Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41591571›Full record

ArticleCancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII2026

Single-cell sequencing and network pharmacology coupled with molecular docking and experimental validation reveal the effects of YPFS on macrophages in stage I non-small cell lung cancer.

Hongmin Li, Qitai Zhao, Li Yang, Le Wang, Fanglei Ye, Lei Yang, Peijun Zhang, Yi Zhang

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Hongmin Li *Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Qitai Zhao *Biotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Li YangBiotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Le WangDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Fanglei YeDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Lei YangBiotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Peijun ZhangBiotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Yi ZhangBiotherapy Center and Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. yizhang@zzu.edu.cn.

Funding

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation GZC20232435
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common subtype of lung cancer, presents major clinical challenges owing to its highly complex tumor microenvironment and substantial cellular heterogeneity. A comprehensive understanding of the immune landscape-particularly the phenotypic diversity and functional roles of macrophage subpopulations-is critical for identifying novel therapeutic targets and developing more effective treatment strategies.

methodsWe constructed a comprehensive single-cell atlas of Stage I NSCLC using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to characterize immune heterogeneity, with particular emphasis on macrophage subsets. Network pharmacology was employed to investigate the interactions between AHSA1 and bioactive compounds derived from the traditional Chinese medicine formulation Yu Ping Feng San (YPFS). To further evaluate these interactions, molecular docking simulations were performed to assess binding affinities and elucidate the potential regulatory effects on macrophage polarization.

resultsScRNA-seq analysis revealed heterogeneous macrophage subtypes, each exhibiting distinct roles in tumor progression. AHSA1 was identified as a key regulator of macrophage polarization, with higher expression levels associated with unfavorable prognosis. Through network pharmacology and molecular docking, strong binding affinities were observed between AHSA1 and Yu Ping Feng San (YPFS)-derived compounds, including wogonin, kaempferol, and quercetin. Notably, quercetin displayed the highest binding affinity and exerted the strongest inhibitory effect on M2 macrophage polarization.

conclusionThese findings identify AHSA1 as a pivotal regulator of macrophage polarization in NSCLC and position quercetin as a promising macrophage-targeted therapeutic candidate. Furthermore, the results highlight the potential of Yu Ping Feng San (YPFS) as a complementary therapeutic strategy for NSCLC, offering a bridge between traditional Chinese medicine and modern oncology.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungDrugs, Chinese HerbalMacrophagesAtlases as TopicCell Line, TumorHumansMolecular Docking SimulationNetwork PharmacologySingle-Cell Gene Expression AnalysisTumor MicroenvironmentDrugs, Chinese Herbalyu ping feng sanAHSA1Immune microenvironmentMacrophage polarizationMolecular dockingNon-small cell lung cancerSingle-cell RNA sequencingTraditional Chinese medicineYu Ping Feng San (YPFS)

Identifiers

PMID41591571
PMCPMC12847541

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.