1.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
2.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
3.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
4.Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of malignant solid tumors
Chen WANG ; Jun LI ; Ning WANG ; Xinjuan YU ; Xiaolu YU ; Tingtian LI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(16):2067-2072
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of malignant solid tumors. METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on apatinib combined with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (combination group) versus monotherapy (apatinib or PD-1/PD-L1)combined with (or) chemotherapy/other treatments (control group) in the treatment of malignant solid tumors were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data and China Biomedical Literature Database. The search time limit was from the establishment of the databases to May 2025. After literature screening, data extraction and literature quality evaluation, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0. RESULTS A total of 28 RCTs involving 2 974 patients were included. The objective response rate [RR=1.639, 95%CI(1.452,1.851), P<0.000 01], disease control rate [RR=1.284, 95%CI(1.178,1.399), P<0.000 01] and CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ as well as the incidence of ADR such as hypertension, fatigue, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia were significantly higher in the combination group than control group (P<0.05 or P<0.000 01). The progressive disease rate [RR= 0.497, 95%CI(0.437, 0.566), P<0.000 01] and serum tumor + marker levels and CD8 were significantly lower in the combination group than control group (P<0.05 or P<0.000 01). Subgroup analysis results of different types of tumors showed that the objective response rate and disease control rate were significantly higher in the combination group than control group (P<0.05). The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the stability of this study was good. The results of publication bias analysis showed that there was a high possibility of publication bias in this study. CONCLUSIONS Apatinib combined with PD-1/ PD-L1 inhibitors has a significant efficacy in the treatment of different types of tumors, but attention should be paid to the occurrence of hypertension, fatigue, proteinuria and thrombocytopenia.
5.Association between unhealthy lifestyle and risk of heart disease and diabetes in the elderly in Xi'an
Ning CUI ; Jun LIU ; Rui WANG ; Nini MA ; Man ZHANG ; Aiping SUN ; Xiaomin RAN ; Aiqing PAN
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;36(5):163-167
Objective To investigate the association between lifestyle and risk of heart disease and diabetes in the elderly population in Xi'an City. Methods From January 2021 to January 2024, a staged cluster sampling method was used to investigate the lifestyle and the occurrence of heart disease and diabetes in elderly population aged 60 years and above in the communities of Xi'an. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between lifestyle and the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Results A total of 413 elderly people were investigated, of which 31.96% had heart disease, 27.12% had diabetes, and 10.90% had diabetes with heart disease. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, BMI, family history, sweet food preference, smoking, and sitting and lying for a long time were risk factors for diabetes in the elderly population (P<0.05). Age, BMI, family history, history of diabetes, preference for salted products, smoking, drinking, and sitting and lying for a long time were risk factors for heart disease in the elderly population (P<0.05). Conclusion The incidence rates of heart disease and diabetes are high in the elderly population in Xi'an City. The risk of diabetes is related to unhealthy lifestyles such as sweet food preference, smoking, and sitting and lying for a long time, while heart disease is related to unhealthy lifestyles such as preference for salted products, smoking, drinking, and sitting and lying for a long time.
6.Clinical trial of midazolam and propofol in the treatment of elderly patients undergoing mechanical ventilation after cardiopulmonary bypass cardiac surgery
En-Gang WU ; Sheng-Jun DONG ; Ning GAI ; Bao-Hui LIU ; Dian-Xiao LIU ; Feng WANG ; Kai-Qiang YANG ; Qian-Qian WANG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(7):963-967
Objective To analyze the influence of midazolam and propofol on sedation effect and blood gas indicators in elderly patients undergoing mechanical ventilation after cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)cardiac surgery.Methods The elderly patients with mechanical ventilation after CPB cardiac surgery were grouped according to cohort method,including midazolam group(group M),propofol group(group P)and midazolam-propofol combined administration group(group M-P).Group M was treated with midazolam(intravenous injection of 0.05-0.10 mg kg-1 midazolam for sedation induction,and then continuously intravenous injection of 0.05-0.15 mg·kg-1·h-1 midazolam by micropump),and group P was treated with propofol(intravenous injection of 0.5 mg·kg-1 propofol for sedation induction,and then continuously intravenous injection of 0.5-2.0 mg·kg-1·h-1 propofol by micropump),and group M-P was given combined administration of midazolam and propofol(intravenous injection of 0.02-0.05 mg·kg-1 midazolam and 0.2-0.5 mg·kg-1 propofol for sedation induction and then continuously intravenous pump of 0.05-0.1 mg·kg-1 midazolam and 0.5-0.8 mg·kg·h-1 propofol).The sedation effect,blood gas indicators,hemodynamic indicators,extubation time,intensive care unit(ICU)stay time and treatment cost were compared among the three groups,and the adverse drug reactions during sedation therapy were recorded.Results There were 43 cases in group M,44 cases in group P,39 cases in group M-P.The drug onset times in groups M,P and M-P were(77.94±12.05),(18.18±5.20)and(21.25±9.36)s;the times to achieve satisfactory sedation effect were(42.57±11.41),(22.63±8.17)and(23.98±10.25)min;the recovery times after withdrawal were(59.30±14.86),(19.83±5.44)and(22.16±6.29)min;the extubation times were(1.61±0.20),(1.45±0.22)and(1.37±0.15)d;the ICU stay times were(2.17±0.29),(1.91±0.36)and(1.84±0.25)d;the treatment costs were(186.59±60.83),(922.97±164.34)and(375.03±71.16)thousand yuan;and the total incidence rates of adverse drug reactions were 34.88%,4.55%and 7.69%respectively,all with significant difference(all P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in mean arterial pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),oxygen saturation(SpO2),partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2)at T0,T1,T2,T3 and T4 among the three groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion Combined administration of midazolam and propofol in elderly patients underwent mechanical ventilation after CPB cardiac surgery has a significant sedation effect,and it is conducive to reducing the dosages of sedative drugs,and it has small impact on blood gas indicators and hemodynamic indicators of patients.Compared with midazolam alone,it is more beneficial to shortening the extubation time and ICU stay and reducing the total incidence rate of adverse drug reactions,and compared with propofol alone,it is more beneficial to reducing treatment cost,and is a more ideal sedation administration model.
