1.HER2 in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Opportunities and Challenges
Zhao-Tao PAN ; Feng-Yu GAI ; Chen CHEN ; Tong LI ; Yan-Ping QING
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):936-950
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite therapeutic advancements over recent decades, the prognosis for patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) remains poor. Approximately 2%-4% of mCRC cases exhibit human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification or overexpression, defining a distinct molecular subtype. This HER2-positive status is strongly associated with primary resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies, which are the standard of care for patients with RAS wild-type tumors. Beyond its well-established role in breast and gastric cancers, HER2 has emerged as a pivotal biomarker and actionable therapeutic target in mCRC. However, selecting appropriate treatment strategies remains challenging due to patient heterogeneity and diverse molecular subtypes. This review systematically summarizes the molecular biology, diagnostic strategies, and advances in targeted therapies for HER2-positive mCRC. On the diagnostic front, we discuss the applications of immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection technologies. We highlight discrepancies in diagnostic criteria across key clinical trials—such as HERACLES, DESTINY, and MOUNTAINEER—underscoring the urgent need for standardized, CRC-specific definitions to ensure consistent patient selection and comparability of efficacy data across studies. Although NGS enables comprehensive genomic profiling, its cost-effectiveness relative to traditional methods must be carefully considered. Therapeutically, we summarize clinical trial data for HER2-directed agents, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as tucatinib and lapatinib, monoclonal antibodies like trastuzumab, bispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) such as trastuzumab deruxtecan. We review dual-targeting strategies and note recent FDA approvals that represent significant milestones in second-line treatment. Additionally, we explore the potential of combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with HER2-targeted therapies to enhance antitumor immunity through mechanisms including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. ADCs enable precise delivery of cytotoxic payloads, reducing off-target toxicity while effectively inhibiting oncogenic pathways. A substantial portion of this review is dedicated to dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying primary and acquired resistance to HER2-targeted therapies—persistent challenges that limit clinical benefit. These mechanisms include reactivation of downstream signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK, concurrent mutations in genes like KRAS or BRAF, and alterations in HER2 expression that compromise treatment efficacy. For instance, specific HER2 mutations (e.g., L755S) can reduce drug binding affinity, while ctDNA monitoring facilitates early detection of emerging resistance clones during disease progression, thereby enabling timely therapeutic adjustments. Tumor heterogeneity and dynamic interactions with the microenvironment further complicate resistance patterns observed in clinical practice. HER2-targeted therapy represents a new frontier in precision oncology for mCRC, offering renewed hope for improving patient outcomes. Realizing this potential will require continued optimization of diagnostic algorithms and treatment workflows. Future efforts must focus on overcoming resistance, validating liquid biopsy approaches for dynamic monitoring, and establishing unified clinical guidelines. HER2 has become an essential biomarker for stratifying mCRC patients beyond traditional RAS and BRAF status, underscoring the shift from empiric treatment to biomarker-driven precision medicine. International, multidisciplinary collaboration will be critical to validate emerging biomarkers and refine treatment algorithms globally.
2.A Nomogram for Predicting Metachronous Gastric Cancer After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Early Gastric Cancer Following Successful Helicobacter pylori Eradication
Shangtao MAO ; Miao LIU ; Tao ZHAO ; Qiong YAN ; Ying XIANG ; Hai WU ; Wenjun LI ; Hongji TAO ; Duanming ZHUANG ; Lei WANG ; Guifang XU
Journal of Gastric Cancer 2026;26(2):279-294
Purpose:
Due to the preservation of the entire stomach after endoscopic resection, the occurrence of metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) remains a possibility. In this study, we investigated the incidence and risk factors for MGC in patients with early gastric cancer who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and successfully eradicatedHelicobacter pylori.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective analysis was conducted of 1,191 patients who underwent ESD and successfully eradicated H. pylori at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University. Endoscopic surveillance was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months post-resection, and annually thereafter. MGC was defined as the development of a new cancer at a site other than the primary gastric cancer site, at least 1 year after the initial endoscopic resection.
Results:
A total of 77 patients were diagnosed with MGC during a median follow-up of 41.5 months. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a 5-year cumulative incidence of MGC of 9.4% after successful H. pylori eradication. Multivariate analysis of the training set using Cox proportional hazards models identified male sex, severe atrophic gastritis, multiple gastric cancers before H. pylori eradication, and smoking history as independent risk factors for MGC.The nomogram exhibited favorable discrimination, with area under the curves of 0.767 and 0.822 in the training set and 0.724 and 0.745 in the testing set at 3 and 5 years, respectively.
Conclusions
Patients with gastric cancer who undergo endoscopic resection, even after successful H. pylori eradication, should undergo annual and continuous endoscopic surveillance for MGC.
