Controlling chemotherapy-related side effects with Chinese medicine

Abstract

Chemotherapy remains a mainstream treatment for patients with advanced malignant tumours that are incurable by either local surgery or radiotherapy, but the success of chemotherapy is often limited by the occurrence of side effects. Some chemotherapy-induced side effects may be mitigated by conventional medicine, but a holistic approach cannot be accomplished. Realizing that Western medicine has limitations for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, consumers and researchers in the US are paying more attention to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), especially herbal medicine, as a way to counter such limitations. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) represents the well-documented type of herbal medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine is widely used by cancer patients in Asia as a way to reduce chemotherapy-induced side effects or control cancer progression, but TCM may also enhance the anticancer activity of chemotherapy. The major challenges facing acceptance of traditional Chinese medicine in non-Asian countries lie in the areas of manufacturing, preclinical and clinical studies, regulatory approval, education and legislation. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.