1.Application of multistimuli-responsive hydrogels in bone damage repair:special responsiveness and diverse functions
Yu WANG ; Minjie FAN ; Pengfei ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(2):469-479
BACKGROUND:Multistimuli-responsive hydrogels have received extensive attention in the field of bone tissue engineering due to their special responsive capabilities and diverse functions.OBJECTIVE:To review the application of multistimuli-responsive hydrogels in bone damage repair,and explore their research and development ideas and future development directions.METHODS:Relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed,Web of Science,and WanFang databases.English search terms included"hydrogels,bone defect,bone repair,bone healing,bone tissue engineering,degenerative joint diseases,osteoarthritis,Cartilage."Chinese search terms were"multistimuli-responsive hydrogels,smart hydrogels,bone damage repair,bone tissue engineering."The search time limit was from database inception to August 2024.A total of 83 articles were included in the review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Multistimuli-responsive hydrogels can react to various levels of physical,chemical,and biological stimuli,while exerting inherent functions such as swelling,deformation,degradation,and other special functions endowed by materials,making them highly potential in addressing clinical problems in bone damage repair.However,in practical applications,how to ensure that these materials maintain stability and durability in the complex biological environment and can be degraded in a controllable and harmless manner when needed is an urgent problem to be solved.
2.Application of multistimuli-responsive hydrogels in bone damage repair:special responsiveness and diverse functions
Yu WANG ; Minjie FAN ; Pengfei ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(2):469-479
BACKGROUND:Multistimuli-responsive hydrogels have received extensive attention in the field of bone tissue engineering due to their special responsive capabilities and diverse functions.OBJECTIVE:To review the application of multistimuli-responsive hydrogels in bone damage repair,and explore their research and development ideas and future development directions.METHODS:Relevant literature was retrieved from PubMed,Web of Science,and WanFang databases.English search terms included"hydrogels,bone defect,bone repair,bone healing,bone tissue engineering,degenerative joint diseases,osteoarthritis,Cartilage."Chinese search terms were"multistimuli-responsive hydrogels,smart hydrogels,bone damage repair,bone tissue engineering."The search time limit was from database inception to August 2024.A total of 83 articles were included in the review.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Multistimuli-responsive hydrogels can react to various levels of physical,chemical,and biological stimuli,while exerting inherent functions such as swelling,deformation,degradation,and other special functions endowed by materials,making them highly potential in addressing clinical problems in bone damage repair.However,in practical applications,how to ensure that these materials maintain stability and durability in the complex biological environment and can be degraded in a controllable and harmless manner when needed is an urgent problem to be solved.
3.Molecular Crosstalk Mechanisms of Shoutai Wan and Juyuan Jian on Maternal-fetal Interface Subcellular Clusters in CBA/J×DBA/2 Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Model
Jingxin GAO ; Qiuping CHEN ; Xiaoyan ZHENG ; Pengfei ZENG ; Rui ZHOU ; Yancai TANG ; Qian ZENG ; Wenli GUO ; Jinzhu HUANG ; Weijun DING ; Linwen DENG ; Hang ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(2):70-87
ObjectiveTo systematically compare the differential regulation of the maternal-fetal interface cell lineages and communication networks in the CBA/J×DBA/2 mouse model of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) by the two classic therapeutic methods-tonifying the kidney to stabilize the fetus and invigorating the spleen to stabilize the fetus (Shoutai Wan, Juyuan Jian)-of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) at the single-cell resolution and clarify their modern scientific connotations. MethodsFemale non-pregnant CBA/J mice were caged with male BALB/c (blank group) and DBA/2 (modeling group) mice separately. Pregnant mice in the modeling group were randomly grouped as follows: high/low-dose Shoutai Wan, high/low-dose Juyuan Jian, model (RPL), and positive control (dydrogesterone), with 10 mice in each group. Starting from the day after the detection of the vaginal plug, mice were administrated with drugs or an equal volume of normal saline by gavage for 10 