Latest ArticlesBy sorting out the development history, specific content, institutional advantages, and challenges of the complete response letter system in the U.S. evaluation decision feedback mechanism, as well as the current situation of drug evaluation feedback mechanism in China, suggestions for China's evaluation decision feedback mechanism were put forward. The U.S. complete response letter system has certain institutional advantages in improving the transparency of evaluation and guiding applicants' subsequent research and development, thereby contributing to the advancement of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry. China needs to carry out appropriate transformation in combination with its own regulatory practices and external environment. For innovative drugs and other drugs with clinical application prospects, on the premise of informing applicants of "why it is not feasible", further guidance should be provided on "what to do next”; internal evaluation procedures should be optimized to improve the continuity of evaluation; common reasons for rejection of approval should be summarized regularly to provide experience for applicants, avoiding repeated detours; public laws and regulations should be gradually improved to achieve a balance between "disclosure" and "protection”. This article provides references for improving the feedback mechanism of drug evaluation and decision-making in China.
Micron-scale tablets (1 000~3 000 μm), driven by the dual forces of Pharmaceutical Industry 4.0 and precision medicine, have emerged as a core carrier for pediatric and personalized treatment due to their exceptional dose flexibility and multi-unit delivery advantages. The quality by design (QbD) concept provides a systematic framework to overcome key industrialization bottlenecks-such as poor flowability at high drug loads, challenges in achieving blend uniformity for ultra-low-dose formulations, and stringent sensitivity requirements for miniaturized quality control-facilitating the successful establishment of a multidimensional "structure-process-quality" correlation model in the field. Research advances demonstrate that the integration of multimodal spectral imaging (HSI-FT-NIR coupling) with neural network fusion technology enables real-time tracking of content uniformity and release profiles at the millimeter level, facilitating the formation of a full-chain quality control closed-loop from process analysis to dynamic release. The integrated application of innovative technologies such as hot melt extrusion-based microfluidic 3D printing offers new pathways for constructing complex functional dosage forms like colon-targeted and gastric-floating tablets. This review further examines the challenges and breakthrough directions for intelligent upgrades in continuous manufacturing under the QbD framework and outlines interdisciplinary pathways and future prospects for the efficient clinical translation of micron-scale tablet technologies.
This article provides an in-depth exploration of the current quality control status and regulatory developments concerning ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol impurities in pharmaceutical excipients. Since the 1940s, global public safety incidents caused by the misuse or contamination of ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol have occurred frequently, drawing significant attention from regulatory authorities worldwide. Regulatory agencies have introduced corresponding measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The article details the sources, uses, safety profiles of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol, as well as their respective pharmacopoeial standards and the current regulatory landscape. Testing for the presence of these three impurities in representative excipient products has revealed potential risks posed by ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol in pharmaceutical excipients. Based on these findings, the article proposes recommendations for strengthening detection standards, enhancing regulatory oversight, and improving safety assessments to ensure the safety of pharmaceutical excipients and prevent similar pharmaceutical disasters. The results indicate that establishing rigorous detection methods and standards for these three impurities is crucial for ensuring the overall quality and safety of pharmaceuticals, especially in the quality control of excipients, which should be given equal importance as that of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
To analyze the issues in the reporting of serious adverse events (SAEs) in pediatric drug clinical trials, propose standardized reporting strategies, ensure the safety and legitimate rights and interests of pediatric research participants, and improve the pharmacovigilance system for pediatric clinical trials.
An analysis was conducted on 136 SAEs reported to the medical ethics committee of our hospital from our hospital between January 1, 2015 and April 30, 2025. The analysis covered the gender and age of affected children, medical specialities involved, types of drugs, patterns of SAE occurrence, causal relationship with the study drug, reporting issues, and whether they were judged as suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions (SUSARs).
Among the 136 SAEs, the pediatric hematology specialty had the highest number of cases (35 cases); the number of male cases (77 cases) was higher than that of female cases (59 cases), and most occurred during childhood (86 cases); among the drug types, therapeutic biological products had the highest number of cases (76 cases); the most significant impact on research participants was the requirement for hospitalization (124 cases); the number of cases where SAEs were "definitely unrelated" to the trial drug was the highest (47 cases), and the most significant impact on clinical trials was "no change in dose, continue medication" (76 cases); 13 cases were judged as SUSARs.
