Macrophages play a pivotal role in tumor microenvironment. Bu-Fei Decoction (BFD) is a classical formula of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to alleviate lung cancer related symptoms, whether it has antitumor effect or could influence cancer microenvironment deserves further study. The aim of the present study was to examine the antitumor effect of BFD on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to investigate the underlying mechanisms through tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). M2-polarized TAMs were induced by Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and interleukin 4 (IL-4). The antitumor activity of BFD in vitro was investigated in A549 and H1975 cells using MTT assay. The in vivo anticancer effect of BFD was evaluated in athymic nude mouse xenograft model. The invasive and migration properties of NSCLC cells were measured using Transwell. The protein expression was assessed using western blotting, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. The gene expression was examined using RT-PCR. TAMs was successfully established. Conditioned medium from TAMs increased cell proliferation, migration and invasion in NSCLC cells (p<0.05). BFD showed dose-dependent inhibitory effect on cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities induced by TAMs. TAMs and rhIL-10 promoted the mRNA and protein expression of PD-L1 in NSCLC cells (p<0.01). Anti-IL-10 antibodies inhibited the elevated PD-L1 expression induced by TAMs. In vitro, the expression of PD-L1 and IL-10 was inhibited by BFD dose-dependently. In vivo, BFD suppressed A549 and H1975 tumor growth and decreased the expression of IL-10, PD-L1 and CD206. The results showed that TAMs play an important role in tumor progression of NSCLC, which was associated with tumor proliferation, migration, invasion and immunosuppression. Moreover, the antitumor mechanism of BFD is related to interruption of the link between TAMs and cancer cells by inhibiting the expression of IL-10 and PD-L1 in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated BFD's potential as a novel treatment for NSCLC.

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Chemokines and chemokine receptors not only participate in the development of tissue differentiation, hematopoiesis, inflammation, and immune regulation but also play an important role in the process of tumor development. The role of chemokines and chemokine receptors in tumors has been emphasized in recent years. More and more studies have shown that chemokines and chemokine receptors are closely related to the occurrence, angiogenesis, metastasis, drug resistance, and immunity of breast cancer. Here, we review recent progression on the roles of chemokines and chemokine receptors in breast cancer, and discuss the possible mechanism in breast cancer that might facilitate the development of new therapies by targeting chemokines as well as chemokine receptors. Chemokines and chemokine receptors play an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. In-depth study of chemokines and chemokine receptors can provide intervention targets for breast cancer biotherapy. The regulation of chemokines and chemokine receptors may become a new strategy for breast cancer therapy.

Context. There exists a research interest shift from separate symptoms to symptom clusters among people living with HIV (PLWH), which may provide a better understanding of symptom management in HIV/AIDS care. However, the symptom clusters among Chinese PLWH are still unknown.Objectives. The aim of our study was to identify symptom clusters and to examine demographic and health-related factors associated with these symptom clusters among PLWH prescribing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in China.Methods. From April to September 2017, we recruited 1116 participants through a convenience sampling in five HIV/ AIDS designated facilities in the eastern, middle, and southwest regions of China. The principal component analysis was used to identify the symptom clusters. Association network was adopted to describe the relationships among symptoms and clusters. A multiple linear model was used to investigate the associated factors for the severity of overall symptoms and the prevalence of each symptom clusters.Results. Five symptom clusters were identified, including cognitive dysfunction, mood disturbance, wasting syndrome, dizziness/headache, and skin-muscle-joint disorder. Cognitive dysfunction was the most central symptom cluster. Variables including primary caregiver during ART treatment, years of HIV diagnosis and ART use, having comorbidity, self-rated health, and quality of life were associated with the prevalence of these five symptom clusters. Conclusion.Our study suggests that there is a need to evaluate symptom clusters for the improvement of symptom management among PLWH. It is particularly important to include assessment and treatment of cognitive symptoms as an essential component of the HIV care.

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