It has been popular and challenging to undertake researches on the delay of acquired resistance of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI). As key cells for tumor initiation, cancer stem cells (CSC) play an important role in the process of resistance to EGFR-TKI. Although preliminary studies found that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could inhibit CSC properties and delay EGFR-TKI resistance, the specific molecular mechanism remains unclear. By summarizing the empirical syndrome treatment of EGFR-TKI resistance via TCM and combining recent researches on TCM intervention in CSC to delay EGFR-TKI resistance, this review discussed the potential molecular pathways and mechanisms of deceleration in resistance to EGFR-TKI by TCM via inhibiting CSC characteristics, in order to expand the research ideas of TCM in combination with targeted therapy.
Humans ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) is a kind of targeted drug for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),but almost all patients develop EGFR-TKI resistance.In Chinese medicine,it is believed that Yang deficiency is the leading cause of tumor,which could end up with the internal formation of cancer toxin and promote the formation of tangible excess pathogens.Clinical and experimental studies have shown that the Chinese medicine treatment based on Yang-warming method can inhibit EGFR-TKI resistance and improve the therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKI.The mechanism may be related to the regulation of miRNA gene and estrogen receptor expression,being against tumor heterogeneity and the regulation of tumor microenvironment.Therefore,Yang deficiency is the key pathogenesis of the EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC,and the method reinforcing Yang and suppressing Yin is the basic therapeutic way in Chinese medicine to overcome EGFR-TKI resistance.