It is necessary to establish a standardized reporting and handling system for SAEs in pediatric drug clinical trials, to develop SAE reporting forms suitable for children, and to attach great importance to the assessment of children's specific conditions. Sponsors, researchers, and ethics committees must fully understand the differences in SAE spectra between children and adults, strengthen safety monitoring, and maximize the protection of the rights and safety of pediatric subjects.
To analyze the current status, hotspots, and trends of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies applied in the field of drug clinical trials, providing a reference for the application of AI technologies in this domain.
A visual analysis of literature on AI applications in drug clinical trials was conducted using CiteSpace across Chinese databases (CNKI and Wanfang) and the English database (Web of Science).
A total of 135 Chinese and 122 English publications were included. The volume of Chinese publications on AI technologies in drug clinical trials exhibited fluctuating growth, while international English publications demonstrated steady and rapid growth. The institution with the highest number of domestic publications was the China National Medical Products Administration, while internationally, it was Harvard University. Collaborative networks among researchers were relatively decentralized both domestically and internationally. Domestic collaborations primarily occurred among pharmaceutical companies, exhibiting a fragmented overall structure. International collaborations were concentrated among universities, with regional clusters of intensive collaboration. Keyword co-occurrence and clustering analyses revealed both commonalities and differences in AI applications between domestic and international reaserch. Currently, machine learning technologies represent a hotspot in both domestic and international research. Applications in participant recruitment are observed globally, and machine learning is leveraged for data analysis to optimize clinical trials, assess outcomes, and diagnose diseases. Domestically, AI applications focused on clinical trial data management, information system design, and implementation. Internationally, key areas included patient recruitment, disease diagnosis within trials, and biomarker prediction. Domestic research emphasized compliance in AI applications, whereas international research prioritized the refinement of AI algorithmics.
The application of AI in drug clinical trials is evolving from foundational data processing toward complex scenario implementation. Future research may advance in areas such as standardization of data formats, data compliance, and the application of AI in complex clinical trial scenarios.
To establish an HPLC-PDA method for the simultaneous determination of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, cichoric acid, baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, wogonoside, baicalein and glycyrrhizic acid in the Puqin Jiedu Lishi Granules.
The analysis was performed on a Waters Symmetry C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) with gradient elution using acetonitrile and 0.2% phosphoric acid solution as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1, the column temperature was 20 ℃, and the detection wavelengths were set at 284 nm, 327 nm, 280 nm and 254 nm.
The linear ranges of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, cichoric acid, baicalin, oroxylin A-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, wogonoside, baicalein and glycyrrhizic acid were 1.860~59.64, 5.425~173.6, 1.980~63.36, 1.890~60.24, 5.990~191.6, 33.30~1066, 6.440~206.0, 28.00~896.0, 2.044~65.40, 6.660~213.1 μg·mL-1, respectively, with the correlation coefficients r≥0.999 5. The precision, stability, and reproducibility tests yielded satisfactory results. The average recoveries of the 10 components ranged from 98.15%~102.21%, with RSDs between 0.96%~1.91%.
This method is reliable, stable and reproducible, providing a reference for the quality control of Puqin Jiedu Lishi Granules.
To investigate the potential active ingredients and mechanism of action of Xiaobo Yuganzi Ddecoction in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was employed to characterize the chemical constituents of Xiaobo Yuganzi Decoction. Potential targets of these chemical constituents and known T2DM-related targets were retrieved from public databases, and their overlapping targets were identified. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed to screen for core targets, followed by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was utilized to construct a ‘drug-constituent-target-pathway’ network, and molecular docking was performed between chemical constituents and key targets to screen for potential active ingredients. Western blotting was employed to investigate the effects of Xiaobo Yuganzi Decoction on the expression levels of proteins related to the PI3K/AKT pathway in HepG2 cells.
A total of 39 chemical constituents were identified in Xiaobo Yuganzi Decoction, and 443 intersecting targets were obtained. These targets were primarily involved in biological processes such as protein phosphorylation. Molecular docking results indicated that jatrorrhizine, berberine, ellagic acid, bufotenidine, bufotenine, and palmatine exhibited good binding affinities to key protein receptors. Compared with the model group, Xiaobo Yuganzi Decoction significantly upregulated the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT proteins in HepG2 cells (P<0.05), consistent with the predictions from network pharmacology.
Potential active ingredients in Xiaobo Yuganzi Decoction, such as jatrorrhizine and ellagic acid, may target core proteins including SRC, HSP90AA1, and STAT3, thereby modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to exert therapeutic effects on T2DM.
