Journal of Integrative Medicine-Jim最新文献

Objective: Progressive ground-glass nodules (GGNs) are associated with a risk of malignancy. Early identification and intervention are crucial for lung cancer prevention. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has advantages of syndrome differentiation, holistic adjustment, and whole-process management. In this study, we built a risk assessment model based on the integration of TCM symptoms and imaging features to identify risks of GGN progression and to guide personalized TCM management and treatment.

Methods: This study enrolled 864 patients with GGNs from January 2015 to December 2023. Assessment factors included general demographic information, TCM symptoms, and imaging features. Machine learning algorithms were used to screen risk factors, regression models were used to establish GGN progression risk assessment models, and a nomogram was used to assess the risk of progression.

Results: Age, second-hand smoke exposure, acid reflux, breast or abdominal pain, chest tightness, depression, heartburn, tongue with little coating, and the diameter of the largest pulmonary nodule were significant risk factors for GGN progression. In the nomogram model, the TCM symptom of acid reflux made the highest contribution. The constructed model using these key factors was used to assess the risk of GGN progression. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) in the training set was 0.70 (95% CI [0.65, 0.75]), and the AUC in the test set was 0.74 (95% CI [0.65, 0.82]).

Conclusion: This study was the first to establish a GGN progression risk assessment model using TCM clinical symptoms and imaging features. The model can help individuals and doctors better understand the health status and take timely preventive measures. Please cite this article as: Maolan A, Yu LH, Li Y, Yan ZS, Xiang XH, Wang LF, Guo QJ, Hu JQ, Zhang GH, Ren XL, Li J, Sun TH, Yang W, Liu R, Hua BJ. A progression risk assessment model for pulmonary ground-glass nodules based on traditional Chinese medicine clinical symptoms combined with imaging. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.

Objective: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, presents a poor prognosis due to its tendency to metastasize and its resistance to standard therapies. Montanine (MTN), a naturally occurring alkaloid, has recently shown potential as an anticancer agent. However, the specific mechanisms through which it exerts its anticancer effects are still largely unknown. This study investigates the anti-NSCLC potential of MTN by utilizing integrative network pharmacology alongside in vitro and in vivo experimental validations.

Methods: Genes targeted by MTN in NSCLC were identified and subjected to functional enrichment analysis to elucidate the most enriched signaling pathways. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to identify the interactions of potential targets. Adrenoceptor β2 (ADRB2) expression in lung cancer was analyzed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. The effects of MTN on NSCLC cell lines, including migration, proliferation, viability and apoptosis, were assessed in vitro. MTN-related mechanisms were investigated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Furthermore, an in vivo lung cancer metastasis experiment was performed in rats using a tail vein assay.

Results: MTN at nontoxic doses significantly reduced cell migration and lung colonization in an in vivo metastasis study (P < 0.05). Network pharmacology revealed 29 targets of MTN in NSCLC, highlighting ADRB2 as a primary target linked to poor prognosis in lung cancer. In vitro studies confirmed that MTN notably upregulated ADRB2 expression and downregulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathways, which was further enhanced by terbutaline sulfate, an ADRB2 activator.

Conclusion: MTN is a promising therapeutic agent for NSCLC by suppressing the migration via ADRB2 and EMT mechanisms. Please cite this article as: Iksen I, Singharajkomron N, Wongtayan A, Wattanathamsan O, Choonhapan A, Wademonkolgorn S, Nguyen HM, Hoang THX, Nguyen HT, Pongrakhananon V. Unveiling the antimetastatic activity and molecular mechanism of montanine in lung cancer cells via the integration of network pharmacology approaches with in vitro and in vivo investigations. J Integr Med. 2026; Epub ahead of print.