Nature Medicine
"AI-based large-scale screening of gastric cancer from noncontrast CT imaging"
Published in Nature Medicine on 24 June 2025, the study led by Dr. Xiangdong CHENG developed GRAPE (Gastric Cancer Artificial Intelligence Risk Assessment System), a deep learning framework for gastric cancer detection using non-contrast CT imaging. The team trained and validated the system on multi-center cohorts totaling 21,718 cases, demonstrating robust performance across diverse clinical scenarios including physical examinations, emergency care, and hospitalized patients. GRAPE significantly outperformed conventional radiological assessment in detecting incidental gastric cancer, showing particular value in opportunistic screening settings. This AI-powered approach enables large-scale, non-invasive gastric cancer screening with potential to improve early detection rates in high-risk populations.
Cancer Discovery
"ALKBH1 drives tumorigenesis and drug resistance via tRNA decoding reprogramming and codon-biased translation"
Published in Cancer Discovery in August 2025, the collaborative study led by Dr. Chao SHEN revealed novel mechanisms of tRNA modification-mediated translational control in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The team demonstrated that RNA demethylase ALKBH1 reprograms the tRNA decoding landscape to promote preferential translation of proliferation and survival genes under stress conditions. Through integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, they identified specific codon-biased translation of key oncoproteins that drive chemoresistance in leukemia stem cells. Therapeutic targeting of ALKBH1 restored drug sensitivity and suppressed tumor growth in preclinical models, providing a new strategy for overcoming treatment resistance in AML.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
"High-Throughput Multiplexed Quantification of Molecules by Aptamer Sequencing (Apt-seq) in Single Cells"
Published in Journal of the American Chemical Society on 18 June 2025, the study led by Academician Weihong TAN, Dr. Qin WU and Dr. Tao BING established Apt-seq, a novel high-throughput platform for multimodal single-cell analysis using aptamer-based molecular profiling. The team developed specialized aptamer panels enabling simultaneous quantification of surface proteins, glycans, and mRNA transcripts at single-cell resolution. This integrated aptomics approach overcame limitations of antibody-based sequencing by offering superior multiplexing capacity, reduced steric hindrance, and streamlined workflow. Validation across diverse cell types demonstrated robust performance in detecting complex molecular signatures, providing a powerful tool for comprehensive cellular characterization in basic research and clinical applications.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
"Structural basis and affinity improvement for an ATP-binding DNA aptamer"
Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on 19 August 2025, the study led by Academician Weihong TAN, Dr. Da HAN and Dr. Pei GUO resolved the atomic-level structure of the ATP-binding DNA aptamer 1301b using solution NMR spectroscopy. The research revealed a unique L-shaped architecture comprising a conserved G-quadruplex core and flexible loop regions that undergo conformational changes upon ATP binding. Structure-guided optimization yielded an enhanced aptamer variant with 4-fold improved affinity (KD ≈ 0.7 μM) through strategic nucleotide substitutions that stabilized the binding interface. These findings provide fundamental insights into aptamer-ligand recognition mechanisms and enable development of improved biosensors for ATP detection.
ACS Nano
"Nanoparticle–Protein Corona Boosted Cancer Diagnosis with Proteomic Transfer Learning"
Published in ACS Nano on 8 July 2025, the study led by Dr. Yuan LIU introduced a nanoparticle-protein corona platform integrated with deep transfer learning for bladder cancer diagnosis. The team employed engineered nanoparticles to enrich low-abundance urinary proteins, creating distinctive corona profiles that served as molecular fingerprints for cancer detection. Their proprietary ProteoTransNet algorithm effectively transferred knowledge across serum and urinary proteomic datasets, achieving exceptional diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.996) in clinical validation cohorts. This non-invasive approach overcome limitations of conventional cystoscopy and provided a robust framework for early cancer detection through intelligent integration of multi-source proteomic data.
Advanced Science
"Hexokinase-2 as a Therapeutic Target: Alleviating Herpes Simplex Keratitis Through Metabolic Reprogramming"
Published in Advanced Science on 20 June 2025, the collaborative study led by Dr. Yuhong LUO identified hexokinase-2 (HK2) as a key metabolic regulator in herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) pathogenesis. The team demonstrated that HSV-1 infection induces HK2 overexpression and glycolytic reprogramming in corneal epithelial cells, facilitating viral replication and immune evasion. Pharmacological inhibition of HK2 using small molecule inhibitors significantly reduced viral load, suppressed inflammatory responses, and promoted corneal wound healing in animal models. This metabolic intervention strategy provides a novel therapeutic approach that targets host cell metabolism rather than viral enzymes, potentially overcoming limitations of conventional antiviral therapies.
Advanced Science
"Lysosomal Cathepsin S Escape Facilitates Near Infrared Light-Triggered Pyroptosis Via an Antibody-Indocyanine Green Conjugate"
Published in Advanced Science on 20 June 2025, the study led by Academician Weihong TAN, Dr. Peng GUO and Dr. Ye LU discovered a non-canonical pyroptosis pathway mediated by lysosomal cathepsin S (CTSS). The team developed a photoactivatable antibody-indocyanine green conjugate that upon near-infrared irradiation triggers CTSS release from lysosomes, initiating gasdermin-mediated pyroptosis in tumor cells. This targeted approach generated potent immunogenic cell death and robust antitumor immunity in multiple solid tumor models, effectively converting immunologically cold tumors into hot microenvironments. Combination with PD-1 blockade therapy demonstrated synergistic efficacy, providing a novel strategy for enhancing cancer immunotherapy.
Advanced Science
"PTf-SRiApt Targeting SCAF4–POLR2A Interaction Suppresses Tumor Growth and Promotes Antitumor Immunity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer"
Published in Advanced Science on 27 June 2025, the study led by Academician Weihong TAN, Dr. Qin WU and Dr. Yong WEI developed a phosphorothioate-modified RNA aptamer (PTf-SRiApt) targeting the SCAF4-POLR2A protein complex in triple-negative breast cancer. The aptamer specifically disrupted this critical interaction involved in transcriptional termination, causing widespread transcript shortening and enhanced neoantigen presentation. Treatment with PTf-SRiApt induced cell cycle arrest, promoted CD8+ T cell infiltration, and sensitized tumors to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Clinical correlation analysis revealed that SCAF4-POLR2A interaction levels negatively predicted immunotherapy response, highlighting its potential as both a predictive biomarker and therapeutic target.
Nano letters
"Overcoming Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition Challenges in Cancer Detection through a Dual-Targeting Strategy"
Published in Nano Letters on 16 June 2025, the study led by Academician Weihong TAN and Dr. Xueqiang WANG addressed the challenge of EpCAM heterogeneity during epithelial-mesenchymal transition by developing a bispecific aptamer probe (BAptP) targeting both EpCAM and transferrin receptor (CD71). The dual-targeting strategy ensured reliable cancer cell recognition regardless of EMT status through complementary binding kinetics. BAptP demonstrated superior tumor targeting efficiency and retention compared to monovalent aptamers in multiple cancer models, with in vivo fluorescence imaging showing 3.2-fold higher tumor accumulation. This approach provides a robust platform for sensitive cancer detection and targeted therapy applications.
