Biomedical Journal最新文献

{"title":"Distinct subtypes of kidney transplant-associated urothelial carcinomas harboring BK polyomavirus integration and aristolochic acid mutational signatures.","authors":"Jiun-Wen Wang, Yi-Jung Li, Tzu-Hao Huang, Hsin-Hsu Wu, Hsu-Han Wang, Yang-Jen Chiang, See-Tong Pang, Abner Herbert Lim, Cedric Chuan Young Ng, Wei Liu, Jing Yi Lee, Jing Han Hong, Bin Tean Teh, Jason Yongsheng Chan, Ya-Chung Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100990","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2026.100990","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is common in kidney transplant recipients, especially in Taiwan. Both BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) genome integration and aristolochic acid (AA) mutagenesis have been implicated in UC carcinogenesis, but their relative contributions remain unclear.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>To characterize the molecular features of UC in kidney transplant recipients, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 19 tumor specimens and analyzed BKPyV integration sites and AA mutational signatures.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>BKPyV genome integration was detected in 6 of 19 (32%) UC specimens, yielding a total of 21 integration sites. Chromosomes 8 and 12 exhibited higher frequencies of integration events. Among these integration sites, 76% were located within introns, 19% in intergenic regions, and one within an exon. AA mutational signatures were identified in 84% of UC specimens. An APOBEC signature was found in 89% of specimens, with high activity in two specimens from patients with polyomavirus nephropathy. Frequent somatic mutations were observed in genes related to chromatin modification [KMT2C (68%), KMT2D (53%), CREBBP (42%), ARID1A (42%)], cell-cycle regulation [TP53 (58%), NF1 (47%), ATM (32%)], and oncogenic signaling [ERBB2 (21%), PIK3CA (16%), FGFR3 (11%), HRAS (11%)]. Notably, UC specimens with BKPyV integration harbored significantly fewer mutations compared to those with AA mutational signatures.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings reveal two distinct molecular subtypes of UC in kidney transplant recipients: one characterized by BKPyV genome integration and the other by AA-associated mutagenesis. These observations suggest divergent mechanisms of UC tumorigenesis and may have implications for diagnosis and treatment in this high-risk population.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100990"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148013305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines against COVID-19 omicron variants in children aged 6-11 years in Taiwan.","authors":"Yi-Ching Chen, Wei-Lun Chang, Chih-Hsien Chuang, Yu-Tung Huang, Cheng-Hsun Chiu, Heng-Yu Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100993","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2026.100993","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although COVID-19 is typically less severe in children, pediatric infections contribute to transmission and severe disease, particularly in those with comorbidities. This study evaluates the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 against Omicron BA.2/BA.5 in Taiwan, an infection-naïve population at the time of vaccine introduction.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>This nationwide observational study utilized the National Health Insurance Research Database and the National Immunization Information System. We included children aged 6-11 years who completed a two-dose primary series between May and June 2022 or remained unvaccinated. Propensity score weighting (PSW) adjusted for age, sex, and health status. Outcomes included SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed via emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalization, and moderate-to-severe COVID-19. VE was estimated using weighted logistic regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 347,715 children, 115,449 received BNT162b2, 91,531 received mRNA-1273, and 140,735 were unvaccinated. Compared with unvaccinated children, adjusted VE against ED-confirmed infection was 58.8% (95% CI: 53.6%-63.4%) for BNT162b2 and 73.9% (95% CI: 69.3%-77.8%) for mRNA-1273. For moderate-to-severe disease, VE was 69.9% (95% CI: 58.0%-78.5%) for BNT162b2 and 75.5% (95% CI: 63.2%-83.6%) for mRNA-1273. Protection remained consistent across clinical subgroups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A two-dose primary series of BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 provided substantial protection against moderate-to-critical COVID-19 and reduced ED-confirmed infections during the Omicron period. These results support the public health value of pediatric mRNA vaccination in preventing severe outcomes in settings with low prior infection rates.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100993"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147962021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"External validation of MAGIC-D model in Taiwanese patients with advanced biliary tract cancer receiving durvalumab and chemotherapy.","authors":"Chung-Hao Ku, Wen-Kuan Huang, Chun-Feng Wu, Chun-Yi Tsai, Jun-Te Hsu, Shao-Ming Yu, Ming-Mo Hou, Po-Jung Su, Chi-Chen Lan, Chi-Lin Hsieh, Yu-Wei Hsu, Jen-Shi Chen, Chia-Hsun Hsieh, Yu-Shin Hung, Wen-Chi Chou","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100995","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2026.100995","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The MAGIC-D score is a prognostic index developed to stratify outcomes in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) treated with gemcitabine-cisplatin-durvalumab (GCD). We conducted an external validation study to evaluate the prognostic performance of MAGIC-D in a real-world Taiwanese cohort.