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Application and Effectiveness of Chinese Medicine in Regulating Immune Checkpoint Pathways

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Abstract

Immunotherapy targeting immune checkpoint molecules has emerged as a key approach in cancer treatment, representing the forefront of antitumor research. However, studies on immune checkpoint molecules have mainly focused on targeted therapies. Chinese medicine (CM) research as a complementary medicine has revealed that immune checkpoint molecules also undergo disease-specific changes in the context of autoimmune diseases. This review article presents a comprehensive analysis of CM studies on immune checkpoint molecules in the last 5 years, with a focus on their role in different diseases and treatment modalities. CM research predominantly utilizes oral administration of herbal plant extracts or acupuncture techniques, which stimulate the immune system by activating specific acupoints through temperature and needling. In this study, we analyzed the modulation and mechanisms of immune checkpoint molecules associated with different coinhibitory and costimulatory molecules, and reviewed the immune functions of related molecules and CM studies in treating autoimmune diseases and tumors. By summarizing the characteristics and research value of CM in regulating immune checkpoint molecules, this review aims to provide a useful reference for future studies in this field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Acupuncture, Massage and Rehabilitation, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, China

    Luo-jie Xiong

  2. Second Clinical College, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, 030619, China

    Yue-feng Tian, Chun-tao Zhai & Wei Li

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  1. Luo-jie Xiong
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  2. Yue-feng Tian
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  3. Chun-tao Zhai
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  4. Wei Li
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Xiong LJ was mainly responsible for the writing of manuscripts. Tian YF was responsible for the design of the thesis framework. Zhai CT and Li W guided the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Yue-feng Tian.

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Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 82174504 and 81674062) and the Innovation Fund of Postgraduate, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine (No. 2022CX20)

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Xiong, Lj., Tian, Yf., Zhai, Ct. et al. Application and Effectiveness of Chinese Medicine in Regulating Immune Checkpoint Pathways. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 29, 1045–1056 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-023-3743-8

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