1.Association between Modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula (益气活血解毒方) or PARP Inhibitors Maintenance Therapy and Recurrence and Metastasis in Advanced Ovarian Cancer:A Propensity Score Matched Case-Control Study
Yongjia CUI ; Wenping LU ; Lei CHANG ; Yilin WEI ; Xiyue WANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(3):256-261
ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the maintenance treatment of modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula (益气活血解毒方) or poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and the recurrence and metastasis of advanced ovarian cancer. MethodsA case-control study design was employed, dividing patients with advanced ovarian cancer into two groups based on the occurrence of recurrence and metastasis following first-line maintenance treatment. Patients with recurrence and metastasis comprised the case group, while those without recurrence and metastasis served as the control group. The previous first-line maintenance treatment method was set as the exposure factor in the study (with the use of modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula defined as exposed and PARP inhibitors defined as unexposed). Basic information was collected for both groups, including the achievement of satisfactory R0 surgery, age, stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, lymph node metastasis, germline BRCA1/2 mutations, homologous recombination deficiency positivity, first-line maintenance treatment method (modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula or PARP inhibitors), and CA125 levels after the last chemotherapy. The baseline data of the two groups were assessed for differences. If there exists difference, a 1∶1 nearest neighbor matching method was used for propensity score matching. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate the association between the modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula or PARP inhibitors and the recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer. ResultsA total of 201 patients with advanced ovarian cancer were included, with 97 in the case group and 104 in the control group. Both groups showed statistically significant differences in R0 surgery, stage, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and CA125 levels after the last chemotherapy (P<0.05), indicating baseline imbalance. After propensity score matching, there were 71 patients in both the case and control groups, achieving baseline balance (P>0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the achievement of satisfactory R0 surgery (P = 0.006), disease stage (P = 0.001), the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.024), treatment modality (P = 0.006), and CA125 levels after the last chemotherapy (P = 0.013) were associated with the recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that disease stage was an independent influencing factor for the recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer (P = 0.030), whereas the P-value for the correlation between first-line maintenance treatment and ovarian cancer was 0.188. ConclusionFirst-line maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer patients with the use of modified Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula or PARP inhibitors does not correlate with the recurrence and metastasis of ovarian cancer.
2.Analysis of the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Elements and Influencing Factors in Patients with Immune-Related Adverse Events from Malignant Tumors: A Retrospective Study Based on Propensity Score Matching
Xiyue WANG ; Wenping LU ; Zhili ZHUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1147-1156
ObjectiveTo analyze the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements in patients with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with malignant tumor immunotherapy and to explore the influencing factors for the occurrence of irAEs. MethodsClinical data were retrospectively collected from malignant tumor patients treated with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors, including demographic information, tumor history, duration of immunotherapy, occurrence of irAEs, types and grades of irAEs (G1-G5), and TCM four-diagnostic information. Patients were divided into irAEs group and the non-irAEs group based on the occurrence of irAEs. Propensity score matching (PSM) at a 1∶2 ratio was performed to balance baseline characteristics between groups. Syndrome elements before treatment and cumulative contributions of syndrome elements before and after irAEs onset were evaluated using the "Syndrome Elements Differentiation Scale". Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with the occurrence of irAEs. The use of glucocorticoids in the irAEs group was also analyzed. ResultsAfter 1∶2 matching, 59 patients were included in the irAEs group and 118 were in the non-irAEs group. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of age, gender, primary tumor site, pathological type, or tumor stage (P>0.05). Patients in the non-irAEs group were more likely to have received targeted therapy, while the irAEs group had a longer duration of immunotherapy and a higher rate of positive programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression (P<0.05). In total, 72 irAEs events occurred among 59 patients, with an overall incidence rate of 19.4% (59/304) and a grade 3~5 incidence rate of 6.8% (4/59), mainly presenting as cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and pneumotoxicity.Before immunotherapy, the top three syndrome elements in the irAEs group were spleen (71.2%, 42/59), kidney (42.4%, 25/59), and lung (39.0%, 23/59). For the pathogenic nature elements, yin deficiency (52.5%, 31/59), phlegm (40.7%, 24/59), and dampness (35.6%, 21/59) ranked highest. Compared to the non-irAEs group, the distribution of spleen, kidney, liver, yin deficiency, and qi deficiency elements showed significant differences in the irAEs group (P<0.05). After the occurrence of irAEs, the cumulative contributions of spleen, lung, stomach, heart, yin deficiency, qi deficiency, and yang hyperactivity elements increased significantly (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that duration of immunotherapy, spleen syndrome element, kidney syndrome element, liver syndrome element, yin deficiency element, and qi deficiency element were independent risk factors for irAEs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among the irAEs patients, 15 received glucocorticoid combined with TCM treatment, while 6 received glucocorticoid therapy alone. Patients receiving combined treatment required lower doses and shorter courses of glucocorticoids compared to those treated with glucocorticoids alone (P<0.05). ConclusionIn malignant tumor patients, spleen, kidney, lung, yin deficiency, phlegm, dampness, and qi deficiency are the predominant syndrome elements before and after the occurrence of irAEs. However, elements such as heat and qi stagnation significantly increase after irAEs onset. Duration of immunotherapy, spleen, kidney, liver syndrome elements, yin deficiency, and qi deficiency are independent risk factors for the development of irAEs.