consecutive days. After the intervention, the following indicators were measured. ① Macroscopic evaluation: general conditions, uterine wet weight, embryo loss rate, four coagulation parameters [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FIB), and thrombin time (TT)], and peripheral blood estradiol (E2) and progesterone (Pg) levels. The decidua with embryos was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiotensin Ⅱ (AngⅡ), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 homolog (LC3)Ⅰ/Ⅱ was quantified by Western blot. ② Mechanism analysis at the single-cell level: The decidua with embryos from the blank, model, high-dose Shoutai Wan, and high-dose Juyuan Jian groups (6 mice per group, with 3 single-cell samples per group, totaling 24 mice) were analyzed by the BD Rhapsody™ platform, and the whole-cell atlas was drawn by uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction clustering combined with the single-cell mouse cell atlas (scMCA). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and cell interaction networks were analyzed via Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and CellChat, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) map of subtype cells was constructed. The CytoTRACE pseudo-temporal analysis was performed to explore the developmental trajectories of core immune cells (natural killer cells, NK cells) from maternal and fetal sources. Results① Pathological and Western blot results indicated that compared with the blank group, the RPL group showed an increase in the embryo loss rate (P<0.01), down-regulated expression of Bcl-2, LIF, MMP-2, and Vegf in the decidua with embryos (P<0.05), up-regulated protein levels of CXCL-12, AngⅡ, and IL-6 (P<0.05), blocked angiogenesis, apoptosis-inflammation imbalance, and coagulation dysfunction. Both prescriptions dose-dependently reduced the abortion rate and restored the angiogenesis-inflammation balance, and Shoutai pill showed superior performance in restoring the E2 level to the Pg level (P<0.05). ② Single-cell transcriptome analysis indicated that compared with the blank group, the RPL group showed differences in multiple key cell populations such as decidual cells, trophoblast cells, endothelial cells, erythroblasts, NK cells, and macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface. Immunity and angiogenesis were the key links in RPL. Compared with the RPL group, high-dose Shoutai Wan reversed the changes of NK cells in the embryonic layer (upregulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 29 genes) and macrophages (upregulating the mRNA levels of 117 genes and downregulating the mRNA levels of 53 genes) through the regulation of gene expression. High-dose Shoutai pill regulated the immune cells to affect unfolded proteins, cell adhesion, and programmed cell death, thereby promoting decidualization and angiogenesis and modulating embryo-membrane development. High-dose Juyuan Jian regulated the key subgroups of NK cells (up-regulating the mRNA levels of 9 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 17 genes) and macrophages (up-regulating the mRNA levels of 110 genes and down-regulating the mRNA levels of 81 genes), which affected decidual inflammation and apoptosis and intervened in glycolysis. ③ The pseudo-temporal analysis and communication network indicated that the communication frequency of the RPL group decreased. High-dose Shoutai Wan restored maternal-fetal tolerance through pathways such as NKG2D, CDH5, GDF, and FASLG. High-dose Juyuan Jian enhanced the IL-6/LIFR/JAK/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and desmosome/SEMA6/tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) signaling to improve endometrial receptivity. The RPL group showed an increased proportion of toxic dNK7, a decreased proportion of reparative dNK4, and blocked embryo fNK1. High-dose Shoutai Wan down-regulated dNK7 and up-regulated dNK4. High-dose Juyuan Jian inhibited the terminal differentiation of dNK7 and up-regulated LILRB1, thus restoring the balance of cytotoxicity and repair. ConclusionBoth the kidney-tonifying and spleen-invigorating methods are effective in treating RPL. NK and macrophages are the key immune cells in the interaction between the embryo and the membrane. The kidney-tonifying method (Shoutai Wan) has an advantage in regulating the phenotypes of unfolded protein, cell adhesion, and programmed cell death, and shows expression characteristics closer to the physiological state in the regulation of NKG2D and CDH5 signals. The spleen-invigorating method (Juyuan Jian) has an advantage in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and glycolysis and shows higher communication intensity in the IL-6 and LIFR pathways.
