Checkpoint-blocker-induced autoimmunity is associated with favourable outcome in metastatic melanoma and distinct T-cell expression profiles

Background Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) activate CD8⁺ T cells, eliciting both anti-cancer activity and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The relationship of irAEs with baseline parameters and clinical outcome is unclear.Methods Retrospective evaluation of irAEs on survival was performed across primary (N = 144) and secondary (N = 211) independent cohorts of patients with metastatic melanoma receiving single agent (pembrolizumab/nivolumab—sICB) or combination (nivolumab and ipilimumab—cICB) checkpoint blockade. RNA from pre-treatment and post-treatment CD8⁺ T cells was sequenced and differential gene expression according to irAE development assessed.Results 58.3% of patients developed early irAEs and this was associated with longer progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) across both cohorts (log-rank test, OS: P < 0.0001). Median survival for patients without irAEs was 16.6 months (95% CI: 10.9–33.4) versus not-reached (P = 2.8 × 10⁻⁶). Pre-treatment monocyte and neutrophil counts, but not BMI, were additional predictors of clinical outcome. Differential expression of numerous gene pathway members was observed in CD8⁺ T cells according to irAE development, and patients not developing irAEs demonstrating upregulated CXCR1 pre- and post-treatment.Conclusions Early irAE development post-ICB is associated with favourable survival in MM. Development of irAEs is coupled to expression of numerous gene pathways, suggesting irAE development in-part reflects baseline immune activation.Subject terms: Immunotherapy, Melanoma     

向楠治疗亚急性甲状腺炎经验

向楠教授系湖北中医药大学二级教授、主任医师、博士生导师,湖北中医名师、首届湖北省中青年知名中医、武汉中青年中医名医,培养学术继承人及硕士、博士等50余名,从事中医临床、教学、科研工作30余载,擅长应用中医药防治内分泌及代谢性疾病。余有幸跟师学习,受益颇深,现将其治疗亚急性甲状腺炎的经验总结于下,与同道共享。     

Correlates of Mental Illness and Health Categories among Older Adults in China: An Empirical Study Based on the Two Continua Model

Objective: Keyes’ two continua model is a useful concept in which mental health and mental illness exist on two separate axes. Based on this model, this study examined the prevalence and correlates of three mental health categories among older adults in China.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were derived from Wave 1 of the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health. Participants were categorized into complete mental health (CMH), complete mental illness (CMI), and moderate mental health (MMH) groups. Multinomial logistic regressions were used.

Results: The prevalence of CMH, CMI, and MMH in China was 18%, 16%, and 66%, respectively. Being female, unmarried, younger, and feeling unhealthy were more likely to result in placement in the CMI category. Employment, education, and cognitive function were identified as important protective factors of CMH. Age, income, urban or rural residence, and physical function difficulty were associated with all three categories.

Discussion: We demonstrated the utility of the two continua model in identifying mental health needs in Chinese contexts. The findings suggest that future policy reforms and clinical interventions should establish a more comprehensive mental health category as a screening tool nationwide. The promotion of social engagement could play an important role in treating mental illness and improving positive mental health.     

淫羊藿、巴戟天中药提取物对恒河猴M0、M1型单核衍生巨噬细胞基因表达的影响

【目的】探讨中药淫羊藿、巴戟天提取物(中药注射液喘可治的组成)对恒河猴单核衍生的巨噬细胞在未极化(M0)、M1极化条件下基因表达的影响,分析其可能的免疫调节的作用机制。【方法】采用密度梯度离心法分离中国恒河猴外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs),采用贴壁法纯化出单核细胞,并以粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)刺激5 d以使单核细胞分化成巨噬细胞;然后不加入极化因子(M0)或以干扰素γ(IFN-γ,继续培养2 d)诱导巨噬细胞极化为M1表型,同时分别加入淫羊藿、巴戟天提取物进行干预;然后提取m RNA并逆转录后,采用实时荧光定量PCR检测CCR5、CD4、CTLA-4、Fox P3、IDO、IL-10、TGF-β等基因表达量。【结果】与空白对照组比较,加入巴戟天提取物培养的M0巨噬细胞基因表达上调不明显;经淫羊藿提取物培养的M0巨噬细胞,CCR5基因表达量上调4.21倍,TGF-β上调7.66倍,Fox P3、IL-10轻度上调,而CD4、CTLA-4、IDO等基因表达改变倍数无明显变化。经巴戟天提取物刺激的M1型巨噬细胞,CTLA-4基因表达量上调3.22倍,Fox P3上调3.69倍,CCR5、CD4、IL-10、IDO基因改变倍数均无明显变化,TGF-β未测出;而由淫羊藿提取物刺激的M1型巨噬细胞,IL-10的表达量上调11.83倍,Fox P3上调4.55倍,IDO、CCR5、CD4、CTLA-4基因改变倍数无明显变化,TGF-β未测出。【结论】巴戟天和淫羊藿提取物培养能够上调M1型巨噬细胞IL-10、Fox P3、CTLA-4等抑炎基因表达,淫羊藿提取物能够上调M0巨噬细胞CCR5和TGF-β等基因表达,促进病原体清除和组织修复,从而发挥多效免疫调节作用。