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Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumour in women worldwide. Although conventional treatments remain effective, they carry significant side effects that can reduce quality of life. This network meta-analysis examined whether traditional Chinese herbal decoctions, used as an adjunct to standard care, could improve clinical outcomes and reduce treatment-related adverse effects.
Researchers systematically searched seven major databases for randomised controlled trials published up to December 2025. A total of 68 trials involving 4,708 patients were included and analysed using network meta-analysis, which allows simultaneous comparison of multiple interventions. Study quality was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2.0 tool.
The results indicated that several named herbal decoctions outperformed control groups across multiple outcomes. One formula ranked highest for objective response rate, while another showed the greatest benefit for disease control rate. A third formula demonstrated the strongest improvement in immune function, as measured by the ratio of helper to cytotoxic T-cells. Notably, one decoction was most effective at reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, a common and distressing side effect of cancer treatment.
The authors concluded that traditional Chinese herbal decoctions showed meaningful benefits when used alongside conventional breast cancer treatment, improving tumour response, disease control, immune markers, and tolerability of chemotherapy.
Conclusion: This network meta-analysis provides encouraging evidence that adjunctive traditional Chinese herbal decoctions may enhance therapeutic outcomes and reduce chemotherapy side effects in breast cancer patients, though further high-quality trials are needed to confirm these findings.
Source: Han H, Du Y, Li J and colleagues. Frontiers in oncology (2026). View on PubMed (PMID 42488093) · doi:10.3389/fonc.2026.1785268