Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches in Gastric Cancer Treatment
Summary
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long been applied in the management of gastric cancer, both as monotherapy and as an adjunct to conventional modalities. Approaches centre on herbal formulations, acupuncture, moxibustion and dietary therapy, with the aim of restoring balance between yin and yang and strengthening the body’s resistance to tumour progression. Key strategies include the use of multi-component herbal decoctions to modulate immune responses, inhibit tumour cell proliferation and ameliorate chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Commonly prescribed formulas focus on invigorating the spleen and tonifying qi, supporting gastrointestinal function and enhancing overall quality of life. Mechanistic studies suggest that active compounds such as polysaccharides, flavonoids and saponins can interfere with signalling pathways involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Clinical protocols often integrate TCM with endoscopic resection, radical gastrectomy or platinum-based chemotherapy, aiming to improve objective response rates, prolong progression-free survival and reduce adverse events. While evidence quality varies, an emerging framework of high-throughput screening, network pharmacology and randomised controlled trials is clarifying the synergistic potential of TCM in comprehensive gastric cancer care.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Approaches in Gastric Cancer Treatment publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in traditional chinese medicine approaches in gastric cancer treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Objective response rate (ORR): The proportion of patients achieving a predefined reduction in tumour size following treatment.
Disease control rate (DCR): The percentage of patients who achieve complete response, partial response or stable disease.
Herbal decoction: A water extract prepared by boiling multiple plant materials to concentrate active constituents.
Qi: Fundamental life energy in TCM theory, whose balanced flow is believed to support health and resistance to disease.
Spleen qi deficiency: A TCM syndrome characterised by digestive weakness, fatigue and poor appetite, often targeted in gastric cancer formulas.
Immunomodulation: The process by which treatments enhance or suppress immune system components to achieve therapeutic effect.
References
- Survival Benefit of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (A Herbal Formula for Invigorating Spleen) in Gastric Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Metastasis. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2014).
- Efficacy and Safety of Astragalus-Containing Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Oncology (2021).
- Chinese herbal medicine combined with oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of contributions of specific medicinal materials to tumor response. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022).
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Enhances Survival in Patients with Gastric Cancer after Surgery and Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Taiwan: A Nationwide Matched Cohort Study. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2021).
- Xiaoaiping injection combined with chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2022).
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.