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>We reviewed patients with unresectable or metastatic BTC receiving first-line GCD at four centers between 2021 and 2025. Baseline clinical, laboratory, treatment, and safety data were collected. Patients were classified into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups using MAGIC-D. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis with hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox regression. Model discrimination was assessed using area under the curve (AUC).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 172 patients, MAGIC-D classified 48 (27.9%) as low-risk, 80 (46.5%) intermediate-risk, and 44 (25.6%) as high-risk. Median OS and PFS were 13.8 and 5.1 months, respectively for the entire cohort. Median OS by risk group was 23.2 months (low), 16.3 months (intermediate; HR 1.95, 95% CI 1.04-3.67), and 4.9 months (high; HR 7.12, 95% CI 3.70-13.7). PFS times were 6.7, 5.1, and 2.2 months, respectively. MAGIC-D achieved AUCs of 0.755 and 0.749 for 6- and 12-months survival prediction, respectively, outperforming neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and other baseline factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In this first external validation in Asian BTC patients, MAGIC-D effectively stratified patients by survival and treatment response. MAGIC-D may aid in risk-adapted patient counseling, follow-up planning, and clinical trial stratification for GCD-treated BTC.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100995"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147961953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Moderate exercise mobilizes Prg4+ cells in the superficial zone of articular cartilage and maintains cartilage homeostasis.","authors":"Peichu Tian, Yaojun Suo, Li Guo, Pengcui Li, Jiazhu Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Yongsheng Ma, Xuanping Zhang, Chunfang Wang, Xiaochun Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100989","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2026.100989","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Different exercise intensities exert distinct effects on the knee joint. Overuse of the knee joint may lead to the early onset of osteoarthritis (OA), which is usually associated with injury to the superficial zone (SFZ) of articular cartilage. Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), a representative marker of the SFZ, plays a pivotal role in articular cartilage lubrication and is mainly secreted by SFZ cells.In this study, Cre-dependent Prg4 tracing mice and wild-type mice were used, and all mice were subjected to treadmill running to induce forced movement. Additionally, the proliferation and pluripotency of SFZ cells were investigated, with relevant markers including Pcna, CD34, and others.As expected, the red fluorescence of Prg4 was significantly upregulated under moderate exercise but downregulated under excessive exercise. However, no significant changes were observed in proliferation- and stem cell-related markers, except for CD34 in the excessive exercise group. Furthermore, several anabolism and catabolism markers, such as Collagen 2, Aggrecan, and Mmp13, did not show significant changes during the exercise process.In summary, Prg4 expression increased under moderate exercise and slightly decreased under excessive exercise, which could provide guidance for formulating appropriate exercise patterns. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that Caspase-3, one of the apoptosis markers, exhibited the same expression tendency as Prg4 during exercise.Collectively, this study demonstrated the expression patterns of Prg4 and other related markers under different exercise intensities, confirming that moderate exercise enhances Prg4 expression and that Prg4 maintains a relatively high level even under excessive exercise. Furthermore, Prg4 may regulate Caspase-3 expression through a specific signaling pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100989"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147833057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cytoplasmic DNA sensors and their regulators.","authors":"Roger J Eloiflin, Isabelle K Vila, Nadine Laguette","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100988","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2026.100988","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is naturally contained within the mitochondria and nucleus of cells. DNA localized outside of these areas is generally considered to constitute damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMP) that trigger innate immune responses. The variety of these immune-stimulatory nucleic acids, coupled with the variety of proteins known to interact with DNA DAMPS and to act as sensors or regulators, is an important layer of regulation that defines the nature and breadth of inflammatory responses within a given cell or tissue. In this review, we describe the various DNA substrates that co-exist in cells, how they are sensed, and what regulates their cytoplasmic availability and recognition. We subsequently discuss how this complexity may dictate tissue-specific immune response and suggest that a more integrated view of the interconnection between pathways is necessary in order to define molecular targets for treatment intervention in inflammatory pathologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100988"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147810545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evolutionary Conservation, Expansion and Diversification of Interferon stimulated genes (ISG) in Vertebrates: insights from fish.","authors":"Bertrand Collet, Pierre Boudinot","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100987","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2026.100987","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Interferons (IFNs) are central regulators of innate antiviral immunity, acting through conserved signalling pathways to induce a diverse repertoire of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). IFNs have been identified across all lineages of jawed vertebrates, while related antiviral strategies in invertebrates rely on different systems. However, antiviral integrated pathways based on secreted factors analogous to IFN, and using homologous signalling modules, have been reported in Arthropods and Molluscs. This review examines the evolutionary origin, regulation, and functional diversification of ISGs, with an emphasis on fish research. Comparative analyses across vertebrates have revealed a conserved core set of ISGs inherited from the last common ancestor of fish and tetrapods, alongside extensive lineage-specific expansions driven by host-pathogen arms races. In teleost fish, whole-genome duplication events have further shaped ISG repertoires through differential paralog retention, loss, and neo/sub-functionalization. Beyond classical IFN-dependent induction, a subset of ISGs can be activated directly by viral infection, perhaps reflecting remnants of primordial cell-autonomous antiviral responses. Functional redundancy among ISGs underpins the robustness of the IFN system. Finally, the review highlights how recognition of self versus non-self RNA-exemplified by CpG-targeting mechanisms mediated by ZAP-has shaped both viral genomes and ISG sequence evolution. The IFN system as a highly integrated network whose comparative study across vertebrates offers critical insights into antiviral defence and host-virus co-evolution.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100987"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147760706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hofbauer Macrophages and FXIIIA1 Expression: Immunoregulatory, Angiogenic, and Clinical Implications in Pregnancy.","authors":"Doty Ojwach, Fernando Martinez Estrada, Clive Gray","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100986","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100986","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hofbauer macrophages (HCs) are central regulators of placental biology, acting as key mediators of immune surveillance, tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, and homeostasis at the maternal-fetal interface. Their immunoregulatory nature shaped by both foetal and maternal cues, supports healthy foetal development and maintains a tolerogenic microenvironment. Factor XIII A1 (FXIIIA1), a transglutaminase involved in extracellular matrix cross-linking and immune modulation, has emerged as a critical determinant of HC phenotype and function. Increasing evidence suggests that FXIIIA1 expression enhances placental resilience, supports vascular development, and shapes HC responses to infectious or inflammatory stressors. Understanding the molecular pathways linking HC biology and FXIIIA1 activity will deepen our insight into normal placental development and the pathogenesis of pregnancy complications. Moreover, delineating how maternal infections, metabolic conditions, and drug exposures influence HC behavior may open new therapeutic avenues for improving pregnancy outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100986"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-04-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147760758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Radium-223 Treatment Outcomes in Patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: A Taiwan-Japan Collaborative Cohort Study.","authors":"Hao Lun Luo, Yi Yang Liu, Hui Ying Liu, Yu Li Su, Yen-Hao Chen, Chikara Ohyama, Shingo Hatakeyama, Hideo Kawaguch, Masahiko Aoki, Yen-Hsiang Chang, Hung-Jen Wang, Yen Ta Chen, Yen Ting Wu, Yin Lun Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100976","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2026.100976","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study examined oncologic outcomes associated with Radium-223 (Ra-223) administered at different treatment lines in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with bone metastases, and evaluated the prognostic implications of biomarker responses-particularly prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-during Ra-223 therapy.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>Patients with mCRPC treated with Ra-223 between August 2016 and March 2023 were identified from the multi-institutional Chang Gung Research Database (Taiwan) and Hirosaki University Hospital (Aomori, Japan). The primary endpoint was the changes in biomarkers during Ra-223 treatment. Secondary endpoints included hematologic adverse events and survival outcomes. Multivariable Cox regression and sensitivity analyses were performed to adjust for baseline clinical factors and potential selection bias.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 306 included patients, earlier use of Ra-223 was associated with more favorable biomarker dynamics, including smaller post-treatment PSA increase and greater ALP reductions (p=0.003). Post-treatment PSA velocity was significantly lower, and post-Ra-223 survival was longer (both p<0.001), particularly in patients with ALP decreases or PSA increases <100% after Ra-223 treatment (p<0.01), corresponding to survival risk levels (low, intermediate, high). Although overall survival from mCRPC diagnosis differed by treatment line, survival from Ra-223 initiation was more strongly associated with biomarker dynamics than treatment line itself.