1.The Role of FASN in Tumors and Its Targeted Therapy
Wen-Jing JIANG ; Ruo-Xi ZHANG ; Yu-Qing TAI ; Ya-Wen SUN ; Xi-Yu ZHANG ; Xiao LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):920-935
Malignant tumors represent a major threat to global health. Conventional anti-tumor pharmacotherapy often encounters challenges such as drug resistance, highlighting an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Fatty acid synthase (FASN), the key enzyme catalyzing de novo fatty acid synthesis, is subject to precise regulation at multiple levels, including transcriptional control, various post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination and phosphorylation, as well as modulation by diverse signaling pathways. Recent studies have revealed that FASN is aberrantly overexpressed in various malignant tumors and is closely associated with tumor progression and poor patient prognosis. FASN is a homodimer composed of seven functional domains that catalyzes the NADPH-dependent condensation of acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA to generate saturated fatty acids, primarily palmitic acid. Its stability is regulated by multiple ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes. Additionally, FASN is subject to upstream regulation via neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated 8 (Nedd8) modification and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, thereby establishing a metabolic-signaling positive feedback loop. As a core executor of metabolic reprogramming, FASN promotes tumorigenesis through dual mechanisms. First, its fatty acid synthesis product, palmitate, participates in membrane phospholipid synthesis, lipid raft formation, and protein palmitoylation, thereby activating several key oncogenic signaling pathways, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR, wingless-type MMTV integration site family member (Wnt)/β‑catenin, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), leading to tumor development and progression. Second, FASN plays a pivotal role in modulating the anti-tumor functions of immune cells and remodeling the tumor immune microenvironment. Specifically, FASN enhances immune checkpoint inhibition by inducing programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) palmitoylation, suppresses the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, and promotes the polarization of M2-type macrophages, consequently facilitating tumor immune evasion and malignant progression. Precisely due to its significant overexpression in tumor cells, its critical functional role, and its differential expression compared to normal cells, FASN has emerged as a highly promising target for anti-tumor drug development. Highly selective small-molecule inhibitors, notably represented by TVB-2640, have advanced to clinical trial stages and demonstrated favorable anti-tumor activity. Furthermore, the combination of FASN inhibitors with other chemotherapeutic agents or targeted drugs can overcome the limitations of monotherapy through synergistic effects or by resensitizing tumor cells to conventional drugs, achieving a “1+1>2” therapeutic outcome. With the advancement of modern traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), numerous active ingredients derived from TCM have been confirmed to exert anti-tumor effects by modulating FASN-related pathways. This integrated approach leverages the precision of Western medicine while simultaneously harnessing the holistic regulatory benefits of TCM to alleviate the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite the promising prospects of FASN-targeted therapies, challenges remain, including tumor cell metabolic plasticity, tumor context-dependent responses, and heterogeneity. This review systematically summarizes the molecular structure, physiological functions, and mechanisms of FASN in tumorigenesis, as well as recent advances in targeted therapies. Future directions—including the precise identification of responsive patient populations using spatial transcriptomics, the development of novel combination regimens, and the active exploration of integrative strategies combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine—will facilitate the clinical translation of FASN-targeted therapies and open new avenues for improving the quality of life and prognosis of cancer patients.
2.Effect and Mechanism of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus Lignans on Behavior of Schizophrenic Mice
Jiaqi LI ; Xi CHEN ; Siwei WANG ; Qi WANG ; Yiting LIU ; Ziyan GUO ; Zilong LUN ; Chengyi ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):65-71
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans on schizophrenia induced by dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) in mice and to clarify its mechanism. MethodsMale mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomized into blank, model, positive drug, and low-, medium-, and high-dose (40, 80, 160 mg·kg-1, respectively) Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans groups. The blank group was administrated with distilled water, and the other groups were injected with 0.5 mg·kg-1 MK-801 to induce schizophrenia symptoms. Meanwhile, risperidone was injected at 0.2 mg·kg-1 in the positive drug group, and mice in the intervention groups were injected with corresponding drugs for 14 consecutive days. The behavioral changes of mice were observed by autonomous activity test, open field test, forced swimming test, and water maze test. The levels of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the brain and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in peripheral blood were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The changes in the prefrontal lobe of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the changes of the hippocampal tissue were observed by Nissl staining. The protein levels of silencing information regulatory factor 1 (SIRT1) and forkhead box protein O3a (FoxO3a) in the hippocampus of mice were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the model group, low, medium, and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans reduced the total number of autonomous activities, total distance in the open field test, immobile time in the forced swimming test, and levels of TNF-α and NF-κB in peripheral blood (P<0.05), while increasing the number of platform crossings in the water maze test and DA and 5-HT levels in the brain tissue (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, risperidone and low, medium, and high doses of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans improve the neural cell morphology in the CA1 region, with full cells in neatly dense arrangement and exhibiting clear membrane boundary. Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans inhibited the expression of SIRT 1 and FoxO3a in the hippocampus (P<0.05). ConclusionTo sum up, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus lignans may improve the behavior of schizophrenic mice by activating the SIRT1/FoxO3a signaling pathway to exert neuroprotective effects.