4.Regulatory Pathways of Cell Apoptosis in Diabetic Kidney Disease and Intervention by Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Yunjie YANG ; Mingqian JIANG ; Chen QIU ; Yaqing RUAN ; Senlin CHEN ; Wenxin HUANG ; Hangbin ZHENG ; Yi WEI ; Pengfei LI ; Xueqin LIN ; Jing WU ; Shiwei RUAN ; Jianting WANG ; Yuliang QIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(9):294-306
Diabetic kidney disease(DKD) is a chronic kidney structural and functional disorder caused by diabetes. With the global prevalence of diabetes continuing to rise, DKD has gradually become a major cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease(ESRD), posing a serious threat to patients' quality of life and long-term health outcomes. Studies have shown that apoptosis plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of DKD, with its mechanisms involving abnormal activation of multiple signaling pathways such as Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase(Caspase)-3, protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK)/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α)/activating transcript factor 4(ATF4)/CCAAT enhancer-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β), Janus kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) and silent information regulator 1(SIRT1)/tumor suppressor protein 53(p53), thereby accelerating renal pathological damage in DKD. Extensive evidence-based medical studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), leveraging its unique therapeutic advantages of multi-target, multi-component and multi-pathway approaches, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy and favorable safety profiles in treating DKD. Recent studies have demonstrated that active components of TCM can specifically target and modulate key effectors in apoptotic signaling pathways. Meanwhile, traditional compound formulations exert synergistic effects through multiple approaches such as replenishing deficiency and activating blood circulation, detoxifying and dredging collaterals, tonifying kidney essence, and removing stasis and purging turbidity, thereby comprehensively regulating critical pathological processes including endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. This combined therapeutic approach of molecular targeting and holistic regulation provides novel strategies for delaying the progression of DKD. Based on this, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of key apoptotic signaling pathways and their regulatory mechanisms, while systematically summarizing recent research advances regarding the therapeutic effects of TCM active components, compound formulations, and proprietary Chinese medicines on DKD through modulation of these pathways, with particular emphasis on their underlying molecular mechanisms. These findings not only elucidate the modern scientific connotation and theoretical basis of TCM in treating DKD but also establish a solid theoretical and practical foundation for promoting the wider clinical application and further research of TCM in the field of DKD treatment.
5.Advances in diffuse optical technology lenses for myopia control
Kun HE ; Bingxin PAN ; Suyun YANG ; Zhiyang HE ; Mengting ZHENG ; Meiling SHU ; Pengfei JIANG ; Shan XU ; Pengfei TIAN
International Eye Science 2025;25(9):1476-1483
Recent years have witnessed significant advancements in myopia control research through the application of diffuse optical technology(DOT)spectacle lenses. Myopia has emerged as a global public health challenge, affecting nearly half of the world's population, with childhood and adolescent myopia rates continuing to rise. DOT lenses represent an innovative myopia control intervention based on retinal contrast signal theory. These lenses incorporate micro-light scattering dots distributed across the lens surface to reduce retinal imaging contrast and modulate the influence of visual input on axial elongation, thereby slowing myopia progression. The core mechanism operates through refractive index differences between the lens substrate(1.53)and scattering dots(1.50), which generate optical scattering effects. This design maintains clear vision through a central 5 mm optical zone while effectively reducing contrast signal intensity in the peripheral retina. Large-scale randomized controlled trials, including the CYPRESS study, have demonstrated significant myopia control efficacy in children aged 6-10 years: 12-month follow-up data revealed a 74% reduction in myopia progression and a 50% reduction in axial elongation, with sustained safety and visual quality maintained over 4-year long-term follow-up. However, several aspects of DOT technology remain contentious and require further clinical validation, including its applicability across different age groups, optimal scattering dot density configurations, combined application effects with other myopia control methods, and long-term visual adaptation during extended use. This review systematically examines the theoretical foundations, design characteristics, clinical application progress, and future development directions of DOT technology, providing scientific evidence for clinical myopia prevention and control strategy formulation.
