Exploration on the Pathogenesis Connotation and Therapeutic Strategies of

Hao LI; Hongguang ZHOU; Weichen YUAN; Yutian GU; Ruizhe KANG; Muhan LI; Mianhua WU

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Exploration on the Pathogenesis Connotation and Therapeutic Strategies of "Drug Toxin" of Antitumor Drugs

VernacularTitle:抗肿瘤药物药毒的内涵及其辨治
Author: Hao LI ¹ ; Hongguang ZHOU ¹ ; Weichen YUAN ¹ ; Yutian GU ² ; Ruizhe KANG ¹ ; Muhan LI ³ ; Mianhua WU ¹
Author Information

1. Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine，Nanjing，210029
2. Haimen District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine，Nantong City，Jiangsu Province
3. First Clinical Medical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: antitumor drugs; pathogenesis of drug toxin; cancer toxin
From: Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(17):1920-1924
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Antitumor drugs are considered pathogenic toxin-attacking agents， whose intense and biased pharmacological effects on the body may induce secondary pathological factors and subsequent pathological changes， that is， drug toxin. Its pathogenic features include rapid and marked impairment of healthy qi and constitution-dependent transformation. Zang-fu （脏腑） organs involvement is characterized by an early response of the middle jiao （焦）， later involvement of the kidney and marrow， and extension to the five zang organs， while its temporal evolution may manifest as acute injury， cumulative injury， and persistent or delayed injury. Cancer toxin， drug toxin， and deficiency of healthy qi interact to form a dynamically evolving complex pathogenic pattern. Clinically， treatment should take disease stage as the framework， toxin differentiation as the focus， and reinforcement of healthy qi as a principle throughout the course， while coordinating toxin reduction and elimination of cancer toxin with reinforcement of healthy qi. Furthermore， intervention against drug toxin should be initiated early and throughout the entire course of antitumor therapy. This framework may provide a theoretical basis for integrating traditional Chinese medicine throughout comprehensive cancer treatment.