肿瘤干细胞及其niche的中医属性及发生病机

TCM Property and Pathogenesis of Cancer Stem Cells and Niche

认为肿瘤干细胞(CSCs)是深藏于癌毒微环境中癌毒产生之根本原因,是肿瘤复发、转移的根源。有别于正常干细胞niche封藏、守位之特征,CSCs居于正气亏虚肿瘤微环境的至虚之处,容留CSCs的niche以虚为本,兼具瘀与痰之特征。CSCs属于离位之相火妄动,元气益虚而毒根愈固。提出通过扶正来干预CSCs及其赖以生存之niche,从根本上改善微环境之虚与瘀,可能是拔除肿瘤毒根的有效策略。

It is believed that cancer stem cells(CSCs)are the cancerous root of tumors that deeply hide in the microenvironment,and the primary origin of the tumor recurrence and metastasis.Characteristics of niche sealing and retention of the CSCs are different from that of the normal stem cells.CSCs are located in the most deficient site of the caner microenvironment with deficiency of vital qi.The niche that storing CSCs is characterized by root deficiency accompanied by blood stasis and phlegm stagnation.CSCs are caused by dislocated ministerial fire which enervates the primitive qi deficiency become more deficient,and deepens the cancer toxin.It is suggested that intervening CSCs and the niche that for CSCs survival by strengthening the vital qi,mitigating the deficiency and stasis of the microenvironment may be an effective strategy to remove the cancer toxin root.