6.Interleukin-37 suppresses the cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood and tumor microenvironments in breast cancer patients
ZHENG Pengfei ; DONG Liangpeng ; GAO Yanxin ; ZHANG Yifu ; QIN Shuang
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;31(8):839-846
[摘 要] 目的:观察白细胞介素-37(IL-37)在乳腺癌患者的表达变化对CD8+ T细胞活性的影响。方法:纳入2020年7月至2022年9月在新乡医学院第一附属医院就诊的46例乳腺癌患者、24例乳腺良性肿瘤患者、20例对照者。采集外周血,分离血浆和外周血单个核细胞(PBMC),收集接受手术治疗的乳腺癌患者肿瘤组织和癌旁组织,分离组织中肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞(TIL),纯化CD8+ T细胞。ELISA法检测IL-37、可溶型单免疫球蛋白IL-1受体相关蛋白(SIGIRR)表达,实时定量PCR法检测组织中IL-37 mRNA,流式细胞术检测CD8+ T细胞中IL-18受体α链(IL-18Rα)和SIGIRR表达。外源性IL-37刺激纯化的CD8+ T细胞,与乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7共培养,通过测定乳酸脱氢酶水平计算靶细胞死亡比例,ELISA法检测上清中穿孔素、颗粒酶B、干扰素-γ(IFN-γ)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平。结果:乳腺癌患者血浆IL-37水平高于乳腺良性肿瘤患者[(554.17 ± 96.63)pg/mL vs (499.52 ± 78.66)pg/mL,P = 0.020]和对照者[(483.97 ± 47.23)pg/mL,P = 0.003]。乳腺癌患者肿瘤组织中IL-37 mRNA相对表达量高于癌旁组织[(1.88 ± 0.21) vs (1.00 ± 0.53)pg/mL,P < 0.001]。外周血IL-18Rα+ CD8+细胞比例、SIGIRR+ CD8+细胞比例、血浆可溶型SIGIRR水平在乳腺癌患者、乳腺良性肿瘤患者、对照者之间的差异无统计学意义(均P > 0.05)。CD8+ TIL表达IL-18Rα和SIGIRR的比例在肿瘤组织和癌旁组织之间的差异无统计学意义(P > 0.05)。重组人IL-37刺激后,CD8+ T细胞诱导靶细胞死亡比例、上清中IFN-γ和TNF-α水平在直接接触和间接接触共培养系统中均低于无刺激(均P < 0.05)。在直接接触共培养系统中,IL-37刺激后上清中穿孔素和颗粒酶B水平均低于无刺激(均P < 0.001),但在间接接触共培养系统中,上清中穿孔素和颗粒酶B水平在无刺激和IL-37刺激之间的差异无统计学意义(均P > 0.05)。结论:乳腺癌患者中IL-37水平升高可能参与诱导外周血和肿瘤微环境中CD8+ T细胞功能衰竭。
7.Biomechanically Optimized Design of Three-Dimensional-Printed Metaphysis Bone Repair Scaffolds
Qi WU ; Xiaokang LI ; Zhen TANG ; Zenghui ZHENG ; Pengfei CAO ; Feng XU ; Zheng GUO
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2025;40(2):477-484
Surgical intervention for malignant bone tumors frequently results in bone defects located at the metaphysis of the long bones in the lower extremities.The morphological heterogeneity of the metaphysis poses significant challenges for conventional treatment methods to adequately conform to the defect area.The utilization of three-dimensional(3D)-printed titanium bone repair scaffolds has emerged as an effective reconstructive approach for metaphyseal bone defects,as these scaffolds offer precise shape conformity and provide adequate mechanical support.However,the current commonly used scaffolds do not adequately replicate the biomechanical environment of bone defects,resulting in suboptimal bone ingrowth within the scaffolds and subsequent prosthesis loosening and failure post-operation.Bone is a highly force-responsive organ,and its fate is regulated by biomechanical signals.Consequently,designing scaffolds with consideration of biomechanical principles to ensure mechanical compatibility between the scaffolds and the bone defect sites is a critical factor influencing the success of bone defects reconstruction.This review primarily introduces the biomechanical factors influencing bone defect repair and the advancements in designing 3D-printed titanium bone repair scaffolds biomechanically matched with bones,offering theoretical guidance for scaffold design and preparation.
