List of Abbreviations

List of Abbreviations

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Research on the Pei Zhengxue Series of Formulas

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) refers to malignant tumors arising from hepatocytes or intrahepatic bile duct cells. It has a very high incidence worldwide, with over one million new cases reported annually, making it one of the most common malignancies in China, ranking third after gastric cancer and esophageal cancer, and continuing to rise in recent years [1]. Liver cancer is characterized by high malignancy, easy metastasis and recurrence, insidious onset, and high mortality. Primary hepatocellular carcinoma has been listed as a key disease for cancer prevention and control in China under the "Outline of China's Cancer Prevention and Control Plan" [2].

In traditional Chinese medicine, primary hepatocellular carcinoma falls under categories such as accumulation, fat qi, liver accumulation, and distension. Regarding etiology and pathogenesis: "Plain Questions · On Acupuncture Methods" states, "When righteous qi resides within, evil cannot invade; where evil gathers, qi must be deficient." Similarly, "Complete Works of Jing Yue · On Treatment" notes, "Individuals with deficiency of the spleen and kidneys, or those with weakness and disharmony, often suffer from accumulations." Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine considers deficiency of righteous qi to be the primary pathogenic mechanism of tumors. In terms of treatment, tonifying the middle qi—"the spleen is the foundation of postnatal life and the source of qi and blood production"—and tonifying primordial qi—"the kidney is the foundation of innate life and stores marrow to generate essence"—represent the essence of reinforcing the body's vital energy and consolidating its foundation. The concept of "reinforcing the body's vital energy and consolidating its foundation" shares significant similarities with modern immunology in terms of stimulating the body's resistance to disease [3–10]. Experimental evidence further confirms that the "kidney" and "spleen" in traditional Chinese medicine play multifaceted roles in the endocrine system, immune system, autonomic nervous system, and metabolic system.

Currently, the main treatments for liver cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, interventional therapy, targeted biological therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine. Early-stage liver cancer still primarily relies on surgery; however, due to the lack of typical symptoms in the early stages, most patients seek medical attention only when the disease has progressed to the middle or late stages, missing the optimal window for surgery. Even when surgery is feasible, the two-year recurrence rate remains as high as 50% [1], resulting in unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. Liver cancer is also relatively insensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and many chemotherapeutic agents, while targeting cancer cells, often inadvertently affect normal cells, leading to severe toxic side effects. Patients frequently discontinue treatment due to intolerable adverse reactions. Therefore, finding more effective therapies has become increasingly urgent. In recent years, experimental research and clinical practice in traditional Chinese medicine for liver cancer have made significant progress, demonstrating notable advantages in inhibiting tumor growth, alleviating symptoms, preventing recurrence, reducing toxicity while enhancing efficacy, and improving quality of life. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment for liver cancer is multi-site, multi-stage, and multi-targeted [12], with the key lying in holistic regulation. Consequently, identifying effective traditional Chinese medicine regimens for treating liver cancer is a crucial approach to prolonging patient survival and improving their quality of life, holding immense practical significance. Research on Professor Pei Zhengxue's Series of Formulas

Rationale for the Study