1.Application of CRISPR/Cas System in Precision Medicine for Triple-negative Breast Cancer
Hui-Ling LIN ; Yu-Xin OUYANG ; Wan-Ying TANG ; Mi HU ; Mao PENG ; Ping-Ping HE ; Xin-Ping OUYANG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):279-289
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a distinctive subtype, characterized by the absence of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Due to its high inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity, TNBC poses significant chanllenges for personalized diagnosis and treatment. The advant of clustered regular interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology has profoundly enhanced our understanding of the structure and function of the TNBC genome, providing a powerful tool for investigating the occurrence and development of diseases. This review focuses on the application of CRISPR/Cas technology in the personalized diagnosis and treatment of TNBC. We begin by discussing the unique attributes of TNBC and the limitations of current diagnostic and treatment approaches: conventional diagnostic methods provide limited insights into TNBC, while traditional chemotherapy drugs are often associated with low efficacy and severe side effects. The CRISPR/Cas system, which activates Cas enzymes through complementary guide RNAs (gRNAs) to selectively degrade specific nucleic acids, has emerged as a robust tool for TNBC research. This technology enables precise gene editing, allowing for a deeper understanding of TNBC heterogeneity by marking and tracking diverse cell clones. Additionally, CRISPR facilitates high-throughput screening to promptly identify genes involved in TNBC growth, metastasis, and drug resistance, thus revealing new therapeutic targets and strategies. In TNBC diagnostics, CRISPR/Cas was applied to develop molecular diagnostic systems based on Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13, each employing distinct detection principles. These systems can sensitively and specifically detect a variety of TNBC biomarkers, including cell-specific DNA/RNA and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). In the realm of precision therapy, CRISPR/Cas has been utilized to identify key genes implicated in TNBC progression and treatment resistance. CRISPR-based screening has uncovered potential therapeutic targets, while its gene-editing capabilities have facilitated the development of combination therapies with traditional chemotherapy drugs, enhancing their efficacy. Despite its promise, the clinical translation of CRISPR/Cas technology remains in its early stages. Several clinical trials are underway to assess its safety and efficacy in the treatment of various genetic diseases and cancers. Challenges such as off-target effects, editing efficiency, and delivery methods remain to be addressed. The integration of CRISPR/Cas with other technologies, such as 3D cell culture systems, human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), and artificial intelligence (AI), is expected to further advance precision medicine for TNBC. These technological convergences can offer deeper insights into disease mechanisms and facilitate the development of personalized treatment strategies. In conclusion, the CRISPR/Cas system holds immense potential in the precise diagnosis and treatment of TNBC. As the technology progresses and becomes more costs-effective, its clinical relevance will grow, and the translation of CRISPR/Cas system data into clinical applications will pave the way for optimal diagnosis and treatment strategies for TNBC patients. However, technical hurdles and ethical considerations require ongoing research and regulation to ensure safety and efficacy.
2.The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Runner’s High
Yun-Teng WANG ; Jia-Qi LIANG ; Wan-Tang SU ; Li ZHAO ; Yan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):358-373
“Runner’s high” refers to a momentary sense of pleasure that suddenly appears during running or other exercise activities, characterized by anti-anxiety, pain relief, and other symptoms. The neurobiological mechanism of “runner’s high” is unclear. This review summarizes human and animal models for studying “runner’s high”, analyzes the neurotransmitters and neural circuits involved in runner’s high, and elucidates the evidence and shortcomings of researches related to “runner’s high”. This review also provides prospects for future research. Research has found that exercise lasting more than 30 min and with an intensity exceeding 70% of the maximum heart rate can reach a “runner’s high”. Human experiments on “runner’s high” mostly use treadmill exercise intervention, and evaluate it through questionnaire surveys, measurement of plasma AEA, miRNA and other indicators. Animal experiments often use voluntary wheel running intervention, and evaluate it through behavioral experiments such as conditional place preference, light dark box experiments (anxiety), hot plate experiments (pain sensitivity), and measurement of plasma AEA and other indicators. Dopamine, endogenous opioid peptides, endogenous cannabinoids, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and other substances increase after exercise, which may be related to the “runner’s high”. However, attention should be paid to the functional differences of