1.Pathogenesis and Treatment Approach of Cancer-Related Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome Based on the Concept of "Blood Exhaustion" in The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》)
Jinbiao ZHU ; Mengyun YUAN ; Lu BAI ; Duorui NIE ; Mianhua WU ; Yingjie YAN ; Dawei DING
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(5):575-579
Based on the concept of "blood exhaustion" from The Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor (《黄帝内经》), a three-stage syndrome differentiation and treatment strategy for cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome is proposeed. In the cancer-induced anorexia stage, the pathogenesis is characterized by cancer consuming the spleen and stomach, leading to stagnation of transportation and transformation in the middle jiao (焦). Treatment should focus on strengthening the spleen, promoting appetite, dispersing accumulation, and aiding digestion, with modified Zisheng Pills (资生丸) in Extensive Notes on Medicine from Xian Xing Studio (《先醒斋医学广笔记》) or Zisheng Decoction (资生汤) in Records of Chinese Medicine with Reference to Western Medicine (《医学衷中参西录》). In the pre-cachectic stage of malnutrition, the pathogenesis involves insufficient nourishment of blood and qi with essence depletion hindering production. Treatment should focus on nourishing blood and harmonizing ying (营), warming yang and supplementing qi, and modified Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction (黄芪建中汤) can be used. In the cachectic stage, the pathogenesis involves blood deficiency and essence exhaustion, with blood stasis obstructing the collaterals. The therapeutic approach should focus on tonifying deficiency and replenishing essence, unblocking collaterals, and removing stasis, and modified Buzhong Yiqi Decoction (补中益气汤) and Zuo Gui Beverage (左归饮) are suggested.
2.Exploration on the Pathogenesis Connotation and Therapeutic Strategies of "Drug Toxin" of Antitumor Drugs
Hao LI ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Weichen YUAN ; Yutian GU ; Ruizhe KANG ; Muhan LI ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(17):1920-1924
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.
3.Application of Anti-tumor Compatibility Structure of Chinese Medicine
Lanpin CHEN ; Feng TAN ; Xiaoman WEI ; Junyi WANG ; Liu LI ; Mianhua WU ; Haibo CHENG ; Dongdong SUN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):198-208
Malignant tumors are one of the major diseases that endanger human life and health. Chinese medicine has unique advantages in clinical anti-tumor treatment. However, how to translate the anti-tumor effects of Chinese medicine into clinical practice is the core issue that must be addressed in the process of treating malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Unlike modern chemical drugs, the compatibility application of Chinese medicine is the key factor that determines whether Chinese medicine can achieve optimal anti-tumor efficacy and realize the goal of "enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity". The formulation structure based on this compatibility is the basic form for the safe, efficient, and rational clinical use of anti-tumor Chinese medicine, and it mainly includes three categories: herb pairs, tri-herbal combinations, and compound compatibility. Although herb pairs have the characteristics of a simple structure and strong targeting (enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity), they often have a single effect and cannot fully address the complex pathogenesis of tumors. As a result, herb pairs are rarely used alone in practice. Compared to herb pairs, tri-herbal combinations broaden the application scope of herbs in clinical treatment, but their therapeutic range remains limited. The traditional "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" compound prescription, which includes herb pairs and tri-herbal combinations, improves the efficacy of herbs in treating serious diseases, hypochondriasis, chronic diseases, and miscellaneous disorders. However, due to the limitations of its historical background, it has not been integrated with modern clinical practice and modern pharmacological research, which restricts the development of compound compatibility theory. With the emergence of modern medical technology, it has been combined with traditional compatibility theory of Chinese medicine to create an innovative modern compatibility theory. This includes the "aid medicine" theory derived from modern Chinese medicine pharmacology, which compensates for the inability of the "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" theory to accurately apply medicine. Additionally, the "state-targeted treatment based on syndrome differentiation" theory, developed from pharmacology and modern medicine, addresses the deficiency in disease cognition in the "sovereign, minister, assistant, and guide" theory. Under the guidance of these compatibility forms and theories, clinical anti-tumor Chinese medicine can exert its maximum anti-tumor efficacy, which is of great significance for the application of Chinese medicine in clinical tumor treatment.
4.Exploring the Pathogenesis and Syndrome Treatment of Brain Tumor Based on the"Deficient Qi and Kenang"Theory
Yi JI ; Lingyan ZHU ; Xueping XIA ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(7):969-973
Professor Wu Mianhua,a renowned national traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)practitioner,proposed the"deficient qi and Kenang"theory based on the doctrines of"deficient qi"and"Kenang".This theory is applied to the pathogenesis analysis and clinical syndrome differentiation and treatment of brain tumors.It posits that the fundamental pathogenesis of brain tumors involves orig-inal qi deficiency,internal generation of deficient qi,intermingling of phlegm and blood stasis,and conglomeration of toxins into nest-like foci.The treatment strategy emphasizes reinforcing healthy qi,regulating qi,resolving phlegm,dispelling stasis,attacking toxins,dispersing nodules,and adjusting treatment according to disease stages.In the early stage,it is to support healthy qi and regulate qi to remove qi deficiency;in the middle stage,it is to dissipate phlegm and expel blood stasis to resolve pathological nests;in the late stage,it is to attack toxins and resolve masses to break up nest sac.Throughout the treatment,strictly adhere to the principle of"rein-forcing healthy qi without retaining pathogens,and breaking accumulations without impairing healthy qi".
