Yang Sun

Prof. Dr. Yang Sun


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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17 August 2024 in Scientific Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ZCZhihua Cai
Zhihua Cai
SLSang Li
Sang Li
ZXZhuang Xiong
Zhuang Xiong
JLJie Lin
Jie Lin
YSYang Sun
Yang Sun
Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by radical hysterectomy has been proposed as an alternative treatment approach for cervical cancer (CC) in stage Ib2-IIb, who had a strong desire to be treated with surgery. Our study aims to develop a model based on multimodal MRI by using radiomics and deep learning to predict the treatment response in CC patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT). From August 2009 to June 2013, CC patients in stage Ib2-IIb (FIGO 2008) who received NACRT at Fujian Cancer Hospital were enrolled in our study. Clinical information, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE-T1WI), and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) data were respectively collected. Radiomic features and deep abstract features were extracted from the images using radiomics and deep learning models, respectively. Then, ElasticNet and SVM-RFE were employed for feature selection to construct four single-sequence feature sets. Early fusion of two multi-sequence feature sets and one hybrid feature set were performed, followed by classification prediction using four machine learning classifiers. Subsequently, the performance of the models in predicting the response to NACRT was evaluated by separating patients into training and validation sets. Additionally, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Among the four machine learning models, SVM exhibited the best predictive performance (AUC=0.86). Among the seven feature sets, the hybrid feature set achieved the highest values for AUC (0.86), ACC (0.75), Recall (0.75), Precision (0.81), and F1-score (0.75) in the validation set, outperforming other feature sets. Furthermore, the predicted outcomes of the model were closely associated with patient OS and DFS (p = 0.0044; p = 0.0039). A model based on MRI images with features from multiple sequences and different methods could precisely predict the response to NACRT in CC patients. This model could assist clinicians in devising personalized treatment plans and predicting patient survival outcomes.

14 July 2025 in Frontiers in Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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JCJian Chen
Jian Chen
HYHaijuan Yu
Haijuan Yu
YLYingtao Lin
Yingtao Lin
DHDan Hu
Dan Hu
LLLi Liu
Li Liu
YSYang Sun
Yang Sun
Background: Immunotherapy has become a powerful clinical strategy for treating recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer (R/M CC). Cadonilimab, a novel anti-PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, has shown substantial clinical benefits in cancer treatment. However, there is no real-world evidence of cadonilimab with a considerable sample size in R/M CC. Hence, we aim to assess the efficacy and safety of cadonilimab in R/M CC patients and explore its potential mechanism.Methods: This retrospective real-world study examined a sample of R/M CC patients treated with cadonilimab at 13 large academic medical centers in China from July 6, 2022, to October 1, 2023. The outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), as well as safety profiles. Additionally, the programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) was detected by immunohistochemistry to confirm its predictive values. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was also performed to investigate its potential antitumor mechanisms.Results: Among the 129 patients with measurable disease, the ORR was 38.8%, consisting of complete and partial responses in 8.5% and 30.2% of patients, respectively. The DCR was 72.1%. The median PFS was 12.4 months, while the median OS has not yet been reached. Subgroup analysis showed a numerical trend toward longer median PFS in patients with PD-L1 CPS ≥ 1 compared with CPS < 1 (14.0 vs. 12.8 months; P = 0.235). Moreover, combined therapy of cadonilimab and radiotherapy was identified as an independent prognostic factor for both OS and PFS. The most common grade 3 or worse adverse event was anemia (28 [20.1%]), decreased white blood cell count (24 [17.2%]), and decreased neutrophil count (20 [14.4%]). The most prevalent genetic variant was PIK3CA, highlighting the importance of the PI3K-AKT pathway in the antitumor mechanism of cadonilimab.Conclusions: Cadonilimab shows an encouraging tumor response rate, with a manageable safety profile in patients with R/M CC. Notably, cadonilimab is also effective for those with PD-L1 CPS <1, suggesting a broad range of application prospects in R/M CC.Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT06140589.