3.Investigation on Endowment Characteristics of Endometrial Cancer Patients Based on Five-Circuit and Six-Qi Theory:An Analysis of 1099 Cases
Lei CHANG ; Wenping LU ; Yongjia CUI ; Lutian GONG ; Zhili ZHUO
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(5):1072-1077
Objective To investigate the five-circuit and six-qi features at conception and at birth in the patients with endometrial cancer.Methods From June 2020 to August 2024,the information about the conception time and birth time of 1 099 patients with endometrial cancer admitted to Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences was collected from the electronic medical record system.The circuit-qi information at conception and at birth of the patients was statistically analyzed,and then the congenital endowment characteristics of the patients were explored.Results The results showed that most of the patients suffering endometrial cancer were born in winter,and the dominant qi at birth of the patients was predominated by taiyang cold-water,and the differences of the distribution of dominant qi at birth were statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the distribution of yearly circuit,guest qi,and sitian-zaiquan at birth,and in the distribution of seasons,yearly circuit,dominant qi,guest qi,and sitian-zaiquan at conception(P>0.05),and only an obvious trend of differences was presented.Conclusion There is a certain correlation between the prevalence of endometrial cancer and the five-circuit and six-qi features at conception and at birth.The congenital endowment of patients with endometrial cancer is characterized by yang deficiency with predominant coldness,and the prevalence is related to jueyin wind wood.
4.Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Characteristics Associated with Immunotherapy Efficacy in Cervical Cancer Using Propensity Score Matching
Zhili ZHUO ; Wenping LU ; Yongjia CUI ; Xiyue WANG ; Lei CHANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(8):1831-1838
Objective To investigate traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics associated with immunotherapy efficacy in cervical cancer using propensity score matching(PSM),aiming to identify the population benefiting from immunotherapy.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 253 cervical cancer patients,who received the treatment with programmed death receptor 1(PD-1)inhibitors at Guang'anmen Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 2020 to October 2024.Clinical data and TCM four-examination data were collected.After balancing the confounders via PSM(1∶1 matching)and with therapeutic efficacy as the dependent variable,multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndrome in the immunotherapy-response group and then a predictive model was constructed.Results(1)After matching with PSM,198 cases were included,99 cases in response group and 99 cases in non-response group.(2)Analysis of the distribution of TCM syndrome elements showed that the differences in the pathogenic syndrome elements of qi deficiency,qi stagnation,blood stasis,heat and phlegm between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while there were no statistically significant differences in the disease-location syndrome elements of uterus,kidneys,lungs,spleen,liver,and heart,as well as in the pathogenic syndrome elements of blood deficiency,yin deficiency,yang deficiency,cold,and dampness(P>0.05).The main pathogenic syndrome elements in the response group were qi deficiency,blood deficiency and heat,while those in the non-response group were qi stagnation,heat and phlegm.(3)The results of univariate regression analysis showed that targeted therapy(P=0.040),programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)expression level(P<0.001),qi deficiency(P=0.009),blood deficiency(P<0.001),yang deficiency(P<0.001),yin deficiency(P<0.001),qi stagnation(P=0.003),blood stasis(P<0.001),cold(P<0.001),cold(P<0.001),heat(P<0.001),phlegm(P<0.001),and dampness(P<0.001)were the factors associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors.(4)The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous targeted therapy(OR=0.36,95%CI:0.16-0.83)and pathogenic syndrome elements of qi stagnation(OR=0.23,95%CI:0.10-0.49),phlegm(OR=0.28,95%CI:0.13-0.61)were the risk factors of associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors,while PD-L1 expression level(OR=15.27,95%CI:2.60-89.63),and pathogenic syndrome element qi deficiency(OR=2.90,95%CI:1.42-5.89)were the protective factors associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in cervical cancer.(5)Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis demonstrated that the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the predictive model for evaluating PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in cervical cancer was 0.78(95%CI:0.71-0.84),indicating certain predictive value.Conclusion PD-L1 expression level and TCM pathogenic syndrome elements such as qi deficiency,qi stagnation,and phlegm are the independent factors influencing PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in cervical cancer,providing insights for optimizing integrated TCM-western medicine treatment strategies.
