1.Visualization Analysis of Research Hotspots and Development Trends of Immune Cells in Radiotherapy for Rectal Cancer
Lingzhen JIANG ; Feiyu QIN ; Yuna LI ; Yan QIN ; Junhui TANG ; Liang MING ; Xiaowei QI ; Zhaohui HUANG ; Yuan YIN
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2026;53(7):523-533
Objective To analyze the overall characteristics, research hotspots, and development trends of immune cell-related studies in radiotherapy for rectal cancer. Methods A systematic search was conducted by using Web of Science Core Collection to retrieve articles related to radiation therapy and immune cells in rectal cancer published from 1991 to 2024. Advanced bibliometric tools, such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace, were utilized to facilitate analysis and describe publication trends, geographic contributions, institutional affiliations, journal prominence, author collaboration, and prominent keywords. Results The annual number of relevant publications has increased steadily, showing remarkable growth over the past five years. Studies focusing on adaptive immune cells (T and B cells) account for the largest proportion of works and form the most extensive collaboration networks, reflecting the central role of T cell–mediated antitumor immunity in radiotherapy. Meanwhile, innate immune cells, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells, macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils, are increasingly investigated for their regulatory roles in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment and influencing therapeutic responses. Among countries, China and the United States have contributed the highest number of publications and demonstrated strong academic influence. While several stable research groups have been formed, intergroup collaboration remains limited. Keyword analysis revealed that radiotherapy-induced immune modulation, tumor immune microenvironment remodeling, and treatment response have emerged as major research hotspots. Conclusion Research on immune cells in rectal cancer radiotherapy has progressed rapidly in recent years. The emphasis of this field has gradually shifted from single-treatment approaches to mechanistic studies investigating the interaction between radiotherapy and the tumor immune microenvironment. The field still demonstrates considerable potential for future research and clinical translational applications.
2.Analysis of Pharmacodynamic Material Basis, Mechanisms, and Efficacy-related Quality Markers of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix with Different Therapeutic Effect
Xiaowei MENG ; Zhenzhen YANG ; Wenting WU ; Ronghua LIU ; Yongmei GUAN ; Hui OUYANG ; Liping HUANG ; Yaqi WANG ; Qiong LI ; Huanhuan DONG ; Jianping GONG ; Weifeng ZHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(18):269-281
Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix are the dried roots of Pueraria lobata and Pueraria thomsonii of the Leguminosae family, respectively. Since their separate inclusion in the 2005 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, the two herbs have been individually recorded. Although they share the same functions and indications, the required content of puerarin differs by a factor of up to eightfold between them. The current quality standard relies solely on a single indicator, puerarin, which fails to reflect the correlation between chemical constituents and core therapeutic effects. This has resulted in prominent issues of mixed use in clinical practice and production, thereby constraining the high-quality development of the industry. Modern research has demonstrated that Puerariae Lobatae Radix contains a comprehensive range and higher content of isoflavonoid constituents, while Puerariae Thomsonii Radix is rich in starch and polysaccharides. Puerariae Lobatae Radix exhibits stronger effects in antipyresis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, and central analgesia, while Puerariae Thomsonii Radix demonstrates greater advantages in anti-inflammation, hypoglycemia, and peripheral analgesia. Based on this, the chemical material bases of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix at both the macromolecule and micromolecule levels were systematically reviewed and compared. The pharmacodynamic material bases and mechanisms of action underlying their three core therapeutic effects, namely "relieving exterior syndrome and clearing heat", "promoting fluid production to quench thirst", and "dredging channels and activating collaterals", were summarized. The most highly correlated common metabolic pathway shared by both herbs for these three therapeutic effects is the arachidonic acid metabolic pathway, and their common core target is prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). This review provided clinical application recommendations based on the therapeutic differences between the two herbs, elucidated the scientific connotation of their "same origin but different effects", and, grounded in the quality marker (Q-Marker), proposed the concept of efficacy-related Q-Marker based on "substance-efficacy-syndrome" association, as well as a novel strategy for efficacy-oriented quality evaluation. Preliminary screening of quality markers associated with different therapeutic effects was also conducted. This study aims to provide critical scientific evidence for the precise clinical application of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Puerariae Thomsonii Radix, the improvement of quality standards, and the high-quality development of the industry.
