Clinical trials

Achieving a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is largely hindered by the irreversible functional exhaustion and immune tolerance of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific CD8+ T cells. In our previous studies, an in vivo CRISPR screen identified ANKRD11 for the first time as an "epigenetic brake" on CD8+ T-cell effector function. Loss of ANKRD11 markedly enhanced the expansion, effector function, and viral clearance capacity of HBV-specific T cells. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that ANKRD11 regulates the epigenetic program of T-cell exhaustion by restricting the activity of AP-1 family transcription factors, and that targeting ANKRD11 can reverse T-cell dysfunction and overcome immune tolerance. This project will: (1) elucidate the epigenetic mechanisms by which ANKRD11 regulates T-cell exhaustion using conditional knockout mouse models and multi-omics approaches; (2) evaluate how ANKRD11 deficiency reshapes the differentiation trajectory and antiviral function of HBV-specific T cells in models of chronic HBV infection; and (3) develop a combinatorial gene-editing strategy integrating "release of the brake" with "stepping on the accelerator" to generate enhanced TCR-T cells and evaluate their efficacy and safety in humanized mouse models.The study is expected to define a novel mechanism by which ANKRD11 regulates T-cell exhaustion, establish an enhanced TCR-T therapeutic strategy, and provide a potential approach toward achieving a functional cure for chronic HBV infection.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune intrahepatic cholestatic liver disease characterized by progressive, non-suppurative, destructive cholangitis, potentially leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver failure. It predominantly affects middle-aged and elderly women, with highly variable progression rates: some patients remain stable long-term, while others rapidly develop portal hypertension and decompensation. Early risk factor identification and accurate risk stratification are essential for improving prognosis. Large-scale, multi-dimensional (clinical-pathological-laboratory) studies on PBC progression risk factors in the Chinese population remain scarce. The associations of histological stage, autoantibody profiles, and biochemical response with prognosis require further clarification. This retrospective observational study will enroll PBC patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis via liver biopsy at Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from January 2015 to June 2026. We will systematically analyze clinical, laboratory, autoantibody, and pathological features. Univariate and multivariate logistic/Cox regression will be used to identify independent risk factors, aiming to establish a progression risk prediction model tailored to Chinese PBC patients. This model will support early identification of high-risk individuals and guide personalized treatment and follow-up strategies in clinical practice.

This retrospective-prospective cohort study investigates portal sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD), a liver vascular disease definitively diagnosed via liver biopsy. Addressing PSVD's poorly defined natural history, unclear prognostic determinants and the scarcity of large-scale systematic research in China, the study enrolls histopathologically confirmed patients, collects baseline clinicopathological, laboratory and imaging data, tracks endpoints including transplant-free survival, liver-related events and portal vein thrombosis changes, and conducts prognostic analyses using Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier method and Fine-Gray model, aiming to characterize disease features, identify key prognostic factors, verify high-risk subgroups with inferior outcomes, and support precise clinical management while filling relevant domestic research gaps.

The research plan aims to evaluate the consistency of the digital PCR-based hepatitis B virus nucleic acid quantification technique with the existing Roche qPCR-based detection method. Approximately 200 samples of residual serum from patients with chronic hepatitis B, covering high, medium, low, and those below the Roche lower limit concentration or undetectable, will be collected. The two methods will be used for parallel testing. The main objective is to evaluate the quantitative consistency of the two methods within the quantifiable range of Roche (≥ 20 IU/mL); the secondary objectives include evaluating the qualitative detection rate of samples with concentrations below 20 IU/mL or undetectable nucleic acid.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) in patients aged 50-80 years with mild cognitive impairment to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is the change from baseline in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog14) score at 6 months post-randomization better in the VNS group compared to the sham stimulation group? Is the change from baseline in scores of other cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptom, or activities of daily living scales at 6 months post-randomization better in the VNS group compared to the sham stimulation group? Researchers will compare the group receiving vagus nerve stimulation (active VNS group) and the group receiving sham vagus nerve stimulation (sham VNS group) to see if VNS is more effective in improving cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or activities of daily living. Participants will: Undergo screening assessments (including medical history, physical exams, cognitive and behavioral scale assessments, imaging, etc.). Undergo surgery for VNS device implantation. Be randomized to either the active VNS or sham VNS group and receive the corresponding stimulation treatment for 6 months (while continuing standard AD medication). Attend multiple follow-up visits during the study (baseline, randomization day, 3 months, and 6 months post-randomization) for clinical scale assessments. Potentially provide biological samples (blood, CSF) and undergo additional auxiliary examinations (e.g., MRI, EEG, PET) at specific time points.

Collect basic information of patients before antiviral treatment and when HBsAg disappears, and divide them into three groups A, B, and C based on baseline anti HBs titers after informed consent. During the follow-up period of all patients, clinical biochemistry, virology (HBVDNA, HBVRNA), serological indicators (HBsAg, anti HBs, HBeAg, anti HBe, HBcrAg, anti HBc), AFP, Fibroscan, liver imaging examinations will be conducted every 3-6 months, and blood samples will be retained for monitoring the frequency of immune cells (pDC, Treg) and the expression of functional molecules, as well as cytokines (IFN - γ, IP-10, IL-10, and TGF - β). Observe the sustained response rate and recurrence rate of virological and serological indicators, as well as the incidence of hepatitis and liver cancer during the follow-up period.

Collect confirmed cases of NAFLD patients and enroll them in the study. Select patients with NASH and fibrosis stage F2-4 confirmed by liver biopsy, and collect clinical and pathological data for relevant evaluation and definition. Establish a NASH "fibrosis reversal" pathological evaluation system, based on a new reversal standard, establish non-invasive alternative indicators, and observe indicators.

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if deep brain stimulation of the dentate nucleus (DN-DBS) works to promote chronic post-stroke upper limb motor function in adults. It will also learn about the safety of DN-DBS. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does DN-DBS paired with rehabilitation improve the upper limb motor function of participants more than rehabilitation only? What medical problems do participants have when using DN-DBS for post-stroke rehabilitation? Researchers will compare real DN-DBS+rehabilitation to sham DN-DBS+rehabilitation (electrodes will be implanted, but no electrical current is given) to see if DN-DBS works to promote chronic post-stroke upper limb motor function. Participants will: Undergo unilateral DN-DBS surgery Take real DN-DBS+rehabilitation or sham DN-DBS+rehabilitation as treatment for 6 months Visit the clinic every month during the DN-DBS+rehabilitation (treatment) period for programing, checkups and tests Visit the clinic at Day 1, 30, 90 and 365 after treatment period for checkups and tests