5.Relationships of forkhead box P3 expression in peripheral blood with airway hyper-responsiveness and body allergic reaction in children with bronchial asthma
Panpan MA ; Tingting XU ; Yesheng CHEN ; Di LU ; Wenping WEI
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(18):70-73,80
Objective To investigate the expression of forkhead box P3(Foxp3)in peripheral blood of children with bronchial asthma and its relationship with airway hyper-responsiveness and body allergy.Methods A total of 80 children with bronchial asthma treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from July 2024 to June 2025 were selected as experimental group,and 47 health-y children with physical examinations in the same period were selected as control group.Airway hy-per-responsiveness indicators(respiratory resistance,bronchial stimulant reaction threshold,and re-sistance increase slope),body allergy indicators[serum immunoglobulin E(IgE),eosinophil cationic protein(ECP),and eosinophil count(EOS)],pulmonary function indicators[peak expiratory flow(PEF),forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV,),forced vital capacity(FVC),and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC)],and the expression level of Foxp3 in peripheral blood were compared between the two groups.Pearson corre-lation analysis was used to explore the correlations of Foxp3 with airway hyper-responsiveness and body allergy.Results The respiratory resistance and resistance increase slope in the control group were significantly lower than those in the experimental group,while the reaction threshold was signif-icantly higher than that in the experimental group(P<0.05).The levels of IgE,ECP and EOS in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The FEV1,FVC,PEF,and FEV1/FVC in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The expression level of Foxp3 in the experimental group was(3.04±0.22),which was significantly lower than(4.22±0.41)in the control group(P<0.05).Foxp3 was significantly correlated with respiratory resistance(r=-0.700,P<0.001),reaction thresh-old(r=0.704,P<0.001),resistance increase slope(r=-0.842,P<0.001),IgE(r=0.864,P<0.001),ECP(r=-0.684,P<0.001),and EOS(r=-0.854,P<0.001).Con-clusion The decreased Foxp3 in peripheral blood in children with bronchial asthma is associated with aggravated airway hyper-responsiveness and body allergy,suggesting that Foxp3 may be in-volved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma.
6.Analysing the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer Based on the Theory of "Sanjiao Membrane and Interstice"
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(20):2097-2101
Based on the theory of "sanjiao membrane and interstice", it is believed that ovarian cancer originates from sanjiao membrane and interstice, and can be transferred to other places from sanjiao membrane and interstice, and the disease is located in the lower jiao, with key pathogenesis as the malfunction of sanjiao membrane and interstice caused by original yang deficiency and disturbance of qi movement in sanjiao membrane and interstice. The treatment advocates combining disease and syndrome, treating the root and branch simultaneously, focusing on regulating the function of sanjiao membrane and interstice, making sanjiao membrane and interstice smooth by warming yang and benefiting qi, moving qi and activating blood circulation, eliminating blood stasis and removing phlegm, detoxifying and dissipating masses, and so on, with Yiqi Huoxue Jiedu Formula (益气活血解毒方) as a basic formula for treating ovarian cancer. Meanwhile, focusing on the staging of treatment, western medicine treatment can be assisted in the acute stage to reduce the toxicity, increase the effect, and reduce the adverse reaction; in the remission or stabilisation stage, as well as in the advanced stage with palliative treatment, individualised addition and subtraction of medications can be given according to the patient's physical condition and the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome, so as to improve the microenvironment of the tumour.