5.Study on the Mechanism of Anti-Colorectal Cancer Effects of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction by Inhibiting Glycolysis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway
Yuwei LIANG ; Hongli ZHOU ; Yupei ZHUANG ; Weichen YUAN ; Mingjun TANG ; Wenting LI ; Li LI ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):730-741
OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect mechanism of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction against colorectal cancer by suppressing glycolysis through regulation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway.METHODS Human colorectal cancer SW620 cells were treated with Anzheng Kangliu De-coction,and cell proliferation and migration abilities were assessed.Forty-two BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into a blank control group,model group,5-fluorouracil(5-FU)group(0.025 g·kg-1),Anzheng Kangliu Decoction low-dose group(7.67 g·kg-1),medium-dose group(15.34 g·kg-1),and high-dose group(30.68 g·kg-1).The inhibitory effect of Anzheng Kan-gliu Decoction on subcutaneous xenograft tumors was evaluated by observing body weight,tumor volume,tumor mass,HE staining,im-munohistochemical staining of Ki67 and other indicators.High-throughput transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differen-tially expressed genes and pathways in tumor tissues between the model group and the Anzheng Kangliu Decoction medium-dose group,elucidating the potential mechanism of Anzheng Kangliu Decoction against colorectal cancer.Glucose and lactate assay kits were used to measure glucose consumption and lactate production in SW620 cells and tumor tissues after Anzheng Kangliu Decoction intervention.Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,hexokinase 2(HK2),and lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA)in SW620 cells and tumor tissues following Anzheng Kangliu Decoction treatment.RE-SULTS In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that,compared with the blank control group,Anzheng Kangliu Decoction intervention significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of SW620 cells(P<0.01),reduced glucose consumption and lactate production(P<0.05,P<0.01),and downregulated the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,HK2,and LDHA(P<0.05,P<0.01).In vivo animal experiments revealed that,compared with the model group,Anzheng Kangliu Decoction suppressed the growth of subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice(P<0.01),increased tumor tissue necrosis,decreased glucose consumption and lactate production in tumor tissues(P<0.05,P<0.01),and reduced the protein expression levels of p-PI3K/PI3K,p-Akt/Akt,p-mTOR/mTOR,HK2,and LDHA(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Anzheng Kangliu Decoction exerts an in-hibitory effect on colorectal cancer,and its mechanism may be associated with the suppression of glycolysis through regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
6.Prevention and Treatment Principles of Virus-Associated Malignant Tumors under the Guidance of the"Cancer Toxin"Pathogenesis Theory
Hongli ZHOU ; Luyu CHEN ; Yuanyuan QIN ; Wenting LI ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(11):1414-1428
The development of malignant tumors is influenced by multiple factors,including genetics,environment,lifestyle,and pathogen infection.Viral infection plays a significant role in tumor development and progression.This article integrates the common pathways of seven oncogenic viruses(HPV,EBV,HBV,HCV,KSHV,HTLV-1,and HIV)based on the theory of cancer toxin pathomechanism.The findings reveal that cancer toxin formation is influenced by both internal factors(healthy qi deficiency,viscus dysfunction,and qi,blood,and body fluid stagnation)and external factors(viral infection,environmental factors,and the six exogenous pathogens),driving tumor development,metastasis,and recurrence.Viral infection not only provides the material foundation for cancer toxin but also accelerates its maturation and spread through chronic inflammation and immune imbalance,forming a complex pathogen-esis of"viral toxicity-endogenous cancer toxin",which translates into a three-stage strategy of"prevention,treatment,and post-recovery prevention".This article systematically discusses the pathogenesis of major cancer toxins and their associated tumors.Inte-grating the cancer toxin theory,the article explores preventive and therapeutic strategies for virus-associated malignancies,providing a theoretical basis and practical reference for the integrated prevention and treatment of tumors using traditional Chinese and Western medicine.
