Traditional Chinese Medicines as Anticancer Agents for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with EGFR Mutations: A Review.

Non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of all cases of lung cancer cases. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with L858R/T790M mutations are commonly found in clinical practice and usually results in resistance to first- and second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Osimertinib is currently the first-line treatment choice for patients with EGFR L858R/T790M mutations, however, as to other EGFR-TKIs, resistance inevitably occurs. There is substantial evidence supporting the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The mechanisms underlying these effects involve the modulation of key cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, migration, invasion, autophagy, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. TCM achieves these effects by regulating multiple signaling pathways and mechanisms, while also exhibiting synergistic interactions with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This review highlights the mechanisms through which TCM influences NSCLC patients harboring EGFR mutations, offering a promising therapeutic strategy for those with EGFR-TKI resistance.