3.Interpretation of research progress on EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting
Xuxu ZHANG ; Jiahe LI ; Jipeng ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Wen LIU ; Bo BAO ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(01):19-29
The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting was held in Chicago. At the meeting, researches on the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) once again took the spotlight. Combination therapy strategies have demonstrated the potential to overcome resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) and prolong survival. Meanwhile, progress has also been made in individualized treatment strategies for young patients and those with fibrotic interstitial lung disease. However, the complexity of resistance mechanisms, special treatment considerations for different populations, and the impact of socioeconomic factors on treatment accessibility remain challenges in the field of EGFR-mutant NSCLC treatment. In the future, it is necessary to further explore more effective treatment regimens and expand the accessibility of precision medicine to maximize patient benefits.
4.Association between insufficient sleep and depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students
LI Minmin, ZHANG Zhankui, MI Baibing, ZHAO Jingjun, WANG Yanxin, SHI Wei
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(2):241-245
Objective:
To analyze the association between insufficient sleep and score of depressive symptoms among junior and senior high school students, so as to provide a scientific reference for targeted early intervention measures of adolescents depressive symptoms.
Methods:
From September to November 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 96 080 junior and senior high school students from 409 schools in 113 districts and counties in Shaanxi Province. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the 2023 Shaanxi Provincial Common Student Diseases and Health Influencing Factors Survey Form, and their height and weight were measured. Propensity score (PS) matched (1∶1) analysis was used to match participants with insufficient sleep to those sufficient sleep students. Through the gradual correction of the confounders, three multilevel linear models were established to analyze the association between insufficient sleep and depressive symptoms score, and subgroup analysis was conducted afterward.
Results:
A total of 70 135 (73.00%) students had insufficient sleep. After PS matching, 25 894 pairs were matched. Before PS matching, after adjusting for gender, educational stage, region, adolescent characteristics, boarding status, smoking, alcohol consumption, outdoor activities and body mass index grouping, linear regression analysis results showed that compared with students who got adequate sleep, students who lacked sleep had an increase of 1.39 scores ( B=1.39, 95%CI =1.28-1.51) in depressive symptoms; after PS matching, students with insufficient sleep got an increase of 1.32 scores ( B=1.32, 95%CI =1.17- 1.45 ) in depressive symptoms score compared with those who had adequate sleep (both P <0.05).
Conclusions
The insufficient sleep is associated with the increase of the depressive symptoms score of junior and senior high school students. It is recommended that junior and senior high school students should keep a good sleeping habit, so as to reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms.
5.Interpretation of advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer at the 2025 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC)
Bo BAO ; Jiayu LU ; Wen LIU ; Xuxu ZHANG ; Jiahe LI ; Jipeng ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(02):218-230
The 26th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) was held in Barcelona during September 6-9, 2025. As the world's largest and most influential academic meeting in the field of lung cancer, this year's congress unveiled long-term follow-up data from several pivotal studies and significant advances in novel therapeutic strategies. In the realm of targeted therapy, a next-generation combination strategy has been established as the new standard of care for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), demonstrating a significant improvement in overall survival. In immunotherapy, novel combination regimens have not only addressed the therapeutic challenge of acquired resistance to EGFR targeted therapies, but also shown clear long-term survival benefits in both the perioperative and locally advanced settings. These findings pave the way for shifting the treatment paradigm to earlier stages for patients with NSCLC. Antibody-drug conjugates have made remarkable strides in this field. They have shown outstanding efficacy in patients with specific resistance mutations and those with brain metastases, and have also demonstrated immense potential in treating patients with HER2-aberrant lung cancer and broader NSCLC populations. This offers new therapeutic options for patients with refractory lung cancer.However, significant challenges remain, including the heterogeneity of resistance mechanisms, the selection of optimal treatment regimens, and management strategies for special populations. Future research should focus on identifying novel precision biomarkers and optimizing therapeutic strategies to ultimately improve clinical outcomes for all patients with lung cancer.
