Application of Traditional Chinese Medicines as Personalized Therapy in Human Cancers

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (05) ◽  
pp. 953-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumei Wang ◽  
Shunqin Long ◽  
Wanyin Wu
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Good Method ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Management ◽  
Human Cancers

Although lots of great achievements have been gained in the battle against cancer during the past decades, cancer is still the leading cause of death in the world including in developing countries such as China. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is popular in Chinese and East Asian societies as well as some other Western countries and plays an active role in the modern healthcare system including patients with cancer, which may act as a potential effective strategy in treating human cancers. In this review, we aimed to introduce the mechanisms of TCM compound, as an option of individualized therapy, in treating cancer patients from the perspective of both Chinese and Western medicine. In the view of traditional Chinese medicine theory, individualized treatment for human cancers based on syndrome type benefits the cancer patients with personalized conditions. Balancing Qi, Xue, Yin and Yang, eliminating phlegm and removing dampness is how TCM compound functions on cancer patients. While in the view of Western medicine, inhibiting cancer cell growth and metastasis as well as improving immune status is how herbal compounds act on cancer patients. We also summarized the applications of TCM compound in human cancers, which will shed light on the clinical application of TCM compound on patients with cancer. TCM compound could be used as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in human cancers. It could be applied in cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue (CRF). In addition, it is a good method for alleviating the side effects of both radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, TCM compound plays a critical role in treating patients with cancer, which has a promising strategy in the field of cancer management.

scholarly journals Effects of Integrated Chinese Traditional Medicine and Conventional Western Medicine on the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Xue Bai ◽  
Na Ta ◽  
Guo-Hua Gong ◽  
Bin Zhang ◽  
Cheng-Xi Wei
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients

Background. Traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used, in conjunction with conventional Western medicine, in clinical practice around the world to treat breast cancer. The study systematically reviewed and summarized the quality of life of breast cancer patients treated with integrated treatment method vs. conventional Western medicine. Methods. Eight databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine Disc, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wanfang Data knowledge service platform were searched in this study. The retrieval period was set from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020. Results. Twenty-two high-quality publications were included in this study. The total sample size was 1689 patients including 844 in the intervention group receiving traditional Chinese medicine combined with conventional Western medicine and 845 patients in the control group receiving conventional Western medicine only. Compared with the single-used conventional Western medicine treatment, an integrated approach to treat breast cancer can increase quality of life measured by rating scales (SMD = 1.29, 95% CI (1.07, 1.52) and P = 0.01 ) and ranking scales (RR = 1.53, 95% CI (1.39 1.68) and P = 0.02 ) and also decrease adverse reactions measured by rating scales (Z = 10.89, P < 0.05 ; Group 1: I2 = 9.0%, P = 0.258 , SMD = 1.03; and Group 2: I2 = 31.6%, P = 0.199 , SMD = 1.56). For further analysis, chemotherapy with epirubicin exhibited higher quality of life than the chemotherapy without epirubicin among breast cancer patients [Z = 19.80, P < 0.05 ; Group 1: I2 = 62.4%, P = 0.070 , SMD = 1.61; and Group 2: I2 = 9.0%, P = 0.359 , SMD = 1.04]. Despite the heterogeneity, which was due to a portion of relative low-quality literature or other factors, the results were satisfactory. In terms of secondary results, the patients with lower tumor markers (CEA and CA153) had better efficiency in quality of life with a statistically significant difference (SMD = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.10,1.67) for rating scales. In addition, secondary results related to high incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions (RR = 1.33, 95% CI (1.20, 1.48)) and the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome (RR = 1.50, 95% CI (1.28, 1.80))showed lower quality of life in the intervention group than the control group for ranking scales. Conclusion. Traditional Chinese medicine, when used in conjunction with the conventional Western medicine, could be an effective way in improving the quality of life and alleviating incidence of associated adverse symptoms such as gastrointestinal adverse reactions, value of tumor markers, and the incidence of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome. Further investigation of larger and methodologically sound trials with longer follow-up periods and appropriate comparison groups is needed.

scholarly journals Navigating communication between Conventional Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A case study of cancer patients in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Pun ◽  
Wendy Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Adequate Knowledge