3.Investigation of off-label use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in China
Xuyin JIN ; Xiaowei ZHENG ; Xiaochun ZHENG ; Jiang LOU ; Ziqi YE ; Wenxiu XIN ; Bei SUI ; Ping HUANG
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(23):46-49
Objective To investigate the current situation of off-label use of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)in China and the cognition of medical staff.Methods From August 31 to September 9,2022,a nationwide survey questionnaire was sent to medical staff in the form of electronic questionnaire.The questionnaire included 13 questions,covering four dimensions:Drug allocation,current situation of medication beyond the instructions,cognition of medication beyond the instructions and current situation of medication beyond the instructions.Results A total of 745 questionnaires were collected.75.70%of respondents reported off-label use of ICIs in their hospitals,with the most common type being off-label indications.The primary reasons for such practices included support from authoritative domestic and international guidelines,clinical research data validation,and approved indications in foreign regulatory documents.85.37%of respondents believed off-label use could offer new hope for patients,while 68.86%considered it unlikely to increase adverse reactions.44.97%of respondents' hospitals had not established off-label use registration systems for ICIs.88.86%of respondents emphasized the need for stricter regulations governing off-label use of immunotherapeutic agents.Conclusion Off-label use of ICIs is common,and there is a lack of unified guidance in clinical practice.It is urgent to form norms and consensus on the management of off-label use of ICIs.
4.Establishment and preliminary study of four patient-derived primary breast cancer cell lines
Yubei LUO ; Jianjun HUANG ; Wenxiu YANG ; Junhong ZHANG ; Jing LI ; Chunhua-Robert ZHAO ; Xiaowei DOU
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(2):183-188
Objective To establish primary breast cancer cell lines from patient tissues and offer a new cancer cell model for basic research.Methods Breast cancer biopsy tissues were digested with typeⅡcollagenase and cultured in BCMI medium.When the cells proliferated rapidly,the medium was switched to DMEM.STR genotyping was per-formed to identify specific genetic markers of the four primary breast cancer cell lines.Colony expansion assays and sphere formation assays were conducted to analyze its tumorigenicity.Real-time PCR and Western blot experiments were used to analyze the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)molecule markers.Migration and invasion assays were performed to assess the metastatic potential of the primary breast cancer cells.Results We es?tablished four primary breast cancer cell lines:BC25#,BC51#,BC56#,and BC57#.These cell lines were cultured in DMEM medium,passaged multiple times and tagged with details about their clinical past.STR genotyping identified specific genetic markers for each of the four primary breast cancer cell lines.Clonogenic and sphere formation assays revealed that the four lines have a stronger tumor?forming capability compared to the classic breast cancer cell line T?47D.Real?time PCR and Western blot experiments showed that,compared to T?47D,the four primary breast cancer cell lines have decreased E?cadherin expression and increased vimentin expression.Migration and invasion assays indicated that BC25#had a higher metastatic potential than the traditional breast cancer cell line T?47D.Conclusions Four primary breast cancer cell lines,BC25#,BC51#,BC56#and BC57#are successfully estab?lished,which may act as new cancer cell model for laboratory research of breast cancer.
