1.Exploring the Application of "Cleaning Spleen and Restoring Defensive Qi" Method in Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer based on Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Abnormal Accumulation
Chuanlong ZHANG ; Mengqi GAO ; Yi LI ; Xiaochen JIANG ; Songting SHOU ; Bo PANG ; Baojin HUA
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(1):30-33
The abnormal accumulation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can promote the initiation and progression of pancreatic cancer, which is considered a potential therapeutic target for this disease. The Miraculous Pivot·Inquiry About Statement (《灵枢·口问》) have recorded the concept of "defensive qi stagnation". Based on the recognition that the function of defensive qi is similar to the immune function of neutrophils, and combining traditional Chinese medicine theory with clinical practice, it is proposed that the abnormal accumulation of NETs may be a pathological product of "defensive qi stagnation", with the spleen being the critical site of pathology. Further exploring the application strategy of cleaning spleen and restoring defensive qi method in pancreatic cancer treatment, it is proposed to employ three approaches such as dredging method to eliminate spleen stagnation and inhibit pancreatic cancer proliferation, cleaning method to remove spleen dampness and suppress the inflammatory micro-environment, and tonifying method to strengthen Weiqi and to improve the immune microenvironment, which aims to provide new insights for the clinical treatment of pancreatic cancer with traditional Chinese medicine.