26 November 2024 in Frontiers in Immunology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HYHaijuan Yu
Haijuan Yu
JLJie Lin
Jie Lin
JCJian Chen
Jian Chen
LCLijun Chen
Lijun Chen
JZJianping Zou
Jianping Zou
YSYang Sun
Yang Sun
The outcome of patients with recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer (R/M CC) is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of only 10%–20%. Recent advances in immunotherapy renewed its interest in R/M CC treatment. It has been suggested that cadonilimab, a novel bispecific antibody targeting programmed death 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), significantly improved the survival outcomes of the R/M CC. In the present study, we reported a programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) positive CC case at stage IV who was treated with cadonilimab and achieved a surprising radiographic complete response (CR) for 10 months, even in the PD-L1 negative metastatic site. Demographic, clinical, histopathological, laboratory, treatment regime and imaging data were recorded. Unfortunately, the patient progressed rapidly during maintenance therapy when cadonilimab was replaced by sintilimab, the monoclonal antibody against PD-1, indicating the more powerful anti-tumor activity of dual blockade immunotherapy. To conclude, cadonilimab offers a promising and effective therapeutic approach for R/M CC. Notably, HER-2 is also expected to be a new reference target for cadonilimab therapy.

20 August 2024 in Cancer Epidemiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SDSufang Deng
Sufang Deng
YZYan Zhou
Yan Zhou
JLJie Lin
Jie Lin
ZXZhisheng Xiang
Zhisheng Xiang
LLLinying Liu
Linying Liu
YSYang Sun
Yang Sun
To analyze the survival outcomes of female patients with cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers in Southeast China (Fujian Province) from 2011 to 2020 and to provide a reference basis for prognostic evaluation and prevention of gynecological malignancies. The data of 5823 patients with cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers registered in the Fujian Provincial Cancer Prevention and Control System from 2011 to 2020 were enrolled for survival analysis and further stratified by age at diagnosis and township. Survival time was calculated up to March 30, 2022, and relative survival (RS) and age-standardized RS were calculated according to the International Cancer Survival Standards (ICSS). During 2011-2015, the 5-year RS for cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers were 64.3 %, 64.2 %, and 44.7 %, respectively, while the age-standardized 5-year RS were 56.8 %, 47.9 %, and 27.9 %, respectively. During 2016-2020, the 5-year RS for cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers were 72.3 %, 78.9 %, and 50.8 %, respectively, while the age-standardized 5-year RS were 64.5 %, 54.6 %, and 34.2 %, respectively. The 5-year RS for cervical and ovarian cancer all declined with age, while the 5-year RS for uterine cancer was highest at 45-54 years and lowest at 75 years. In addition, survival rates were broadly higher in urban than rural areas. Survival rates for cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers have generally increased in the population covered by the Fujian Cancer Registry. However, survival rates remain lower than in developed countries. Emphasis should be placed on gynecological cancer screening and the introduction of effective treatments to improve survival rates for gynecological cancers.

19 December 2025 in Abdominal Radiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
SDSufang Deng
Sufang Deng
LLLinying Liu
Linying Liu
LLLin Lin
Lin Lin
ZXzhuang xiong
zhuang xiong
ZCZhihua Cai
Zhihua Cai
YSYang Sun
Yang Sun

20 August 2026 in Scientific Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YFYixin Fu
Yixin Fu
JLJie Lin
Jie Lin
XJXin Jiang
Xin Jiang
NXNing Xie
Ning Xie
LCLinxi Chen
Linxi Chen
YSYang Sun
Yang Sun
The incidence of vulvar cancer has been increasing, particularly among younger women, yet prognostic tools specifically designed for early-onset vulvar cancer (EOVC) remain limited. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified 1386 patients with EOVC and developed prognostic models for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Independent prognostic factors were identified using multivariable Cox regression, and nomograms were subsequently constructed and compared with five machine learning (ML) survival models, including random survival forest, gradient boosting machine, CoxBoost, LASSO-Cox, and survival support vector machine. Model performance was evaluated using the concordance index (C-index), time-dependent area under the curve (AUC), Brier score, calibration slope and intercept, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Age, marital status, histological type, tumor differentiation, lymph node status, SEER stage, primary tumor site, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were independently associated with prognosis. The Cox-based nomograms demonstrated favorable discrimination, calibration, and greater net benefit than TNM staging. Although RSF and GBM showed competitive discriminative ability, no statistically significant improvement over the Cox-based nomogram was observed. In validation analyses, most ML models demonstrated reduced generalizability and less stable calibration, whereas the Cox-based model maintained more consistent predictive performance with lower Brier scores. In conclusion, we developed and validated clinically applicable nomograms for individualized survival prediction in EOVC. Compared with more complex ML approaches, the Cox-based nomogram showed robust performance, stability, and interpretability, supporting its potential clinical utility.