1.Signal mining for bleeding risk associated with the concomitant use of direct oral anticoagulants and triazole antifungals
Ziyang WU ; Ying ZHU ; Menghua ZHANG ; Na HE ; Qiong QIN ; Cheng XIE
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1185-1189
OBJECTIVE To assess the bleeding risk signals associated with the concomitant use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and triazole antifungals, and to provide pharmacovigilance evidence for the safety evaluation and monitoring of combined clinical use. METHODS Adverse event reports involving the concomitant use of DOACs and triazole antifungals were extracted from the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from the first quarter of 2004 to the third quarter of 2025. Nine bleeding-related preferred terms (PTs) were selected. The Ω shrinkage measure, additive model, multiplicative model, and combined risk ratio method were employed to detect drug-drug interaction signals. The strength of positive signals was further analyzed based on the Ω shrinkage measure. RESULTS A total of 790 adverse event reports involving the concomitant use of DOACs and triazole antifungals were included, among which 229 reports involved nine bleeding-related PTs. A total of 13 signals were consistently identified as posit ive by all four methods. These signals involved six drug combinations: apixaban-fluconazole, apixaban-posaconazole, rivaroxaban-itraconazole, dabigatran etexilate-fluconazole, apixaban-voriconazole, and dabigatran etexilate-itraconazole. The Ω shrinkage measure showed that the apixaban-posaconazole combination exhibited stronger signals for bleeding ( Ω =2.73, Ω 025 =2.05) and hemoptysis ( Ω =2.17, Ω 025 =0.83); the apixaban-fluconazole combination exhibited stronger signals for hematoma ( Ω =2.30, Ω 025 =1.47) and hematuria ( Ω =1.71, Ω 025 =0.74); the rivaroxaban-itraconazole combination exhibited stronger signals for epistaxis ( Ω =2.01, Ω 025 =0.90) and hematoma ( Ω =1.93, Ω 025 =0.42); no positive Ω signals were observed for intracranial hemorrhage or upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. CONCLUSION S This study suggests that the concomitant use of DOACs and triazole antifungals may increase the risk of bleeding-related events, with differences in signal strength and signal distribution across various drug combinations. In clinical practice, particular attention should be paid to the concomitant use of apixaban or rivaroxaban with strong cytochrome P450 3A4 or P-glycoprotein inhibitors such as posaconazole and itraconazole. For other DOAC-triazole antifungal combinations, close monitoring for bleeding-related manifestations and timely adjustment of anticoagulation or antifungal regimens are also warranted.
2.Study on the influencing factors of venetoclax trough concentration and its association with efficacy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Weiwei HE ; Zhirui LIU ; Shiwei QIN ; Qiang GONG ; Lin CHENG
China Pharmacy 2026;37(9):1200-1205
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of plasma trough concentration of venetoclax and its influencing factors in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS After 5 days of venetoclax administration, venous blood samples were collected from AML patients before the next dose. Plasma trough concentrations of venetoclax were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Spearman correlation was used to assess the correlations between venetoclax plasma trough concentration and various parameters (including patients’ general information, venetoclax-related indicators, liver function indicators, kidney function indicators, and blood routine indicators). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors influencing plasma trough concentration of venetoclax. Using efficacy as dependent variable [complete remission (CR)+partial remission (PR) vs. no remission (NR)], univariate and multivariate binary Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors affecting efficacy. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of venetoclax plasma trough concentration for clinical efficacy (assessed as CR). RESULTS A total of 172 venetoclax plasma trough concentration measurements from 101 patients were included in this study. The median plasma trough concentration of venetoclax was 2.38 (1.18, 3.85) μg/mL; the median sampling time for plasma trough concentration of venetoclax was 10 (7, 15) d; the duration of venetoclax use was (34±12) d. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that alkaline phosphatase ( B =14.65, 95%CI: 5.35-23.95, P =0.002), total bilirubin ( B =-101.71, 95%CI: -197.16 to -6.25, P =0.037), and white blood cell count ( B =-106.84, 95%CI: -187.61 to -26.07, P =0.010) were independent factors influencing plasma trough concentration of venetoclax. Due to patient attrition during treatment, 114 venetoclax plasma trough concentration measurements from 69 patients were included for efficacy evaluation. The results showed that 46 patients (66.7%) achieved CR, 11 patients (15.9%) achieved PR, and 12 patients (17.4%) were NR. Multivariate binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age, hemoglobin, venetoclax plasma trough concentration, hematocrit, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were independent factors affecting patient efficacy ( P <0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off value of plasma trough concentration of venetoclax for predicting patient efficacy (assessed as CR) was 1.68 μg/mL (AUC=0.66, 95%CI: 0.54-0.78, P =0.014). CONCLUSIONS There is considerable inter-individual variability in plasma trough concentration of venetoclax among AML patients. Plasma trough concentration of venetoclax is significantly correlated with alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, and white blood cell count. Plasma trough concentration of venetoclax is an independent factor affecting patient’s efficacy, and when the cut-off value for predicting CR is above 1.68 μg/mL, better effects may be achieved.
