Regulation of Relevant Signaling Pathways by Traditional Chinese Medicine in Intervention of Pancreatic Cancer： A Review
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20252004
- VernacularTitle:中医药调控相关信号通路干预胰腺癌研究进展
- Author:
Quanyou ZHAO
1
;
Conghui ZHAO
1
;
Yu ZHANG
2
;
Yiping FU
2
;
Yuting LIU
1
;
Xiaoran WANG
2
;
Zhanzhan LI
2
;
Mingsan MIAO
2
;
Li BAI
1
Author Information
1. School of Pharmacy， Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046，China
2. Henan Collaborative Innovation Center for Full Industrial Chain Research and Development of Yu Medicinals， Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Henan University of Chinese Medicine， Zhengzhou 450046，China
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
pancreatic cancer;
traditional Chinese medicine;
signaling pathway;
research progress;
review
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(5):280-289
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant solid tumor of the digestive system with extremely poor treatment prognosis. Although its incidence rate is low， its mortality rate is extremely high. In recent years， the number of diagnosed cases worldwide has continued to rise， making pancreatic cancer the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Currently， clinical treatment primarily relies on operation and chemotherapy to suppress tumors. However， these approaches face challenges such as suboptimal efficacy， high postoperative recurrence rates， and severe adverse reactions. Therefore， identifying safe and effective treatment modalities remains a pressing challenge for the medical community. In recent years， research on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） interventions for pancreatic cancer has increased significantly. Multiple studies have shown that single-herb TCM， TCM formulas， and their derived single compounds can regulate the levels of tumor cell signaling pathways through multiple action targets. They inhibit the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation， promoting cell apoptosis， inhibiting tumor angiogenesis， reducing cancer cell invasion and migration capabilities， regulating the cell cycle， and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Additionally， TCM has the advantages of significantly enhancing the anticancer efficacy of chemotherapy drugs and causing fewer adverse reactions. However， the specific action mechanisms by which TCM intervenes in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Further extensive research is still needed to validate the role of regulating classical signaling pathways such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， Wnt/β-catenin， nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）， notch， and hedgehog in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Therefore， this paper reviewed Chinese and international studies on TCM intervention in pancreatic cancer through relevant signaling pathways in recent years， summarized the potential action mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of pancreatic cancer， and provided references for related research in the future.