7.Analysis of ocular objective torsion and near stereopsis function in primary superior oblique overaction
Yi LU ; Lianhong ZHOU ; Cancan ZHANG ; Yuanjin LI ; Runting MA ; Wenping LI ; Qi GONG ; Lurun YU ; Diewenjie HU
International Eye Science 2024;24(10):1663-1667
AIM: To investigate the relationship between objective ocular torsion and near stereopsis in patients with primary superior oblique overaction(PSOOA).METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 59 strabismus patients with PSOOA who underwent strabismus surgery at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between January 2019 and November 2023 were collected. Based on the collected fundus photographs and the position of the fovea relative to the horizontal line through the optic disc, the eyes were categorized as incyclotorsion, excyclotorsion, or no cyclotorsion. Additionally, the fovea-disc angle(FDA)and the relationship between objective ocular torsion status, FDA, and near stereopsis function in the patients were further measured and analyzed.RESULTS: Totally 59 patients(92 eyes)showed superior oblique overaction. There were no cases of excyclotorsion, 32 cases with no cyclotorsion, and 27 cases with incyclotorsion. The total binocular FDA was significantly smaller in the no-cyclotorsion group compared with the incyclotorsion group(2.83°±2.89° vs 16.12°±5.74°, P<0.001). The preservation rates of near stereopsis were 66% and 15% in the no-cyclotorsion and incyclotorsion groups, respectively, with a significant statistical difference(P<0.001), and the preservation rates of fine near stereopsis were 38% and 11% in the no-cyclotorsion and incyclotorsion groups, respectively, with a significant statistical difference(P=0.02). Among all patients, near stereopsis was correlated with total binocular FDA(r=-0.526, P<0.001), with the strongest correlation observed with the FDA of the incyclotorsion(r=-0.546, P<0.001). In the incyclotorsion group, there was no correlation between near stereopsis and total binocular FDA(r=-0.366, P=0.060), with a negative correlation between near stereopsis and the FDA of both the incyclotorsion and the overaction(r=-0.424, P=0.028; r=-0.485, P=0.010). In the no-cyclotorsion group, near stereopsis was not correlated with total binocular FDA, incyclotorsion FDA, or overaction FDA.CONCLUSION:PSOOA patients with incyclotorsion have a lower preservation rate of near stereopsis than those without cyclotorsion. Near stereopsis function of patients with PSOOA is negatively correlated with total binocular FDA, especially the greater the FDA of the incyclotorsion and overaction, the worse the near-stereoscopic function.
8.Establishment and evaluation of an animal model of varicocele and erectile dysfunction
Jie LU ; Qunsheng LI ; Lei ZHOU ; Dongrun LI ; Zhennan SHEN ; Ninghua LI ; Dong CHEN ; Wenping TANG ; Fanyu ZHU ; Wentao YANG
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2024;34(3):18-26
Objective By employing surgically induced varicocele(VC)in SD rats and an apomorphine(APO)test,we screened rats with erectile dysfunction(ED)after VC and explored method to establish VC and ED models.Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into Control,Sham,and Model groups with 20 rats in each group.Using the Turner method,we partially ligated the left renal vein to induce left VC three times.APO tests were conducted to screen rats with ED after inducing VC.The numbers of erections,genital grooming,and yawning were observed and recorded.The diameter of bilateral spermatic veins were measured.Both testises and kidneys were weighed.HE staining was used to observe pathological changes of penis and left testis.The success rate of modeling was calculated in the Model group.Results A VC and ED model was successfully established in 15 out of 20 rats in the Model group with a success rate of 75%.After modeling,the diameter of the left spermatic vein in the model group was increased significantly(P<0.01)and was significantly larger than that before modeling(P<0.01).The diameter of the right spermatic vein in the Model group was increased(P<0.05)and higher(P<0.05)than that before modeling.The weight of the left testis in the Model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01)compared with that of the right testis.No significant difference in the bilateral kidney weights were observed between or within groups(P<0.05).In the Model group,the numbers of erections,yawning,and genital grooming decreased significantly(P<0.01)with the time of modeling.Pathological changes of the left testis and penis were significant in the Model group.Conclusions The Turner method increases the diameter of the spermatic vein in rats,causing testis injury and weight loss,and APO tests can be used to screen rats with ED after VC induction.The combination of the two method is suitable to establish an animal model of VC with an ED status similar to humans.