3.Two new coumarin compounds from Angelica biserrata
Jia-cheng WU ; Han-tao ZHAO ; Feng-die YAN ; Qian-feng CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(1):201-204
Two new coumarin glycosides were isolated and purified from the dichloromethane fraction of
4.Moxibustion combined with low-dose tadalafil for diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction: A prospective, single-center, three-arm randomized controlled trial.
Tao LIU ; Zhao-Xu YANG ; Yan XU ; Qi ZHAO ; Xue LIU ; Xin-Fei HUANG ; Zhi-Xing SUN ; Yun CHEN ; Jian-Huai CHEN
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(2):55-60
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the clinical efficacy of moxibustion (Mox) combined with low-dose tadalafil (TAD) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) with the syndrome of Qi deficiency and blood stasis.
METHODS:
According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 90 patients with DMED for this trial and equally randomized them into a Mox, a TAD, and a Mox combined with TAD (Mox+TAD) group to be treated by mild Mox applied to the acupoints Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Yinlingquan qd alt, oral medication with low-dose TAD at 5 mg per dose qd, and combination of the above two therapies, respectively, all for 4 weeks. We obtained from the patients their IIEF-5 scores, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms scores, Erectile Hardness Scale (EHS) scores, corpus cavernosal hemodynamic indexes, and the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI) of the corpus cavernosal arteries before and after treatment, and compared them among the three groups.
RESULTS:
The total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the Mox+TAD (90.0%) than in the Mox (46.7%) and TAD groups (60.0%) (P< 0.05). Compared with the baseline, the IIEF-5 and EHS scores were increased, while the TCM symptoms scores decreased in all the three groups after treatment, more significantly in the Mox+TAD group than in the other two (P< 0.05). And the PSV and RI were remarkably increased, while the EDV decreased (P< 0.05) in all the three groups (P< 0.05) after treatment, with PSV even higher in the Mox+TAD than in the Mox and TAD groups (P< 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Moxibustion combined with tadalafil has a definite efficacy and safety for the treatment of DMED, which can effectively improve the erectile function of the patients by increasing penile blood supply, benefiting qi and activating blood circulation.
Humans
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Male
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Tadalafil
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Erectile Dysfunction/etiology*
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Moxibustion
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Middle Aged
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Prospective Studies
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Adult
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Carbolines/administration & dosage*
;
Diabetes Complications/therapy*
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Aged
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Treatment Outcome
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Combined Modality Therapy
5.Efficacy and safety of a facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
Tian-yu WU ; Wen-hao ZHANG ; Peng-sheng CHEN ; Chen LI ; Tian WU ; Zhan LÜ ; Tong WANG ; Kun LIU ; Zhi-wen TAO ; Xiao-xuan GONG ; Liang YUAN ; Yong LI ; Bo CHEN ; Xin CHEN ; Zeng-guang CHEN ; Nai-quan YANG ; Yuan-yuan SANG ; Xiao-yan WANG ; Bai-hong LI ; Li ZHU ; Guo-yu WANG ; Xin ZHAO ; Chuan LU ; Jun JIANG ; Rui-na HAO ; Chun-jian LI
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(8):431-438
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P<0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P>0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.
6.Effects of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方) on Tfh Cells and the JAK/STAT Pathway in Ectopic Tissues of Ovarian Endometriosis Model Rats
Weisen FAN ; Yongjia ZHANG ; Yaqian WANG ; Hong LEI ; Huiting YAN ; Ruijie HOU ; Xin WANG ; Yu TAO ; Ruihua ZHAO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1473-1480
ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Huoxue Xiaoyi Formula (活血消异方, HXF) in treating ovarian endometriosis (OEM) from the perspective of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway. MethodsForty-five female SD rats with normal estrous cycles were randomly divided into three groups, HXF group, model group, and normal group, with 15 rats in each group. A rat model of OEM was established by autologous endometrial tissue implantation. After successful modeling, the treatment group received HXF at 5.85 g/(kg·d) by gavage for 14 consecutive days. The model group and normal group received 1 mL/d of normal saline by gavage. RNA-sequencing data from human proliferative-phase endometriotic and normal endometrial tissues were downloaded from the GEO database. Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze gene expression in rat ovarian ectopic tissues and normal uterine tissues, and comparisons were made with human data to verify JAK/STAT pathway activation in proliferative-phase ectopic tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the positive expression of CXC chemokine receptor 5 (CXCR5) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) in rat ovarian ectopic and normal uterine tissues. Western Blotting was performed to detect the protein levels of IL-21, IL-21 receptor (IL-21R), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). Tfh cell infiltration was analyzed using immune cell infiltration methods. ResultsGene set enrichment analysis showed that the JAK/STAT pathway was significantly activated in human proliferative-phase endometriotic tissues compared to normal endometrial tissues. Similarly, the JAK/STAT pathway was markedly activated in rat ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group compared to the normal group, but suppressed in the HXF group compared to the model group. Compared with normal uterine tissues, ovarian ectopic tissues in the model group showed increased Tfh cell infiltration scores, higher CXCR5 and IL-21 expression, and elevated levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2 proteins. Compared with the model group, HXF group showed reduced CXCR5 and IL-21 expression and decreased protein levels of IL-21, IL-21R, JAK1, STAT6, and Bcl-2. ConclusionHXF may suppress activation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in ovarian endometriotic tissues by inhibiting IL-21 secretion from Tfh cells.