3.Pathogenesis and Prevention Strategies of Hypercoagulable State in Malignant Tumors Based on the Theory of "Sweet-Flavored Medicinals Retaining and Restoring Body Fluid"
Yong WANG ; Zixuan CHENG ; Weiyang KONG ; Yuwei SUN ; Yunxuan SHI ; Ruyu QIN ; Zhaidong LIU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(1):26-30
Based on the theory of "sweet-flavored medicinals retaining and restoring body fluid", this paper proposed that the core pathogenesis of hypercoagulable state in malignant tumors is qi deficiency and fluid consumption, blood stasis and vessels stagnation, which evolves dynamically according to the pattern "qi deficiency → fluid consumption → blood stasis". Accordingly, a staged treatment system is established with the general principle of "fortifying the middle jiao, restoring fluid and activating blood circulation". In the initial stage, invigorating the spleen and boosting qi to generate body fluid, targeting the onset of middle jiao deficiency and body fluid consumption; in the middle stage, nourishing yin and unblocking collaterals to facilitate body fluid circulation, addressing the disorder of body fluid transportation and collateral injury caused by internal dryness; in the late stage, consolidating yin and resolving blood stasis to retain body fluid, resolving yin impairment, fluid exhaustion, and binding of stasis and toxin. By regulating body fluid metabolism to improve the hypercoagulable state, this system is intended to provide insights for the prevention and treatment of hypercoagulable state in malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine.
4.Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Gualou Niubangtang by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and HPLC
Yiyi ZHANG ; Jing YANG ; Yuqing CHENG ; Huimin GAO ; Jin QIN ; Li YAO ; Xiyang DU ; Raorao LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(6):179-187
ObjectiveThis paper aims to clarify the material basis of Gualou Niubangtang and establish a quantitative analysis method for its main constituents, providing a reference for the overall quality control of this preparation. MethodsThe constituents in the formula were systematically characterized based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Identification was performed by matching with the UNIFI 9.6 software and utilizing database platforms such as PubChem, ChemicalBook, and ChemSpider, combined with relevant literature reports. A quantitative analysis method for the seven main constituents in Gualou Niubangtang was established by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). ResultsUPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis identified 155 constituents, including 69 flavonoids, 36 terpenoids, 23 phenylpropanoids, 8 phenylethanoid glycosides, and 19 other types of constituents. In the established quantitative analysis method, the seven main constituents showed good linearity within their respective linear ranges. The precision, repeatability, stability, and spike recovery all met the required standards. The results showed that the content ranges of geniposide, liquiritin, hesperidin, arctiin, baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and wogonoside in 15 batches of Gualou Niubangtang were 13.67-21.25, 1.20-7.64, 5.45-7.45, 22.97-33.51, 29.95-39.07, 2.58-4.80, and 6.56-9.31 mg·g-1, respectively. ConclusionThis study successfully characterizes and attributes multi-category constituents in Gualou Niubangtang, clarifying that its material basis is primarily composed of flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, and phenylpropanoids. Furthermore, it enables the quantification of seven constituents within the formula. This work lays a foundation for research on the quality control, action mechanism, and clinical application of this formula.
