1.Molecular Characteristics of Prognosis and Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer: Biomarker Identification Based on Gene Mutations and Pathway
Liyan LI ; Hongwei LYU ; Qian CHEN ; Yating BAI ; Jing YU ; Ruigang CAI
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(2):61-71
Purpose:
This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics associated with better prognosis in breast cancer.
Methods:
We performed targeted sequencing of 962 genes in 56 samples, categorizing them into long-term and short-term survival groups as well as chemotherapy-sensitive and chemotherapy-resistant groups for further analyses.
Results:
The results indicated that the tumor mutational burden values were significantly higher in the short-term survival and chemotherapy-resistant groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.003, respectively). Somatic mutation analysis revealed that the mutation frequencies of BCL9L and WHSC1 were significantly lower in the long-term survival group than those in the short-term survival group (p = 0.029 and p = 0.024, respectively). CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) mutations occurred significantly more frequently in the chemotherapy-resistant group (p = 0.027) and were associated with shorter progression-free survival (p = 0.036).Signature weighting analysis showed a significant increase in Signature.3, which is associated with homologous recombination repair deficiency in the chemotherapy-sensitive group (p = 0.045). Conversely, signatures related to effective DNA repair mechanisms, Signature.1 and Signature.15, were significantly reduced (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that gene mutations were significantly enriched in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.
Conclusion
This study, through intergroup comparative analysis, found that immunotherapy (using programmed death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors) may improve the prognosis of patients with short survival and chemotherapy resistance. Additionally, the study revealed that mutations in BCL9L and WHSC1 could serve as biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis, while CRTC1 mutations and Signature.3 could predict chemotherapy response. The study also found that the JAK-STAT pathway might be a potential therapeutic target for chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, this study identifies molecular characteristics that influence the prognosis of breast cancer patients, providing important theoretical insights for the development of personalized treatment strategies.
2.Molecular Characteristics of Prognosis and Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer: Biomarker Identification Based on Gene Mutations and Pathway
Liyan LI ; Hongwei LYU ; Qian CHEN ; Yating BAI ; Jing YU ; Ruigang CAI
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(2):61-71
Purpose:
This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics associated with better prognosis in breast cancer.
Methods:
We performed targeted sequencing of 962 genes in 56 samples, categorizing them into long-term and short-term survival groups as well as chemotherapy-sensitive and chemotherapy-resistant groups for further analyses.
Results:
The results indicated that the tumor mutational burden values were significantly higher in the short-term survival and chemotherapy-resistant groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.003, respectively). Somatic mutation analysis revealed that the mutation frequencies of BCL9L and WHSC1 were significantly lower in the long-term survival group than those in the short-term survival group (p = 0.029 and p = 0.024, respectively). CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) mutations occurred significantly more frequently in the chemotherapy-resistant group (p = 0.027) and were associated with shorter progression-free survival (p = 0.036).Signature weighting analysis showed a significant increase in Signature.3, which is associated with homologous recombination repair deficiency in the chemotherapy-sensitive group (p = 0.045). Conversely, signatures related to effective DNA repair mechanisms, Signature.1 and Signature.15, were significantly reduced (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that gene mutations were significantly enriched in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.
Conclusion
This study, through intergroup comparative analysis, found that immunotherapy (using programmed death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors) may improve the prognosis of patients with short survival and chemotherapy resistance. Additionally, the study revealed that mutations in BCL9L and WHSC1 could serve as biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis, while CRTC1 mutations and Signature.3 could predict chemotherapy response. The study also found that the JAK-STAT pathway might be a potential therapeutic target for chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, this study identifies molecular characteristics that influence the prognosis of breast cancer patients, providing important theoretical insights for the development of personalized treatment strategies.
3.Molecular Characteristics of Prognosis and Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer: Biomarker Identification Based on Gene Mutations and Pathway
Liyan LI ; Hongwei LYU ; Qian CHEN ; Yating BAI ; Jing YU ; Ruigang CAI
Journal of Breast Cancer 2025;28(2):61-71
Purpose:
This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics associated with better prognosis in breast cancer.
Methods:
We performed targeted sequencing of 962 genes in 56 samples, categorizing them into long-term and short-term survival groups as well as chemotherapy-sensitive and chemotherapy-resistant groups for further analyses.
Results:
The results indicated that the tumor mutational burden values were significantly higher in the short-term survival and chemotherapy-resistant groups (p = 0.008 and p = 0.003, respectively). Somatic mutation analysis revealed that the mutation frequencies of BCL9L and WHSC1 were significantly lower in the long-term survival group than those in the short-term survival group (p = 0.029 and p = 0.024, respectively). CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) mutations occurred significantly more frequently in the chemotherapy-resistant group (p = 0.027) and were associated with shorter progression-free survival (p = 0.036).Signature weighting analysis showed a significant increase in Signature.3, which is associated with homologous recombination repair deficiency in the chemotherapy-sensitive group (p = 0.045). Conversely, signatures related to effective DNA repair mechanisms, Signature.1 and Signature.15, were significantly reduced (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that gene mutations were significantly enriched in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.