7.Clinical observation of goserelin combined with estradiol valerate in the treatment of endometriosis in patients of childbearing age after laparoscopic surgery
Huiling WANG ; Ning MA ; Lei QIAO ; Jun YANG ; Zhengfang WEN
China Pharmacy 2024;35(14):1748-1752
OBJECTIVE To observe the efficacy and safety of goserelin combined with estradiol valerate in the treatment of endometriosis (EMs) in patients of childbearing age after laparoscopic surgery. METHODS The clinical data of 144 patients with EMs of childbearing age who underwent laparoscopic surgery in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were collected retrospectively, and those patients were divided into control group (70 cases) and combination group (74 cases) based on different postoperative medication regimens. Control group was given Acetate goserelin sustained-release implant on the 1st to 5th day of their first menstrual cycle after laparoscopic surgery, while combination group was additionally given Estradiol valerate tablets on the basis of control group. The short-term and long-term efficacy of 2 groups were observed; preoperative and postoperative pain scores, ovarian reserve function, and the incidence of adverse reactions were all recorded in 2 groups. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference in short-term total effective rate, 1-year postoperative recurrence rate and the incidence of decreased libido, vaginal dryness, gastrointestinal reactions, rash, or arrhythmia between two groups (P>0.05). The natural pregnancy rate of combination group was significantly higher than control group at 1 year after surgery, while the incidence E-mail:wanghuiling0518@126.com of early miscarriage, hot flashes and sweating, emotional fluctuations, insomnia and fatigue, joint muscle pain, dizziness and headache were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). However, at 6 months after surgery, pain scores and the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol of both groups were significantly lower than before surgery in the same group, while the number of antral follicle count was significantly higher than before surgery in the same group; the levels of anti-Müllerian hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, and the number of antral follicles in the combination group were significantly higher than control group, while pain score and follicle stimulating hormone level were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The combination of goserelin and estradiol valerate after laparoscopic surgery has a significant therapeutic effect and good safety in the treatment of EMs of childbearing age.
8.Estimation of genotoxicity threshold induced by acute exposure to neodymium nitrate in mice using benchmark dose
Junli LIU ; Yu DING ; Xueqing CHENG ; Zhengli YANG ; Kelei QIAN ; Jing XU ; Yiyun FAN ; Dongsheng YU ; Zhiqing ZHENG ; Jun YANG ; Ning WANG ; Xinyu HONG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2024;41(4):425-430
Background The benchmark dose (BMD) method calculates the dose associated with a specific change in response based on a specific dose-response relationship. Compared with the traditional no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) method, the BMD method has many advantages, and the 95% lower confidence limit of benchmark dose lower limit (BMDL) is recommended to replace NOAEL in deriving biological exposure limits. No authority has yet published any health-based guideline for rare earth elements. Objective To evaluate genotoxicity threshold induced by acute exposure to neodymium nitrate in mice using BMD modeling through micronucleus test and comet assay. Methods SPF grade mice (n=90) were randomly divided into nine groups, including seven neodymium nitrate exposure groups, one control group (distilled water), and one positive control group (200 mg·kg−1 ethyl methanesulfonate), 10 mice in each group, half male and half female. The seven dose groups were fed by gavage with different concentrations of neodymium nitrate solution (male: 14, 27, 39, 55, 77, 109, and 219 mg·kg−1; female: 24, 49, 69, 97, 138, 195, and 389 mg·kg−1) twice at an interval of 21 h. Three hours after the last exposure, the animals were neutralized by cervical dislocation. The bone marrow of mice femur was taken to calculate the micronucleus rate of bone marrow cells, and the liver and stomach were taken for comet test. Results The best fitting models for the increase of polychromatophil micronucleus rate in bone marrow of female and male mice induced by neodymium nitrate were the exponential 4 model and the hill model, respectively. The BMD and the BMDL of female mice were calculated to be 31.37 mg·kg−1 and 21.90 mg·kg−1, and those of male mice were calculated to be 58.62 mg·kg−1 and 54.31 mg·kg−1, respectively. The best fitting models for DNA