Azvudine (FNC) is a nucleoside analog that inhibits HIV-1 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Recently, we discovered FNC an agent against SARS-CoV-2, and have taken it into Phase III trial for COVID-19 patients. FNC monophosphate analog inhibited SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 coronavirus with an EC50 between 1.2 and 4.3 μM, depending on viruses or cells, and selective index (SI) in 15–83 range. Oral administration of FNC in rats revealed a substantial thymus-homing feature, with FNC triphosphate (the active form) concentrated in the thymus and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Treating SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus macaques with FNC (0.07 mg/kg, qd, orally) reduced viral load, recuperated the thymus, improved lymphocyte profiles, alleviated inflammation and organ damage, and lessened ground-glass opacities in chest X-ray. Single-cell sequencing suggested the promotion of thymus function by FNC. A randomized, single-arm clinical trial of FNC on compassionate use (n = 31) showed that oral FNC (5 mg, qd) cured all COVID-19 patients, with 100% viral ribonucleic acid negative conversion in 3.29 ± 2.22 days (range: 1–9 days) and 100% hospital discharge rate in 9.00 ± 4.93 days (range: 2–25 days). The side-effect of FNC is minor and transient dizziness and nausea in 16.12% (5/31) patients. Thus, FNC might cure COVID-19 through its anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity concentrated in the thymus, followed by promoted immunity.

We concluded that circulating cell-free hTERT mRNA might serve as a potential and useful noninvasive tumor marker for gastric cancer.

Background: HOXA10 has been reported to be deregulated in many kinds of cancers including gastric cancer. But its role in gastric cancer progression is controversial. Therefore, the current study was performed to explore the role and mechanism of HOXA10 in gastric cancer. Materials and methods: IHC and Western blotting assays were used to assess HOXA10 expression in gastric cancer tissues and cells. Lentivirus infection was used to alter HOXA10, STAT3 and JAK1 expression in gastric cancer NCI-N87 and MKN28 cells. MTT, cloning formation, flow cytometry and in vivo xenotransplantation experiments were carried out to assess cell proliferation, cloning formation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. Results: HOXA10 expression was obviously increased in gastric cancer tissues and cells when compared with the normal gastric tissue samples and cells. Upregulation of HOXA10 significantly enhanced cell proliferation, cloning formation and tumorigenesis abilities and reduced cell apoptosis in gastric cancer, and promoted the activation of JAK1/STAT3 signaling. In addition, we showed that the effects of HOXA10 on the promotion of cell viability and tumorigenesis and cell apoptosis repression were all weakened when JAK1 or STAT3 was downregulated. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that HOXA10 functions as an oncogene in gastric cancer through activating JAK1/STAT3 signaling.