these substances in the central and peripheral regions, as well as in different brain regions. Moreover, current studies have not identified the targets of the neurotransmitters or neural factors mentioned above, and further in-depth researches are needed. The mesolimbic dopamine system, prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens projection, ventral hippocampus-nucleus accumbens projection, red nucleus-ventral tegmental area projection, cerebellar-ventral tegmental area projection, and brain-gut axis may be involved in the regulation of runner’s high, but there is a lack of direct evidence to prove their involvement. There are still many issues that need to be addressed in the research on the neurobiological mechanisms of “runner’s high”. (1) Most studies on “runner’s high” involve one-time exercise, and the characteristics of changes in “runner’s high” during long-term exercise still need to be explored. (2) The using of scales to evaluate subjects lead to the lacking of objective indicators. However, some potential biomarkers (such as endocannabinoids) have inconsistent characteristics of changes after one-time and long-term exercise. (3) The neurotransmitters involved in the formation of the “runner’s high” all increase in the peripheral and/or central nervous system after exercise. Attention should be paid to whether peripheral substances can enter the blood-brain barrier and the binding effects of neurotransmitters to different receptors are completely different in different brain regions. (4) Most of the current evidence show that some brain regions are activated after exercise. Is there a functional circuit mediating “runner’s high” between these brain regions? (5) Although training at a specific exercise intensity can lead to “runner’s high”, most runners have not experienced “runner’s high”. Can more scientific training methods or technological means be used to make it easier for people to experience the “runner’s high” and thus be more willing to engage in exercise? (6) The “runner’s high” and “addiction” behaviors are extremely similar, and there are evidences that exercise can reverse addictive behaviors. However, why is there still a considerable number of people in the sports population and even athletes who smoke or use addictive drugs instead of pursuing the “pleasure” brought by exercise? Solving the problems above is of great significance for enhancing the desire of exercise, improving the clinical application of neurological and psychiatric diseases through exercise, and enhancing the overall physical fitness of the population.
3.Impacts of thyroid stimulating hormone and thyroid peroxidase antibody on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer
WAN Zhonggui ; HONG Mingyun ; TANG Zhixia ; YU Li
Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(3):316-321,324
Objective:
To investigate the effects of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPOAb) on pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).
Methods:
The patients who underwent IVF-ET at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Hefei Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from December 2019 to November 2023, and had normal free thyroxine and 0.3-<10 mIU/L TSH levels were selected as subjects. The patients were divided into three groups based on TSH levels: 0.3-<2.5 mIU/L, 2.5-4 mIU/L, and >4-<10 mIU/L, and the patients with normal free thyroxine and TSH levels were further divided into TPOAb-positive and TPOAb-negative groups. The biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate were compared among patients with different TSH and TPOAb groups.
Results:
A total of 3 876 patients were recruited, including 830 patients with fresh embryo transfer cycles and 3 046 patients with frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. In the patients with fresh embryo transfer cycles, the biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate were 59.16%, 52.77% and 19.41%, respectively. In the patients with frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, these rates were 55.52%, 46.98% and 20.27%, respectively. For both groups, there were no statistically significant differences in biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate between TPOAb-positive and TPOAb-negative patients or among the patients with different TSH groups (all P>0.05). Additionally, a follow-up study of 150 patients who had successfully delivered after IVF-ET from 2020 to 2022 with TSH levels of >4-<10 mIU/L showed that no intellectual developmental issues or tendencies toward intellectual developmental disorders were found in their offsprings.
Conclusion
In the context of normal free thyroxine levels, this study did not find any impacts of mildly elevated TSH levels or isolated TPOAb positivity on the pregnancy outcomes of IVF-ET.
4.Unmet Need for Palliative Care in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Populations
Yi-Lun WANG ; Wan-Ju LEE ; Tsung-Yen CHANG ; Shih-Hsiang CHEN ; Chia-Chi CHIU ; Yi-Wen HSIAO ; Yu-Chuan WEN ; Tang-Her JAING
Clinical Pediatric Hematology-Oncology 2025;32(1):19-22
Background:
Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction.
Results:
During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study.
Conclusion
The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.