damage induced by neodymium nitrate in female and male mouse hepatocytes were the exponential 5 model and the exponential 4 model, respectively, and the calculated BMD and BMDL were 27.15 mg·kg−1 and 11.99 mg·kg−1 for female mice, and 16.28 mg·kg−1 and 10.47 mg·kg−1 for male mice, respectively. The hill model was the best fitting model for DNA damage of gastric adenocytes in both female and male mice, and the calculated BMD and BMDL were 36.73 mg·kg−1 and 19.92 mg·kg−1 for female mice, and 24.74 mg·kg−1 and 14.08 mg·kg−1 for male mice, respectively. Conclusion Taken the micronucleus rate of bone marrow cells, DNA damage of liver cells and gastric gland cells as the end points of genotoxicity, the BMDL of neodymium nitrate is 10.47 mg·kg−1, which can be used as the threshold of genotoxic effects induced by acute exposure to neodymium nitrate in mice.
9.Efficacy and safety of nicorandil and ticagrelor de-escalation after percutaneous coronary intervention for elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome
Xiang SHAO ; Ning BIAN ; Hong-Yan WANG ; Hai-Tao TIAN ; Can HUA ; Chao-Lian WU ; Bei-Xing ZHU ; Rui CHEN ; Jun-Xia LI ; Tian-Chang LI ; Lu MA
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2024;49(1):75-81
Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor de-escalation and nicorandil therapy in elderly patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS)after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods A total of 300 elderly patients with ACS were selected from the Sixth and Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital and Beijing Chaoyang Integrative Medicine Emergency Rescue and First Aid Hospital from November 2016 to June 2019,including 153 males and 147 females,aged>65 years old.All the patients received PCI,and all had double antiplatelet therapy(DAPT)scores≥2 and a new DAPT(PRECISE-DAPT)score of≥25.All patients were divided into two groups by random number table method before operation:ticagrelor group(n=146,ticagrelor 180 mg load dose followed by PCI,and ticagrelor 90 mg bid after surgery)and ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil group(n=154,ticagrelor 180 mg load dose followed by PCI,ticagrelor 90 mg bid+nicorandil 5 mg tid after surgery,changed to ticagrelor 60 mg bid+ nicorandil 5 mg tid 6 months later).Follow-up was 12 months.The composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction and stroke,the composite end points of mild hemorrhage,minor hemorrhage,other major hemorrhage and major fatal/life-threatening hemorrhage as defined by the PLATO study,and the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction,stroke and bleeding within 12 months in the two groups were observed.Results The comparison of general baseline data between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference(P>0.05).There was also no significant difference in the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction and stroke between the two groups(P>0.05).The cumulative incidence of bleeding events in ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil group was significantly lower than that in ticagrelor group(P<0.05),while the composite end points of cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction,stroke and bleeding were also significantly lower than those in tecagrelor group(P<0.05).Conclusion In elderly patients with ACS,the treatment of ticagrelor de-escalation + nicorandil after PCI may not increase the incidence of ischemic events such as cardiovascular death,myocardial infarction or stroke,and it may reduce the incidence of hemorrhagic events.
10.Superior vena cava syndrome and pulmonary artery stenosis in a patient with lung metastases of bladder cancer
Jian-Ke LI ; Ya-Nan GU ; Jun-Hao LI ; Liang-Wen WANG ; Ning-Zi TIAN ; Wei CHEN ; Xiao-Lin WANG ; Yi CHEN
Fudan University Journal of Medical Sciences 2024;51(2):277-279,284
Superior vena cava syndrome(SVCS)is a group of clinical syndromes caused by obstruction of the superior vena cava and its major branches from various causes.Pulmonary artery stenosis(PS)is a complication of lung cancer or mediastinal tumours.SVCS combined with PS due to pulmonary metastases from bladder cancer is extremely rare and has not been reported in the literature.Here we reported an old male patient with pulmonary metastases from bladder cancer presenting with swelling of the head,neck and both upper limbs.SVCS combined with PS was clarified by pulmonary artery computed tomography angiography(CTA)and digital subtraction angiography(DSA).Endovascular stenting was used to treat SVCS.Angiography also showed that PS had not caused pulmonary hypertension and did not need to be treated.The swelling of the patient's head,neck and upper limbs was gradually reduced after the procedure.


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