5.Clinical significance of molecular classification and hereditary phenotypic characteristics in endometrial carcinoma
Xiaowei WANG ; Jie LIN ; Huang CHEN ; Fang YU ; Honglei ZHANG ; Ye WANG ; Ruiying JIANG ; Bei WANG ; Dingrong ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2025;47(1):100-107
Objective:To analyze the clinical significance of molecular classification and hereditary phenotype in endometrial carcinoma (EC) based on high throughput sequencing (NGS).Methods:97 EC samples were collected retrospectively from December 2019 to October 2022 in China-Japan Friendship Hospital. NGS technique was used to analyze the molecular classification, POLE hypermutation, microsatellite high Instability/mismatch repair dysfunction (MSI-H/MMRd), P53 protein abnormality (P53 abn), and non-specific molecular profile (NSMP). Lynch syndrome related genes and BRCA1/2 genes were detected by NGS and their genetic characteristics were analyzed. Results:Of the 97 EC cases, 77 were endometrial adenocarcinoma and 20 were other pathological subtypes. The proportions of the four molecular subtypes were 9.3% (9/97) POLE hypermutation, 16.5% (16/97) MSI-H, 17.5% (17/97) P53 abn and 56.7% (55/97) NSMP, respectively. There were significant differences in age, histological type, lymph node metastasis, pathological stage and other parameters among the four molecular types ( P<0.05). 8.2% (8/97) were multiple molecular typing and four multiple molecular typings detected, including POLEmut-MSI-H, POLEmut-P53abn, MSI-H-P53abn, P53abn-P53abn, which accounted for 1.0% (1/97), 3.1% (3/97), 1.0% (1/97) and 3.1% (3/97), respectively. The consistent rate of MSI-H and MMR protein expression was 92.9% ( Kappa=0.818, P<0.001). The coincidence rate between TP53 gene sequencing and P53 protein expression was 88.9% ( Kappa=0.661, P<0.001). In MSI-H type, 25.0% (4/16) were diagnosed as Lynch syndrome, and 75.0% (12/16) were diagnosed as Lynch like syndrome. 7.2% (7/97) BRCA2 somatic variation was detected, while BRCA1/2 germline variation was not detected in 97 cases. Conclusions:EC molecular classification has feasibility and clinical value. High throughput sequencing can detect low frequency mutations of TP53 gene, suggesting that it can provide more accurate molecular information and more accurate molecular typing effect. It is suggested to further detect Lynch syndrome related genes in patients with MSI-H, so as to carry out genetic management for patients and their families and achieve better therapeutic effect.
6.Clinical Experience from Professor Xu in Treating Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Xiaowei HUANG ; Xian GU ; Zherui WANG ; Limin ZHU ; Zhenye XU
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(4):1131-1135
This article mainly introduces Professor Xu Zhenye's experience in treating advanced colorectal cancer.According to Professor Xu,the pathogenesis of advanced colorectal cancer is mainly based on deficiency,supplemented by evils and realities,and most of the patients are suffering from deficiency of essence and Qi.The treatment should focus on replenishing the deficiency,followed by removing the evils and poisons.Professor Xu innovatively put forward the theory of"spleen deficiency and essence deficiency,supporting the positive to fight against cancer",treating intestinal cancer by strengthening the spleen,tonifying the kidney and nourishing the essence,supplemented by clearing heat and removing toxins to fight against tumour.
7.Correlation between brain gray matter volume changes and neurotransmitter receptors/transporters in patients with first-episode schizophrenia
Huan HUANG ; Xiaowei WANG ; Cheng CHEN ; Wei YUAN ; Yunlong PENG ; Xuan QIN ; Ying XIONG ; Rui XU ; Huiling WANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(10):885-890
Objective:To explore the spatial correlation between gray matter volume (GMV) changes and neurotransmitter receptors/transporters in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) .Methods:Fifty-four FES patients(FES group) and fifty-nine healthy controls (HC group) were selected from June 2014 to May 2020 in the Psychiatry Department of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) was conducted on all subjects. Differences of GMV were compared across 400 cortical regions and 32 subcortical regions. Based on the positron emission tomography(PET) data from Neuromaps, which provides the density of 19 different neurotransmitter receptors and transporters, Spearman correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the spatial correlation between GMV changes and neurotransmitter systems.Results:Compared to the HC group, FES group exhibited significant GMV reductions in widespread cortical (90/400) and subcortical (6/32) regions (all FDR-corrected P<0.05). The effect size of GMV reduction (Cohen’s d) showed significant positive correlations with the density of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1a(5HT1a) ( r=0.400, Pspin=0.002), γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor(GABA A)( r=0.307, Pspin=0.002), and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5(mGluR5) ( r=0.275, Pspin=0.020) receptors (all FDR-corrected P<0.05). Conclusion:GMV reductions in a wide range of brain regions existed in patients with FES. There are significant correlations between 5HT1a, GABA A and mGluR5 receptors and gray matter reduction in patients with FES. The disorder of these neurotransmitter receptors may be the potential neurobiological mechanism of gray matter structural abnormalities in the early stage of schizophrenia.