6.Analysis and prediction of incidence trend of liver cirrhosis caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in China in 1990 - 2021
Xi LIU ; Yamei LI ; Tiancheng ZHANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):7-11
Objective To investigate the incidence trends and influencing factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) -related cirrhosis in China, predict future disease burden, and provide evidence for public health prevention strategies. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, we employed joinpoint regression analysis to analyze NAFLD-related cirrhosis trends in China from 1990 to 2021, quantified influencing factors using age-period-cohort modeling, and predicted future incidence through Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis. Results The age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) of NAFLD-related cirrhosis showed a persistent increase from 1990 to 2021, with annual percentage changes (APCs) of 0.70% for male and 0.79% for female(both P<0.05). Age-effects revealed a U-shaped variation pattern, peaking in the 60-69 age group. Period effects indicated an incidence peak during 2017-2021. Cohort effects showed the most prominent risk in the 1992-1996 birth cohort. Projections suggested ASIR would further increase to 578.40 and 930.61 per 100 000 population for males and females, respectively, by 2030. Conclusions The disease burden of NAFLD-related cirrhosis continues to worsen in China, with future incidence rates projected to keep rising. Priority attention should be given to middle-aged and elderly populations and sex differences, with targeted prevention and control measures needing to be developed.
7.Comparative analysis of the clinical characteristics of pneumococcal meningitis in different populations in Baoji, Shaanxi Province
Ruize WANG ; Weixuan LI ; Yuanyuan DONG ; Xiaoyu ZHANG ; Tiantian ZHOU ; Dan ZHANG ; Weijun HU
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2026;37(2):59-63
Objective To compare the clinical characteristics of pneumococcal meningitis in different age groups, and to provide a basis for early diagnosis of pneumococcal meningitis. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid and/or serum samples were collected from 1742 suspected cases of meningitis in Baoji, Shaanxi Province from August 2013 to July 2019. Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected by isolation culture and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Retrospective analysis of clinical manifestations, biochemical indicators and other information of laboratory confirmed cases was conducted by χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. Results A total of 1742 samples of encephalitis or meningitis cases were detected, and 41 cases were confirmed as laboratory-confirmed Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Among them, there were 12 cases (29.27%) in the infant group, 14 cases (34.15%) in the child group, and 15 cases (36.59%) in the adult group. The proportion of the adults with headache was significantly higher than that of the infants (χ2=11.408,P<0.017). The proportion of the adults with consciousness disorder, elevated white blood cells and elevated neutrophils were significantly higher than those in the infant and the child groups(Fisher's exact test, P<0.017;χ2 =6.428,P<0.017;χ2 =10.898,P<0.017;χ2 =6.421,P<0.017;χ2 =9.758,P<0.017;χ2 =7.744,P<0.017). The proportion of the infants with cerebrospinal fluid turbidity was significantly higher than that of the children (Fisher's exact test,P<0.017). The proportion of the infants with decreased white blood cells and reduced glucose in cerebrospinal fluid was significantly higher than that of the children group and the adult group(Fisher's exact test, P<0.001;Fisher's exact test, P<0.001;Fisher's exact test, P<0.017; Fisher's exact test, P<0.017). Conclusion Most adult patients with pneumococcal meningitis have headache and consciousness disorders, with significantly increased proportion of white blood cells and neutrophils. Infant patients tend to have cloudy appearance of cerebrospinal fluid, leukopenia in blood, and decreased glucose in cerebrospinal fluid.