5.Research Tackling Paradigm and Technological Layout Strategies Based on Erectile Dysfunction, A Clinical Dominant Disease of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Qi ZHAO ; Yun CHEN ; Baoxing LIU ; Xuejun SHANG ; Fei SUN ; Xiaozhi ZHAO ; Zhigang WU ; Chao SUN ; Peihai ZHANG ; Wanjun CHENG ; Xing ZHOU ; Zhan QIN ; Yufeng PAN ; Weiwei TAO ; Jianhuai CHEN ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Xing ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(7):291-299
To thoroughly implement the strategic deployment outlined in the Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Promoting the Inheritance and Innovative Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine regarding research on dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine and to uphold the development philosophy of equal emphasis on traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine,the China Association of Chinese Medicine has fully played a leading academic role by systematically organizing and conducting a series of academic youth salons on clinical dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine. On September 13,2024,the 36th Youth Salon on Clinical Dominant Diseases was successfully held in Nanjing,focusing on the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine and the integrative traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The conference brought together leading experts from traditional Chinese medicine,western medicine,and interdisciplinary fields,facilitating in-depth multidisciplinary discussions that led to key consensus on optimizing traditional Chinese medicine treatment protocols for ED,researching and developing new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine,and advancing interdisciplinary development in traditional Chinese medicine. This salon systematically sorted out the clinical strengths and distinctive features of traditional Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of ED. Based on current research foundations and clinical needs,it identified key directions for future scientific layout and scientific research tackling: (1) Standardization of syndrome differentiation system of traditional Chinese medicine for ED. (2) Optimization and standardization of intervention methods of integrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine. (3) High-quality clinical research guided by evidence-based medicine. (4) In-depth analysis of the pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of ED. (5) Clinical translation and application promotion of new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine. (6) Interdisciplinary integration and innovation in traditional Chinese medicine. For each research direction,key focus areas,expected objectives,and clinical value were further refined,along with the establishment of a scientifically sound priority funding level evaluation system. Therefore,building on the series of salons on the ED-focused dominant diseases of traditional Chinese medicine,this paper provides standardized guidance for clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine in ED management,effectively contributing to the high-quality development of traditional Chinese medicine. It serves as a valuable reference for national scientific and technological strategic layout, research and development decision-making in new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine,research topic planning,and clinical guideline formulation.
6.Pathogenesis and treatment of craniopharyngioma-related liver diseases
Ye CHENG ; Yin ZHENG ; Jie QIN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1974-1979
Patients with craniopharyngioma are at a high risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and its severe complications, yet this association is often neglected in clinical practice, with a lack of systematic reviews. This article systematically reviews the clinical spectrum and epidemiological characteristics of liver diseases associated with craniopharyngioma, with a focus on their core pathogenic mechanisms, and it also summarizes current tumor treatment strategies aimed at preventing hypothalamic injury and highlights that establishing a multidisciplinary collaborative diagnosis and treatment model and implementing early intervention are key to improving prognosis. Future research should focus on elucidating the precise pathways through which hypothalamic injury leads to metabolic disturbances, thereby facilitating the development of targeted therapies, in order to provide new directions for fundamentally improving the clinical outcomes of these patients.