5.Unmet Need for Palliative Care in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Populations
Yi-Lun WANG ; Wan-Ju LEE ; Tsung-Yen CHANG ; Shih-Hsiang CHEN ; Chia-Chi CHIU ; Yi-Wen HSIAO ; Yu-Chuan WEN ; Tang-Her JAING
Clinical Pediatric Hematology-Oncology 2025;32(1):19-22
Background:
Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction.
Results:
During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study.
Conclusion
The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.
6.Unmet Need for Palliative Care in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Populations
Yi-Lun WANG ; Wan-Ju LEE ; Tsung-Yen CHANG ; Shih-Hsiang CHEN ; Chia-Chi CHIU ; Yi-Wen HSIAO ; Yu-Chuan WEN ; Tang-Her JAING
Clinical Pediatric Hematology-Oncology 2025;32(1):19-22
Background:
Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction.
Results:
During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study.
Conclusion
The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.
7.Unmet Need for Palliative Care in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Populations
Yi-Lun WANG ; Wan-Ju LEE ; Tsung-Yen CHANG ; Shih-Hsiang CHEN ; Chia-Chi CHIU ; Yi-Wen HSIAO ; Yu-Chuan WEN ; Tang-Her JAING
Clinical Pediatric Hematology-Oncology 2025;32(1):19-22
Background:
Delivering a poor prognosis to patients and their families is critically challenging in pediatric populations. The application of palliative care (PC) provides a bridge between accepting the occurrence of mortality and offering lifelong support.However, little is known about the specifics of PC. This study aims to explore the unmet need for PC in pediatric populations.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of mortality cases in the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Statistical tests, including Chi-square and Student’s t-tests, were applied to determine the differences between early and late intervention groups in terms of the timing of PC introduction.
Results:
During the study period, 41 patients were included. Their median age was 11.8 years (IQR, 7.6-15.9). The majority of the disease statuses were refractory or relapsing (R/R). The incidence of memento application was significantly higher in the early intervention group (47.6% vs. 10%, P=0.0081). Vital signs variations tended to be end-of-life (EoL) indicators in this study.
Conclusion
The early introduction of PC encourages families to accompany their beloved child. EoL signs in the pediatric population include vital sign variations. With the presence of relevant EoL signs, clinical physicians can apply PC earlier to meet the needs.
8.Literature analysis of the differences in the occurrence of urinary epithelial carcinoma after kidney transplantation between northern and southern China
Pengjie WU ; Runhua TANG ; Dong WEI ; Yaqun ZHANG ; Hong MA ; Bin JIN ; Xin CHEN ; Jianlong WANG ; Ming LIU ; Yaoguang ZHANG ; Ben WAN ; Jianye WANG
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(5):432-437
Objective: To investigate the regional differences in the incidence of urothelial carcinoma among kidney transplant recipients between northern and southern China,so as to provide reference for early diagnosis of this disease. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases,including CNKI,Wanfang,CBM,and PubMed,using the keywords “kidney transplantation” and “tumor” to collect clinical data from qualified kidney transplant centers.The latest and most complete literature data published by 17 transplant centers in northern China and 14 in southern China were included.Statistical analyses were performed to compare the incidence of post-transplant urothelial carcinoma and non-urothelial malignancies. Results: A total of 37 475 kidney transplant recipients were included,among whom 837 (2.23%) developed post-transplant malignancies,including urothelial carcinoma (366/837,43.73%),non-urothelial carcinoma (444/837,53.05%),and malignancies with unspecified pathology (27/837,3.23%).The incidence of malignancies was significantly higher in northern China than in southern China [(2.82±1.39)% vs. (1.67±0.83)%,P=0.011],with a particularly pronounced difference in the incidence of urothelial carcinoma [(1.68±1.12)% vs. (0.32±0.32)%,P<0.001].No significant difference was observed in the incidence of non-urothelial carcinoma between the two regions [(1.11±0.56)% vs. (1.35±0.65)%,P=0.279].Additionally,female transplant recipients exhibited a higher incidence of malignancies than males in both regions (southern China:2.38% vs. 1.80%; northern China:8.93% vs. 2.52%). Conclusion: The incidence of urothelial carcinoma following kidney transplantation is significantly higher in northern China than in southern China,underscoring the importance of implementing regular tumor screening for kidney transplant recipients,particularly for female patients in northern China,to facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervention.