9.Exploring the Clinical Approach of Treating Breast Cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine Through Syndrome Differentiation Based on the Nature and Intensity of the Cancer Toxin
Zhili ZHUO ; Qingya SONG ; Wenping LU ; Xiaoqing WU ; Yongjia CUI ; Dongni ZHANG ; Lei CHANG ; Heting MEI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(8):176-181
Cancer toxin is a specific pathogenesis leading to the heterogeneity of breast cancer.The nature and virulence of the cancer toxin determine the differences in the heterogeneity of breast cancer,which can dynamically evolve over time and space,resulting in varying invasion abilities and characteristics of the tumor.Cancer cells in the primary lesion possess"toxicity"that targets specific organs for metastasis,and cancer toxins can influence the metastatic propensity of different types of breast cancer.Therefore,breast cancer treatment strategies based on the theory of cancer toxins emphasize the continuous eradication of the cancer toxin,focusing on differentiating its strength and nature,protecting unaffected areas first,identifying the state based on symptoms,and targeting accordingly to combat resistance arising from tumor heterogeneity.This article aims to provide a new theoretical basis for the treatment strategies of different types of breast cancer.
10.Experimental study of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 and integrin α vβ 3 dual-targeted microbubble to assess tumor angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma in vivo
Cuixian LI ; Beijian HUANG ; Qing LU ; Beilei LU ; Haixia YUAN ; Cong LI ; Wenping WANG
Chinese Journal of Ultrasonography 2022;31(4):338-344
Objective:To evaluate the ability of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2)/integrin α vβ 3 dual-targeted microubble (MBD) to target angiogenesis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in vivo. Methods:Non-targeted microbubble (MBN) USphere LA was employed as a template to prepare single- and dual-targeted microbubbles which could bind VEGFR2 and/or integrin α vβ 3 (MBV and MBI) by the biotin-avidin bridging method. A total of 40 RCC nude mice models were established by subcutaneously injecting 786-O cells.Twenty of the models were all injected with MBN, MBV, MBI and MBD in a random order, and the other 20 models were registered for antibody blocking assays. The results of ultrasound images were used for quantitative analyses, and the following quantitative parameters were obtained: intensity increment (a 1), peak halving speed (a 2), curve rising slope (a 3), perfusion time (t 0), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI), mean transit time (MTT) and area under the curve (AUC) for the first three minutes, peak intensity at 10 s before (P 1) and after (P 2) ultrasound destruction, and the differences of tissue enhancement (dTE) between P 1 and P 2 (dTE=P 1-P 2). All the quantitative parameters of four contrast agents and the antibody blocking assays were compared.Besides, the immunohistochemical assays were performed to evaluate the expression of CD31, VEGFR2 and integrin α vβ 3 in tumor tissues. Results:The differences of parameters of a 1, a 3, t 0, TTP, PI and P 2 among four different microbubbles had no statistical significances (all P>0.05), and all parameters between the two single-targeted contrast agents were not statistically different (all P>0.05). The parameters of AUC, MTT, P 1 and dTE all showed a trend that dual-targeted bubbles > single-targeted bubbles > non-targeted bubbles (all P<0.05). On the contrary, the trend of dual-targeted bubbles < single-targeted bubbles < non-targeted bubbles (all P<0.05) was observed for a 2. In the antibody blocking experiment, a 2 was faster after the antibody injection ( P<0.001), while AUC, MTT, P 1 and dTE were all lower than those before the antibody injection ( P<0.001), and the other parameters were not statistically different before and after the antibody injection (all P>0.05). Immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the high expression of CD31, VEGFR2 and integrin β 3 in tumor tissues. Conclusions:The VEGFR2 and integrin α vβ 3 dual-targeted microbubble has a good potential to target the angiogenesis of human RCC in vivo.

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