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Recent highlights of experimental research for inhibiting tumor growth by using Chinese medicine

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Abstract

To give an overview of contemporary experimental research using Chinese medicine (CM) for the treatment of cancer. As an integral part of mainstream medicine in the People’s Republic of China, CM emphasizes improvements in holistic physical condition instead of merely killing tumor cells, which is consistent with the current medical model that advocates patient-oriented treatment. Great progress has been made in experimental research, and the principle aspects include anti-tumor angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis and differentiation, reversing multidrug resistance, and improving immune function. As a current hot topic in cancer research, tumor microenvironment (TME) highlights the mutual and interdependent interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding tissues, and the CM treatment concept bears a striking resemblance to it. To date, primary points of TME include extracellular matrix remodeling, inflfl ammation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis, but trials using CM with a focus on TME are rare. Despite considerable recent development, experimental research on CM for solving cancer issues appears insufficient. Greater efforts in this field are urgently needed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Peking University School of Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, 100142, China

    Xi-ran He  (何曦冉), Shu-yan Han  (韩淑燕) & Ping-ping Li  (李萍萍)

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  1. Xi-ran He  (何曦冉)
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  2. Shu-yan Han  (韩淑燕)
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  3. Ping-ping Li  (李萍萍)
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Correspondence to Ping-ping Li  (李萍萍).

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He, Xr., Han, Sy. & Li, Pp. Recent highlights of experimental research for inhibiting tumor growth by using Chinese medicine. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 21, 727–732 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2318-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2318-8

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