gradually decreased(APC=-15.36).Conclusion The incidence rate of severe congenital heart disease in Chongqing city during 2007-2023 was increased first and then de-creased,moreover there were differences in time,region and population.
8.Research on Targeted Screening of Diflorasone Components in Health Products Using Feature Ion Guided Strategy Combined with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Shuo-Jun OU ; Yin-Yin LIN ; Hai-Tao ZHANG ; Jian-Bin CEN ; Zhi-Yuan WANG ; Xin-Dong GUO ; Jia-Jun ZHANG ; Zhi-Sen LIANG ; Guang-Feng ZENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(8):1320-1330,中插88-中插92
A method for determination and targeted screening of diflorasone components in health products using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)was established.Four representative diflorasone and esters(diflorasone,diflorasone diacetate,diflorasone-17-propionate,and diflorasone-21-propionate)were selected to optimize the pretreatment conditions,and 10 mL of extraction solvent dosage,15 min of extraction time and 5 g of salting-out agent as the optimal conditions were selected by response surface methodology.The results showed that the four analytes exhibited good linearity within the concentration range of 2.0?100 μg/L with the chromatographic peak area,and the correlation coefficients(R2)were all greater than 0.9990,while the results of recovery and relative standard deviation could satisfy the requirements of determination.The common characteristic ions of diflorasone and esters werem/z121 andm/z335,and their specific structures were obtained by analyzing the cleavage pathway based on the optimized determination conditions.A targeted screening method for other esters of diflorasone based on characteristic ions guidance strategy was established.This method had many advantages such as high efficiency,high sensitivity and good reproducibility,and could be used for targeted screening of diflorasone and esters in health products.The developed characteristic ion guided strategy could be employed to construct mass spectral databases for various glucocorticoids,enabling comprehensive targeted screening across a broad range of compounds.
9.Effect and mechanism of high-glucose environment on osteoblast function and bone quality in mice
Zhi-Kang GUO ; Xue LI ; Rui WANG ; Xi-Xiu XIE ; Tao-Jin FENG ; Yi LI ; Peng-Bin YIN ; Li-Jun XU ; Li-Xia ZHANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(10):1306-1314
Objective To explore the effects of different glucose concentrations on the synthesis and secretion of bone collagen in osteoblasts and the impact of diabetes on bone quality in mice.Methods(1)Primary osteoblasts were extracted from the skulls of neonatal mice via collagenase digestion and cultured in four groups under different glucose concentrations:normal glucose(5.5 mmol/L),moderate glucose(11.5 mmol/L),moderate-high glucose(16.5 mmol/L),and high glucose(25 mmol/L).EdU staining was performed to evaluate cell proliferation,while the Transwell assay was used to assess cell migration.Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were performed to detect and quantitatively analyze the content of type Ⅰ collagen(Col-1).Alizarin red S(ARS)staining and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining were applied to assess the effects of different glucose concentrations on osteogenic differentiation.(2)Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and model group(5 in each group).The model group was fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks followed by streptozotocin(STZ)injection to establish a diabetic mouse model.The osteogenic differentiation capacity of primary osteoblasts from both groups was assessed.(3)Micro-computed tomography(Micro-CT)was employed to analyze femoral bone mineral density(BMD),bone volume/tissue volume(BV/TV),trabecular number(Tb.N),and trabecular separation(Tb.Sp).Three-point bending test was conducted to evaluate mechanical parameters including maximum load,Young's modulus,fracture energy,and stiffness.RT-qPCR was employed to assess the expression of osteogenic differentiation genes(Alp,Opn,Col1a1,and Lox).Masson staining and Mallory staining were used to evaluate Col-1 content in trabecular bone.Results(1)EdU and Transwell assay results demonstrated that with the gradual increase in glucose concentration,the proliferation and migration abilities of osteoblasts were significantly decreased(P<0.001),and the protein expression levels of Col-1 and lysyl oxidase(LOX)were significantly reduced(P<0.01 or P<0.001).ARS and ALP staining revealed that calcium salt deposition and ALP activity in osteoblasts were significantly decreased with increasing glucose concentration(P<0.05 or P<0.001).(2)Compared with control group,mice in model group exhibited typical"three polies and one weight loss"symptoms(polyuria,polydipsia,polyphagia,and weight loss)of diabetes,and ARS and ALP staining showed a significant reduction in osteoblasts(P<0.001).(3)Micro-CT and three-point bending test results indicated that,compared with control group,mice in model group showed microarchitectural deterioration of bone,decreased Tb.N,increased Tb.Sp,and significantly reduced maximum load,Young's modulus,fracture energy,and stiffness(P<0.05).RT-qPCR results showed that the relative mRNA expression levels of osteogenic differentiation genes(Alp,Opn,Col1a1,and Lox)were significantly decreased in model group compared with control group(P<0.01 or P<0.001).Masson and Mallory staining indicated a significant reduction in collagen content in model group compared with control group(P<0.01).Conclusions High-glucose environment inhibits osteoblast proliferation,differentiation,and migration.Diabetic mice exhibit reduced bone quality and increased bone fragility,potentially mediated by decreased lysyl oxidase and collagen levels.
10.The curative effect of HAIC combined with PD1 inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis therapy for advance hepatocellular carcinoma
Shitao LU ; Yapan GUO ; Wencong FENG ; Jun YANG ; Yu YIN ; Zhi LI
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(7):724-729
Objective To discuss the curative effect of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)combined with programmed death receptor-1(PD-1)inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis therapy for BCLC stage C hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The patients with HCC of BCLC stage C,who received HAIC combined with PD-1 inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University of China from January 2021 to December 2023,were collected for this study.The time from the start of treatment to complete remission(CR)of disease,the dynamic changes in alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)levels and the recurrence during follow-up period were analyzed.The relevant literature of the above triple regimen for HCC was searched from PubMed database and its curative effect was analyzed.Results Of the 214 HCC patients treated with triple therapy regimen,9(4.2%)achieved CR.The time from the start of treatment to CR was 2-10 months.The patients were followed up for 5-20 months.The time of AFP level returning to normal value was from 79 to 259 days.One patient developed recurrence 10 months after CR,and the other 8 patients maintained the CR status.A total of 12 articles were retrieved,the reported CR rates ranged from 0 to 16.5%.Conclusion A CR can be achieved in a few patients with advanced HCC treated with HAIC combined with PD-1 inhibitors and anti-angiogenesis therapy.

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