1.Analysis of the Distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Elements and Influencing Factors in Patients with Immune-Related Adverse Events from Malignant Tumors: A Retrospective Study Based on Propensity Score Matching
Xiyue WANG ; Wenping LU ; Zhili ZHUO
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(11):1147-1156
ObjectiveTo analyze the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome elements in patients with immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with malignant tumor immunotherapy and to explore the influencing factors for the occurrence of irAEs. MethodsClinical data were retrospectively collected from malignant tumor patients treated with programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors, including demographic information, tumor history, duration of immunotherapy, occurrence of irAEs, types and grades of irAEs (G1-G5), and TCM four-diagnostic information. Patients were divided into irAEs group and the non-irAEs group based on the occurrence of irAEs. Propensity score matching (PSM) at a 1∶2 ratio was performed to balance baseline characteristics between groups. Syndrome elements before treatment and cumulative contributions of syndrome elements before and after irAEs onset were evaluated using the "Syndrome Elements Differentiation Scale". Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with the occurrence of irAEs. The use of glucocorticoids in the irAEs group was also analyzed. ResultsAfter 1∶2 matching, 59 patients were included in the irAEs group and 118 were in the non-irAEs group. No statistically significant differences were found between groups in terms of age, gender, primary tumor site, pathological type, or tumor stage (P>0.05). Patients in the non-irAEs group were more likely to have received targeted therapy, while the irAEs group had a longer duration of immunotherapy and a higher rate of positive programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression (P<0.05). In total, 72 irAEs events occurred among 59 patients, with an overall incidence rate of 19.4% (59/304) and a grade 3~5 incidence rate of 6.8% (4/59), mainly presenting as cardiotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and pneumotoxicity.Before immunotherapy, the top three syndrome elements in the irAEs group were spleen (71.2%, 42/59), kidney (42.4%, 25/59), and lung (39.0%, 23/59). For the pathogenic nature elements, yin deficiency (52.5%, 31/59), phlegm (40.7%, 24/59), and dampness (35.6%, 21/59) ranked highest. Compared to the non-irAEs group, the distribution of spleen, kidney, liver, yin deficiency, and qi deficiency elements showed significant differences in the irAEs group (P<0.05). After the occurrence of irAEs, the cumulative contributions of spleen, lung, stomach, heart, yin deficiency, qi deficiency, and yang hyperactivity elements increased significantly (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that duration of immunotherapy, spleen syndrome element, kidney syndrome element, liver syndrome element, yin deficiency element, and qi deficiency element were independent risk factors for irAEs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Among the irAEs patients, 15 received glucocorticoid combined with TCM treatment, while 6 received glucocorticoid therapy alone. Patients receiving combined treatment required lower doses and shorter courses of glucocorticoids compared to those treated with glucocorticoids alone (P<0.05). ConclusionIn malignant tumor patients, spleen, kidney, lung, yin deficiency, phlegm, dampness, and qi deficiency are the predominant syndrome elements before and after the occurrence of irAEs. However, elements such as heat and qi stagnation significantly increase after irAEs onset. Duration of immunotherapy, spleen, kidney, liver syndrome elements, yin deficiency, and qi deficiency are independent risk factors for the development of irAEs.
2.Investigation on Endowment Characteristics of Endometrial Cancer Patients Based on Five-Circuit and Six-Qi Theory:An Analysis of 1099 Cases
Lei CHANG ; Wenping LU ; Yongjia CUI ; Lutian GONG ; Zhili ZHUO
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(5):1072-1077
Objective To investigate the five-circuit and six-qi features at conception and at birth in the patients with endometrial cancer.Methods From June 2020 to August 2024,the information about the conception time and birth time of 1 099 patients with endometrial cancer admitted to Guang'anmen Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences was collected from the electronic medical record system.The circuit-qi information at conception and at birth of the patients was statistically analyzed,and then the congenital endowment characteristics of the patients were explored.Results The results showed that most of the patients suffering endometrial cancer were born in winter,and the dominant qi at birth of the patients was predominated by taiyang cold-water,and the differences of the distribution of dominant qi at birth were statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the distribution of yearly circuit,guest qi,and sitian-zaiquan at birth,and in the distribution of seasons,yearly circuit,dominant qi,guest qi,and sitian-zaiquan at conception(P>0.05),and only an obvious trend of differences was presented.Conclusion There is a certain correlation between the prevalence of endometrial cancer and the five-circuit and six-qi features at conception and at birth.The congenital endowment of patients with endometrial cancer is characterized by yang deficiency with predominant coldness,and the prevalence is related to jueyin wind wood.