9.Textual Research and Ancient and Modern Application of Classical Prescription Sinisan
Lyuyuan LIANG ; Qing TANG ; Jialei CAO ; Wenxi WEI ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Jinyu CHEN ; Hejia WAN ; Chen CHEN ; Ruiting SU ; Bingqi WEI ; Shen'ao DING ; Bingxiang MA ; Wenli SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):182-193
Sinisan is a classical prescription developed and applied by ancient medical experts and it is first recorded in the Treatise on Cold Damage written by ZHANG Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty. Later physicians have modified this prescription based on this original one. The bibliometrics methods were used to analyze the key information and research trend of Sinisan. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 69 pieces of effective data were extracted, involving 67 ancient traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) books. The results showed that the name, composition, and decocting methods of Sinisan in later generations were inherited from the original record in the Treatise on Cold Damage. The original plants of medicinal materials used in Sinisan are basically clear. We recommend Bupleuri Radix as the dried root of Bupleurem scorzonerifolium, Paeoniae Radix Alba as the dried root of Paeonia lactiflora, Aurantii Fructus as the dried fruit of Citrus aurantium, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma as the dry root and rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Raw materials of Bupleuri Radix and Paeoniae Radix Alba, Aurantii Fructus stir-fried with bran, and stir-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma should be used for preparation of Sinisan. According to measurement system in the Han Dynasty, a bag of Sinisan is composed of 1.25 g Bupleuri Radix, 1.25 g Paeoniae Radix Alba, 1.25 g Aurantii Fructus, and 1.25 g Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. The materials should be grounded into coarse powder and taken with a proper amount of rice soup, 3 times a day. Sinisan has the effects of regulating qi movement and harmonizing the liver and spleen. It can be used for treating reversal cold in limbs and cold damage. In modern clinical practice, Sinisan can be used to treat chronic gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and dyspepsia. The above research results provide scientific reference for the future research and development of Sinisan.
10.Effects of α-hederin alone or in combination with cisplatin on the proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells based on EGFR/AKT and JAK2/STAT3 pathways
ZHU Zhiminga ; WANG Sumeib ; TANG Qingb ; WANG Xib ; WAN Xinliangb ; MO Handanb ; JIA Luyub ; YU Xiaoyanb ; ZHOU Qichunb
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2024;31(4):333-341
[摘 要] 目的:探讨α-常春藤皂苷(α-Hed)诱导非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)细胞凋亡的作用靶点及其潜在机制,明确α-Hed与顺铂(DDP)联用后对相应的靶点蛋白表达的影响。方法:采用CCK-8法检测不同浓度α-Hed处理后NSCLC细胞A549、H1299和PC-9的存活率,采用Annexin Ⅴ-FITC/PI染色流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,采用WB法检测细胞中C-caspase-3和Bcl-2蛋白的表达。通过网络药理学相关方法筛选α-Hed的潜在靶点,利用分子对接法分析其结合效果,WB法检测靶点蛋白的表达。通过CCK-8法、细胞集落形成实验和WB法检测α-Hed与DDP联用对NSCLC细胞的抑制作用。结果:给药24和48 h后,10、15和20 μmol/L α-Hed可以显著抑制NSCLC细胞增殖活力(均P<0.01);与对照组相比,20 μmol/L α-Hed处理后细胞凋亡率显著升高(P<0.01);α-Hed可上调NSCLC细胞中C-caspase-3的表达(P<0.05),下调Bcl-2的表达(P<0.05)。网络药理学和分子对接筛选出结合亲和力小于-5 kcal/mol的靶点AKT1、STAT3、EGFR和JAK2。WB法检测结果显示,α-Hed处理后A549、H1299细胞中EGFR、p-AKT/AKT、p-STAT3/STAT3和JAK2蛋白的表达均明显下调(均P<0.05)。α-Hed与DDP联用后,更显著地抑制NSCLC细胞的增殖(P<0.01),进一步下调EGFR、p-AKT/AKT、p-STAT3/STAT3和JAK2蛋白的表达(P<0.05或P<0.01)。结论:α-Hed通过下调EGFR和JAK2的表达抑制STAT3和AKT的磷酸化,诱导NSCLC细胞凋亡,与DDP联用后其抑制效果增强,EGFR/AKT和JAK2/STAT3通路也进一步被抑制。


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