1.Recent Advances of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Treatment of Cervical Cancer
Haojie QIN ; Zhifan ZUO ; Dan CHEN ; Jia LIU ; Shan JIN ; Yang ZHANG ; Yongpeng WANG
Cancer Research on Prevention and Treatment 2025;52(10):848-854
As a hot spot in clinical research today, immune checkpoint inhibitor has been recommended by guidelines in the first- and second-line treatments of advanced cervical cancer as immune monotherapy or combination therapy. It has also achieved good efficacy in clinical practice. In locally advanced cervical cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been included in the guidelines for adjuvant therapy, and good tumor regression effects have been achieved in clinical practice. Based on the results of existing trials, immune checkpoint inhibitors have also shown good clinical potential as neoadjuvant therapy. Furthermore, the issue of immunotherapy rechallenge has increasingly captured clinicians’ attention, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer patients with prior immunotherapy exposure. In this article, the clinical application and research progress of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of cervical cancer in recent years are summarized to provide valuable ideas and directions for clinical treatment.
3.Structure-activity Omics of Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Case Study of Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Qizhi Weitong Granules
Xiansheng MENG ; Ying ZHENG ; Ying MENG ; Bing QI ; Sicong LIU ; Xi LUO ; Xinpeng QIN ; Yongrui BAO ; Shuai WANG ; Tianjiao LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):129-135
The complex chemical composition and limited research ideas of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have led to the unclear material basis and mechanism of the medicinal effects, which is a common problem hindering the modernization of TCM in China. The introduction of computer virtual technology has provided a new perspective for TCM research. In this study, we established the research method of structure-activity omics to study the relationships between the structures and effects of different compounds in TCM based on the chemical structures of TCM components and to analyze and predict the material basis and multitarget synergistic mechanism of TCM. Furthermore, a structure-activity omics study was carried out with the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Qizhi Weitong granules as an example. This study provides support for screening the pharmacodynamic components and analyzing the active ingredients of TCM and gives insights into the research on the material basis and mechanism of compound efficacy and the development of lead compounds of TCM, thus promoting the modern research and the innovative development of TCM.
4.Structure-activity Omics of Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Corydalis Rhizoma in Qizhi Weitong Granules
Xinpeng QIN ; Ying MENG ; Sicong LIU ; Ying ZHENG ; Yongrui BAO ; Shuai WANG ; Tianjiao LI ; Ling HAN ; Wei ZOU ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):136-145
ObjectiveTo explain the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Corydalis Rhizoma by the means of structure-activity omics. MethodOn the basis of the previous in vitro screening study, we studied the in vivo efficacy of the alkaloids in Corydalis Rhizoma. With the targets as a bridge, the structures of chemical components in Corydalis Rhizoma were connected with the efficacy. The molecular docking of the alkaloids in Corydalis Rhizoma with the targets of inflammation and pain was carried out. According to the docking scores and the differences in the structural nucleus of Corydalis Rhizoma alkaloids, a study of structure-activity omics was carried out to summarize the rules of their connection. ResultThe alkaloids in Corydalis Rhizoma had good anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in vivo, involving 53 chemical components and 73 targets. There were 3 074 targets associated with inflammation and pain, and 42 targets of direct action were shared by the chemical components and the disease. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) and molecular docking analysis predicted that the main active components of Corydalis Rhizoma were tetrahydropalmatine and palmatine, and the core targets were prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), glutamate receptor metabotropic 5 (GRM5), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), solute carrier family 6 member 4 (SLC6A4), and fusion oncoproteins (FOS). According to the differences of mother nucleus, the 53 alkaloid components of Corydalis Rhizoma were classified into 8 categories, including protoberberine, berberine, and aporphine, which had high binding affinities with PTGS2, GRM5 and other targets. The relationship between the structures of Corydalis Rhizoma alkaloids and docking scores in each group showed the same law. In protoberberine, appropriate substituents with hydroxyl, alkoxy or methyl groups on the A and D rings of the parent ring were conducive to enhancing the binding activities with the two targets. In berberine, the structure containing a methyl group on position 13 had strong binding affinities with the two targets. It is hypothesized that the methyl fragment changes the binding mode between the component structure and amino acid residues, which greatly improves the binding affinity. ConclusionThis study employs the method of structure-activity omics to analyze the material basis for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of alkaloids in Corydalis Rhizoma, and the structure-activity omics provides new ideas for revealing the pharmacodynamic substances of traditional Chinese medicine.
