# Research progress on traditional Chinese medicine-assisted immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy for solid tumors

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how traditional Chinese medicine can help improve immune checkpoint inhibitors for treating solid tumors.

## Contribution

The paper systematically summarizes recent advances in combining traditional Chinese medicine with immune checkpoint inhibitors for solid tumors.

## Key findings

- Traditional Chinese medicine offers multi-level and multi-target regulation with low toxicity.
- Combining TCM with ICIs may enhance antitumor effects and reduce adverse events.
- The review aims to provide new perspectives for integrating TCM into cancer treatment strategies.

## Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a promising approach in tumor therapy. However, when applied to solid tumors—the predominant form of tumors—their efficacy is often constrained by the distinctive tumor microenvironment, yielding low response rates and resistance. Additionally, treatment with ICIs commonly leads to immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These challenges have restricted the broader clinical application of ICIs, underscoring the need for strategies that can enhance their antitumor effects while maintaining a favorable safety profile. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is characterized by holistic regulation and has the therapeutic advantages of multi-level, multi-target and low toxicity. In recent years, it has shown great potential in addressing ICIs-related limitations. This review systematically summarizes current advances in the combined use of TCM and ICIs for solid tumors, aiming to offer new perspectives for incorporating TCM into future cancer treatment strategies.