7.Exploring the Pathogenesis and Prevention Strategies for Recurrence and Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer after Cytoreductive Surgery from the Perspective of"Impairment of Chong-Ren Meridians and Retention of Cancer-Toxin"
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):726-729
Given the high recurrence and mortality rates following cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer,Professor Wu Mianhua,a nationally renowned(traditional Chinese medicine)TCM expert,proposed that the core pathogenesis of ovarian cancer after cytore-ductive surgery lies in the impairment of the Chong-Ren meridians and retention of Cancer-Toxin.Damage to Chong-Ren meridians is the root cause,and residual cancer toxins are the key.Syndrome differentiation is always based on the deficiency of the root and the ex-cess of the symptoms.In view of the above pathogenesis,the basic treatment method of"regulating Chong-Ren meridians,dissipating turbidity and detoxifying"is established.Harmonizing Chong-Ren meridians consolidates the root,and the treatment is based on meth-ods such as tonifying the kidney and strengthening the spleen,nourishing blood and soothing the liver;dissipating turbidity and detoxif-ying treats the symptoms,and the corresponding methods,such as removing stasis,draining dampness,and resolving phlegm,are used throughout.Clinical application should be tailored based on the roots and symptoms,the degree of urgency,and the characteristics of the syndromes.
8.Current Status,Advantages and Strategies of TCM in the Prevention and Treatment of Malignant Tumors
Weichen YUAN ; Hongguang ZHOU ; Wenting LI ; Li LI ; Muhan LI ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):707-720
This paper summarizes the current status of research on the prevention and treatment of malignant tumors with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),and points out that TCM has the advantages of being based on the holistic view and advocating the preven-tive treatment of diseases.The strategies of TCM in preventing and treating malignant tumors are proposed:first,it is necessary to clar-ify the leading or auxiliary treatment role in different stages of tumors and give full play to its strengths and advantages;second,find the characteristics of the superior and inferior populations and microscopic markers of tumor diagnosis and treatment to promote accurate di-agnosis and treatment;third,improve the overall diagnosis and treatment level of tumors by grasping the core pathogenesis and ensure clinical efficacy;fourth,incorporate modern medical therapy factors into the TCM tumor diagnosis and treatment system in order to in-tercept the disease;fifth,add TCM psychological intervention on the basis of the four-in-one holistic syndrome differentiation view to achieve harmony between body and spirit;sixth,improve the rehabilitation and health care system of tumors combined with traditional Chinese and Western medicine through the use of multiple methods to promote the recovery of diseases.In this way,the clinical effica-cy of TCM in preventing and treating tumors can be continuously improved,and the great goal of TCM in preventing and treating tumors and benefiting all mankind can be truly realized.
9.Analysis of the Idea of Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostate Cancer Based on the Theory of"Strengthening the Root and Clearing the Filth"
Binying YU ; Wenting LI ; Qi ZHANG ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(6):721-725
This paper summarizes the ideas and methods of Professor Wu Mianhua's diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer based on the theory of"solidifying the root and clearing the filth",and believes that prostate cancer is a combination of deficiency in the root and excess in the manifestation,with deficiency and excess mixed.Spleen and kidney deficiency and cancer toxicity accumula-tion are the basis of prostate cancer,and the mutual entanglement of dampness,phlegm,heat and stasis is the key to the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.Clinically,prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated from the perspective of"solidifying the root and clearing the filth",warming the kidney and nourishing the kidney to consolidate the innate root,strengthening the spleen and activating the spleen to cultivate the acquired root,clearing heat and dampness,resolving phlegm and removing stasis to clear filth and detoxify.Strengthen the root to promote clearing the filth,and clear the fifth to help strengthen the root,achieve dynamic balance,and synergistically con-trol the progression of tumors.
10.Exploring the Pathogenesis and Syndrome Treatment of Radiation-Induced Skin Injury Based on the"Fire-Toxin Pathogenesis"Theory
Yan WU ; Yi JI ; Jinbiao ZHU ; Mianhua WU
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(12):1641-1646
Radiation-induced skin injury is a common complication in tumor radiotherapy,which seriously affects patients'quality of life and treatment continuity.Based on the theory of"fire-toxin pathogenesis",Professor Wu Mianhua,a renowned national tradi-tional Chinese medicine(TCM)practitioner,holds that its core pathogenesis is"external attack by fire-toxin,damage to yin and con-sumption qi,and blood stasis obstructing the skin and muscles".The course of the disease presents a dynamic evolution of acute stage(blazing heat-toxin),subacute stage(yin deficiency and blood stasis),and chronic stage(deficiency of both qi and yin).In terms of treat-ment,the principles of"syndrome differentiation by stages and simultaneous treatment of root cause and symptoms"are adopted:clear-ing heat and resolving toxin,cooling blood and reducing swelling in the acute stage;nourishing yin and moistening dryness,clearing heat and dissolving stasis in the subacute stage;and benefiting qi and nourishing yin,dissipating stasis and unblocking collaterals in the chronic stage.Emphasis is laid on the combination of internal and external treatment as well as the integration of prevention and treatment.This paper systematically sorts out Professor Wu Mianhua's academic thoughts on exploring the pathogenesis and syndrome treatment of radiation-induced skin injury using the"fire-toxin pathogenesis"theory,and attaches analysis of proven cases,so as to provide theoretical and practical references for clinical practice.

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