Conclusion
This study, through intergroup comparative analysis, found that immunotherapy (using programmed death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 inhibitors) may improve the prognosis of patients with short survival and chemotherapy resistance. Additionally, the study revealed that mutations in BCL9L and WHSC1 could serve as biomarkers for breast cancer prognosis, while CRTC1 mutations and Signature.3 could predict chemotherapy response. The study also found that the JAK-STAT pathway might be a potential therapeutic target for chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, this study identifies molecular characteristics that influence the prognosis of breast cancer patients, providing important theoretical insights for the development of personalized treatment strategies.
4.Evaluation of pharmacokinetics and metabolism of three marine-derived piericidins for guiding drug lead selection.
Weimin LIANG ; Jindi LU ; Ping YU ; Meiqun CAI ; Danni XIE ; Xini CHEN ; Xi ZHANG ; Lingmin TIAN ; Liyan YAN ; Wenxun LAN ; Zhongqiu LIU ; Xuefeng ZHOU ; Lan TANG
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(5):614-629
This study investigates the pharmacokinetics and metabolic characteristics of three marine-derived piericidins as potential drug leads for kidney disease: piericidin A (PA) and its two glycosides (GPAs), glucopiericidin A (GPA) and 13-hydroxyglucopiericidin A (13-OH-GPA). The research aims to facilitate lead selection and optimization for developing a viable preclinical candidate. Rapid absorption of PA and GPAs in mice was observed, characterized by short half-lives and low bioavailability. Glycosides and hydroxyl groups significantly enhanced the absorption rate (13-OH-GPA > GPA > PA). PA and GPAs exhibited metabolic instability in liver microsomes due to Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferases (UGTs). Glucuronidation emerged as the primary metabolic pathway, with UGT1A7, UGT1A8, UGT1A9, and UGT1A10 demonstrating high elimination rates (30%-70%) for PA and GPAs. This rapid glucuronidation may contribute to the low bioavailability of GPAs. Despite its low bioavailability (2.69%), 13-OH-GPA showed higher kidney distribution (19.8%) compared to PA (10.0%) and GPA (7.3%), suggesting enhanced biological efficacy in kidney diseases. Modifying the C-13 hydroxyl group appears to be a promising approach to improve bioavailability. In conclusion, this study provides valuable metabolic insights for the development and optimization of marine-derived piericidins as potential drug leads for kidney disease.
Animals
;
Male
;
Mice
;
Aquatic Organisms/chemistry*
;
Biological Availability
;
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism*
;
Glucuronosyltransferase/metabolism*
;
Microsomes, Liver/metabolism*
;
Molecular Structure
;
Biological Products/pharmacokinetics*
;
Pyridines/pharmacokinetics*
5.Impact of thymus dose-volume parameters on radiation-induced lymphopenia in early-stage breast cancer patients during postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy
Tong XIA ; Liyan JIN ; Pengfei XING ; Sisi ZHENG ; Jianjun QIAN ; Ye TIAN ; Shang CAI
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(10):1001-1007
Objective:To analyze the correlation between thymus dose-volume parameters and lymphopenia in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) receiving adjuvant radiotherapy (RT).Methods:Medical records of 54 patients with early-stage BC who received postoperative adjuvant RT in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) were collected at 1 month before (baseline) and weekly during RT. Lymphopenia was graded based according to the common terminology criteria for adverse events version 5.0 and nadir/baseline ALC was calculated. The thymus was delineated according to anatomical boundaries in the original RT planning system. Dosimetric parameters were obtained from the dose volume histograms. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with nadir/baseline ALC. The cutoff values of dosimetric parameters for predicting ≥grade 3 lymphopenia were obtained using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The proportion of 54 patients experiencing ≥ grade 3 lymphopenia was 38.9%. The median value of thymus volume, mean dose, V 5 Gy, V 10 Gy were 14.02 cm 3, 4.95 Gy, 36.18%, and 6.61%, respectively. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that baseline ALC ( P=0.005), quadrant location ( P=0.005) and mean thymus dose ( P<0.001) were significantly associated with nadir/baseline ALC. ROC curve analysis indicated that the cutoff values of thymus mean dose, V 5 Gy and V 10 Gy for predicting ≥ grade 3 lymphopenia were 6.12 Gy, 35.2%, and 7.4%, respectively. Conclusions:Lymphopenia in early-stage BC patients is significantly correlated with high dosimetric parameters of the thymus during postoperative adjuvant RT. Thymus may be considered as an organ at risk during RT.
