Hongyun Yin , Zheyu Li , Zinuo Shen , Shiying Wang , Na Du , Shibo Cheng , Jie Zhou , Yutao Li , Yanwei Jia , Ying Li
{"title":"AI-integrated microfluidics for drug screening: From single cell to organ-on-a-chip","authors":"Hongyun Yin , Zheyu Li , Zinuo Shen , Shiying Wang , Na Du , Shibo Cheng , Jie Zhou , Yutao Li , Yanwei Jia , Ying Li","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drug discovery remains a protracted and capital-intensive process, primarily hindered by inefficiencies in drug screening. Microfluidic technology provides a promising approach for <em>in vitro</em> drug screening, enabling physiologically relevant, high-throughput, and cost-effective analysis by mimicking key aspects of cellular microenvironments. The synergistic integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with microfluidics constitutes a pivotal advancement in biomedical analysis. The convergence of the two facilitates automated data analysis, complex pattern recognition, and intelligent experimental control, thereby accelerating drug screening and contributing to enhanced precision. This review systematically presents the latest advancements in AI-assisted microfluidic drug screening, organized by increasing biological complexity: from single-cell analysis (1D), multicellular arrays (2D), and spheroids (3D), to sophisticated Organ-on-a-chip (OoC, 3D+) platforms. We detail how AI algorithms promote screening throughput, sensitivity, and physiological relevance at each scale. Furthermore, we critically discuss the prevailing challenges, including those related to data, model robustness, interpretability, and system integration. Finally, we outline future directions, highlighting the potential of AI-enhanced microfluidics to further advance precision drug discovery and biomedical research. We believe this timely review will offer a useful reference for researchers working in the interdisciplinary field of AI, microfluidics, and pharmacology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1175-1200"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147553489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qingtong Zhou , Jie Li , Yao Zhang , Xiaoqing Cai , Wei Han , Dehua Yang , Ming-Wei Wang
{"title":"Distinctive molecular architectures of Gq- and Gi-coupled GLP-1 receptors","authors":"Qingtong Zhou , Jie Li , Yao Zhang , Xiaoqing Cai , Wei Han , Dehua Yang , Ming-Wei Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2026.01.023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2026.01.023","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1779-1785"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147553533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shihang Wang , Qilei Han , Weichen Qin , Lin Wang , Junhong Yuan , Fengyu Cai , Yiqun Zhao , Pengxuan Ren , Yunze Zhang , Yilin Tang , Ruifeng Li , Zongquan Li , Wenchao Zhang , Shenghua Gao , Fang Bai
{"title":"PhenoModel: A multimodal phenotypic drug design foundation model for discovering novel potential inhibitors of multiple cancer cells","authors":"Shihang Wang , Qilei Han , Weichen Qin , Lin Wang , Junhong Yuan , Fengyu Cai , Yiqun Zhao , Pengxuan Ren , Yunze Zhang , Yilin Tang , Ruifeng Li , Zongquan Li , Wenchao Zhang , Shenghua Gao , Fang Bai","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.09.036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.09.036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phenotypic drug discovery (PDD) focuses on the observable traits or phenotype of cells or organisms in response to drug treatment, rather than relying primarily on specific molecular targets. Drugs discovered through this approach may have better therapeutic relevance, as they are tested in conditions that closely mimic human disease. In this study, we present PhenoModel, a multimodal molecular foundation model developed using our unique dual-space contrastive learning framework. This model effectively connects molecular structures with phenotypic information. PhenoModel is applicable to a range of downstream drug discovery tasks, including molecular property prediction and active molecule screening based on targets, phenotypes, and ligands. Our results demonstrate that PhenoModel outperforms baseline methods in these areas. Building from this model, PhenoScreen is developed to successfully identify several phenotypically bioactive compounds against osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines. These findings highlight the versatility of PhenoModel and its potential to accelerate drug discovery by uncovering novel therapeutic pathways and expanding the diversity of viable drug candidates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1219-1232"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147553537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huisong Hao , Yunfei Yi , Yanan Fu , Shengjie Sun , Zhangwen Peng , Jia Tang , Yixuan Fang , Shihao Zhuang , Yaqi Ouyang , Tianqi Wang , Meiying Wu
{"title":"Exploiting eNOS activation to achieve tumor vascular normalization via endothelial transcytosis of lipid nanoparticles","authors":"Huisong Hao , Yunfei Yi , Yanan Fu , Shengjie Sun , Zhangwen Peng , Jia Tang , Yixuan Fang , Shihao Zhuang , Yaqi Ouyang , Tianqi Wang , Meiying Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.11.040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.11.040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Abnormal tumor vasculature greatly accelerates tumor progression and diminishes antitumor treatments. Restoring perivascular NO gradients is available to maintain tumor vessel homeostasis and promote tumor vascular normalization. However, exogenously delivering NO strategies lacks the durability to maintain precise NO localization around tumor vessels. Herein, we design a lipid nano delivery system (MC@L) and exploit endothelial transcytosis to deliver metformin (Met) and CaO<sub>2</sub> into tumor vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and tumor cells for achieving tumor vascular normalization-boosted antitumor immunotherapies. The Ca<sup>2+</sup> and Met released in ECs could restore perivascular localization of NO by activating endothelial NOS (eNOS). Additionally, MC@L internalized by tumor cells could cause CaO<sub>2</sub>-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD), together with hypoxia relief and acid neutralization mediated by O<sub>2</sub> generation and H<sup>+</sup> consumption during CaO<sub>2</sub> degradation, thus further improving the immune effector cell functions under the accompaniment of Met-mediated inhibition of tryptophane uptake in tumor cells. Such a lipid nano delivery system greatly increases the susceptibility of 4T1 tumor-bearing mice to PD-L1 blockade efficacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1717-1732"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147333226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
XiaoJuan Shen , Shijia Yan , Xu Kang , Kangwei Xu , Yongxing Jian , Tao Zeng , Guohui Wan , Ruibo Wu
{"title":"TeroACT: A terpenoid bioactivity landscape and discovery platform","authors":"XiaoJuan Shen , Shijia Yan , Xu Kang , Kangwei Xu , Yongxing Jian , Tao Zeng , Guohui Wan , Ruibo Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.12.036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.12.036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Terpenoids exhibit diverse biological activities and thus have a wide range of pharmacological applications. In modern drug discovery, data-driven deep models play a crucial role in facilitating efficient feature representation and knowledge inference. To explore the uncharted bioactivity space of terpenoids, the construction of a multi-dimensional relational terpenoid database is essential for mapping terpenoid-bioactivity profiles. In this study, we first constructed a large-scale biological knowledge graph by integrating various data types, including terpenoid compounds, protein targets, cellular targets, genes, diseases, and their interrelationships. Subsequently, we developed a network-based disease prediction model, as well as optimized multiple compound-protein interaction prediction tools to extend the framework for activity research. These resources have been deployed on a user-friendly web platform (TeroACT) accessible at: http://terokit.qmclab.com/teroact/. Using <em>in silico</em> models within the TeroACT platform, we screened multiple terpenoid molecules for anti-melanoma activity. <em>In vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> animal models further validated the anti-migration and anti-proliferative effects of mollugin and columbianadin in melanoma. Additionally, integrated computational screening and experimental approaches identified numerous terpenoids with anti-inflammatory properties. In this sense, TeroACT fills the gap in terpenoid bioactivity study by providing a comprehensive data resource and AI-driven drug discovery tools.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1233-1249"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147553548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yao Qi , Yue Qiu , Yuting Zhang, Liang Zhang, Hui Xiong, Jing Yao
{"title":"Ferroptosis-based nano-assembly enhanced breast cancer therapy by inhibiting intratumor bacteria","authors":"Yao Qi , Yue Qiu , Yuting Zhang, Liang Zhang, Hui Xiong, Jing Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2026.01.027","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2026.01.027","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intratumoral bacteria, especially Gram-positive bacteria (G<sup>+</sup>), have a unique bacterial niche in breast cancer that promoted tumor progression. However, the effects of G<sup>+</sup> have so far been overlooked, serving an “invisible driver” of breast cancer. Moreover, due to the altered biological structure of G<sup>+</sup> in tumor cells and the penetration barrier of antibiotics, the effect of antibiotic-mediated eradication of G<sup>+</sup> in tumors is limited. Here, to simultaneously inhibit intratumoral G<sup>+</sup> and tumor cells <em>via</em> ferroptosis therapy, an amorphous nano-assembly (DFTV) was constructed by assembling doxorubicin (DOX), tannic acid (TA), FeSO<sub>4</sub>, and vancomycin (Van). DFTV treatment effectively targets intratumoral G<sup>+</sup>, thereby inhibiting the growth of the breast tumor and postoperative recurrence by downregulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1<em>β</em> (IL-1<em>β</em>), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-<em>α</em>). Moreover, inhibiting intracellular G<sup>+</sup> also restrains the reorganization of F-actin to form pseudopodia, thereby impairing tumor cell motility and blocking metastasis. Collectively, DFTV improves the antitumor efficacy by targeting G<sup>+</sup> in breast tumors, offering novel insights into overcoming the limitations associated with the lack of intratumoral antibacterial therapy in clinical breast cancer treatment protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1733-1746"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147381479","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mingyang Han , Hezhen Xu , Jun Yuan , Wenxiao Li , Hao Zhang , Hongkai Fang , Zhiyu Kuang , Yuanhao Yu , Danping Wang , Zhenzhen Zhao , Cong Luo , Bingjun Sun , Jin Sun
