Pathogenesis，Differentiation and Treatment of Pre-Metastatic Niche in Malignant Tumors Based on the Theory of "Toxin Accumulation Damaging Yin"
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2025.23.006
- VernacularTitle:基于“毒聚伤阴”探讨恶性肿瘤转移前生态位的病机演变与辨治策略
- Author:
Shiliang SHAO
1
;
Xiaomin NIU
2
;
Yao ZHANG
3
;
Lijing JIAO
1
;
Ling XU
1
Author Information
1. Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine，Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Shanghai，200437
2. Pulmonary Oncology Clinical Medicine Center，Shanghai Chest Hospital，Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
3. Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
malignant tumors;
pre-metastatic niche;
toxin accumulation damaging yin
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;66(23):2426-2432
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
According to the theory of "toxin accumulation damaging yin"， the accumulation of pathological products and the disruption of homeostasis in the pre-metastatic niche （PMN） of malignant tumors correspond to "toxin accumulation" and "yin damage" respectively. During the dynamic evolution of PMN， the main pathogenesis in the initial stage is healthy qi deficiency and phlegm congestion， obstruction in the ying （营） and wei （卫） level， for which the therapeutic approach is fortifying spleen and warming yang， reinforcing healthy qi， consolidating the root， and assissting in resolving phlegm. In the progression stage， the predominant mechanism is mutual binding of phlegm and stasis， with collateral damage and pathological transformation. Treatment should focus on resolving phlegm and eliminating stasis， using insect-derived medicinals to attack accumulation and block pathological transmission. In the terminal stage， the main pathogenesis involves phlegm-stasis transforming into fire， with depletion of qi and yin， for which it is suggested to replenish qi and nourish yin， combine clearing and tonifying methods to control fire-toxin. After the PMN has formed， pathogenic toxin may flow along the collaterals， tending to lodge in corresponding viscera with functional imbalance and deviation between deficiency and excess， eventually giving rise to malignant tumors. Understanding the pathogenesis of the PMN in the malignant tumors based on the "toxin accumulation damaging yin" theory may provide a valuable perspective for developing traditional Chinese medicine strategies for the prevention and treatment of tumor metastasis.