8.Tiaozhou Ziyin recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency:efficacy,safety and mechanism
Peipei TANG ; Yong TAN ; Yanyun YIN ; Xiaowei NIE ; Jingyu HUANG ; Wenting ZUO ; Yuling LI
Journal of Southern Medical University 2025;45(5):929-941
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of Tiaozhou Ziyin(TZZY)recipe for treatment of premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)and explore the possible mechanisms.Methods We used bioinformatics analyses and network pharmacology to identify the main active ingredients in TZZY recipe and their core targets,which were verified by Western blotting.We tested the efficacy and safety of the recipe in 60 POI patients,who were randomized into control group(n=30)with Femoston treatment and TZZY group(n=30)with additional TZZY recipe treatment for 3 menstrual cycles.Results The core active ingredients of TZZY recipe included kaempferol,β-sitosterol,luteolin,and quercetin.The core targets included SRC,TP53,STAT3,PIK3CA,and MAPK3,which were involved in positive regulation of cell movement and protein phosphorylation,the cancer pathways and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.Molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients had good binding ability with the core targets.In female rat models of POI,TZZY recipe treatment significantly up-regulated ovarian expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt proteins.In the clinical trial,treatment with Femoston and Femoston plus TZZY recipe both significantly increased E2 levels and reduced FSH and LH levels and Kupperman scores of the patients,and the combined treatment produced significantly stronger effects.Both treatments increased the number of antral follicles of the patients,but the combined treatment also significantly increased the levels of AMH.Conclusion The therapeutic mechanism of TZZY recipe for POI involves multiple active ingredients,multiple therapeutic targets and multiple pathways,and activating the PI3K/Akt pathway is one of its main mechanisms of action,to improve ovarian reserve function,alleviate clinical symptoms,and enhance clinical efficacy in POI patients.
9.Inhibitory effect of astragaloside Ⅳ on cisplatin-induced liver injury in mice and its mechanism
Kaiqi NIU ; He CHANG ; Guangfu LYU ; Pengyu ZHENG ; Xueting CHI ; Jia ZHOU ; Yuchen WANG ; Xiaowei HUANG
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(2):370-377
Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of astragaloside Ⅳ(AS-Ⅳ)on cisplatin(CDDP)-induced liver injury in the mice,and to elucidate its possible mechanism.Methods:Forty male C57BL/6 mice with body weights of 18-22 g were randomly divided into control group,model group,AS-Ⅳ group and adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)inhibitor(Compound C)+AS-Ⅳ group.The mice in control group and model group were gavaged with the same volume of normal saline,and the drug was administered continuously for 9 d.The mice in AS-Ⅳ group and Compound C+AS-Ⅳ group were given AS-Ⅳ aqueous solution(150 mg·kg-1·d-1),respectively.On the 6th day of experiment,the mice in Compound C+AS-Ⅳ group were intraperitoneally injected with Compound C(20 mg·kg-1),and on the 7th day,except for control group,the mice in other groups were intraperitoneally injected with 20 mg·kg-1 CDDP to establish the mouse liver injury models,and the mice were sacrificed 48 h later.Serum and liver tissues were collected,and the levels of aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)in the serum of the mice,as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)in the liver tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by kits.The pathomorphology of liver tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by HE staining.The expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1)and ferroptosis inhibitory protein 1(FSP1)proteins in liver tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by immunohistochemical staining,and the expression levels of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)and AMPK proteins in liver tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by Western blotting method.Results:Compared with control group,the levels of AST and ALT in serum of the mice in model group were increased(P<0.01),the activities of SOD and CAT in the liver tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the MDA level was increased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the levels of AST and ALT in serum of the mice in AS-Ⅳ group were decreased(P<0.01),the MDA level in the liver tissue was decreased(P<0.01),and the activities of SOD and CAT were increased(P<0.01);compared with AS-Ⅳ group(P<0.01),the levels of AST and ALT in serum of the mice in Compound C+AS-Ⅳ group were increased(P<0.01),the level of MDA in liver tissue was increased(P<0.05),and the activities SOD and CAT were decreased(P<0.01).The HE staining results showed that compared with control group,the liver damage degree of the mice in model group was enhanced,the hepatocyte arrangement was disordered,and some hepatocyte edema were increased;compared with model group,the liver morphology of the mice in AS-Ⅳ group returned to normal;compared with AS-Ⅳ group,the hepatocyte arrangement of the mice in Compound C+AS-Ⅳ group was disordered and the edges were blurred.The immunohistochemistry results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of GPX4,FTH1 and FSP1 proteins in liver tissue of the mice in model group were decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of GPX4,FTH1 and FSP1 proteins in liver tissue of the mice in AS-Ⅳ group were increased(P<0.05);compared with AS-Ⅳ group,the expression levels of GPX4,FTH1 and FSP1 proteins in liver tissue of the mice in Compound C+AS-Ⅳ group were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1 and AMPK proteins in liver tissue of the mice in model group were decreased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1 and AMPK proteins in liver tissue of the mice in AS-Ⅳgroup were increased(P<0.01);compared with AS-Ⅳ group,the expression levels of Nrf2,HO-1 and AMPK proteins in liver tissue of the mice in Compound C+AS-Ⅳ group were decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:AS-Ⅳ can alleviate the CDDP-induced liver injury,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of AMPK/Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway and ferroptosis by AS-Ⅳ.
