1.Progress of bispecific antibodies for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
Ketai YAN ; Quande LIN ; Yongping SONG
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2024;33(2):86-90
In recent years, bispecific antibodies (BsAb), including targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) ×CD3 and G protein-coupled orphan receptor class C group 5 member D (GPRC5D) ×CD3, have been extensively studied for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients. Teclistamab (BCMA×CD3) was the first BsAb approved for RRMM in 2022 by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and elranatamab was approved in 2023. BsAb targeting BCMA×CD3 including alnuctamab, WVT078, ABBV-383, linvoseltamab, and F182112, as well as talquetamab and LBL-034 targeting GPRC5D×CD3 are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Combining with the reports in the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), this paper reviews the progress of BsAb in treatment of RRMM.
2.Construction of a novel disulfidptosis-related prognostic model for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma based on bioinformatics analysis
Zheng SONG ; Wei LUO ; Xiujuan CHANG ; Yongping YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2024;40(9):1822-1832
Objective To investigate the expression of disulfidptosis-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and the prognostic value of disulfidptosis in HCC,to construct a prognostic model,and to analyze its impact on the biological processes of HCC and sorafenib resistance.Methods The TCGA-LIHC database was used to collect the mRNA expression profiles and corresponding clinical data of HCC patients,and the LASSO-Cox regression algorithm was used to construct a four-gene predictive model for prognosis in the TCGA cohort.The external datasets ICGC and GSE14520 were used to validate the prognostic efficacy of the model,and the Cancer Drug Sensitivity Genomics(GDSC)data were used to investigate the value of the disulfidptosis model in predicting sorafenib treatment response,and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)analyses were used to investigate the biological functions of disulfidptosis-related genes.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups,and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.The Kaplan-Meier curve and the log-rank test were used to evaluate the difference in prognosis,and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to investigate whether risk score was an independent influencing factor for patient prognosis.Results The univariate Cox regression analysis in the TCGA cohort showed that seven known disulfidptosis-related genes were significantly associated with overall survival(OS)in HCC(all P<0.05).The LASSO-Cox regression analysis was used to construct a prognostic model based on disulfidptosis-related genes(DRG),and the risk score RS-DRG was calculated as RS-DRG=(0.061 6)×GYS1 expression level+(0.152 8)×LRPPRC expression level+(0.268 3)×RPN1 expression level+(0.183 5)×SLC7A11 expression level.The log-rank test showed that the patients with a high risk score based on the disulfidptosis model had a significantly lower OS than those with a low risk score(P<0.001).Based on the results of the multivariate Cox regression analysis,risk score was an independent predictive factor for OS in both TCGA and ICGC cohorts(TCGA:hazard ratio[HR]=1.869,P=0.002;ICGC:HR=3.469,P=0.004).The Spearman correlation analysis showed that RS-DRG was significantly positively correlated with the infiltration level of various immune cells(including B lymphocytes,CD4+T lymphocytes,neutrophils,macrophages,and dendritic cells)in tumor microenvironment(all P<0.05).The patients in the high-risk score group had a significantly lower IC50 value of sorafenib and were more sensitive to sorafenib(P<0.001).The KEGG/GO enrichment analysis showed that the differentially expressed disulfidptosis-related genes were significantly enriched in various mitosis-related molecular functions.Conclusion This study constructed a novel prognostic model based on disulfidptosis-related genes,which has a potential clinical value in predicting the prognosis of HCC,and targeting disulfidptosis-related genes may provide a promising approach for HCC treatment.
