1.Investigation of selective glucocorticoid receptor modulation in high-grade serous ovarian cancer PDX models
Manisha TAYA ; Xiaonan HOU ; Jennifer T. VENERIS ; Nina KAZI ; Melissa C. LARSON ; Matthew J. MAURER ; Ethan P. HEINZEN ; Hao CHEN ; Ricardo LASTRA ; Ann L. OBERG ; S. John WEROHA ; Gini F. FLEMING ; Suzanne D. CONZEN
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e4-
Objective:
In ovarian cancer (OvCa), tumor cell high glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been associated with poor patient prognosis. In vitro, GR activation inhibits chemotherapyinduced OvCa cell death in association with transcriptional upregulation of genes encoding anti-apoptotic proteins. A recent randomized phase II study demonstrated improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for heavily pre-treated OvCa patients randomized to receive therapy with a selective GR modulator (SGRM) plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. We hypothesized that SGRM therapy would improve carboplatin response in OvCa patient-derived xenograft (PDX).
Methods:
Six high-grade serous (HGS) OvCa PDX models expressing GR mRNA (NR3C1) and protein were treated with chemotherapy +/− SGRM. Tumor size was measured longitudinally by peritoneal transcutaneous ultrasonography.
Results:
One of the 6 GR-positive PDX models showed a significant improvement in PFS with the addition of a SGRM. Interestingly, the single model with an improved PFS was least carboplatin sensitive. Possible explanations for the modest SGRM activity include the high carboplatin sensitivity of 5 of the PDX tumors and the potential that SGRMs activate the tumor invasive immune cells in patients (absent from immunocompromised mice). The level of tumor GR protein expression alone appears insufficient for predicting SGRM response.
Conclusion
The significant improvement in PFS shown in 1 of the 6 models after treatment with a SGRM plus chemotherapy underscores the need to determine predictive biomarkers for SGRM therapy in HGS OvCa and to better identify patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from adding GR modulation to chemotherapy.
2.The diagnostic value of MRI in differentiating between tophus and giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath in the knee
Haicheng BIAN ; Na TIAN ; Chunlin SONG ; Xirui LI ; Xiaonan YANG ; Rongxin CHAI ; Wenjian XU ; Jiufa CUI ; Dapeng HAO
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(3):321-327
Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI findings in differentiating between tophus and giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) in the knee.Methods:The study was a case-control study. The clinical and MRI data of patients diagnosed with knee tophus or GCTTS was retrospectively analyzed at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2018 to September 2024. The study included 23 cases of tophus and 22 cases of GCTTS. MRI sequences, including T 1WI, fat-suppressed T 2WI, and proton density weighted imaging, were evaluated. Parameters including lesion signal intensity and homogeneity, margin, maximum diameter, location (inside or outside the synovial cavity), ligament/tendon involvement, ligament/tendon parenchymal changes, adjacent bone erosion, bone marrow edema, synovial hyperplasia, joint effusion, and periarticular soft tissue swelling were recorded. Independent sample t-tests, χ2 tests, or Fisher exact tests were used to compare MRI findings between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictive factors. Results:Significant differences in terms of maximum diameter, location (inside or outside the synovial cavity), ligament/tendon involvement, ligament/tendon parenchymal changes, adjacent bone erosion, bone marrow edema, and periarticular soft tissue swelling between the two groups were found (all P<0.05). No significant differences for other parameters were observed (all P>0.05). Lesion location and ligament/tendon parenchymal involvement demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing the two diseases. The sensitivity and specificity values for lesion location were 0.78 and 0.95. The sensitivity and specificity values for ligament/tendon involvement were 0.78 and 1.00. Multivariate logistic regression identified lesion location (inside or outside the synovial cavity) as an independent predictor for differentiating tophus from GCTTS ( OR=31.48, 95% CI 1.58-625.69, P=0.024). Conclusion:The location of the lesion (inside or outside the synovial cavity) and involvement of ligament/tendon parenchyma are critical factors in differentiating knee tophus from GCTTS. Additionally, lesion location serves as an independent predictor for distinguishing between the two conditions.