{"title":"Heterocyclic modified paclitaxel prodrug nanoassemblies for stimuli-responsive delivery via lysosomal escape","authors":"Mingyang Han , Hezhen Xu , Jun Yuan , Wenxiao Li , Hao Zhang , Hongkai Fang , Zhiyu Kuang , Yuanhao Yu , Danping Wang , Zhenzhen Zhao , Cong Luo , Bingjun Sun , Jin Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2026.01.017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2026.01.017","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prodrug nanoassemblies offer an innovative approach to drug delivery, but their lysosomal entrapment often impairs drug release. Notably, tertiary amine structures can undergo protonation reactions, thereby facilitating lysosomal escape through the proton sponge effect. In this study, we developed three novel paclitaxel prodrug nanoassemblies (PTX–SS–NO NPs, PTX–SS–CC NPs and PTX–SS–NC NPs) featuring distinct heterocyclic tertiary amine structures to investigate structure-activity relationships in lysosomal escape and drug delivery. Among them, PTX–SS–NC NPs demonstrated excellent lysosomal escape capability, enabling rapid drug release into the cytosol. Systematic evaluation revealed that the PTX–SS–NC NPs exhibited optimized pharmacokinetics and significant tumor accumulation, further contributing to their strong antitumor efficacy. Our findings establish heterocyclic tertiary amines as crucial design elements for overcoming lysosomal entrapment and optimizing chemotherapeutic prodrug nanoassemblies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1662-1675"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147553407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chen Ma , Qian Xu , Lingwen Ding , Xinya Liu , Junkai Cheng , Yiman Wang , Lu Liu , Jiaqi Xian , Jian Gu , Phuong-Thao Tran , Qin Wang , Shuai Wang , Fen-Er Chen
{"title":"Metal–polyphenol network-based multifunctional materials for tumor therapy: Intrinsic properties, advances, and applications","authors":"Chen Ma , Qian Xu , Lingwen Ding , Xinya Liu , Junkai Cheng , Yiman Wang , Lu Liu , Jiaqi Xian , Jian Gu , Phuong-Thao Tran , Qin Wang , Shuai Wang , Fen-Er Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.11.038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.11.038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Metal–polyphenol networks (MPNs), a novel class of nano-biomaterials, have recently emerged as promising candidates for tumor diagnosis and therapy due to their unique chemical tunability, excellent biocompatibility, and synergistic multifunctionality. Notably, MPNs can be synthesized <em>via</em> one-step or multi-step approaches, allowing precise control over their morphology, size, and drug-loading capacity. The versatility of MPNs is further demonstrated by their ability to integrate multiple therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and chemical dynamic therapy. Furthermore, through surface modification with targeted molecules, MPNs enable tumor-specific targeting while facilitating real-time therapeutic monitoring <em>via</em> multimodal imaging. Additionally, MPNs exhibit excellent biocompatibility and superior biodegradability, making them highly suitable for biomedical applications. This review systematically explores MPN synthesis strategies and physicochemical properties. It then comprehensively analyzes MPN-based biomaterials and their tumor therapeutic mechanisms. Furthermore, we evaluate the challenges in MPN clinical translation and propose future perspectives for precise tumor treatment using MPN-based platforms. Ultimately, this review highlights the transformative potential of MPNs in advancing tumor theranostics and lays the foundation for their future clinical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1421-1448"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147553429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xuehui Duan , Yixuan Tang , Zhongjie Tang , Yan Du , Xinlei Chu , XinLong Liu , Zhanyan Liu , Kun Zhao , Wei Xu , Chong Li
{"title":"Dichotomous role of CD47–SIRPα axis: Leveraging opposing functions in phagocytic resistance and transport assistance for enhanced nanocarrier biocompatibility and tumor penetration","authors":"Xuehui Duan , Yixuan Tang , Zhongjie Tang , Yan Du , Xinlei Chu , XinLong Liu , Zhanyan Liu , Kun Zhao , Wei Xu , Chong Li","doi":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.11.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsb.2025.11.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyethylene glycol (PEG) carriers can improve drug circulation, but encounter biocompatibility and tumor penetration challenges. The CD47–SIRP<em>α</em> interaction on macrophages can initiate a “don’t-eat-me” signal, inhibiting phagocytosis. This study elucidates the dichotomous role of the CD47–SIRP<em>α</em> axis in conferring phagocytosis resistance and transport assistance for enhanced nanocarrier biocompatibility and tumor penetration. Using CD47-functional peptide, we elucidated the capacity of this axis to preserve carrier-cell membrane accessibility, impede macrophage-mediated nanocarrier endocytosis, reduce the secretion of IgG and IgM antibodies, and attenuate complement cascade activation. These mechanisms collectively neutralize the accelerated blood clearance of PEGylated liposomes. Notably, we identified the presence of SIRP<em>α</em> in endothelial vasculature and, for the first time, verified its pivotal role in orchestrating liposomal transit across the endothelial barrier. Moreover, within the tumor region, the CD47–SIRP<em>α</em> axis facilitated carrier hitchhiking on macrophages, enabling deep penetration into the tumor parenchyma and regulating the tumor microenvironment through the differential recognition of M1/M2-type tumor-associated macrophages. This study presents the first evidence of the dichotomous role of the CD47–SIRP<em>α</em> axis in regulating carrier biocompatibility, offering insights into its function to overcome the tumor permeability barrier challenge.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":6906,"journal":{"name":"Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. B","volume":"16 3","pages":"Pages 1605-1624"},"PeriodicalIF":14.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147553438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}