5.Structure-activity Omics on Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Bupleuri Radix in Qizhi Weitong Granules
Xi LUO ; Bing QI ; Ying MENG ; Xinpeng QIN ; Yongrui BAO ; Tianjiao LI ; Liang WANG ; Shuai WANG ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):146-153
ObjectiveTo identify the pharmacodynamic substances for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Bupleuri Radix by structure-activity omics. MethodA mouse model of pain was established with formaldehyde to examine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of saikosaponins in vivo. The core targets of the active components in Bupleurum Radix for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were screened from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes (STRING). The key core targets with high binding affinity were screened based on the comprehensive score in the molecular docking between different types of saikosaponins and core targets. The structure-activity relationship was discussed and analyzed based on the binding of compounds to pharmacodynamic targets. ResultSaikosaponins alleviated the foot swelling induced by formaldehyde and reduced the content of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the mouse model, showcasing a significant inhibitory effect on the inflammatory pain caused by PGE2. Nine components and 39 targets of saikosaponins, as well as 3 074 targets of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were screened out, and 22 common targets shared by saikosaponins and the effects were obtained as the direct targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed that the main active components of Bupleurum Radix were saikosaponins a, b1, b2, b3, c, d, e, f, and v, and the key targets were fms-related receptor tyrosine kinase 1 (FLT1), kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Molecular docking between saikosaponins and the top 5 targets with high degrees in PPI network analysis revealed 25 highly active docks, including 6 docks with scores of 5-6 and 18 docks with scores above 6. ConclusionThis study adopted structural-activity omics to analyze the material basis for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Bupleuri Radix in vivo, providing new ideas and methods for identifying the pharmacodynamic substances in traditional Chinese medicine.
6.Structure-activity Omics on Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Aurantii Fructus in Qizhi Weitong Granules
Sicong LIU ; Xinpeng QIN ; Bing QI ; Xi LUO ; Tianjiao LI ; Yongrui BAO ; Shuai WANG ; Ling HAN ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):154-161
ObjectiveTo explain the pharmacodynamic substances of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids that exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects using a structure-activity omics approach. MethodOn the basis of the previous in vitro pharmacological screening conducted by the research team, an in vivo pharmacological study of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids was carried out. Core targets of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic active components of flavonoids of Aurantii Fructus were identified using various network databases, including the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING). Computer-aided virtual screening technology was used to dock different types of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids with core targets. The key core targets with high binding activity were selected based on the comprehensive scores of each target and the active structures. Using these targets as bridges, the structures of one or more types of chemical components in Aurantii Fructus were closely linked to pharmacological effects. The structure-activity relationship between the clear pharmacodynamic compounds and their effects was explored through the binding patterns of various structures with pharmacodynamic targets. ResultAurantii Fructus flavonoids demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice, which could improve symptoms and significantly reduce the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)(P<0.05). Twelve active components of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids were identified and categorized into nine dihydroflavonoids and three flavonoids based on their structures of the parent nuclei. Through Venn analysis, 167 anti-inflammatory and analgesic targets for Aurantii Fructus were identified. Based on degree value and molecular docking comprehensive scores, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3(MAPK3) were selected for further structural analysis. Structural analysis revealed that components containing glycoside structures exhibited higher binding activity with anti-inflammatory and analgesic targets. ConclusionThis study utilized a structure-activity omics approach based on in vivo pharmacodynamic experiments to analyze the material basis of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Aurantii Fructus flavonoids. The structure-activity omics approach provides new ideas and methods for elucidating the pharmacodynamic substances of Chinese medicine.
7.Structure-activity Omics on Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in Qizhiweitong Granules
Ying MENG ; Ying ZHENG ; Xinpeng QIN ; Sicong LIU ; Tianjiao LI ; Yongrui BAO ; Shuai WANG ; Liang WANG ; Honghong JIANG ; Xiansheng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):161-168
ObjectiveTo reveal the pharmacodynamic substances for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma by structure-activity omics. MethodOn the basis of the previous study about the screening of active components in vitro, this study explored the effects of flavonoids in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in vivo. The flavonoids in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and their direct targets for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), PharmMapper, Swiss TargetPrediction, DisGeNET, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). STRING and Cytoscape 3.7.2 were employed to establish the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of key targets. Molecular docking was performed to simulate the binding of five targets with high degrees to flavonoids in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, on the basis of which the key core targets were selected. The targets were used as a bridge to correlate the structures and effects of one or more classes of chemical components in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. According to the binding affinity between flavonoids with different structures in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and targets, the relationships between compound structures and core targets were discussed. ResultThe flavonoids in Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma reduced the content of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the rat model of pain induced by formalin, demonstrating definite anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Sixty active compounds (flavonoids) with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma were obtained. With the total score as the standard, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3) were selected as the key core targets of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Except that flavones showed selectivity of binding to MAPK3, the other flavonoids of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma showed strong binding to PTGS2 and MAPK3, and the structures containing glycoside fragments showed stronger binding affinity to the targets. The introduction of chain olefins in the ring of chalcones facilitated the binding to the targets. The isopentenyl fragment in flavonols may cause the difference in binding affinity. The parallel combination of a ring into pyran ring in flavanes was not conducive to the binding to the target. The electric charge, liposolubility, and steric hindrance of the substituent group on the B ring of isoflavones directly affected the binding affinity. ConclusionThis study adopts structure-activity omics to analyze the material basis for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Structure-activity omics provides new ideas and methods for predicting the pharmacodynamic substances of traditional Chinese medicine.
