Yan Shi

Simple ROS-responsive micelles loaded Shikonin for efficient ovarian cancer targeting therapy by disrupting intracellular redox homeostasis

Ovarian cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women. Shikonin (SHK), an herbal extract from Chinese medicine, shows promise in treating ovarian cancer by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, its clinical use is limited by poor tumor targeting and low bioavailability, and its therapeutic potential is further compromised by the elevated levels of antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH) within tumor cells. In this study, a novel formulation of ROS-responsive micelles loaded with SHK was developed using hyaluronic acid-phenylboronic acid pinacol ester conjugation (HA-PBAP) for targeted therapy of ovarian cancer through disruption of intracellular redox homeostasis. The SHK@HA-PBAP exhibits targeted delivery to ovarian cancer cells through the interaction between HA and CD44 receptors. Upon internalization by cancer cells, the high levels of intracellular ROS triggered the degradation of SHK@HA-PBAP and simultaneously released SHK and generated GSH scavenger quinone methide (QM). The SHK and QM released from the SHK@HA-PBAP effectively induce the production of ROS and deplete intracellular GSH, leading to the disruption of intracellular redox homeostasis and subsequent induction of cell death. These characteristics collectively inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that SHK@HA-PBAP micelles exhibit superior antitumor efficacy compared to free SHK in both A2780 cells and A2780 tumor-bearing mice. The ROS-responsive SHK@HA-PBA presents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

A cross-sectional study of factors influencing sexual health among spouses of patients with cervical cancer

Background After treatment, cervical cancer patients commonly experience sexual health problems that lead to marital conflict. However, the sexual health cognition, distress and needs of patients’ spouses remain unclear. This study examined the factors influencing sexual health among spouses of patients with cervical cancer and provided a reference for targeted nursing interventions. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Chongqing, China. A total of 202 spouses of patients with cervical cancer were selected via convenience sampling. All participants completed the questionnaire via WeChat from September 27 to October 5, 2022. The questionnaire assessed demographic information, clinical information, and information about sexual health cognition, sexual distress and sexual needs. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with sexual health cognition. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to analyse the correlations among sexual cognition, distress and needs. Results The cognitive scores of the spouses of cervical cancer patients with respect to sexual health ranged from 6 to 25 (13.79 ± 6.74). The distress scores ranged from 8 to 35 (27.24 ± 7.88). The need scores ranged from 3 to 12 (8.68 ± 3.64). Age, education level, place of residence and other factors affected sexual health cognition. Age (β, -0.178; 95% CI, 0.099–1.060), education level (β, 0.152; 95% CI, 0.021–0.663), place of residence (β, 0.665; 95% CI, 0.102–5.789), occupation type (β, 0.507; 95% CI, 0.485–4.982), and monthly family income (β, 0.229; 95% CI, 0.311–1.344) were associated with higher levels of sexual health cognition. The results of Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that there was a negative correlation between sexual health cognition and distress (r = - 0.6165, 95% CI: -0.69 to -0.52, P < 0.001), that cognition was positively correlated with needs (r = 0.6757,95% CI 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.74, P < 0.001), and that distress was positively correlated with needs (r = 0.6860, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.75, P < 0.001). Conclusions Our study revealed that sexual health cognition among spouses of patients with cervical cancer is affected by multiple factors. The degree of sexual distress among these individuals is high. There was a negative correlation between sexual cognition and distress, a positive correlation between sexual cognition and demand, and a positive correlation between sexual distress and demand. These results suggest that nurses should also include the patient’s spouse in the care process and provide targeted sexual health guidance, thereby improving the overall quality of life of patients and spouses.