3.Investigation of selective glucocorticoid receptor modulation in high-grade serous ovarian cancer PDX models
Manisha TAYA ; Xiaonan HOU ; Jennifer T. VENERIS ; Nina KAZI ; Melissa C. LARSON ; Matthew J. MAURER ; Ethan P. HEINZEN ; Hao CHEN ; Ricardo LASTRA ; Ann L. OBERG ; S. John WEROHA ; Gini F. FLEMING ; Suzanne D. CONZEN
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e4-
Objective:
In ovarian cancer (OvCa), tumor cell high glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been associated with poor patient prognosis. In vitro, GR activation inhibits chemotherapyinduced OvCa cell death in association with transcriptional upregulation of genes encoding anti-apoptotic proteins. A recent randomized phase II study demonstrated improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for heavily pre-treated OvCa patients randomized to receive therapy with a selective GR modulator (SGRM) plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. We hypothesized that SGRM therapy would improve carboplatin response in OvCa patient-derived xenograft (PDX).
Methods:
Six high-grade serous (HGS) OvCa PDX models expressing GR mRNA (NR3C1) and protein were treated with chemotherapy +/− SGRM. Tumor size was measured longitudinally by peritoneal transcutaneous ultrasonography.
Results:
One of the 6 GR-positive PDX models showed a significant improvement in PFS with the addition of a SGRM. Interestingly, the single model with an improved PFS was least carboplatin sensitive. Possible explanations for the modest SGRM activity include the high carboplatin sensitivity of 5 of the PDX tumors and the potential that SGRMs activate the tumor invasive immune cells in patients (absent from immunocompromised mice). The level of tumor GR protein expression alone appears insufficient for predicting SGRM response.
Conclusion
The significant improvement in PFS shown in 1 of the 6 models after treatment with a SGRM plus chemotherapy underscores the need to determine predictive biomarkers for SGRM therapy in HGS OvCa and to better identify patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from adding GR modulation to chemotherapy.
4.Investigation of selective glucocorticoid receptor modulation in high-grade serous ovarian cancer PDX models
Manisha TAYA ; Xiaonan HOU ; Jennifer T. VENERIS ; Nina KAZI ; Melissa C. LARSON ; Matthew J. MAURER ; Ethan P. HEINZEN ; Hao CHEN ; Ricardo LASTRA ; Ann L. OBERG ; S. John WEROHA ; Gini F. FLEMING ; Suzanne D. CONZEN
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e4-
Objective:
In ovarian cancer (OvCa), tumor cell high glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been associated with poor patient prognosis. In vitro, GR activation inhibits chemotherapyinduced OvCa cell death in association with transcriptional upregulation of genes encoding anti-apoptotic proteins. A recent randomized phase II study demonstrated improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) for heavily pre-treated OvCa patients randomized to receive therapy with a selective GR modulator (SGRM) plus chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. We hypothesized that SGRM therapy would improve carboplatin response in OvCa patient-derived xenograft (PDX).
Methods:
Six high-grade serous (HGS) OvCa PDX models expressing GR mRNA (NR3C1) and protein were treated with chemotherapy +/− SGRM. Tumor size was measured longitudinally by peritoneal transcutaneous ultrasonography.
Results:
One of the 6 GR-positive PDX models showed a significant improvement in PFS with the addition of a SGRM. Interestingly, the single model with an improved PFS was least carboplatin sensitive. Possible explanations for the modest SGRM activity include the high carboplatin sensitivity of 5 of the PDX tumors and the potential that SGRMs activate the tumor invasive immune cells in patients (absent from immunocompromised mice). The level of tumor GR protein expression alone appears insufficient for predicting SGRM response.
Conclusion
The significant improvement in PFS shown in 1 of the 6 models after treatment with a SGRM plus chemotherapy underscores the need to determine predictive biomarkers for SGRM therapy in HGS OvCa and to better identify patient subgroups that are most likely to benefit from adding GR modulation to chemotherapy.
5.Nomogram model based on enhanced MRI radiomics,deep learning and clinical features for differentiating spinal tuberculosis and pyogenic spondylitis
Xirui LI ; Dezhi WANG ; Xiaonan YANG ; Jie LI ; Dapeng HAO ; Jiufa CUI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(1):122-127
Objective To observe the efficacy of nomogram model based on enhanced MRI radiomics,deep learning(DL)and clinical features for differentiating spinal tuberculosis and pyogenic spondylitis.Methods Totally 59 cases of spinal tuberculosis and 66 of pyogenic spondylitis were retrospectively enrolled.Radiomics,DL and clinical features relevant to differentiating spinal tuberculosis and pyogenic spondylitis were selected.Then a predictive model was constructed using logistic regression based on the selected optimal features,and a comprehensive nomogram model was developed through combination of the above features.The effectiveness of these models for distinguishing spinal tuberculosis from pyogenic spondylitis were visualized based on receiver operating characteristic curves,calidration curves and decision curves.Results The nomogram model demonstrated the highest area under the curve(AUC)in both training set and test set,with AUC of 0.997 and 0.920,respectively.In test set,DeLong test indicated that the difference of AUC between the nomogram model and clinical model was significant(P=0.002),while no significant difference was observed between the nomogram model and the other models(all P>0.05).The nomogram model provided the highest overall net benefit and exhibited good calibration for distinguishing spinal tuberculosis from pyogenic spondylitis.Conclusion Nomogram model based on enhanced MRI radiomics,DL and clinical features demonstrated high efficacy for differentiating spinal tuberculosis from pyogenic spondylitis.