8.Research on the association of breast cancer patients'prognosis with internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy
Ruijie JIA ; Zhiqiang SHI ; Qi ZHANG ; Yongjin LU ; Junsheng ZHENG ; Jing SUN ; Zhao BI ; Xiao SUN ; Yongsheng WANG ; Pengfei QIU
China Oncology 2025;35(4):394-403
Background and purpose:Internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy(IMSLNB)is a minimally invasive diagnostic technique for regional lymph nodes in breast cancer,which can provide accurate lymph staging and guide adjuvant treatment decision,but its clinical application has been controversial.The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognosis of IMSLNB in early breast cancer.Methods:In this study,a retrospective cohort of 7 949 patients with breast cancer from January 1,2016 to December 31,2021 was analyzed.After applying propensity score matching,the patients were divided into IMSLNB group and no-IMSLNB group,and the regional recurrence-free survival(RRFS),local recurrence-free survival(LRFS),distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS),disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)of the two groups were compared.This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shandong First Medical University(approval number:SDTHEC20130324).Results:A total of 990 patients were included in the final analysis(330 in the IMSLNB group and 660 in the no-IMSLNB group).IMSLN metastasis was found in 54 patients in the IMSLNB group,including 47 patients with axillary lymph node(ALN)metastasis and 7 patients with IMSLN metastasis only.The IMSLN transfer rate was 16.4%.The median follow-up of 41 months showed that the IMSLNB group demonstrated better 3-year DFS[98.4%vs 94.2%,hazard ratio(HR)=0.509;95%CI:0.312-0.828,P=0.007]and 5-year DFS(92.5%vs 87.3%,HR=0.214,95%CI:0.206-0.222,P=0.011)compared with no-IMSLNB group.However,no significant differences were observed in 3-year OS(99.1%vs 99.4%,HR=0.618,95%CI:0.231-1.655,P=0.338)or 5-year OS(98.5%vs 99.1%,HR=0.52,95%CI:0.51-0.53,P=0.392)between the two groups.The 3-year RRFS in the IMSLNB group was better compared with the no-IMSLNB group(99.09%vs 97.73%,HR=0.066;95%CI:0.061-0.071,P=0.048),while no significant differences were observed in 3-year LRFS(99.70%vs 98.19%,HR=0.209;95%CI:0.201-0.217,P=0.130)or DMFS(95.76%vs 96.06%,HR=0.865,95%CI:0.858-0.872,P=0.820)between the two groups.The exploratory subgroup analysis of DFS revealed that patients in the following subgroups could significantly benefit from IM-SLNB(P<0.05):diagnosis age(≤50 years),premenopausal status,BMI(≤24),lymphovascular invasion(LVI,present),tumor location(lateral),molecular subtype[hormone receptor positive(HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative(HER2-)],histological type(invasive ductal carcinoma),and axillary lymph node status(positive).Conclusion:IMSLNB can provide more accurate regional lymph node staging for early breast cancer,help optimize adjuvant radiotherapy strategies,and improve patients'DFS and RRFS.It can be promoted as a minimally invasive staging technique for regional lymph nodes.
9.Multi-center Study on Specific IgE Antibodies to Alternaria Alternata and Aspergillus Fumigatus in Sera of Clinical Allergy Patients in Selected Provinces in China
Chao XU ; Xingyuan ZHU ; Caizhi HUANG ; Hong ZHU ; Shu WANG ; Hongxia YUAN ; Pengfei ZHAO ; Ji YAN ; Jianhua MA ; Chunlei KUANG ; Yanli XIE ; Rongcai WU ; Yu ZHANG ; Sheng LIANG ; Qunying WANG ; Yingsha DUAN ; Yiwu ZHENG
Journal of Modern Laboratory Medicine 2025;40(3):13-17
Objective To investigate the prevalence of specific IgE antibodies against Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus fumigatus in serum samples from clinical allergy patients across selected provinces in China.Methods Data on specific IgE antibodies for Alternaria A.and Aspergillus F.were collected from 20 hospital laboratories in 17 cities spanning 11 provinces.The study analyzed the levels of specific IgE and their variations across different provinces and seasons.Results A total of 27 471 cases of Alternaria A.and 32 843 cases of Aspergillus F.specific IgE data were included.The national average positive rate of Alternaria A.IgE was 10.40%,with the highest rate of 22.68%in Jiangsu and the lowest rate of 2.06%in Guangxi.For Aspergillus F.specific IgE,the average positive rate was 4.24%,with Hubei province having the highest rate(7.25%)and Hunan province the lowest(1.23%).The difference in IgE levels for both Alternaria A.and Aspergillus F.among provinces were statistically significant(H=9 955,16 993,all P<0.0001).Among patients,5.85%had Alternaria A.specific IgE levels at grade 3 or above,while only 0.57%had Aspergillus F.specific IgE levels at this level.When examining seasonal variations using data from Liaoning,Hunan and Anhui provinces,significant seasonal changes were observed for both Alternaria A.and Aspergillus F.IgE antibodies(HAlternaria A=347.6,338.0,401.3,HAspergillus F=196.6,133.7,231.7,all P<0.0001).Conclusion The sensitization to Alternaria A.and Aspergillus F.exhibits distinct geographical characteristics and vary significantly with seasons.Given the relatively high IgE levels associated with Alternaria A.,it should be given adequate clinical attention.