7.Toxic Mechanism, Risk Evaluation, and Regulatory Policies of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from Senecionis Scandentis Herba: A Review
Weili CHEN ; Shengxuan LI ; Linying QIN ; Xiangle MENG ; Yu DONG ; Long CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):330-338
ObjectiveTo summarize the research results on the toxic mechanism and the relevant regulatory policies at home and abroad of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), the main toxic components, in Senecionis Scandentis Herba, thereby providing insights into the clinical use and scientific regulation of Senecionis Scandentis Herba. MethodsMultiple Chinese and English databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and VIP were searched, with "Senecio," "PSenecio scandens," and "pyrrolizidine alkaloids" as search terms. The relevant articles published from 1959 to 2025 were retrieved and analyzed, and 79 articles were finally selected for review. ResultsThe chemical components of Senecionis Scandentis Herba include alkaloids, flavonoids, volatile oils, sesquiterpenes, jacaranone derivatives, and organic acids, among which alkaloids are the most toxic components, followed by jacaranone derivatives. PAs are metabolized into highly active pyrrole derivatives in the liver, which can cause serious adverse reactions such as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and DNA damage. The content of PAs varies significantly due to the origin, harvest period, and medicinal parts. There have been reports of clinical liver injury caused by preparations containing Senecionis Scandentis Herba, and some preparations have a daily intake of PAs exceeding the international safety threshold. Currently, international organizations have set limited standards for PAs, while China only controls the content of adonifoline, and the supervision is not yet perfect. ConclusionAlthough Senecionis Scandentis Herba has medicinal value, its PAs have significant toxicological properties. This is a problem that cannot be ignored and needs to be overcome in the use of Senecionis Scandentis Herba. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the quality control of raw materials, establish a more comprehensive limited standard for PAs, and optimize the medication strategy in combination with traditional Chinese medicine theory to ensure the safety of clinical medication.
8.Toxic Mechanism, Risk Evaluation, and Regulatory Policies of Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from Senecionis Scandentis Herba: A Review
Weili CHEN ; Shengxuan LI ; Linying QIN ; Xiangle MENG ; Yu DONG ; Long CHENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(21):330-338
ObjectiveTo summarize the research results on the toxic mechanism and the relevant regulatory policies at home and abroad of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), the main toxic components, in Senecionis Scandentis Herba, thereby providing insights into the clinical use and scientific regulation of Senecionis Scandentis Herba. MethodsMultiple Chinese and English databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Elsevier, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and VIP were searched, with "Senecio," "PSenecio scandens," and "pyrrolizidine alkaloids" as search terms. The relevant articles published from 1959 to 2025 were retrieved and analyzed, and 79 articles were finally selected for review. ResultsThe chemical components of Senecionis Scandentis Herba include alkaloids, flavonoids, volatile oils, sesquiterpenes, jacaranone derivatives, and organic acids, among which alkaloids are the most toxic components, followed by jacaranone derivatives. PAs are metabolized into highly active pyrrole derivatives in the liver, which can cause serious adverse reactions such as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome and DNA damage. The content of PAs varies significantly due to the origin, harvest period, and medicinal parts. There have been reports of clinical liver injury caused by preparations containing Senecionis Scandentis Herba, and some preparations have a daily intake of PAs exceeding the international safety threshold. Currently, international organizations have set limited standards for PAs, while China only controls the content of adonifoline, and the supervision is not yet perfect. ConclusionAlthough Senecionis Scandentis Herba has medicinal value, its PAs have significant toxicological properties. This is a problem that cannot be ignored and needs to be overcome in the use of Senecionis Scandentis Herba. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the quality control of raw materials, establish a more comprehensive limited standard for PAs, and optimize the medication strategy in combination with traditional Chinese medicine theory to ensure the safety of clinical medication.