8.Data analysis of HBV DNA detection proficiency testing in blood station laboratories
Yanbin WANG ; Lianjun HAO ; Huixian ZHANG ; Ye SUN ; Congya LI ; Kun TANG ; Xi TANG
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(8):1089-1093
Objective: To design HBV DNA proficiency testing and system comparison samples with different concentration gradients, analyze their detection results in PCR detection systems, evaluate the nucleic acid detection capabilities of laboratories and differences between detection systems, and put forward suggestions for continuous quality improvement to participating laboratories. Methods: Three groups of randomly numbered proficiency testing samples (with HBV DNA reference concentrations of <2, 7.5, and 30 IU/mL respectively) were taken as the detection objects. Using nucleic acid test data from 11 provincial blood station laboratories as the source, the samples were grouped by detection system and laboratory successively, and statistical analysis was conducted. Results: Statistical analysis of the detection data of the three groups of samples based on detection systems and laboratories showed that from low to high concentration, the coincidence rate between the detection results of different detection systems and laboratories and the expected results showed an increasing trend: 38.89%, 85.90%, and 100.00%; the same system exhibited certain differences in performance among different laboratories. Conclusion: Through this proficiency testing and system comparison, it is found that there are certain differences in the detection capabilities of different laboratories and different nucleic acid test systems. Blood station laboratories should standardize processes, strengthen quality management and data analysis on the basis of being familiar with the detection performance of their detection systems, and at the same time strengthen the control of laboratory interference factors to continuously improve the nucleic acid detection capabilities of blood station laboratories.
9.Interpretation of advances in the treatment of esophageal cancer and gastroesophageal junction cancer at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO-GI)
Jiahe LI ; Jiayu LU ; Xuxu ZHANG ; Xinyao XU ; Jipeng ZHANG ; Wei LI ; Guizhen LI ; Qiang LU
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(06):771-778
The 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO-GI) was held from January 23 to 25, 2025. Several significant studies on the treatment of esophageal and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer were presented at the symposium, highlighting notable advances, particularly in the perioperative and advanced settings. Immunotherapy has demonstrated significant promise in the neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer, showing potential to become a standard treatment. Furthermore, the long-term survival benefits of combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy for advanced GEJ cancer were further validated. This article summarizes and interprets the researches presented at the symposium concerning perioperative and advanced treatments for esophageal and GEJ cancers.
10.Effect of Xinfeng Capsules Combined with Chronic Disease Management of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Rapid Disease Control and Short-term Prognosis of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dandan TIAN ; Hong ZHAO ; Man LUO ; Shanping WANG ; Li YANG ; Tingting ZHANG ; Xi CHEN ; Chuanbing HUANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):137-144
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Xinfeng capsules combined with chronic disease management of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on rapid disease control and short-term prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodsA total of 80 RA patients hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to March 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group (40 cases) and a control group (40 cases). The control group was treated with conventional methotrexate combined with standard chronic disease management, while the observation group was additionally treated with Xinfeng Capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management. The treatment course lasted 24 weeks. The outcomes were compared between two groups, including disease activity [28-joint disease activity score (DAS28), clinical disease activity index (CDAI), simplified disease activity index (SDAI)], visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, TCM syndrome score, tender joint count (TJC), swollen joint count (SJC), morning stiffness duration, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20%, 50% and 70% response rates (ACR20/50/70), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP-Ab), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG). The Chronic Disease Self-Management Scale (CDSMS) was used to evaluate patients’ self-management ability, self-care ability, and nursing satisfaction. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks to assess prognosis, and COX regression analysis was performed to determine the impact on short-term prognosis. ResultsAfter treatment, TJC, SJC, morning stiffness duration, DAS28, CDAI, SDAI, VAS, TCM syndrome score, ESR, hs-CRP, RF, CCP-Ab, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IgG, HAQ, SAS, SDS, chronic disease self-management behavior, self-efficacy, and self-care ability all improved significantly in both groups compared with baseline (P<0.05,P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed more significant improvements in TJC, SJC, morning stiffness duration, DAS28, CDAI, SDAI, VAS, TCM syndrome score, ESR, IL-1β, IgG, HAQ, SAS, SDS, self-care ability, chronic disease self-management behavior, and self-efficacy (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The ACR70 response rate and nursing satisfaction were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). COX regression analysis showed that Xinfeng capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management reduced the risk of poor short-term prognosis in RA patients. ConclusionXinfeng capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management facilitates rapid disease control in RA patients, effectively improves short-term prognosis, and plays an important role in the treatment of the disease.


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