Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Advanced Gastric Cancer: Insights from Meta-Analysis and Network Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used as an adjuvant therapy for advanced gastric cancer (AGC), yet its underlying mechanisms and targets remain inadequately characterized.

METHODS

This study integrated meta-analysis and network pharmacology to evaluate the therapeutic effects of TCM, identify core-effective prescriptions (CEPs), and predict potential molecular targets.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies comparing TCM combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for AGC were identified through a search of seven databases. Meta-analysis showed that TCM significantly improved overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio: 1.65, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-2.22, p < 0.001, I2 = 0%). CEPs and their chemical constituents were identified. A component-target (C-T) network was constructed, revealing the top 10 core genes were TP53, AKT1, CASP3, MYC, IL6, ESR1, EGFR, TNF, PTEN, and HIF1A.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis demonstrates that TCM combined with chemotherapy improves OS in AGC patients more effectively than chemotherapy alone. Network pharmacology offered complementary mechanistic insights, laying a foundation for future experimental research.