3.Immune cells in the B-cell lymphoma microenvironment: From basic research to clinical applications
Wenli ZHANG ; Mengmeng LIU ; Wei LI ; Yongping SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(7):776-790
B-cell lymphoma is a group of hematological malignancies characterized by variable genetic and biological features and clinical behaviors. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network in tumors, which consists of surrounding blood vessels, extracellular matrix, immune and non-immune cells, and signaling molecules. Increasing evidence has shown that the TME, especially immune cells within, is a double-edged sword, acting either as a tumor killer or as a promoter of tumor progression. These pro-tumor activities are driven by subpopulations of immune cells that express typical markers but have unique transcriptional characteristics, making tumor-associated immune cells good targets for human anti-cancer therapy by ablating immunosuppressive cells or enhancing immune-activated cells. Thus, exploring the role of immune cells in the TME provides distinct insights for immunotherapy in B-cell lymphoma. In this review, we elucidated the interaction between immune cells and tumor cells and their function in the initiation, progression, and prognosis of B-cell lymphoma, from preclinical experiments to clinical trials. Furthermore, we outlined potential therapeutic approaches and discussed the potential clinical value and future perspectives of targeting immune cells in patients with B-cell lymphoma.
4.Chimeric antigen receptor-immune cells against solid tumors: Structures, mechanisms, recent advances, and future developments
Xudong LI ; Wei LI ; Linping XU ; Yongping SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(11):1285-1302
The advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell immunotherapies has led to breakthroughs in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, their success in treating solid tumors has been limited. CAR-natural killer (NK) cells have several advantages over CAR-T cells because NK cells can be made from pre-existing cell lines or allogeneic NK cells with a mismatched major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which means they are more likely to become an "off-the-shelf" product. Moreover, they can kill cancer cells via CAR-dependent/independent pathways and have limited toxicity. Macrophages are the most malleable immune cells in the body. These cells can efficiently infiltrate into tumors and are present in large numbers in tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Importantly, CAR-macrophages (CAR-Ms) have recently yielded exciting preclinical results in several solid tumors. Nevertheless, CAR-T, CAR-NK, and CAR-M all have their own advantages and limitations. In this review, we systematically discuss the current status, progress, and the major hurdles of CAR-T cells, CAR-NK cells, and CAR-M as they relate to five aspects: CAR structure, therapeutic mechanisms, the latest research progress, current challenges and solutions, and comparison according to the existing research in order to provide a reasonable option for treating solid tumors in the future.
5.Identification of potential immune-related mechanisms related to the development of multiple myeloma
Yaomei WANG ; Wenli ZHANG ; Tiandong LI ; Mengmeng LIU ; Mengya GAO ; Xinqing LI ; Yufei CHEN ; Yongping SONG ; Wei LI ; Chunyan DU ; Fang WANG ; Lina LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(13):1603-1613
Background::Although significant advances have been made in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), leading to unprecedented response and survival rates among patients, the majority eventually relapse, and a cure remains elusive. This situation is closely related to an incomplete understanding of the immune microenvironment, especially monocytes/macrophages in patients with treatment-na?ve MM. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the immune microenvironment, especially monocytes/macrophages, in patients with treatment-na?ve MM.Methods::This study used the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of both patients with MM and heathy donors to identify immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and monocytes/macrophages. Transcriptomic data and flow cytometry analysis of monocytes/macrophages were used to further examine the effect of monocytes/macrophages in treatment-na?ve MM patients.Results::A significant difference was observed between the bone marrow (BM) immune cells of the healthy controls and treatment-na?ve MM patients through scRNA-seq. It is noteworthy that, through an scRNA-seq data analysis, this study found that interferon (IFN)-induced NK/T cells, terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) cells, T-helper cells characterized by expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG +Th cells), IFN-responding exhausted T cells, mannose receptor C-type 1 (MRC1) + DCs, IFN-responding DCs, MHCII + DCs, and immunosuppressive monocytes/macrophages were enriched in patients with treatment-na?ve MM. Significantly, transcriptomic data of monocytes/macrophages demonstrated that "don’t eat me" -related genes and IFN-induced genes increase in treatment-na?ve MM patients. Furthermore, scRNA-seq, transcriptomic data, and flow cytometry also showed an increased proportion of CD16 + monocytes/macrophages and expression level of CD16. Cell-cell communication analysis indicated that monocytes/macrophages, whose related important signaling pathways include migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and interleukin 16 (IL-16) signaling pathway, are key players in treatment-na?ve MM patients. Conclusions::Our findings provide a comprehensive and in-depth molecular characterization of BM immune cell census in MM patients, especially for monocytes/macrophages. Targeting macrophages may be a novel treatment strategy for patients with MM.
6.Progress of treatment strategies for advanced stages of chronic myeloid leukemia
Chenxi GU ; Huifang ZHAO ; Yongping SONG ; Yanli ZHANG
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2024;33(8):501-505
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a clonal hematologic malignancy. In recent years, its treatment mainly involves the application of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) targeting the BCR::ABL fusion gene, but some patients still develop drug resistance or drug intolerance during TKI treatment and enter into the advanced stages (include accelerated phase and blast crisis phase). This article reviews the research progress of novel TKI drugs, TKI combined regimens and other targeted drugs for treatment of advanced stages of CML.
7.Association of P-I-R classification and Laennec grading with histology and prognosis after antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis
Caihong LYU ; Zheng SONG ; Jing LUO ; Xiujuan CHANG ; Yongping YANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2023;39(3):580-589
Objective To investigate the role of P-I-R classification and Laennec grading in evaluating histological changes in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis after receiving antiviral therapy, as well as the association of these two evaluation systems with clinical prognosis. Methods A total of 218 patients from 14 centers were consecutively screened from October 2013 to October 2014, and these patients were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis based on pathology (Ishak score ≥5), received antiviral therapy for 72 weeks, completed two liver biopsies, and met the P-I-R classification criteria. The 218 patients were divided into non-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) group with 186 patients and HCC group with 32 patients. The chi-square test and the Fisher's exact test were used for comparison of categorical data between groups. For the comparison of HCC after antiviral therapy, the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for continuous variables, and for the comparison of P-I-R classification and Laennec grading, the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for continuous variables. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to calculate hazard ratio ( HR ) and 95% confidence interval ( CI ), and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the cumulative incidence rate of HCC. Results After 72 weeks of antiviral therapy, there was a significant difference in P-I-R classification between the non-HCC group and the HCC group ( P < 0.001). There were significant differences in the distribution of Laennec grading and P-I-R classification before and after antiviral therapy ( P < 0.001). After antiviral therapy, the 218 patients were divided into 4A group with 33 patients, 4B group with 71 patients, and 4C group with 114 patients according to Laennec grading, and there were significant differences between these three groups in platelet count (PLT) ( H =36.429, P < 0.001), liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ( H =13.983, P =0.004), Ishak score ( χ 2 =23.060, P < 0.001), and HAI score ( P < 0.001). After antiviral therapy, the 218 patients were divided into R group with 70 patients, I group with 52 patients, and P group with 96 patients according to P-I-R classification, and there were significant differences between these three groups in PLT ( H =7.193, P =0.028), LSM ( H =6.238, P =0.045), Ishak score ( χ 2 =7.986, P < 0.001), HAI score ( P =0.002), and HCC ( P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the incidence rate of HCC between the P and R groups based on P-I-R classification ( HR =24.21, 95% CI : 0.46-177.99, P =0.002). After adjustment for other confounding factors, P-I-R classification was an independent predictive factor for HCC ( HR =12.69, 95% CI : 4.63-34.80, P =0.002). Conclusion Both P-I-R classification and Laennec grading can reflect the features and changes of fibrosis before and after antiviral therapy, and P-I-R classification is more sensitive to fibrosis changes after antiviral therapy. P-I-R classification (after treatment) can be used to assess the risk of HCC in patients after antiviral therapy.
8.Chronic myeloid leukemia: the latest progress and future directions
Xudong LI ; Yanli ZHANG ; Yongping SONG
Journal of Leukemia & Lymphoma 2023;32(2):74-78
Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant hematological disease driven by BCR-ABL fusion protein. The emergence of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) targeting BCR-ABL has completely changed the treatment pattern of CML. From the approval of the first generation TKI imatinib in 2001 to the emergence of the fourth generation TKI drugs, CML patients have benefited a lot from it. But even so, many CML patients suffer treatment failure due to drug resistance, relapse after drug withdrawal or disease progression, some patients therefore are difficult to obtain long-term remission and still need multi-line TKI treatment. The research and development of new drugs covering more mutation lineages, more optimized treatment strategies and drug withdrawal-related research are still the focus of CML treatment. This article introduces the research progress of CML reported on the 64th American Society of Hematology annual meeting.
9.Ferroptosis in acute leukemia.
Tianxin LYU ; Xudong LI ; Yongping SONG
Chinese Medical Journal 2023;136(8):886-898
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death pathway that is different from apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necrosis. The main characteristics of ferroptosis are the Fenton reaction mediated by intracellular free divalent iron ions, lipid peroxidation of cell membrane lipids, and inhibition of the anti-lipid peroxidation activity of intracellular glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis can be involved in the pathological processes of many disorders, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, nervous system diseases, and blood diseases. However, the specific mechanisms by which ferroptosis participates in the occurrence and development of acute leukemia still need to be more fully and deeply studied. This article reviews the characteristics of ferroptosis and the regulatory mechanisms promoting or inhibiting ferroptosis. More importantly, it further discusses the role of ferroptosis in acute leukemia and predicts a change in treatment strategy brought about by increased knowledge of the role of ferroptosis in acute leukemia.
Humans
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Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism*
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Ferroptosis
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Cell Death
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Iron/metabolism*
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Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute
10.Preparation of celastrol-loaded albumin nanoparticles and their efficacy against rheumatoid arthritis
Hanyu YAN ; Yongping ZHANG ; Jian XU ; Yao LIU ; Guoqiong CAO ; Zuhua WANG ; Xinli SONG ; Ling GUO
China Pharmacy 2022;33(21):2597-2602
OBJECTIVE To prepare celastrol -loaded albumin nanoparticles (CLT-AN),and to investigate their activity against rheumatoid arthritis (RA)in vivo . METHODS CLT-AN was prepared by ultrasonic method . The formulation technology was optimized by single -factor test by taking particle size ,polydispersity index (PDI)and stability as indexes ,with the dosage of CLT , the dosage of soybean oil and the ultrasonic power as factors . The physical and chemical properties of CLT -AN were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM)and laser particle size analyzer ;in vitro stability and release profile were studied . A rat model of adjuvant -induced arthritis was constructed to investigate the effects of CLT -AN on joint swelling ,the levels of serum inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and interleukin -1β(IL-1β)] and pathological state of joint tissue . RESULTS The optimized formulation was CLT 6.5 g,soybean oil 45 mg,ultrasonic power 490 W,ultrasonic time 8 min. CLT- AN prepared by the best formulation showed uniform and spherical morphology . Its particle size ,PDI,Zeta potential were (96.8± 1.1)nm,0.174±0.020,and(-18.6±1.7)mV,respectively. The encapsulation efficiency and drug -loading efficiency were (94.61±0.46)% and(2.42±0.21)%. There were no significant changes in particle size ,PDI,Zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of CLT -AN within 5 days of storage at room temperature . CLT-AN was slowly released in vitro ,and the cumulative release reached 73.56% in 72 h. Compared with CLT ,CLT-AN could significantly inhibit the joint swelling of model rats ,reduced the levels of inflammatory factors TNF -α and IL -1β in serum ,and improved the pathological state of inflammatory joint tissue . CONCLUSIONS CLT-AN prepared by ultrasonic method has the appropriate particle size ,good stability ,significant sustained - release characteristics ,and excellent therapeutic efficacy against RA .

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