6.The diagnostic value of MRI in differentiating between tophus and giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath in the knee
Haicheng BIAN ; Na TIAN ; Chunlin SONG ; Xirui LI ; Xiaonan YANG ; Rongxin CHAI ; Wenjian XU ; Jiufa CUI ; Dapeng HAO
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2025;59(3):321-327
Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of MRI findings in differentiating between tophus and giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) in the knee.Methods:The study was a case-control study. The clinical and MRI data of patients diagnosed with knee tophus or GCTTS was retrospectively analyzed at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2018 to September 2024. The study included 23 cases of tophus and 22 cases of GCTTS. MRI sequences, including T 1WI, fat-suppressed T 2WI, and proton density weighted imaging, were evaluated. Parameters including lesion signal intensity and homogeneity, margin, maximum diameter, location (inside or outside the synovial cavity), ligament/tendon involvement, ligament/tendon parenchymal changes, adjacent bone erosion, bone marrow edema, synovial hyperplasia, joint effusion, and periarticular soft tissue swelling were recorded. Independent sample t-tests, χ2 tests, or Fisher exact tests were used to compare MRI findings between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictive factors. Results:Significant differences in terms of maximum diameter, location (inside or outside the synovial cavity), ligament/tendon involvement, ligament/tendon parenchymal changes, adjacent bone erosion, bone marrow edema, and periarticular soft tissue swelling between the two groups were found (all P<0.05). No significant differences for other parameters were observed (all P>0.05). Lesion location and ligament/tendon parenchymal involvement demonstrated the highest sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing the two diseases. The sensitivity and specificity values for lesion location were 0.78 and 0.95. The sensitivity and specificity values for ligament/tendon involvement were 0.78 and 1.00. Multivariate logistic regression identified lesion location (inside or outside the synovial cavity) as an independent predictor for differentiating tophus from GCTTS ( OR=31.48, 95% CI 1.58-625.69, P=0.024). Conclusion:The location of the lesion (inside or outside the synovial cavity) and involvement of ligament/tendon parenchyma are critical factors in differentiating knee tophus from GCTTS. Additionally, lesion location serves as an independent predictor for distinguishing between the two conditions.
7.Nomogram model based on enhanced MRI radiomics,deep learning and clinical features for differentiating spinal tuberculosis and pyogenic spondylitis
Xirui LI ; Dezhi WANG ; Xiaonan YANG ; Jie LI ; Dapeng HAO ; Jiufa CUI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(1):122-127
Objective To observe the efficacy of nomogram model based on enhanced MRI radiomics,deep learning(DL)and clinical features for differentiating spinal tuberculosis and pyogenic spondylitis.Methods Totally 59 cases of spinal tuberculosis and 66 of pyogenic spondylitis were retrospectively enrolled.Radiomics,DL and clinical features relevant to differentiating spinal tuberculosis and pyogenic spondylitis were selected.Then a predictive model was constructed using logistic regression based on the selected optimal features,and a comprehensive nomogram model was developed through combination of the above features.The effectiveness of these models for distinguishing spinal tuberculosis from pyogenic spondylitis were visualized based on receiver operating characteristic curves,calidration curves and decision curves.Results The nomogram model demonstrated the highest area under the curve(AUC)in both training set and test set,with AUC of 0.997 and 0.920,respectively.In test set,DeLong test indicated that the difference of AUC between the nomogram model and clinical model was significant(P=0.002),while no significant difference was observed between the nomogram model and the other models(all P>0.05).The nomogram model provided the highest overall net benefit and exhibited good calibration for distinguishing spinal tuberculosis from pyogenic spondylitis.Conclusion Nomogram model based on enhanced MRI radiomics,DL and clinical features demonstrated high efficacy for differentiating spinal tuberculosis from pyogenic spondylitis.