8.Factors associated with poor participation in annual eye examination for diabetic retinopathy
Cheng SHI ; Guang-Hao QIN ; Tie-Zhu LIN
International Eye Science 2023;23(4):677-681
AIM: To investigate the annual eye examination of diabetic patients in Shenyang and analyze the associated factors by using the Chinese version of the Compliance with Annual Diabetic Eye Exam Survey(CADEES)questionnaire.METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. The diabetic patients who first visited Shenyang He Eye Specialist Hospital from November 2021 to October 2022 were collected. The Chinese version of the CADEES questionnaire was used to investigate the previous annual eye examinations of these patients, and no fundus examination in the past 1a was defined as poor participation. Factors associated with poor participation in annual eye examinations were identified by multivariate binary logistic regression analyses.RESULTS: A total of 468 patients were collected, including 192 males and 276 females, with an average age of 67.42±10.66 years. There were 330 patients without diabetic retinopathy(DR)and 138 patients with DR, among which 88 patients had vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy(VTDR)and 50 patients had non-vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy(NVTDR). 34.2%(160 cases)of patients had poor annual eye examination. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, after controlling gender, age and other influencing factors, patients in rural area(OR=1.704, 95%CI: 1.019~2.850, P=0.042), VTDR(OR=1.948, 95%CI: 1.145~3.313, P=0.014), the item 7(I have felt blue, downhearted, or depressed over the past 4wk; OR=0.624, 95%CI: 0.401~0.971, P=0.037)and item 42(I receive a reminder from my eye doctor's office when it is time to schedule an exam; OR=0.618, 95%CI: 0.387~0.989, P=0.045)of CADEES questionnaire were risk factors for poor participation in the annual ophthalmic examination.CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of diabetic patients in the Shenyang region may not follow the guidelines for DR annual eye examination. Healthcare providers should improve DR health education, increasing eye exam participation through necessary reminders.
9.Independent prognostic value of the congestion and renal index in patients with acute heart failure.
Run-Qing JI ; Bin WANG ; Jin-Guo ZHANG ; Shu-Hong SU ; Li LI ; Qin YU ; Xian-Yan JIANG ; Xin FU ; Xue-Hua FANG ; Xiao-Wen MA ; Ao-Xi TIAN ; Jing LI
Journal of Geriatric Cardiology 2023;20(7):516-526
BACKGROUND:
Clinical outcomes are poor if patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are discharged with residual congestion in the presence of renal dysfunction. However, there is no single indication to reflect the combined effects of the two related pathophysiological processes. We, therefore, proposed an indicator, congestion and renal index (CRI), and examined the associations between the CRI and one-year outcomes and the incremental prognostic value of CRI compared with the established scoring systems in a multicenter prospective cohort of AHF.
METHODS:
We enrolled AHF patients and calculated the ratio of thoracic fluid content index divided by estimated glomerular filtration rate before discharge, as CRI. Then we examined the associations between CRI and one-year outcomes.
RESULTS:
A total of 944 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 63.3 ± 13.8 years, 39.3% women). Compared with patients with CRI ≤ 0.59 mL/min per kΩ, those with CRI > 0.59 mL/min per kΩ had higher risks of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization (HR = 1.56 [1.13-2.15]) and all-cause death or all-cause hospitalization (HR = 1.33 [1.01-1.74]). CRI had an incremental prognostic value compared with the established scoring system.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with AHF, CRI is independently associated with the risk of death or hospitalization within one year, and improves the risk stratification of the established risk models.
10. Exploring the intervention mechanism of Ginkgo biloba for steroid-induced necrosis of the femoral head based on network pharmacology
Fang CAO ; Kairong QIN ; Guoshuang ZHENG ; Dewei ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2023;28(3):266-275
AIM: To explore the mechanism of Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head based on network pharmacology. METHODS: The active ingredients and targets of Ginkgo biloba were predicted by the TCMSP, ADME, and PharmMapper databases. The disease targets related to steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head were searched by the GeneCards and OMIM databases. Cytoscape 3.6.1 was used to construct a protein-protein interaction network. The core target analysis, modular analysis, GO enrichment analysis, and KEGG pathway analysis of the targets of Ginkgo biloba in the intervention of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head were performed by the STRING database. RESULTS: In this study, a total of 16 active ingredients of Ginkgo biloba and 547 targets were screened, of which 133 targets were related to steroid-induced femoral head necrosis. By PPI network topology analysis, TP53, AKT1, IL6, VEGFA, MAPK1, JUN, MAPK8, EGFR, EGF, and MYC were identified as the core targets. GO modularization analysis showed that these core targets were mainly related to apoptosis and angiogenesis. GO enrichment analysis was used to analyze the biological processes, cellular localization, and molecular functions of the core targets. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the targets were mainly involved in molecular signaling pathways, among which the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was the most relevant. CONCLUSION: Ginkgo biloba can inhibit steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head through multiple components, targets, and pathways, which provides the theoretical basis and reference for subsequent cell and animal experiments.

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