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this multicenter cohort, earlier use of Ra-223 in patients with mCRPC was associated with more favorable biomarker responses (PSA and ALP) and longer post-treatment survival. Decreases in ALP levels and limited PSA increases (<100%) were associated with distinct overall and post-treatment survival risk profiles and may serve as clinically useful prognostic indicators.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100976"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147670249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bavachinin Suppresses Growth and Metastasis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma through GSK-3β/β-Catenin Pathway: Potential for Synergistic Anticancer Therapy with Cisplatin.","authors":"Pei-Yu Hsu, Yann-Lii Leu, Chin-Chuan Chen, Min Chen, Kai-Ping Chang, Wan-Ling Wang, Fei-Wen Jan, Sien-Hung Yang, Chia-Yu Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2026.100975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bj.2026.100975","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, often complicated by recurrence, metastasis, and chemoresistance. While cisplatin remains a cornerstone of OSCC treatment, its efficacy is limited by systemic toxicity and resistance. In search of safer, effective adjunctive strategies, we investigated bavachinin, a flavanone from Psoralea corylifolia L., for its antitumor potential in OSCC.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Integrated in vitro, in silico, and in vivo approaches were employed. Functional assays evaluated cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Transcriptomic profiling identified dysregulated pathways, with key targets validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Molecular docking predicted protein targets, confirmed by Western blot. Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy were evaluated in C57BL/6 mice and OSCC cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Bavachinin significantly reduced cell viability, induced G2/M phase arrest, promoted apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion in OSCC cells. Transcriptomic profiling and qRT-PCR revealed suppression of genes involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and cell adhesion. Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) was identified as a potential target by molecular docking analysis, confirmed by increased phosphorylation at Tyr216 and β-catenin degradation, leading to downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and fibronectin. As natural compounds are rarely used as monotherapies, bavachinin combined with cisplatin showed synergistic antitumor effects in OSCC CDX and PDX models, without systemic toxicity in mice.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Bavachinin exerts potent antitumor effects via modulation of the GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway and may serve as a promising adjunct to cisplatin in OSCC treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":" ","pages":"100975"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147643869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multidisciplinary team approach to pelvic floor disorders: A systematic review","authors":"Tzong-Yun Tsai ,&nbsp;Shu-Huan Huang ,&nbsp;Chun-Kai Liao ,&nbsp;Kun-Yu Tsai ,&nbsp;Pao-Shiu Hsieh ,&nbsp;Sum-Fu Chiang ,&nbsp;Osamu Hiraike","doi":"10.1016/j.bj.2025.100912","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.bj.2025.100912","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) severely and negatively impact on quality of life, affecting physical, psychological, and social well-being. Historically, PFDs have been managed within single-specialty frameworks, yet the complexity of these conditions often necessitates a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach. This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of MDT strategies in improving outcomes for individuals with PFDs, aiming to identify the benefits and potential advantages of integrated, multi-specialty care for these complex conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL was conducted through September 25, 2024. Inclusion criteria were studies of adult patients with PFDs in which MDT protocols were integrated for diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation. Eligible studies included comparisons between MDT and non-MDT care, as well as studies without a comparison group. Outcomes of interest were patient-reported outcomes, therapy adherence, complication rates, and recurrence rates. Three independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts for eligibility, with discrepancies resolved through discussion to reach a consensus. Data extraction was independently performed by two reviewers, and any discrepancies were adjudicated by a third reviewer.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total, 24 studies conducted across various countries were included, comprising 21 retrospective cohort studies, 2 prospective cohort studies, and 1 randomized controlled trial (RCT), with sample sizes ranging from 36 to 3600 patients. The findings generally indicate favorable outcomes with an MDT approach, including enhanced surgical results, greater symptom relief, reduced recurrence and complication rates following surgical interventions, improved treatment adherence, and high patient satisfaction.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>An MDT approach offers benefits for PFD management, improving patient-reported outcomes, treatment adherence, and quality of life. This review supports the broader adoption of MDT approaches for comprehensive PFD management. Further research is warranted to confirm long-term effectiveness and standardize MDT protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8934,"journal":{"name":"Biomedical Journal","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 100912"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145032690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}