6.Impact of thymus dose-volume parameters on radiation-induced lymphopenia in early-stage breast cancer patients during postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy
Tong XIA ; Liyan JIN ; Pengfei XING ; Sisi ZHENG ; Jianjun QIAN ; Ye TIAN ; Shang CAI
Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology 2025;34(10):1001-1007
Objective:To analyze the correlation between thymus dose-volume parameters and lymphopenia in patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) receiving adjuvant radiotherapy (RT).Methods:Medical records of 54 patients with early-stage BC who received postoperative adjuvant RT in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) were collected at 1 month before (baseline) and weekly during RT. Lymphopenia was graded based according to the common terminology criteria for adverse events version 5.0 and nadir/baseline ALC was calculated. The thymus was delineated according to anatomical boundaries in the original RT planning system. Dosimetric parameters were obtained from the dose volume histograms. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with nadir/baseline ALC. The cutoff values of dosimetric parameters for predicting ≥grade 3 lymphopenia were obtained using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:The proportion of 54 patients experiencing ≥ grade 3 lymphopenia was 38.9%. The median value of thymus volume, mean dose, V 5 Gy, V 10 Gy were 14.02 cm 3, 4.95 Gy, 36.18%, and 6.61%, respectively. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that baseline ALC ( P=0.005), quadrant location ( P=0.005) and mean thymus dose ( P<0.001) were significantly associated with nadir/baseline ALC. ROC curve analysis indicated that the cutoff values of thymus mean dose, V 5 Gy and V 10 Gy for predicting ≥ grade 3 lymphopenia were 6.12 Gy, 35.2%, and 7.4%, respectively. Conclusions:Lymphopenia in early-stage BC patients is significantly correlated with high dosimetric parameters of the thymus during postoperative adjuvant RT. Thymus may be considered as an organ at risk during RT.
7.Exploration and practice of humanistic care in children's fever clinics from the perspective of narrative medicine
Yutao CAI ; Xue CHEN ; Xiulan WEN ; Liyan YE ; Handan HONG ; Canying LI ; Xian CAI ; Qiumei YANG ; Yansong SU
Chinese Medical Ethics 2024;37(5):586-591
To explore the application of humanistic care in children's fever clinics,the children's fever clinics of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center conducted relevant research using narrative medicine as a guiding concept.This paper elaborated on the medical humanistic dilemmas and narrative care needs in children's fever clinics,and focused on exploring the practice paths of narrative medicine in pediatric with Chinese characteristics from five dimensions,including the cultivation of nursing staff's abilities of professional narrative and humanistic care,the establishment of health lectures featuring narrative patient education,the alleviation of medical anxiety for children and their families,related support of narrative nursing,and caring services.The aim was to improve the narrative care ability of nurses in children's fever clinics,develop methods for pediatric patients that can eliminate the fear of seeking medical treatment,and protect children's physical and mental health.A carrier of care,support,and emotional expression can be provided for parents.The foundation for nursing staff to achieve professional growth through narrative reflection can be laid.Thus,it can assist in establishing a life narrative community relationship between doctors and patients,and jointly explore the meaning of life.
8.Virulence gene distribution and molecular epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in the ICU
Yaxuan HUANG ; Yihan CAI ; Wanxia HE ; Liyan ZHANG ; Yue ZHAO
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences) 2024;49(5):730-736
Objective:The drug-resistant genes carried by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)limit clinical treatment options,and its virulence genes severely affect patient prognosis.This study aims to investigate the distribution of virulence genes,capsular serotypes,and molecular epidemiological characteristics of CRKP in ICU,to understand the characteristics of CRKP infections in ICU,and to provide a scientific basis for effective monitoring and control of CRKP infections in ICU. Methods:A total of 40 non-duplicate strains of CRKP isolated from the ICU of Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022 were collected and analyzed.Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze the distribution of resistance genes,virulence genes,and capsular serotypes of the strains.The sequences of 7 housekeeping genes of CRKP genome were uploaded to the Klebsiella pneumoniae(KPN)multilocus sequence typing(MLST)database to determine the sequence types(STs)of the strains. Results:The age of the 40 ICU CRKP-infected patients was(69.03±17.82)years old,with various underlying diseases,and there were 20 patients with improved clinical outcome and 20 patients with death.The isolated strains primarily originated from mid-stream urine and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.Whole-genome sequencing results revealed that the strains predominantly carried blaKPC-1(29 strains,72.5%)and blaNDM-1(6 strains,15.0%),with 5 strains carrying both blaKPC-1 and blaNDM-1.Various virulence genes were detected,among which the carriage rates of genes such as entA,entB,entE,entS,fepA,fepC,fepG,yag/ecp,and ompA reached 100%,while the carriage rates of genes such as entD,fimB,iroB,iroD,fes,and pla were low.The CRKP strains isolated from ICU were predominantly ST11(27 cases,67.5%),with KL64 being the main capsular serotype(29 cases,72.5%).A total of 23 ST11-KL64 CRKP strains were detected,accounting for 57.5%. Conclusion:The main type of ICU CRKP is ST11-KL64,carrying various virulence genes,primarily those related to iron absorption.Furthermore,blaKPC has shifted from blaKPC-2 to blaKPC-1.Therefore,close monitoring of the molecular epidemiological changes of CRKP is necessary,and strict control measures should be implemented to effectively curb the occurrence of CRKP infections.