7.EEG phase prediction method based on long short-term memory network
Zi-yan PANG ; Xin-yu ZHAO ; Wen-shu MAI ; Yue-zhuo ZHAO ; Zhi-peng LIU ; Tao YIN ; Jing-na JIN
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(3):1-8
Objective To propose a brain electrical phase prediction method based on long short-term memory network(LSTM)to improve the accuracy and robustness of phase synchronization prediction in transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS).Methods First,an LSTM consisting of an input layer,an LSTM layer,an ReLU activation layer,a fully connected layer and a regression layer was constructed to capture the EEG signal features through the synergistic action of input gates,forgetting gates and output gates.Second,eye-open resting-state EEG data from 30 healthy subjects were trained using the LSTM to obtain a predictive model for EEG signal and EEG phase prediction.Finally,the LSTM method and the traditional autoregressive(AR)method were compared in terms of the phase prediction errors at the overall and individual levels and the prediction performance for peaks and troughs.A regression model was used to explore the relationships between instantaneous EEG amplitude,signal-to-noise ratio and phase prediction error with the LSTM method.Results The LSTM method achieved a total phase prediction error of 0.04°±5.69°,which was lower than that of the traditional AR method(-3.36°±51.13°).For each subject,the LSTM method demonstrated superior phase prediction accuracy compared to the traditional AR method(P<0.001).The accuracy for predicting peaks(troughs)by the LSTM method(about 89%)was higher than that by the traditional AR method(about 10%).Unlike the traditional AR method,the LSTM method didnot result in linear relationships between instantaneous EEG amplitude,signal-to-noise ratio and phase prediction error,with Pvalues being 0.58 and 0.18,respectively.Conclusion The LSTM-based brain electrical phase prediction method shows high accuracy and robustness when used for EEG phase-synchronized TMS.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):1-8]
8.Analysis of the efficacy and safety of balloon-assisted enteroscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of Dieulafoy lesions of the small intestine (with video)
Donglin ZHAO ; Mengnan XU ; Zhimeng JIANG ; Jing ZHANG ; Yan YU ; Nianjun XIAO ; Bairong LI ; Chongxi FAN ; Shoubin NING ; Tao SUN
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2025;42(11):881-886
Objective:To evaluate the incidence, clinical features, factors affecting initial diagnosis, efficacy, and safety of therapy and prognosis of small intestinal Dieulafoy lesions (DL).Methods:Clinical data including clinical background, diagnosis, and treatment details of patients who were admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology, Air Force Medical Center, for suspected small bowel bleeding, diagnosed as having small bowel DL and treated with balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) were retrospectively analyzed from November 2017 to March 2024.Results:Among 800 patients, 30 cases (3.75%, 30/800, 17 males and 13 females) were diagnosed as having small intestine DL with the mean age of 60.90 years. Clinical symptoms included melena (56.67%, 17/30), hematochezia (43.33%, 13/30), and hemodynamic instability (30.00%, 9/30). Active bleeding occurred in 23 (76.67%) patients. Comorbidities existed in 70.00% (21/30) and 33.33% (10/30) used long-term antithrombotic agents. Diagnosis was confirmed after a single BAE in 63.33% (19/30) and after multiple BAEs (mean 1.6 procedures) in 36.67% (11/30). Lesions were predominantly located at jejunal. All patients achieved successful treatment with a single BAE procedure. The median follow-up period was 12.25 months (range: 5.25-23.00 months). Five cases (16.67%) experienced recurrent bleeding, with one case transfered to surgical intervention. Two cases (6.67%) reported post-operative symptoms of dizziness and fatigue, which resolved after symptomatic management. Multivariate analysis showed that long-term oral anticoagulant therapy ( OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.73) was an independent predictor of single-session diagnosis. Conclusion:Small intestinal DL is rare and challenging to diagnose. Antithrombotic therapy may facilitate the diagnosis of DL at the first BAE. Jejunal localization is common, and combined endoscopic therapy (including clipping) is effective and safe.
