Exploring the Theory of

doi:10.1009-0959.2026.050032

Abstract

Abstract:

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality globally， posing a significant threat to human health. By analyzing the traditional Chinese medicine etiological and pathogenesis pattern of lung cancer， characterized by a sequence of “Vital Qi Deficiency and Pathogen Stagnation → Lung Qi Disharmony → Intersection of Blood Stasis and Phlegm → Eventually Leading to Tumour Formation”， and the stages of T-cell immune exhaustion， which include “T cell exhaustion progenitors 1， Tex^prog1→ T cell exhaustion progenitors 2， Tex^prog2 → T cell exhaustion intermediate， Tex^int → T cell exhaustion terminally， Tex^term”， this study explores the integration of the theory of “the Spleen as the Defender”， which involves disease prevention through cause control， defense against pathogens， and supporting the body to expel evil influences， with the stages of T cell exhaustion in the immune editing of lung cancer. It delves into the functional relationships between T cell exhaustion and the defensive Qi， the nutrient- defensive Qi， and the original Qi of the spleen and kidney during the phases of immune clearance， immune equilibrium， and immune escape. Additionally， it discusses the pathological progression of “Spleen’s Loss of Guardian Function”， which includes stages from “Spleen Injury and Defensive Qi Stagnation” to “Spleen Damage and Nutrient-Defensive Qi Impairment”， and finally to “Spleen Decline and Yang Deficiency”. Considering that the formation of masses and abdominal distension in the body is attributed to the influence of the Taiyin Damp Earth Qi， and that the spleen and the lung both belong to the “Taiyin Meridian” with a maternal-fetal interdependent relationship， it is inferred that the development of lung cancer is governed by the concept of “the Spleen as the Defender” and is intricately linked to the process of T cell exhaustion. Based on the theory of “the Spleen as the Defender”， and in conjunction with the clinical syndrome characteristics of the initial， middle， and terminal stages of lung cancer， the fundamental approach is to nourish the spleen’s essence. This involves using various methods such as ventilating the lungs to resolve depression， nourishing Yin to detoxify， and warming Yang to strengthen the spleen-earth， in order to achieve the effects of resolving phlegm and dampness， regulating nutrient-defense Qi， and restoring vital Qi. The goal is to balance the flow of Qi， harmonize the Yin and Yang of Qi and blood， and support the body to suppress cancer， thereby enhancing the immune activity of T cells at various stages of lung cancer， correcting the imbalance of the immune microenvironment in lung cancer， and blocking the process of T-cell exhaustion. It can provide important theoretical and therapeutic ideas for traditional Chinese medicine to improve the comprehensive treatment efficacy of lung cancer patients in clinical practice.

Key words: The Spleen as the Defender； , T cell exhaustion； , Lung cancer； , Immune regulation； , Tumour microenvironment

CLC Number:

R273

HUANG Simin, ZHANG Lu, DAI Lijuan, WANG Siyu, TAO Ke, ZHANG Xingxing, GAO Yating, LU Tingting.

Exploring the Theory of "the Spleen as the Defender" in Diagnosing and Treating T Cell Exhaustion in Lung Cancer [J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL GUIDE, 2026, 28(5): 611-611-616.

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Exploring the Theory of "the Spleen as the Defender" in Diagnosing and Treating T Cell Exhaustion in Lung Cancer

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