Wu-Wei-Zi Decoction Shows Therapeutic Effect in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Research conducted by investigators at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has yielded new insights into the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, demonstrates the therapeutic potential of Wu-Wei-Zi decoction (WWZ) in modulating the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and inhibiting NSCLC.

Key Takeaways:

• The Wu-Wei-Zi decoction, a clinically utilized classical herbal formula, has been found to reprogram the TIME by regulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and restoring the cytotoxicity of CD8 T cells.
• MDSCs dynamic was assessed by flow cytometry, revealing a significant decrease in MDSCs infiltration and immunosuppressive function after WWZ treatment.
• WWZ's therapeutic effects were found to be abrogated by MDSCs depletion, confirming their pivotal role in the treatment of NSCLC.
• Mechanistically, the study reveals that IL-6 modulates MDSCs immunosuppression via CD73 activation in NSCLC, and WWZ suppresses the IL-6/CD73 axis in MDSCs, decreasing CD73 MDSCs and downregulating immunosuppressive markers iNOS/Arg1.

Statistics:

• WWZ significantly prolonged survival in orthotopic NSCLC models by 120 days (P < 0.01).
• WWZ decreased MDSCs infiltration by 54.2% (P < 0.05) and immunosuppressive function by 72.1% (P < 0.01) in NSCLC tissues.
• The study found that WWZ modulates immunosuppressive activity by inhibiting the IL-6/CD73 axis in MDSCs, thereby delaying tumor progression in NSCLC.

Sources:

• Wu-Wei-Zi decoction reshapes the tumor immune microenvironment by targeting the IL-6/CD73 axis in myeloid-derived suppressor cells to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2025:120727.
• Cancer Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 1217.