Can I Take Traditional Chinese Medicine As Part Of My Radiation Treatment?

Medically reviewed by Dr Johann Tang, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist

When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, it is understandable for them to consider alternative or complementary treatment for their illness beyond traditional cancer treatment. One such treatment is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). 

However, the question many patients in Singapore may wonder is, “Is it safe to consume TCM medication and herbs during treatment?”. Let us explore the use of TCM in radiation therapy 

Is It Safe To Consume Herbal Supplements During Ongoing Radiation Treatment?

Naturally, there are concerns raised about the safety of TCM treatment for cancer, primarily the potential effects of TCM herbal products interacting with Western drugs and whether one may affect the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of the other. Another concern is whether the efficacy of the radiation treatment or chemotherapy drug or both may be reduced or potentiated by this interaction. 

Unfortunately, there are currently no clinical trials dedicated to exploring the possible side effects of TCM herbs in treating cancer. In addition, most TCM formulations involve multiple herbs, except for the cases with a single agent, making it more challenging to study possible drug-herb interactions.

In fact, it is difficult to identify any studies reporting on the same formulation in combination with the same chemotherapy drugs or with radiation to obtain clinical evidence of any potential interactions. As a result, there is no readily available answer for different scenarios. For Western drugs, due to the stringent criteria for drug approval, we can rely on prospective studies to study their efficacy and observe potential adverse reactions. 

As there is limited research in this field, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before proceeding with TCM treatment. Meanwhile, patients should exercise prudence and withhold the start of any TCM, for at least the first or second cancer therapy cycle to avoid any unknown side effects due to the interaction of the TCM with the cancer therapy. 

The Application Of TCM In Treating Cancer

Most Chinese herbal formulae contain several herbal components that have been used to treat various chronic diseases, primarily by altering inducible cell death or immunomodulation. Although TCM has assigned anticancer activities, the underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. For instance, specific herbs can inhibit the migration and invasion of cancer cells in vitro, while others are shown to trigger apoptosis in cancer cells.

Therefore, it is recommended to take TCM under the supervision of a trained TCM physician with insight into cancer therapy while informing them of the cancer treatment regimen to mitigate potential adverse reactions. Patients should also let their oncologists know of any consumption of herbal supplements. Should any unexpected observation arise, this possibility can be taken into account. 

The Application Of TCM In Radiation Therapy

In recent years, researchers have begun administering TCM herbs as an adjunct to radiation therapy for specific types of cancer. The results demonstrate that TCM can exhibit radio-modifying effects on normal tissues and tumours. 

In fact, various agents are shown to function as radiosensitisers to tumour cells and/or radioprotectors to normal cells, enhancing the therapeutic gain of radiation therapy. However, it is essential to continue evaluating them for their efficacy, safety profiles, and tumour specificity during treatment.

Examples include the goji berry (Lycium barbarum), which is recognised in TCM for its antioxidant and immunomodulating effects. In a study demonstrating the antioxidant activity of the goji berry in the skin, two known inducible endogenous skin antioxidants – metallothionein and haem oxygenase-1 – were shown to be involved in photoimmune protection, safeguarding the skin against lipid peroxidation induced by UVA radiation.

Another study also demonstrated that TCM herbs can protect hematopoietic organs from radiation-induced damage. Panaxatriol (PT), found in ginseng and notoginseng, was observed to relieve myelosuppression caused by radiation injury. Researchers posit that the agent’s ability to regulate the expression of the hematopoietic growth factor GM-CSF and promote the maturation of bone marrow cells may be responsible for these beneficial effects.

In addition, Yangyin Humo Decoction (YHD), a Chinese herbal preparation, can alleviate the oral mucomembranous reaction to radiation applied to patients with head-neck tumours. Meanwhile, aloe polysaccharides (AP) displayed radioprotective effects by blocking the upregulation of Bax, Bad, and pro-apoptotic p53 and downregulation of Bcl-2 in normal human cells in vitro and mice in vivo.

In summary, it is essential to understand that every patient responds differently to treatment. Some may find their symptoms relieved, while others may not respond to a particular treatment at all. The same understanding applies to the use of TCM in treating cancer. Therefore, patients should consult a trained medical professional and TCM specialist to weigh up the risks and benefits to ensure they make an informed decision that prioritises their safety and well-being.

For an informed opinion on the effects of TCM treatment in conjunction with radiation therapy, do not hesitate to consult our radiation oncologist, Dr Johann Tang. Contact our clinic to schedule an appointment with us today.