Abstract Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a growing phenomenon around the world. However, despite its historical role in Chinese society, there has been limited research exploring the nature of communication around cancer patients who receive TCM care in additional to conventional medicine. If TCM practitioners with adequate knowledge in understanding the needs and communication issues around patients with cancer, particularly those who simultaneously receive conventional medicine, it will lead to a better quality of care and result in better clinical outcomes such as high patient satisfaction and compliance with treatments.Objectives: To fill in this gap, this study aims to explore the nature of the communication amongst cancer patients in Hong Kong who receive TCM treatment in addition to conventional medicine.Participants: Twenty patients, 5 oncologists and 5 TCM practitioners were invited to conduct in-depth interviews to elicit their views towards their TCM treatment.Method: A qualitative approach called Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is adopted.Results: Based on the themes that emerged from the interview transcripts, we outline the priorities of communication when dealing with cancer patients who receive both TCM and conventional medicine. A framework was developed to assist training TCM practitioners to better integrate their patients' conventional medical history when delivering patient care. Conclusions: The findings of this study can shed light to inform priorities in communication when caring for patients who opt for TCM care in addition to conventional treatments, and to provide useful information for developing future clinical research of providing integrated approach between TCM and conventional medicine in treating cancer patients.

scholarly journals Navigating Communication Between Western Medicine And Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Case Study of Cancer Patients In Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Pun ◽  
Wendy Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Adequate Knowledge

Abstract Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a growing phenomenon around the world. However, despite its historical role in Chinese society, there has been limited research exploring the nature of communication around cancer patients who receive TCM care in additional to conventional medicine. If TCM practitioners with adequate knowledge in understanding the needs and communication issues around patients with cancer, particularly those who simultaneously receive conventional medicine, it will lead to a better quality of care and result in better clinical outcomes such as high patient satisfaction and compliance with treatments. Objectives: To fill in this gap, this study aims to explore the nature of the communication amongst cancer patients in Hong Kong who receive TCM treatment in addition to conventional medicine. Methods: Twenty patients, 5 oncologists and 5 TCM practitioners were invited to conduct in-depth interviews to elicit their views towards their TCM treatment. A qualitative approach called Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is adopted. Results: Based on the themes that emerged from the interview transcripts, we outline the priorities of communication when dealing with cancer patients who receive both TCM and conventional medicine. A framework was developed to assist training TCM practitioners to better integrate their patients' conventional medical history when delivering patient care. Conclusion: The findings of this study can shed light to inform priorities in communication when caring for patients who opt for TCM care in addition to conventional treatments, and to provide useful information for developing future clinical research of providing integrated approach between TCM and conventional medicine in treating cancer patients.

scholarly journals Effects of Shaoyao-Gancao-Fuzi Decoction on the Pharmacokinetics of CYP3A4-Mediated Tofacitinib in Rats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Lin ◽  
Yuan Wang ◽  
Sennan Shao ◽  
Wen Lin ◽  
Dan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Oral Administration ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Profiles ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Cocktail Approach

Abstract Background: The combination of traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine is commonly accepted in clinics in China. Shaoyao-Gancao-Fuzi decoction (SGFD) has been extensively used to dispel wind, eliminate dampness and treat paralysis. Tofacitinib is approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. SGFD and tofacitinib could be used together for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.Methods: A cocktail approach was employed to assess the effects of SGFD on the activities of CYP450s. After pretreatment for 2 weeks with SGFD, a cocktail solution was given to rats 24 h after the last dose of saline or SGFD. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic profiles of oral administration of tofacitinib in rats, with or without SGFD pre-treatment were investigated.Results: The results showed that SGFD could induce the activity of CYP1A2 and inhibit the activity of CYP3A4. Furthermore, SGFD could significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of tofacitinib. Compared with control group, the AUC0-∞ of tofacitinib was increased from 13669.53 ± 4986.83 to 28706.69 ± 9563.13 ng/mL*h (p < 0.01), and the Cmax was increased from 8359.66 ± 1512.22 to 11332.51 ± 2791.90 ng/mL (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The system exposure of tofacitinib was increased by SGFD. The mechanism might be through inhibiting the activity of CYP3A4 and reducing the metabolism of tofacitinib in rats. The study will provide better guidance for the safe clinical use of SGFD and tofacitinib.

scholarly journals Treatment of Oral Ulcer Based on TCM Syndrome Differentiation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Yao ◽  
Li Liu
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Severe Case ◽  
Oral Ulcer ◽  
Syndrome Differentiation ◽  
Tcm Syndrome ◽  
Chinese Medicine Treatment

Oral ulcer is a kind of ulcerative injury that occurs in the oral mucosa and is very common in clinic. In severe case, it can affect the quality of life of the patients. Western medicine treatment of oral ulcer is often prone to relapse, while the effect of traditional Chinese medicine treatment is remarkable.

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