87 Lung cancer continues to be one of the deadliest forms of cancer worldwide, with high rates of diagnosis and mortality each year. Despite significant advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, patients often face serious obstacles such as drug resistance, high treatment costs, and severe side effects. Against this backdrop, growing attention is being given to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as both a complementary and supportive approach to managing the disease. The findings were published in the journal Molecular Cancer. TCM has been used in China for thousands of years and is based on a holistic view of health that treats the body as an interconnected system. Modern researchers are now examining its potential role in helping lung cancer patients live longer and with a better quality of life. The appeal lies not only in its direct effects on tumours but also in its ability to support the immune system, reduce treatment toxicity, and improve overall resilience. The review highlights that TCM can play several roles in lung cancer management. Clinical trials and meta-analyses show that herbal formulations, often delivered through oral solutions or injections, can enhance the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy. In some studies, patients receiving TCM in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy showed higher response rates and improved physical performance compared with those on chemotherapy alone. This suggests that TCM may boost the benefits of conventional treatment while also easing its burdens. On a biological level, TCM appears to act through multiple mechanisms. Laboratory studies reveal that certain compounds can trigger cancer cell death through processes such as apoptosis and autophagy. Others help to reverse drug resistance, which is one of the greatest challenges in long-term lung cancer care. TCM has also been shown to reduce the spread of cancer by disrupting processes that encourage tumour growth and metastasis. Importantly, some herbal formulations have demonstrated the ability to strengthen the effects of immunotherapy by modulating immune cell activity. From the perspective of patient well-being, TCM is valued for its personalised approach. Treatments are often tailored to individual patterns of deficiency or imbalance, aiming to restore harmony within the body. For example, therapies may be directed at strengthening Qi, nourishing Yin, or reducing phlegm depending on the patient’s presentation. This focus on the whole person rather than solely the tumour aligns with the increasing emphasis on quality of life in cancer care. However, while the findings are promising, researchers stress the need for more rigorous clinical studies. The challenge remains in standardising herbal formulations and ensuring safety across diverse patient populations. Many TCM remedies are complex mixtures, and understanding their interactions with conventional drugs requires further scientific scrutiny. Nonetheless, the growing body of evidence suggests that integrating TCM into modern treatment strategies could offer patients additional options beyond chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. The review underscores a future in which ancient practices and modern science may work together. By combining the strengths of both, there is hope for more effective and compassionate approaches to lung cancer treatment, providing patients not only with extended survival but also with improved daily living.
Lung cancer continues to be one of the deadliest forms of cancer worldwide, with high rates of diagnosis and mortality each year. Despite significant advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, patients often face serious obstacles such as drug resistance, high treatment costs, and severe side effects. Against this backdrop, growing attention is being given to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as both a complementary and supportive approach to managing the disease. The findings were published in the journal Molecular Cancer. TCM has been used in China for thousands of years and is based on a holistic view of health that treats the body as an interconnected system. Modern researchers are now examining its potential role in helping lung cancer patients live longer and with a better quality of life. The appeal lies not only in its direct effects on tumours but also in its ability to support the immune system, reduce treatment toxicity, and improve overall resilience. The review highlights that TCM can play several roles in lung cancer management. Clinical trials and meta-analyses show that herbal formulations, often delivered through oral solutions or injections, can enhance the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy. In some studies, patients receiving TCM in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy showed higher response rates and improved physical performance compared with those on chemotherapy alone. This suggests that TCM may boost the benefits of conventional treatment while also easing its burdens. On a biological level, TCM appears to act through multiple mechanisms. Laboratory studies reveal that certain compounds can trigger cancer cell death through processes such as apoptosis and autophagy. Others help to reverse drug resistance, which is one of the greatest challenges in long-term lung cancer care. TCM has also been shown to reduce the spread of cancer by disrupting processes that encourage tumour growth and metastasis. Importantly, some herbal formulations have demonstrated the ability to strengthen the effects of immunotherapy by modulating immune cell activity. From the perspective of patient well-being, TCM is valued for its personalised approach. Treatments are often tailored to individual patterns of deficiency or imbalance, aiming to restore harmony within the body. For example, therapies may be directed at strengthening Qi, nourishing Yin, or reducing phlegm depending on the patient’s presentation. This focus on the whole person rather than solely the tumour aligns with the increasing emphasis on quality of life in cancer care. However, while the findings are promising, researchers stress the need for more rigorous clinical studies. The challenge remains in standardising herbal formulations and ensuring safety across diverse patient populations. Many TCM remedies are complex mixtures, and understanding their interactions with conventional drugs requires further scientific scrutiny. Nonetheless, the growing body of evidence suggests that integrating TCM into modern treatment strategies could offer patients additional options beyond chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. The review underscores a future in which ancient practices and modern science may work together. By combining the strengths of both, there is hope for more effective and compassionate approaches to lung cancer treatment, providing patients not only with extended survival but also with improved daily living.