To investigate the key solvents influencing the crystallization process of tofacitinib enantiomer and to explore the dominant crystal form.
Recrystallization and suspension competition methods were used to study the crystallization of tofacitinib enantiomer in different solvents. Powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the crystalline forms of tofacitinib enantiomer. The crystal structure and crystal habit of tofacitinib enantiomer were simulated.
The tofacitinib enantiomer synthesized by ethanol was stable. The crystal characterization parameters can be used as an index to measure the raw material quality of tofacitinib enantiomer. The cell parameters of tofacitinib enantiomer are a=8.559 1, b=27.011 4, c=7.157 5, α=γ=90°, β=68.210 1, belonging to the single monoclinic system with the space group P21/c.
Using ethanol as the crystallization solvent can effectively synthesize the dominant crystal form, so as to establish a crystallization process system more suitable for tofacitinib enantiomer, providing a theoretical basis and demonstration effect for the preparation of tofacitinib enantiomer.
To evaluate the in vivo dynamic change patterns and bioavailability of 5 main components in Yinqiao Qingre tablets in rat plasma.
A UPLC-TQ-MS method was established and validated for the simultaneous quantification of the 5 components in plasma. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 was given Yinqiao Qingre tablets by intragastric administration (ig) at a dose of 0.153 7 g·kg-1 crude drug; Group 2 was given a mixed solution of the 5 components at the same concentration as that in the first group via ig; gGroup 3 was intravenously injected (via tail vein) with the mixed solution of the 5 components at a dose of 1 mg·kg-1. Plasma concentrations of the 5 components at different time points were determined. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a non-compartmental model, and absolute and relative bioavailability values were further computed.
The specificity of the 5 components analysis methods in plasma was good, the linear relationship was good (r>0.99), the extraction recovery and matrix effect RSD were less than 15%, and the precision, accuracy and stability within and between batches met the requirements. The average peak time (Tmax) of the five components was 0.083~1.35 h, and the terminal elimination half-life (t1/2) was less than 4 h. Moreover, the compound preparation could prolong the elimination half-life and in vivo residence time of the components. The absolute bioavailabilities of chlorogenic acid, puerarin, isoferulic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were 0.84%, 1.50%, 45.17%, 23.82%, and 32.97%, respectively, while their relative bioavailabilities were all relatively high (ranging from 82% to 94%).
The established analytical method for plasma samples is rapid, stable, and accurate. Yinqiao Qingre tablets can be rapidly absorbed into the blood after oral administration, with isoferulic acid showing the highest plasma exposure and absolute bioavailability. The compatibility of the compound preparation is beneficial for the full exertion of therapeutic effects, and has little impact on the absolute bioavailability of the 5 components.
To identify and analyze disproportionality signals of drug-related thyroid adverse reactions, summarize potentially high-risk drugs, and provide references for clinical medication safety.
Reports of thyroid adverse events from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) between January 2004 and December 2024 were retrieved. Disproportionality analysis was used to assess drug-thyroid adverse event associations, with further evaluation of demographics, time to onset, and patient outcomes.
Among 1 261 drugs, 80 exhibited signals of thyroid adverse reactions, including 39 antineoplastic agents (48.75%), 7 anti-infectives (8.75%), 6 cardiovascular drugs (7.5%), and 9 neurologic agents (11.25%). Amiodarone (2 537 cases), pembrolizumab (1 953 cases), and nivolumab (1 748 cases) were the most frequently reported agents. The strongest thyroid signal intensities (by ROR) were observed for biotin (ROR=164.57), amiodarone (ROR=61.51), bexarotene (ROR=46.85), and benzophenylamine (ROR=35.26). Females showed higher susceptibility (female-to-male ratio: 1∶2.33), particularly in individuals aged 18~64 years (18 352 cases, 59.12%). Thyroid abnormalities associated with antineoplastic drugs had a shorter time to onset. Higher proportions of fatal outcomes were associated with digoxin, sorafenib, pembrolizumab, and nivolumab.
Numerous drugs are associated with the risk of thyroid dysfunction, warranting vigilant monitoring. Females, especially those aged 18~64, represent a high-risk population for frug-related thyroid abnormalities. For antineoplastic agents, the first 60 days of treatment constitute a critical monitoring period; long-term medications demand regular surveillance.