Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41104332/

Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death globally, and despite major advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapy, there’s strong interest in how complementary approaches might support conventional treatments. An article in the Frontiers in Pharmacology published this October 2025 has shown that the traditional formula Liu Junzi Tang (六君子湯 Six Gentleman Decoction, Yukgunja-Tang in Korean) may be useful in helping treat lung cancer.

Note: the study refers to the Korean name of the formula, but I will refer to the Chinese name here as that is the name that is more known by non-Asians.

What is Liu Junzi Tang

Liu Junzi Tang, meaning “Six Gentlemen Decoction,” is a classical formula used traditionally to tonify Spleen Qi, regulate the Stomach, and strengthen the body’s general vitality. Historically, it has been prescribed for gastrointestinal symptoms, poor appetite, and fatigue, often in patients presenting with so-called “qi deficiency” patterns. In modern clinical practice, this formula—and its modified versions—has been used in oncology settings, not as a replacement for conventional therapies, but as a supportive measure to ease symptoms and potentially enhance treatment response.

The Study

The meta-analysis in question was a systematic review that searched ten major databases up to March 2025. It included randomized controlled trials comparing standard antitumor therapy alone with the same therapy combined with modified Liu Junzi Tang. Thirty-one trials involving nearly 2,500 patients were ultimately analyzed, using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool to assess study quality. A random-effects meta-analysis model was applied to account for differences between studies. Although each trial used slightly different modifications of the original formula, all aimed to evaluate its role as an adjuvant treatment in lung cancer.

Results:

Thirty-one trials involving 2,496 participants were included. Modified YGJT significantly improved the objective response rate (ORR; RR 1.69, 95% CI 1.41-2.04), disease control rate (DCR; RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.11-1.31), and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS; RR 1.79, 95% CI 1.23-2.60; MD 8.62, 95% CI 3.86-13.38). Symptom relief was observed (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.25-1.85; MD -10.87, 95% CI -12.51 to -9.22), along with improvements in immune markers (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, CD4+/CD8+ ratio) and reductions in tumor markers (CEA, CYFRA 21-1, NSE, SCC, CA19-9) and adverse events (myelosuppression, leukopenia, gastrointestinal reactions).¹

These findings underscore the potential of integrative approaches to bridge traditional herbal medicine and modern cancer care. Rather than focusing solely on symptom relief, Liu Junzi Tang may exert broader effects that enhance treatment response, support the immune system, and improve quality of life. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy, improved performance status and reduced side effects can have meaningful impacts—not just on survival outcomes but also on their overall well-being during treatment.

However, the study’s conclusions should be interpreted with care. Although the analysis included a large number of trials, their quality and design varied significantly. The term “modified Liu Junzi Tang” itself reflects a certain degree of heterogeneity, as different combinations or dosages of herbs were used across studies. This variability makes it difficult to generalize which exact formulation is most effective. More studies with larger populations should be done using a more consistent set of modifications to the formula.

Source:

Kang, S. W., Ha, S., Kim, K. I., Jung, H. J., & Lee, B. J. (2025). Therapeutic potential of modified Yukgunja-tang (Liujunzi Decoction, Rikkunshito) as an adjuvant treatment for lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in pharmacology, 16, 1657423. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1657423

1. Kang, et al. 2025 ↩︎