Regulation of the tumor microenvironment by Traditional Chinese Medicine: current progress and future perspectives in oncology

Abstract

The microenvironment in which tumor cells thrive constitutes a complex and dynamic system closely intertwined with tumors' occurrence, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. As research in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for anticancer purposes advances, the holistic and multi-target regulatory principles of TCM have been proven highly suitable for modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME). Targeted therapy focusing on TME is poised to become a key area in future research on TCM's anticancer properties. This article provides an overview of TME characteristics and the current status of TCM's regulation of TME, offering insights into the application of TCM in anticancer research.