Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Management of Chemotherapy-Related Side Effects: Overview of Current Clinical Trial Activity

Abstract

Chemotherapy remains one of the cornerstones of cancer treatment in modern oncology, however, its use is frequently associated with significant adverse effects that negatively impact the quality of life, treatment adherence, and clinical outcomes of patients. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has increasingly gained attention as a complementary supportive care approach in oncology, particularly for the management of chemotherapy-related toxicities. This overview summarizes current clinical trial activity investigating TCM interventions in patients undergoing anticancer treatment. Registered clinical studies demonstrate growing international interest in the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine modalities, including Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture-related therapies, hot bag therapy, and integrative treatment strategies combined with conventional chemotherapy. Most identified studies focus on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), one of the most challenging and dose-limiting toxicities associated with anticancer treatment. Additional investigated outcomes include symptom burden reduction, quality of life improvement and also progression-free survival. The increasing number of clinical trials highlights the recognition of integrative oncology approaches aimed at improving supportive cancer care. Further well-designed randomized controlled trials with standardized methodologies and rigorous safety evaluation are necessary to establish the therapeutic role of TCM in the management of chemotherapy-associated side effects.

Keywords: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Oncology