Pathogenesis and Treatment of Combined Phlegm and Stasis in Lung Cancer Based on Abnormal Iron Metabolism
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20260223
- VernacularTitle:基于铁代谢异常探讨肺癌痰瘀互结病机与论治
- Author:
Xiaoyu YANG
1
;
Zixin NING
1
;
Ying LIU
1
;
Tong LEI
1
;
Li SHEN
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine， China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences， Beijing 100700， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
abnormal iron metabolism;
lung cancer;
combined phlegm and stasis;
iron overload;
ferroptosis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2026;32(23):249-257
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Abnormal iron metabolism constitutes a pivotal pathological mechanism in lung cancer progression. It induces cellular dysfunction， triggers inflammatory responses， promotes ferroptosis tolerance， and facilitates the formation of tumor immune microenvironments. These processes align with traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） pathogenesis of combined phlegm and stasis， collectively driving malignant progression. The occurrence of iron overload and ferroptosis resistance in lung cancer represents critical components of abnormal iron metabolism， which may induce lipid deposition and hypercoagulable states—mechanisms closely associated with phlegm and stasis in TCM. Both abnormal iron metabolism and combined phlegm and stasis originate from dysfunction of the lung， spleen， and kidney. Their pathological manifestations share similarities： obstructing Qi and blood circulation and accumulating pathological products， and synergistically exacerbating disease progression through tumor growth and metastasis. This study elucidates the interconnections between combined phlegm and stasis， abnormal iron metabolism， and lung cancer， highlighting their pathophysiological correlations. Regarding clinical therapeutic strategies， this paper proposes three approaches： ① invigorating the spleen to resolve phlegm and alleviate iron overload for tumor suppression； ②activating blood to induce ferroptosis and inhibit tumor invasion； ③modulating iron metabolism through phlegm-resolving and stasis-eliminating therapies to reverse drug resistance. These strategies enrich the theoretical framework of phlegm-stasis regulation in lung cancer management. Integrating modern medical research with TCM pathogenesis theories， this study reveals the intrinsic link between abnormal iron metabolism and combined phlegm and stasis in lung cancer， offering new perspectives for understanding tumor development and metastasis. By establishing iron metabolism as a bridge， this study provides innovative insights into the pathogenesis of combined phlegm and stasis in lung cancer.