9.A survey on the needs and modes of continuing education and training in laboratory medicine
Bin WEI ; Xizhe HUANG ; Bei CAI ; Liyan LIN ; Keyi ZHANG ; Junlong ZHANG ; Qian NIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2024;23(6):765-771
Objective:To analyze the advantages and disadvantages of online and offline laboratory medicine continuing education and training, and to discuss the future continuing education and training mode under new technology development and new situation.Methods:A questionnaire was administered to the trainees who participated in the 2019 and/or 2020 national continuing medical education project—Clinical Application and Evaluation of New Technologies and Methods of Laboratory Medicine—sponsored by the Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University. One hundred and twenty-four questionnaires were completed for the 2019 offline training, and 503 questionnaires were completed for the 2020 online training. The rank sum test, Fisher's exact test, and chi-square test were performed for statistical analysis with the use of SPSS 26.0.Results:The participants in 2020 were significantly younger and the proportion of female participants in 2020 was significantly higher compared with those in 2019. Intermediate titles or above accounted for 66.93% (83/124) in 2019, and intermediate titles or below accounted for 88.67% (446/503) in 2020. The proportion of people from Sichuan Province was significantly higher in 2019. The proportion of trainees from primary institutions was significantly lower in 2019. In 2019, public institutions were mainly tertiary hospitals (74.31%, 81/109), and the majority of participants from private institutions were from third party testing institutions (60.00%, 9/15). In 2020, the percentage of tertiary hospitals in public institutions decreased to 60.99% (258/423), while the percentage of community medical institutions increased to 10.64% (45/423), and 75.00% (60/80) of trainees from private institutions were from tertiary and secondary medical institutions. Trainees with lower educational levels were more likely to appreciate the value of the training course, especially with higher degrees of satisfaction with improvements in theoretical levels and practical skills, and participants from primary institutions believed that the training course could effectively improve their theoretical and practical levels. The number of participants who provided suggestions on laboratory medicine continuing education and training needs in 2019 (83.75%, 67/80) was higher than that in 2020 (48.51%, 244/503). The overall pass rate of post-training assessment in 2020 was 88.52% (424/479).Conclusions:Online and offline training modes have different audience groups and training effects. Online continuing education can provide training opportunities to more primary care personnel and junior and intermediate professionals, which is conducive to improving the basic professional literacy and testing skills of laboratory personnel on the whole. At the same time, the integration of online and offline modes will promote the development of laboratory medicine continuing education.
10.Late-stage cascade of oxidation reactions during the biosynthesis of oxalicine B in Penicillium oxalicum.
Tao ZHANG ; Guowei GU ; Guodong LIU ; Jinhua SU ; Zhilai ZHAN ; Jianyuan ZHAO ; Jinxiu QIAN ; Guowei CAI ; Shan CEN ; Dewu ZHANG ; Liyan YU
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2023;13(1):256-270
Oxalicine B ( 1) is an α-pyrone meroterpenoid with a unique bispirocyclic ring system derived from Penicillium oxalicum. The biosynthetic pathway of 15-deoxyoxalicine B ( 4) was preliminarily reported in Penicillium canescens, however, the genetic base and biochemical characterization of tailoring reactions for oxalicine B ( 1) has remained enigmatic. In this study, we characterized three oxygenases from the metabolic pathway of oxalicine B ( 1), including a cytochrome P450 hydroxylase OxaL, a hydroxylating Fe(II)/α-KG-dependent dioxygenase OxaK, and a multifunctional cytochrome P450 OxaB. Intriguingly, OxaK can catalyze various multicyclic intermediates or shunt products of oxalicines with impressive substrate promiscuity. OxaB was further proven via biochemical assays to have the ability to convert 15-hydroxdecaturin A ( 3) to 1 with a spiro-lactone core skeleton through oxidative rearrangement. We also solved the mystery of OxaL that controls C-15 hydroxylation. Chemical investigation of the wild-type strain and deletants enabled us to identify 10 metabolites including three new compounds, and the isolated compounds displayed potent anti-influenza A virus bioactivities exhibiting IC50 values in the range of 4.0-19.9 μmol/L. Our studies have allowed us to propose a late-stage biosynthetic pathway for oxalicine B ( 1) and create downstream derivatizations of oxalicines by employing enzymatic strategies.

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