9.Application exploration of pandemic films in public health ethics teaching
Qin CHEN ; Tianchi YANG ; Guowei LI ; Guobin CHENG
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(9):1259-1264
Public health decision-making is often accompanied by intense ethical controversies, demanding decision-makers not only to possess the moral courage and sense of responsibility to address challenges, but also to master the refined skills of ethical reasoning and value trade-offs. This underscores the increasingly vital role of public health ethics in medical education. Taking the film Contagion as a case, this paper delved into the practical pathways and teaching effectiveness of integrating pandemic films as instructional materials into public health ethics education. It elucidated the unique value of films in teaching public health ethics, namely, they not only stimulate learning interest through emotional resonance but also construct realistic ethical dilemmas via highly immersive cinematic narratives, thereby promoting deeper learning. On this basis, a set of teaching implementation pathways was constructed, including critical steps such as clarification of instructional intent, formulation of learning objectives, development of teaching materials, implementation of classroom instruction, and evaluation and reflection on teaching effectiveness. A qualitative research method was used to assess the teaching effectiveness. The results showed that integrating pandemic films into public health ethics teaching can significantly enhance learners’ enthusiasm for exploration and research, strengthen their ethical decision-making and reasoning abilities in complex situations, and promote the development of their moral literacy. This teaching model provides feasible ideas and practical strategies for methodological innovation in public health ethics education, possessing strong potential for broader application.
10.Role of Innate Trained Immunity in Diseases
Chuang CHENG ; Yue-Qing WANG ; Xiao-Qin MU ; Xi ZHENG ; Jing HE ; Jun WANG ; Chao TAN ; Xiao-Wen LIU ; Li-Li ZOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(1):119-132
The innate immune system can be boosted in response to subsequent triggers by pre-exposure to microbes or microbial products, known as “trained immunity”. Compared to classical immune memory, innate trained immunity has several different features. Firstly, the molecules involved in trained immunity differ from those involved in classical immune memory. Innate trained immunity mainly involves innate immune cells (e.g., myeloid immune cells, natural killer cells, innate lymphoid cells) and their effector molecules (e.g., pattern recognition receptor (PRR), various cytokines), as well as some kinds of non-immune cells (e.g., microglial cells). Secondly, the increased responsiveness to secondary stimuli during innate trained immunity is not specific to a particular pathogen, but influences epigenetic reprogramming in the cell through signaling pathways, leading to the sustained changes in genes transcriptional process, which ultimately affects cellular physiology without permanent genetic changes (e.g., mutations or recombination). Finally, innate trained immunity relies on an altered functional state of innate immune cells that could persist for weeks to months after initial stimulus removal. An appropriate inducer could induce trained immunity in innate lymphocytes, such as exogenous stimulants (including vaccines) and endogenous stimulants, which was firstly discovered in bone marrow derived immune cells. However, mature bone marrow derived immune cells are short-lived cells, that may not be able to transmit memory phenotypes to their offspring and provide long-term protection. Therefore, trained immunity is more likely to be relied on long-lived cells, such as epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stromal cells and non-immune cells such as fibroblasts. Epigenetic reprogramming is one of the key molecular mechanisms that induces trained immunity, including DNA modifications, non-coding RNAs, histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. In addition to epigenetic reprogramming, different cellular metabolic pathways are involved in the regulation of innate trained immunity, including aerobic glycolysis, glutamine catabolism, cholesterol metabolism and fatty acid synthesis, through a series of intracellular cascade responses triggered by the recognition of PRR specific ligands. In the view of evolutionary, trained immunity is beneficial in enhancing protection against secondary infections with an induction in the evolutionary protective process against infections. Therefore, innate trained immunity plays an important role in therapy against diseases such as tumors and infections, which has signature therapeutic effects in these diseases. In organ transplantation, trained immunity has been associated with acute rejection, which prolongs the survival of allografts. However, trained immunity is not always protective but pathological in some cases, and dysregulated trained immunity contributes to the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Trained immunity provides a novel form of immune memory, but when inappropriately activated, may lead to an attack on tissues, causing autoinflammation. In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis, trained immunity may lead to enhance inflammation and tissue lesion in diseased regions. In Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, trained immunity may lead to over-activation of microglial cells, triggering neuroinflammation even nerve injury. This paper summarizes the basis and mechanisms of innate trained immunity, including the different cell types involved, the impacts on diseases and the effects as a therapeutic strategy to provide novel ideas for different diseases.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail