Integrative Chinese-Western medicine strategy to overcome docetaxel resistance in prostate cancer.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have emerged as a promising complementary therapy in the management of prostate cancer (PCa), particularly in addressing resistance to Docetaxel (DTX) chemotherapy. AIM OF THE REVIEW: This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the development of resistance to DTX in PCa and explore the innovative approach of integrating TCMs in PCa treatment to overcome this resistance. Key areas of investigation include alterations in microtubule proteins, androgen receptor and androgen receptor splice variant 7, ERG rearrangement, drug efflux mechanisms, cancer stem cells, centrosome clustering, upregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, enhanced DNA damage repair capability, and the involvement of neurotrophin receptor 1/protein kinase C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With "Prostate cancer", "Docetaxel", "Docetaxel resistance", "Natural compounds", "Traditional Chinese medicine", "Traditional Chinese medicine compound", "Medicinal plants" as the main keywords, PubMed, Web of Science and other online search engines were used for literature retrieval. RESULTS: Our findings underscore the intricate interplay of molecular alterations that collectively contribute to the resistance of PCa cells to DTX. Moreover, we highlight the potential of TCMs as a promising complementary therapy, showcasing their ability to counteract DTX resistance and enhance therapeutic efficacy. CONCLUSION: The integration of TCMs in PCa treatment emerges as an innovative approach with significant potential to overcome DTX resistance. This review not only provides insights into the mechanisms of resistance but also presents new prospects for improving the clinical outcomes of patients with PCa undergoing DTX therapy. The comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms lays the foundation for future research and the development of more effective therapeutic interventions.

Upregulation of PIK3IP1 monitors the anti-cancer activity of PI3Kα inhibitors in gastric cancer cells.

Gastric cancer remains one of the most malignant cancers in the world. The target-based drugs approved by FDA for gastric cancer treatment include only three targets and benefit a small portion of gastric cancer patients. PIK3CA, a confirmed oncogene, mutates in 7-25% gastric cancer patients. PI3Kα inhibitor BYL719 has been approved for treating specific breast cancer. However, there is no comprehensive study about PI3Kα inhibitor in gastric cancer. In this study, we found pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of PI3Kα effectively inhibited the proliferation of partial gastric cancer cells. Then, we systematically explored the potential biomarkers for predicting or monitoring treatment response according to previous reports and found that basal expression of several receptor tyrosine kinases were related with the sensitivity of gastric cancer cells to BYL719. Next, RNA-seq technique was utilized and showed that BYL719 inhibited Myc targets V2 gene set in sensitive gastric cancer cells, and western blotting further verified that c-Myc was only inhibited in sensitive gastric cancer cells. More importantly, we firstly found BYL719 significantly elevated the expression of PIK3IP1 in sensitive gastric cancer cells, which was also observed in NCI-N87 cell derived xenograft mice models. Meanwhile, knockdown of PIK3IP1 partially rescued the cell growth inhibited by BYL719 in sensitive gastric cancer cells, suggesting the important role of PIK3IP1 in the antitumor activity of BYL719. In conclusion, our study provides biological evidence that PI3Kα is a promising target in specific gastric cancer and the elevation of PIK3IP1 could supply as a biomarker that monitoring treatment response.

PbBi(SeO3)2F and Pb2Bi(SeO3)2Cl3: Coexistence of Three Kinds of Stereochemically Active Lone-Pair Cations Exhibiting Excellent Nonlinear Optical Properties.

Stereochemically active lone-pair (SCALP) cations are one attractive type of nonlinear optical (NLO)-active units because of their large microcosmic polarizability and anisotropy. Currently, the single and/or dual lone-pair cation-based noncentrosymmetric (NCS) oxides have been extensively investigated and verified to be one class of outstanding NLO materials. From the perspective of function optimization, the integration of three kinds of SCALP cations into one crystal may synergistically improve the NLO properties, which is greatly expected but unexplored to date. Herein, by introducing flexible metal halide bonds to guarantee the stereochemical activity and overcome the energetically favorable antiparallel arrangements of lone-pair cations, the first type of three lone-pair-cation (Pb2+, Bi3+, and Se4+)-coexisting NCS oxides PbBi(SeO3)2F (I) and Pb2Bi(SeO3)2Cl3 (II) was obtained. As expected, both compounds show outstanding NLO properties, such as the strong second-harmonic-generation signal (10.5× and 13.5 × KDP), large birefringence (0.103 and 0.186), relatively wide energy band gaps (3.75 and 3.45 eV), and good physicochemical stability. Theoretical calculations demonstrated the effect of three lone-pair-cation-based polyhedra and the halide anion on NLO properties.

A quasi-D3-symmetrical metal chalcogenide cluster constructed by the corner-sharing of two T3 supertetrahedra.

Discrete supertetrahedral clusters of metal chalcogenides are rare because of the difficulty involved in meeting global charge matching between the negative charge of the skeleton and counterion. We present herein the third type of a discrete chalcogenide cluster with a double T3 structure in the compound (HDBN)6[In20S33(DBN)6] (DBN = 1,5-diazabicyclo [4.3.0]-5-nonene), the anion of which features quasi-D3 symmetrical double-T3 In20S33 supertetrahedra with six cornered indium atoms coordinated by DBN molecules. DFT theory calculations of the interaction between host and guest show that this compound may have high kinetic stability and low photoelectric reactivity.

BaLiTe2O5X (X = Cl, Br): mixed alkali/alkaline-earth metal tellurite halides with [Te2O5]∞ chains.

Isostructural mixed alkali/alkaline-earth metal tellurite halides BaLiTe2O5X (X = Cl, Br) have been successfully synthesized by a mild hydrothermal method, which possess the [Te2O5]∞ chains formed by the corner-sharing connections of the TeO3 and TeO4 polyhedra. The [Te2O5]∞ chains are bridged via the LiO3 polyhedra to form the [LiTe2O5]∞ layers with 4- and 6-membered rings. The adjacent [LiTe2O5]∞ layers are linked via the BaO9 polyhedra to form the [BaLiTe2O5]∞ double layers, which are further connected via weak Ba-X-Li interactions to generate a 3D framework. Analysis of different lithium tellurites shows that the different arrangements of the Te-O and Li-O units in the lithium tellurites can be attributed to the cation-cation repulsion and lone-pair effect. Both compounds display good thermal stability, wide optical bandgaps (4.25 and 4.13 eV), and large birefringence. First-principles calculations indicate that the TeOn groups and X- determine the optical properties of BaLiTe2O5X (X = Cl, Br).

LiMII (IO3 )3 (MII =Zn and Cd): Two Promising Nonlinear Optical Crystals Derived from a Tunable Structure Model of α-LiIO3.

Excellent nonlinear optical materials simultaneously meet the requirements of large SHG response, phase-matching capability, wide transparency windows, considerable energy band-gap, good thermal stability and structure stability. Herein, two new promising nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals LiMII (IO3 )3 (MII =Zn and Cd) are rationally designed by the aliovalent substitution strategy from the commercialized α-LiIO3 with the perfect parallel alignment of IO3 groups. Compared with parent α-LiIO3 and related AI 2 MIV (IO3 )6 , the title compounds exhibit more stable covalent 3D structure, and overcome the racemic twinning problem of AI 2 MIV (IO3 )6 . More importantly, both compounds inherit NLO-favorable structure merits of α-LiIO3 and show larger SHG response (≈14× and ≈12×KDP), shorter absorption edge (294 and 297 nm) with wider energy band-gap (4.21 and 4.18 eV), good thermal stability (460 and 430 °C), phase-matching behaviors, wider optical transparency window and good structure stability, achieving an excellent balance of NLO properties.

KBi(IO3)3(OH) and NaBi(IO3)4: from the centrosymmetric chain to a noncentrosymmetric double layer.

Two new alkali-metal bismuth iodates KBi(IO3)3(OH) (1) and NaBi(IO3)4 (2) have been synthesized by a hydrothermal method via tuning of alkali-metal ions. Compound 1 crystallizes in the space group P1[combining macron] and features a [Bi(IO3)3(OH)]n chain with eight-membered Bi-O-I-O-Bi-O-I-O rings. The [Bi(IO3)3(OH)]n chain consists of paddlewheel-like dimeric Bi2(OH)2(IO3)4 units linked by IO3 pairs. Compound 2 in the polar space group Cc features a [Bi(IO3)4]- double layer with Bi4I4 eight-membered rings (8-MRs). NaBi(IO3)4 exhibits a strong second harmonic generation (SHG) response of ∼5.0 × KDP (KH2PO4) and a wide transmittance window (0.4-12 µm), and structure analyses and theoretical calculations reveal that polarization results mainly from the proper alignment of the IO3 groups. The calculated electronic structure based on the DFT method indicates that the BiOn and IO3 groups dominate their optical properties.

[Impacts of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) on the improvements in the quality of life in patients with advanced malignant tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the impacts of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) on the improvements in the quality of life in the patients with advanced malignant tumor. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with advanced malignant tumor were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine symptomatic scheme was adopted. In the observation group, on the base of the routine treatment, moxibustion was applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), once a day. The observation period was 12 days. The percentages of , and in T lymphocyte subset, the ratio of / , the value of hemoglobin, Karnofsky score (KPS) and the main symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were compared before and after treatment in the two groups. RESULTS: In comparison before and after treatment in the two groups as well as between the two groups, the differences were not significant in the contents of , and , hemoglobin and the ratio of / (all P>0.05). In the observation group, KPS after treatment was increased as compared with the score before treatment (P<0.05). In the observation group, the scores of the main TCM symptoms, i.e. lassitude, insomnia, poor appetite, spontaneous sweating, dizziness and vertigo as well as the total score after treatment were all reduced as compared with the scores before treatment (all P<0.01). In the control group, the difference was not significant in the score of each item (all P>0.05). In the observation group, the improvements in lassitude, short breath, poor appetite, dizziness and vertigo, complexion, palpitation, soreness and weakness of the lumber region and knee joint as well as the total score were better than the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) effectively regulates the immune balance and relieves the clinical symptoms in the patients with advanced malignant tumor.

Li6Na3Sr14Al11P22O90: an oxo-centered Al3 cluster based phosphate constructed from two types of (3,6)-connected kgd layers.

A novel and thermally stable aluminum phosphate Li6Na3Sr14Al11P22O90 (1) has been achieved by using a solid-state molten method, which contains an oxo-centered trinuclear cluster and an anti-Lowenstein's rule Al-O-Al linkage and is constructed from two types of (3,6)-connected kgd layers [Al(Al3O)(PO4)7]25- and [Al(PO4)2]3-. The good optical transparency in the whole UV range and excellent thermal stability make the title compound a potential optical window material.

Clinical significance and prognostic value of Vav1 expression in Non-small cell lung cancer.

Vav1 has been reported to be involved in human cancers, however, the expression and clinical significance of Vav1 in NSCLC are not fully understood. In the present study, we examined the expression of Vav1 in 170 NSCLC patients who underwent radical resection by the immunohistochemical analyses. The association between the Vav1 expression and clinicopathological variables was analyzed. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was conducted to determine the prognostic value of Vav1 on the long-term survival. The results showed that the elevated Vav1 expression was correlated positively with lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), T stage (P<0.001) and poor histological differentiation (P<0.001). Patients with negative or low Vav1 expression had better prognoses than those with high Vav1 expression (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that Vav1 was independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) (HR 2.079, 95% CI 1.564 to 2.762, P<0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 1.810, 95% CI 1.391 to 2.356, P<0.001). Our findings showed that overexpressed Vav1 was correlated with aggressive tumor behavior. Val1 was an independent factor for NSCLC prognosis, which may serve as a novel prognostic factor and potential target to improve the long-term outcome of NSCLC.

[MicroRNAs and prostate cancer].

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies in the urinary system of males. A growing number of studies have shown that microRNAs, as small ribonucleic acid molecules and a class of non-coding small RNAs, are closely related with PCa and a variety of microRNAs are abnormally expressed in it. This article focuses on the roles of microRNAs in the occurrence and progression of PCa, with a description of differentially expressed microRNAs in PCa and an analysis of their association with its prognosis as well as their correlation with chemotherapy, androgen receptors, and metastasis of PCa.

Effectiveness and safety of chemotherapy combined with dendritic cells co-cultured with cytokine-induced killer cells in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer, particularly non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality. Chemotherapy combined dendritic cells co-cultured with cytokine-induced killer cells (DC-CIK) immunotherapy has been applied in advanced NSCLC patients' treatment, but couldn't provide consistent beneficial results. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the efficiency and safety of combination therapy to promote the application. METHODS: A literature search for randomized controlled trials of NSCLC was conducted in PubMed database. Before meta-analysis was performed, studies were evaluated heterogeneity. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) were estimated and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a fixed-effect model. Sensitivity analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Six eligible trials were enrolled. Efficiency and safety of chemotherapy followed by DC-CIK immunotherapy (experimental group) and chemotherapy alone (control group) were compared. 1-year overall survival (OS) (P = 0.02) and progression free survival (PFS) (P = 0.005) in the experimental group were significantly increased compared with the control. Disease control rate (DCR) (P = 0.006) rose significantly in experimental group. However, no significant differences between the two groups were observed in 2-year OS (P = 0.21), 2-year PFS (P = 0.10), overall response rate (ORR) (P = 0.76) and partial response (PR) (P = 0.22). Temporary fever, anemia, leukopenia and nausea were the four major adverse events (AEs) treated by chemotherapy. The incidence of anemia, leukopenia and nausea in the experimental group was obviously lower than the control group. Temporary fever rate was higher in experimental group than that in the control, but could be alleviated by taking sufficient rest. CONCLUSIONS: Chemotherapy combined with DC-CIK immunotherapy showed superiority in DCR, 1-year OS and PFS, and no more AEs appeared, however, there was no significant improvement in ORR, PR, 2-year OS and PFS. As a whole, the combination therapy is safer but modest in efficacy for advanced NSCLC patients.

[Mechanism study on leptin resistance in lung cancer cachexia rats treated by Xiaoyan Decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the leptin resistance mechanism of Xiaoyan Decoction (XD) in lung cancer cachexia (LCC) rats. METHODS: An LCC rat model was established. Totally 40 rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, the LCC model group, the XD group, and the positive control group, 10 in each group. After LCC model was set up, rats in the LCC model group were administered with normal saline, 2 mL each time. Rats in the XD group were administered with XD at the daily dose of 2 mL. Those in the positive control group were administered with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate suspension (20 mg/kg) by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 2 mL. All medication lasted for 14 days. The general condition and tumor growth were observed. Serum levels of leptin and leptin receptor in the hypothalamus were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Contents of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and anorexia for genomic POMC were detected using real-time PCR technique. RESULTS: Serum leptin levels were lower in the LCC model group than in the normal control group with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Compared with the LCC model groups, serum leptin levels significantly increased in the XD group (P < 0.01). Leptin receptor levels in the hypothalamus increased significantly in the LCC model group (P < 0.01). Increased receptor levels in the LCC model group indicated that either XD or Medroxyprogesterone Acetate could effectively reduce levels of leptin receptor with statistical significance (P < 0.01). There was also statistical difference between the XD group and the positive control group (P < 0.05). Contents of NPY was higher in the LCC model group than in the other groups with statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in NPY between the normal control group and the rest 2 treatment groups (P > 0.05). There was statistical difference in POMC between the normal control group and the LCC model group (P < 0.05). POMC could be decreased in the XD group and the positive control group with statistical significance (P < 0.05), and it was more obviously decreased in the XD group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Leptin resistance existed in LCC rats. XD could increase serum leptin levels and reduce leptin receptor levels in the hypothalamus. LCC could be improved by elevating NPY contents in the hypothalamus and reducing POMC contents, promoting the appetite, and increasing food intake from the periphery pathway and the central pathway.

[Clinical efficacy analysis of treating advanced prostate cancer by yiqi jiedu quyu recipe combined endocrine therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of yiqi jiedu quyu recipe (YJQR) combined endocrine therapy in treating advanced prostate cancer (APC). METHODS: Totally 44 APC patients were randomly assigned to the combination group (23 cases) and the control group (21 cases). All patients received endocrine therapy for treating PC in Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Urological Diseases in China. After 6 months of treatment serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), free PSA (f-PSA), hemoglobin (Hb), Tcell subsets, natural kill (NK) cells, QLQ-C30 scale, Chinese medical symptoms score, I -PSS score, as well as the incidence of tidal fever were observed. RESULTS: After treatment the PSA, f-PSA, and Hb were improved in the combination group, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P <0.05). Besides, better effects were obtained in the combination group (P <0.05, P <0.01). After treatment CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8, and NK cell levels were also improved in the combination group, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P <0.05). Besides, better effects were obtained in the combination group (P <0.01). The quality of life (QOL), emotional function, Chinese medical symptoms score, and I -PSS symptom score were improved in the two groups (P <0. 05,P <0. 01). Besides, better effects in the aforesaid indices and the incidence of tidal fever were obtained in the combination group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: YJQR combined endocrine therapy could obviously improve APC patients' QOL, reduce adverse reactions of Western medical treatment, improve the immune function, and enhance therapeutic effects of endocrine therapy.

[Clinical observation of thermotherapy combined with thoracic injection of lentinan in treatment of cancerous hydrothorax of patients with lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effect and mechanism of thermotherapy combined with thoracic injection of lentinan in treatment of cancerous hydrothorax (CH) in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: Sixty lung cancer patients complicated with CH were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group, 30 in each. CH was released by closed drainage of the thoracic cavity in all patients. Thermotherapy was given to patients in the observation group after lentinan was thoracically injected, while lentinan was thoracically injected to patients in the control group. RESULTS: The total effective rate of CH improvement was 73.3% (22/30) in the control group and 83.3% (25/30) in the observation group, showing insignificant difference (P>0.05). The stability rate and the weight stability rate by Karnofsky's performance scoring in the observation group were superior to those of the control group, showing significant difference (P<0.05). No hematological reaction, hepatic or renal damage occurred before and after treatment in both groups. Fever, thoracalgia, dyspnea, rash, nausea and vomit appeared in few patients of the two groups, showing insignificant difference (P>0.05). CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, and NK obviously increased and CD8+ decreased in the observation group after treatment, showing significant difference from those before treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group after treatment, CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, and NK obviously increased, CD8+ increased in the observation group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thermotherapy combined with thoracic injection of lentinan showed better effect in treatment of CH in patients with lung cancer. No obvious adverse reaction was seen.

[Clinical observation of airening suppository in treatment of 30 patients with carcinoma fever].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Airening Suppository (ARN) on carcinoma fever. METHODS: Adopting randomized and double-blinded method, 54 patients with carcinoma fever were randomly assigned to the observation group and the control group, who were treated respectively with ARN and indomethacin suppository by anal administering, 7 days as one treatment course. The effect on body temperature on patients and side effect occurred were observed 7 days after discontinuation of the medication, and patients' serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta were determined by RIA, routine test of blood, urine and stool, liver and renal function were tested as well. Body temperature, changes of clinical symptoms, and adverse reaction were observed. RESULTS: The effective rate of fever abating was 86.7% in the observation group and 66.7% in the control group, showing significant difference between them (chi2 = 8.06, P <0.05). After treatment, serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the observation group were much lower than those in the control group (t = 7.477, t = 3.492, P <0.01). Besides, patients' chief clinical symptoms and quality of life were markedly improved in the observation group (t =4.71, P <0.05, chi2 =7.38, P <0.05), all better than those in the control group (P < 0.05). No evident effect on peripheral blood figure, or harmful impact on heart, liver and kidney function was found. CONCLUSION: Airening Suppository has a standing and stable fever abating effect in treating cancerous fever with no obvious adverse reaction, so it is worthy of clinical use and spreading.

[Prognostic analysis of stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer patients treated by traditional chinese medicine].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy is a treatment for stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the efficacy is not ideal. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has certain effect on NSCLC. This study was to investigate various factors that affect the prognosis of advanced NSCLC, and evaluate the role of TCM in enlonging survival time of patients with stage III-IV NSCLC. METHODS: The NSCLC patients who meet the inclusive criteria were randomized into TCM group, combination (TCM plus NP regimen) group, and chemotherapy group, and received relevant treatments. The median survival time (MST) was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. The prognosis of the patients was analyzed by COX regression method. RESULTS: A total of 294 stage III-IV NSCLC patients were enrolled, of which 99 were in TCM group, 103 in combination group, 92 in chemotherapy group. The MST were 292 days in TCM group, 355 days in combination group, and 236 days in chemotherapy group; the cumulative survival rates were 45.38%, 48.86%, and 42.17%, respectively (P>0.05). Cox regression analysis indicated that therapy, gender, disease course, erythrocyte sedimentation, KPS score, tumor size, and patient's weight were independent prognostic factors of stage III-IV NSCLC. CONCLUSION: Compare with chemotherapy alone, TCM combined with chemotherapy may prolong the survival time of stage III-IV NSCLC patients.