8.Differentiating benign and malignant myxoid soft tissue tumors based on multiparametric MRI radiomics and deep learning models
Xiaonan YANG ; Dezhi WANG ; Chengjian WANG ; Dapeng HAO ; Wenjian XU ; Jiufa CUI
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2024;40(7):1078-1082
Objective To observe the value of multiparametric MRI-based radiomics model and deep learning(DL)model for distinguishing benign and malignant myxoid soft tissue tumors(MSTT).Methods A total of 141 MSTT patients confirmed with pathology were retrospectively collected.The patients were randomly divided into training set(n=98,including 51 cases of malignant MSTT and 47 cases of benign MSTT)and test set(n=43,including 22 cases of malignant MSTT and 21 cases of benign MSTT)at the ratio of 7∶3.Based on T1WI and fat suppression(FS)-T2WI in training set,radiomics features and DL features were extracted and selected,then a radiomics model and a DL model were constructed,respectively.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves,calibration curves and decision curves were drawn,and the discrimination,calibration and net benefit of these 2 models were compared.Results In training set,the radiomics model for differentiating benign and malignant MSTT was constructed according to 9 optimal radiomics features,including 2 first order features,1 shape feature,3 gray level co-occurrence matrix features,1 gray level dependence matrix feature and 2 gray level size zone matrix features,while DL model was built based on 7 optimal DL features.In test set,the area under the ROC curve of radiomics model and DL model was 0.758 and 0.911,respectively,the latter was higher than the former(P=0.017).Both models had good calibration,and DL model had higher overall net benefit.Conclusion Compared with radiomics model,DL model based on MRI had better ability to differentiating benign and malignant MSTT,also higher overall net benefit.
9.Network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking verification of the mechanism of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsule in the adjuvant treatment treatment of AIDS
Shengxing CAI ; Kaining WANG ; Yifang LOU ; Xiaonan HU ; Yanhong WANG ; Pei ZHOU ; Hao GU ; Xiaoping ZHANG ; Jian WANG ; Guojian GAO ; Yufeng ZHAO
International Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2023;45(6):736-742
Objective:To analyze the molecular mechanism of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules in the adjuvant treatment of AIDS by network pharmacology method and molecular docking technology.Methods:The active components and targets of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules were obtained through TCMSP, and the AIDS-related targets were obtained through GeneCards, OMIM and DrugBank databases. The intersection target PPI network was constructed through STRING 11.5 database, and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was used for network topology analysis; Metascape database was used for GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of core targets; Cytoscape 3.9.1 was used to construct Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules component-target-pathway network; Autodock Tools software was used to carry out molecular docking of core targets and active components.Results:Totally 31 active components and 180 targets of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules were screened out. TNF, IL6, AKT1, IL1B, TP53, VEGFA, RELA, EGFR and CASP3 were identified as the core targets. GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 1 436 biological processes, 53 cellular components, and 117 molecular functions. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis obtained 167 pathways, which were related to pathways in cancer, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and IL-17 signaling pathway was closely related. Molecular docking results showed that core targets such as AKT1 and TNF had good binding activity to quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin.Conclusion:The main active components of Zhenqi Fuzheng Capsules in the adjuvant treatment of AIDS are quercetin, kaempferol and luteolin, which may treat AIDS through the IL-17 signaling pathway.
10.Mid-term efficacy of surface knee prosthesis combined with bionic block in joint reconstruction after resection of giant cell tumor in proximal tibia
Aobo ZHANG ; Qing HAN ; Xiaonan WANG ; Wenbin LUO ; Hao CHEN ; Xin ZHAO ; Jincheng WANG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2023;43(10):659-664
A total of 6 patients were treated with surface knee joint prosthesis combined with 3D-printed customized bionic tibial block for reconstruction of bone defect after giant cell tumor (GCT) in proximal tibia (1 male and 5 females, aged 50, 40, 68, 53, 35, 42, respectively). 3 patients with primary and 3 patients with recurrence of GCT. After resection of the tumor, the bone defect was filled with 3D-printed block combined with surface knee prosthesis, the surrounding ligaments were reconstructed with microporous structure and artificial mesh. All cases were followed up for 60, 90, 60, 60, 75, and 50 months, respectively. During the follow-up, there was no local recurrence, no radiolucent lines around prosthesis, and no signs of loosening. The clinical scores of the American Knee Society Score (KSS) were 87, 92, 85, 90, 95 and 78. The functional scores were 70, 100, 70, 100, 100 and 80 respectively. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) were 27, 28, 26, 26, 26, 27, respectively. Surface knee prosthesis combined with bionic block can effectively fill the bone defect after resection of GCT in proximal tibia, achieve anatomical and functional reconstruction of knee joint.

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