10.Research on the association of breast cancer patients'prognosis with internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy
Ruijie JIA ; Zhiqiang SHI ; Qi ZHANG ; Yongjin LU ; Junsheng ZHENG ; Jing SUN ; Zhao BI ; Xiao SUN ; Yongsheng WANG ; Pengfei QIU
China Oncology 2025;35(4):394-403
Background and purpose:Internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy(IMSLNB)is a minimally invasive diagnostic technique for regional lymph nodes in breast cancer,which can provide accurate lymph staging and guide adjuvant treatment decision,but its clinical application has been controversial.The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognosis of IMSLNB in early breast cancer.Methods:In this study,a retrospective cohort of 7 949 patients with breast cancer from January 1,2016 to December 31,2021 was analyzed.After applying propensity score matching,the patients were divided into IMSLNB group and no-IMSLNB group,and the regional recurrence-free survival(RRFS),local recurrence-free survival(LRFS),distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS),disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)of the two groups were compared.This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Shandong First Medical University(approval number:SDTHEC20130324).Results:A total of 990 patients were included in the final analysis(330 in the IMSLNB group and 660 in the no-IMSLNB group).IMSLN metastasis was found in 54 patients in the IMSLNB group,including 47 patients with axillary lymph node(ALN)metastasis and 7 patients with IMSLN metastasis only.The IMSLN transfer rate was 16.4%.The median follow-up of 41 months showed that the IMSLNB group demonstrated better 3-year DFS[98.4%vs 94.2%,hazard ratio(HR)=0.509;95%CI:0.312-0.828,P=0.007]and 5-year DFS(92.5%vs 87.3%,HR=0.214,95%CI:0.206-0.222,P=0.011)compared with no-IMSLNB group.However,no significant differences were observed in 3-year OS(99.1%vs 99.4%,HR=0.618,95%CI:0.231-1.655,P=0.338)or 5-year OS(98.5%vs 99.1%,HR=0.52,95%CI:0.51-0.53,P=0.392)between the two groups.The 3-year RRFS in the IMSLNB group was better compared with the no-IMSLNB group(99.09%vs 97.73%,HR=0.066;95%CI:0.061-0.071,P=0.048),while no significant differences were observed in 3-year LRFS(99.70%vs 98.19%,HR=0.209;95%CI:0.201-0.217,P=0.130)or DMFS(95.76%vs 96.06%,HR=0.865,95%CI:0.858-0.872,P=0.820)between the two groups.The exploratory subgroup analysis of DFS revealed that patients in the following subgroups could significantly benefit from IM-SLNB(P<0.05):diagnosis age(≤50 years),premenopausal status,BMI(≤24),lymphovascular invasion(LVI,present),tumor location(lateral),molecular subtype[hormone receptor positive(HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative(HER2-)],histological type(invasive ductal carcinoma),and axillary lymph node status(positive).Conclusion:IMSLNB can provide more accurate regional lymph node staging for early breast cancer,help optimize adjuvant radiotherapy strategies,and improve patients'DFS and RRFS.It can be promoted as a minimally invasive staging technique for regional lymph nodes.

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