10.Ameliorative effect of total flavonoids from corn silk on urate nephropathy in rats and its mechanism
Jing LU ; Mengmeng LIU ; Yuewei HAN ; Xiaowei HUANG ; Yuchen WANG ; He LIN ; Tianzhu ZHANG ; Zhe LIN ; Guangfu LYU
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2025;51(4):929-938
Objective:To discuss the ameliorative effect of total flavonoids from corn silk(TFCS)on kidney injury in the rats with urate nephropathy,and to clarify the possible mechanism.Methods:Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,positive control group[benzbromarone(BZM)group,5 mg·kg-1·d-1],low dose of TFCS group(20 mg·kg-1·d-1),medium dose of TFCS group(40 mg·kg-1·d-1),and high dose of TFCS group(80 mg·kg-1·d-1),and there were 10 rats in each group.Except for control group,the rats in the other groups were administered potassium oxonate(350 mg·kg-1)and adenine(70 mg·kg-1)by gavage for 4 weeks to establish the hyperuricemic nephropthy models.The rats in different doses of TFCS groups were treated with TFCS for 2 weeks.Speckle blood flow imager was used to detect the renal blood perfusion of the rats in various groups and the kidney coefficients of the rats in various groups were caculated;HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathomorphology and fibrosis degrees of kidney tissue of the rats in various groups and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the levels of uric acid(UA),creatinine(Cr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),interleukin-6(IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in the serum and levels of β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)and microalbumin(ALB)in the urine of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of urate transporter 1(URAT1),glucose transporter 9(GLUT9),and ATP-binding cassette transporter G2(ABCG2)proteins in kidney tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with control group,the renal blood perfusion volume of the rats in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the renal blood perfusion volumes of the rats in BZM group and low,medium,and high doses of TFCS groups were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,the kidney weight of the rats in model group was increased,with visible white granular spots on the surface,absence of blood color,and kidney volume was increased.Compared with model group,the kidney volumes of the rats in BZM group and medium and high doses of TFCS groups were decreased,with color tending toward that in control group,and the white granular spots on the surface were significantly reduced.Compared with model group,the kidney coefficients of the rats in BZM group and medium and high doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.01).The HE staining results showed there were no abnormalities in kidney tissue structure in control group,while there were a small amount of brown-yellow urate crystal deposition and interstitial connective tissue hyperplasia in model group;compared with model group,the kidney tissue damage and inflammatory infiltration were alleviated to varying degrees in BZM group and different doses of TFCS groups.The Masson staining results revealed no obvious collagen fiber deposition in control group,whereas significant blue collagen fiber deposition in kidney tissue of the rats was found in model group,and the collagen volume fraction(CVF)was increased compared with control group(P<0.01);compared with model group,the CVFs of the rats in BZM group and different doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.01).The ELISA results showed that compared with control group,the levels of UA,Cr,BUN,IL-6,and TNF-α in serum of the rats in model group were increased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the levels of UA,Cr,BUN,IL-6,and TNF-α in serum of the rats in BZM group and medium and high doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.01).Compared with control group,the levels of β2-MG and ALB in urinary in model group were increased(P<0.01);compared with model group,the levels of β2-MG and ALB in urinary of the rats in different doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The Western blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins in kidney tissue of the rats in BZM group and model group were increased(P<0.01),while the expression level of ABCG2 protein was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with model group,the expression levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins in kidney tissue of the rats in different doses of TFCS groups were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the expression level of ABCG2 protein was increased(P<0.01).Conclusion:TFCS can significantly alleviate the kidney injury in the rats with urate nephropathy model,and its mechanism may be related to the downregulation of expression of URAT1 and GLUT9 proteins and upregulation of ABCG2 protein expression in kidney tissue.

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