3.Exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Characteristics Associated with Immunotherapy Efficacy in Cervical Cancer Using Propensity Score Matching
Zhili ZHUO ; Wenping LU ; Yongjia CUI ; Xiyue WANG ; Lei CHANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;42(8):1831-1838
Objective To investigate traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome characteristics associated with immunotherapy efficacy in cervical cancer using propensity score matching(PSM),aiming to identify the population benefiting from immunotherapy.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted in 253 cervical cancer patients,who received the treatment with programmed death receptor 1(PD-1)inhibitors at Guang'anmen Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 2020 to October 2024.Clinical data and TCM four-examination data were collected.After balancing the confounders via PSM(1∶1 matching)and with therapeutic efficacy as the dependent variable,multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndrome in the immunotherapy-response group and then a predictive model was constructed.Results(1)After matching with PSM,198 cases were included,99 cases in response group and 99 cases in non-response group.(2)Analysis of the distribution of TCM syndrome elements showed that the differences in the pathogenic syndrome elements of qi deficiency,qi stagnation,blood stasis,heat and phlegm between the two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01),while there were no statistically significant differences in the disease-location syndrome elements of uterus,kidneys,lungs,spleen,liver,and heart,as well as in the pathogenic syndrome elements of blood deficiency,yin deficiency,yang deficiency,cold,and dampness(P>0.05).The main pathogenic syndrome elements in the response group were qi deficiency,blood deficiency and heat,while those in the non-response group were qi stagnation,heat and phlegm.(3)The results of univariate regression analysis showed that targeted therapy(P=0.040),programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)expression level(P<0.001),qi deficiency(P=0.009),blood deficiency(P<0.001),yang deficiency(P<0.001),yin deficiency(P<0.001),qi stagnation(P=0.003),blood stasis(P<0.001),cold(P<0.001),cold(P<0.001),heat(P<0.001),phlegm(P<0.001),and dampness(P<0.001)were the factors associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors.(4)The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous targeted therapy(OR=0.36,95%CI:0.16-0.83)and pathogenic syndrome elements of qi stagnation(OR=0.23,95%CI:0.10-0.49),phlegm(OR=0.28,95%CI:0.13-0.61)were the risk factors of associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors,while PD-L1 expression level(OR=15.27,95%CI:2.60-89.63),and pathogenic syndrome element qi deficiency(OR=2.90,95%CI:1.42-5.89)were the protective factors associated with the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in cervical cancer.(5)Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis demonstrated that the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the predictive model for evaluating PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in cervical cancer was 0.78(95%CI:0.71-0.84),indicating certain predictive value.Conclusion PD-L1 expression level and TCM pathogenic syndrome elements such as qi deficiency,qi stagnation,and phlegm are the independent factors influencing PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in cervical cancer,providing insights for optimizing integrated TCM-western medicine treatment strategies.
