An Analysis of the Interactions between Modern Chemotherapy Medications and Traditional Remedies for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The fact that lung cancer is the most common cancer to cause death makes it a desirable condition for study and potential improvement of therapeutic treatment choices. Lung cancer is frequently treated with surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy alone or in combination. Chemotherapy-based regimens appear to have achieved a therapeutic plateau, yet these treatment modalities may have varied side effects. As a result, this problem needs to be addressed and hopefully resolved with the help of efficient, better-tolerated medicines. Recent developments have made it possible for biologists to more thoroughly explore the potential application of natural chemicals for the control or therapy of many malignant conditions. Chemotherapy has relied on natural substances for the past 30 years. However, only a small number of substances have been studied in cancer patients, and there is only scant information about their clinical efficacy. Here, we evaluate the evidence for the therapeutic benefits of natural substances (such as Wortmannin and Roscovitine, Cordyceps militaris, Resveratrol, OSU03013, Myricetin, Berberine, and Antroquinonol) and current chemotherapy medicines, including those against non-small cell lung cancer. We suggest using these medicines in combination with chemotherapeutic treatments for patients with advanced and/or refractory solid tumors based on the literature review.