Recent Progress of the Pathogenesis of Cancer-Related Fatigue and Chinese Medicine Intervention

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is an adverse symptom associated with cancer and its treatments, with a clinical incidence rate ranging from 60% to 90%, severely impacting patients' quality of life. The pathogenesis of CRF is complex, involving the interaction of multiple mechanisms such as inflammatory cytokine dysregulation, neuroendocrine disorders, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Although existing clinical interventions like central nervous system stimulants and exercise interventions can partially alleviate symptoms, they are limited by side effects and applicability constraints. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows unique potential in the clinical treatment of CRF by exerting a variety of pharmacological effects. Therapeutic approaches including acupuncture, moxibustion, traditional Chinese herbal formulations, as well as Chinese herbal preparations and extracts, have been proven to significantly improve fatigue status in CRF patients. This article systematically reviews the internal relationship between the modern pathological mechanism of CRF and the pathogenesis of "consumptive disease" of TCM, and conducts evidence-based evaluation of the existing TCM intervention programs, so as to provide a new theoretical basis and treatment strategy for the clinical prevention and treatment of CRF.