4.Exploring the Clinical Approach of Treating Breast Cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine Through Syndrome Differentiation Based on the Nature and Intensity of the Cancer Toxin
Zhili ZHUO ; Qingya SONG ; Wenping LU ; Xiaoqing WU ; Yongjia CUI ; Dongni ZHANG ; Lei CHANG ; Heting MEI
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;31(8):176-181
Cancer toxin is a specific pathogenesis leading to the heterogeneity of breast cancer.The nature and virulence of the cancer toxin determine the differences in the heterogeneity of breast cancer,which can dynamically evolve over time and space,resulting in varying invasion abilities and characteristics of the tumor.Cancer cells in the primary lesion possess"toxicity"that targets specific organs for metastasis,and cancer toxins can influence the metastatic propensity of different types of breast cancer.Therefore,breast cancer treatment strategies based on the theory of cancer toxins emphasize the continuous eradication of the cancer toxin,focusing on differentiating its strength and nature,protecting unaffected areas first,identifying the state based on symptoms,and targeting accordingly to combat resistance arising from tumor heterogeneity.This article aims to provide a new theoretical basis for the treatment strategies of different types of breast cancer.
5.Risk of Recurrence or Metastasis of Breast Cancer by LNG-IUS: A Meta-analysis
Ya'nan WANG ; Wenping LU ; Heting MEI ; Yongjia CUI ; Zhili ZHUO
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2022;49(8):786-791
Objective To evaluate the risk of recurrence or metastasis of breast cancer by LNG-IUS via meta-analysis. Methods We searched literature in the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and WanFang database.The retrieval period was from January 2014 to October 2021.Data extraction and quality evaluation were conducted for the included randomized controlled study (RCT) to analyze whether LNG-IUS can increase the risk of recurrence or metastasis of breast cancer. Results A total of 1309 Chinese and English studies were retrieved; 5 RCTs were included in this study, and 446 patients were enrolled.The combined total effect value in the fixed-effect model with RD (95%
7.Treatment outcomes and prognostic analysis of 61 Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Xiangzong ZENG ; Na WEI ; Yi'ni WANG ; Jingshi WANG ; Jia ZHANG ; Lin WU ; Wenqiu HUANG ; Zhuo GAO ; Ruijun PEI ; Jianhang CHEN ; Zhili JIN ; Zhao WANG
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2015;36(6):507-510
OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcomes, survival status, and the prognostic factors of Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) patients.
METHODSA retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical data of 61 EBV-HLH cases, from January 2008 to July 2014. Prognostic factors were analyzed through COX model (single factor and multiple factors).
RESULTSA total of 246 patients with HLH were diagnosed, among which 102 cases were with EBV infection (including 61 EBV-HLH, 36 lymphoma associated HLH, 5 primary HLH. Among the 61 cases, 40 were male and 21 were female, with a ration of 1.9:1. The median age was 28 years (range, 12-78). 1, 3, 6 and 12-month overall survival rates of 61 EBV-HLH were 65.6%, 47.5%, 32.4%, and 25.0%, respectively. The median follow-up time was 3 (0.5-28) months. 12 patients didn't use etoposide within 4 weeks after diagnosis, while HLH-94 protocol was used in 33 patients and HLH-2004 protocol was used in 16 patients. Response rates of theses three groups were 33.3%, 51.5%, and 43.8%, respectively (P=0.401). There was statistically difference between the group without etoposide and the HLH-94/ HLH-2004 group in the overall survival rate (P=0.033). Serum albumin level (P=0.033) and whether EBV could became negative (P=0.010) were independent predictors for EBV-HLH.
CONCLUSIONEBV-HLH patients have severe clinical feature and poor prognosis. Early application of immune chemotherapy based on etoposide can improve survival. Serum albumin level and whether EBV can become negative are independent prognostic factors for survival.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Etoposide ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult
8.Study of resident dermatologist standardization training mode
Zhili GUO ; Jun GU ; Zhuo CHEN
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2013;(7):742-744
Resident doctor standardization training is the base of dermatologist training. We set up the specialist standardization training system according to our hospital's training practice. The dermatolo-gist standardization training mode was set up through tutor responsibility rule , internet learning platform and problem-based learning methods. The teaching level for dermatologists was upgraded by using above methods.

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