9.Applicability of a new pilot anti-G capability assessment trainer
Tao JIANG ; Jiao YIN ; Lijun WEN ; Bin LI ; Jiyu DANG ; Xi ZHAO ; Wen DONG ; Haixia WANG ; Yan XU
Chinese Journal of Aerospace Medicine 2025;36(1):38-43
Objective:To evaluate the applicability of a new anti-G capability assessment trainer (AG-CAT) in high-performance (HP) anti-G maneuver training and positive pressure breathing for high-G (PHP) training for pilots.Methods:A total of 142 fighter pilots who were subjected to anti-G maneuver training at Dujiangyan Special Crew Sanatorium of PLA Air Force between January and November 2023 were enrolled. According to the Guidelines for Aviation Physiological Training, 123 pilots underwent both HP anti-G maneuver training and PHP positive pressure breathing training, 15 received only HP training, and 4 received only PHP training. Based on the training devices used, these pilots were divided into AG-CAT group and an anti-G and anti-hypoxia capability detection instrument (GHyCDI) group. The 2 groups were compared regarding the pedal force of lower limbs, blood pressure, and improvement of +G z tolerance during training. Results:Of the 138 pilots undergoing HP training, 88 used AG-CAT and 50 used GHyCDI. One hundred and twenty-seven pilots participated in PHP training, with 73 in the AG-CAT group and 54 in the GHyCDI group. During HP training, the pedal force of left lower limbs in the AG-CAT group was greater than that of the right limbs and of the GHyCDI group ( t=4.38, 2.64, P<0.001, =0.009). In PHP training, the AG-CAT group exhibited greater pedal force in left limbs than in right ones, while the GHyCDI group showed an opposite trend ( t=2.25, 3.37, P=0.029, 0.002). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures during HP training (with or without anti-G suits) were higher in the AG-CAT group than in the GHyCDI group ( t=3.50, 3.72, 2.55, 4.21, P=0.001,<0.001,=0.012,<0.001). Similarly, during PHP training, both systolic and diastolic pressures were higher in the AG-CAT group ( t=2.03, 3.81, P=0.045,<0.001). The AG-CAT group demonstrated superior improvements in +G z tolerance during HP training (without/with anti-G suits: Z=2.14, 3.21, P=0.049, 0.001) and PHP training ( Z=2.56, P=0.010) compared with the GHyCDI group. Conclusions:AG-CAT shows excellent applicability in aviation physiological training of pilots. Its ergonomic design, practical functionalities and enhanced compatibility with personnel protective equipment can better meet training requirements compared to conventional devices.
10.Atypical forms of microglandular hyperplasia of the cervix: a clinicopathological analysis of 29 cases
Jing ZHAO ; Rongkui LUO ; Lihong ZHANG ; Weiyong GU ; Yinping XIAO ; Xianrong ZHOU ; Xiang TAO ; Yan NING
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(12):1311-1316
Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of atypical forms of microglandular hyperplasia of the cervix (AMGH).Methods:A total of 29 cases of AMGH diagnosed at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China from January 2010 to December 2024 were analyzed. Relevant clinical and pathological data of the patients were collected using the electronic medical record system and medical records copied from the outside hospitals. The patients were followed up.Results:Among the 29 cases, 28 were consultation cases, 22 (79%) of the 28 cases were considered as glandular neoplastic lesions by the original institutions. The nature of the lesion was uncertain in 1 case, the diagnosis was suspicious for AMGH in another 1 case, and only 4 cases were clearly diagnosed as AMGH. The median age of the 29 patients was 44 (43, 48) years. Eighteen (62%) of the 29 cases presented as cervical polyp. Twelve of the 16 tested cases were negative for human papillomavirus. The pathological presentation was complex and diverse, including solid, trabecular, cribriform, and papillary patterns, forming pseudo-invasive structures. The glandular epithelium and proliferating reserve cells had diverse morphologies, which presented with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm or clear cytoplasm. Signet-ring or hobnail cells were also seen. The nuclear atypia was mild, with 0-7 mitotic figures per 10 HPF. Immature squamous metaplasia was noted. The stroma showed edema, myxoid change and hyaline degeneration, accompanied by infiltration of acute and chronic inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that p16 was negative in 8/16 of the cases or patchy positive in the other 8/16, Ki-67 positive rate was less than 10% in all 16 cases, p53 was wild phenotype (9/9), and carcinoembryonic antigen was negative in 4/5 cases and focally positive in 1/5 cases, while p63 was positive in 6/9 of the tested cases.Conclusions:AMGH is a benign non-neoplastic lesion of the cervical glands. Half of the cases occur in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, often presenting as polypoid hyperplasia or localized cervical thickening/elevation with a friable, fragile texture. Microscopically, it may show a pseudoinvasive pattern, making it prone to misdiagnosis as a malignant lesion. Thus, differentiation from cervical adenocarcinoma, clear cell carcinoma and microglandular endometrioid carcinoma is required. Integration of clinical history, immunohistochemistry and molecular testing may aid in the differential diagnosis.

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