Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39816489›Full record

ReviewCancer management and research2025

The Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Derived Formulations in Cancer Immunotherapy: A Review.

Yanyun Li, Changying Li, Junzi Fan, Yutong Liu, Yincong Xu, Guowei Pang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Cancer management and research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Yanyun LiSchool of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
Changying LiSchool of Ophthalmology and optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
Junzi FanSchool of Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
Yutong LiuSchool of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
Yincong XuCollege of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
Guowei PangSchool of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, People's Republic of China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Cancer immunotherapy is an advanced therapeutic approach that harnesses the body's immune system to target and eliminate tumor cells. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with a history rooted in centuries of clinical practice, plays a crucial role in enhancing immune responses, alleviating cancer-related symptoms, and reducing the risks of infections and complications in cancer patients. Methodology: This review systematically examines the current literature on TCM-based formulations in cancer immunotherapy. It explores the mechanisms by which TCM augments immune responses, particularly focusing on how these formulations influence both innate and adaptive immunity. Various TCM herbs and compounds, their active ingredients, and their application in cancer prevention and treatment were analyzed through an integrated review of preclinical studies, clinical trials, and molecular mechanistic investigations. Results: TCM formulations contribute to cancer therapy by modulating the body's internal environment to improve immune defense. They enhance the immune system's ability to detect and destroy cancer cells, promote apoptosis in tumor cells, inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, and augment the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatments. The review highlights specific TCM herbs and formulations that have demonstrated significant anti-cancer properties, including their ability to strengthen immune responses and provide synergistic effects with existing cancer therapies. Conclusion: TCM-derived formulations represent a promising addition to cancer immunotherapy. The mechanisms through which these formulations enhance anti-tumor immunity are multifaceted, involving modulation of immune cell activity, apoptosis induction, and suppression of tumor progression. As cancer immunotherapy evolves, the integration of TCM into conventional treatment regimens may offer enhanced therapeutic efficacy, reduced side effects, and improved overall outcomes for cancer patients. Further clinical research is needed to fully elucidate the therapeutic potential and safety of TCM-based immunotherapeutic strategies in cancer care.

Indexed as

anti-tumor therapycancerdrug delivery systemsimmune abilitynanocarriersTCMtraditional Chinese medicinetumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID39816489
PMCPMC11734505

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.