[Efficacy-enhancing and toxicity-reducing effects of TCM in immune checkpoint inhibitor-based anti-tumor therapy: a review of mechanisms and advances].

Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs) have become a significant breakthrough in cancer therapy by activating anti-tumor immune responses through the blockade of immune checkpoint molecules. However, acquired resistance to ICIs and immune-related adverse events(irAEs) severely limit their clinical application. TCM, based on the principles of holistic view and syndrome differentiation-based treatment, demonstrates distinct advantages in enhancing ICIs efficacy due to its unique immunomodulatory effects and multi-target, multi-pathway mechanisms. Studies suggest that TCM may effectively enhance T cell-mediated anti-tumor activity and improve ICIs resistance through various mechanisms, including modulating the tumor microenvironment, intervening in key immune signaling pathways, and restoring gut microbiota homeostasis. Additionally, TCM shows promising potential in alleviating ICIs-induced irAEs, such as colitis, pneumonitis, and cardiotoxicity, thereby improving patient tolerance to treatment. This review systematically summarizes the synergistic mechanisms and recent research progress in the combined use of TCM and ICIs, aiming to provide novel insights for optimizing cancer immunotherapy strategies. In the future, a precision medicine model integrating TCM and western medicine may offer safer and more effective therapeutic options for cancer patients, further advancing the development of tumor immunotherapy.