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Lung cancer ranks as the malignancy with the highest incidence and mortality rates in China. Projections suggest that by 2025, the number of patients with lung cancer in China is projected to exceed one million, positioning the nation as the global epicentre of lung cancer burden. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes 80%-85% of all lung cancer cases1, with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung accounting for 20%-30% of these instances2. In recent years, the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has significantly altered the treatment landscape for advanced squamous cell lung carcinoma, significantly altering clinical practice. The KEYNOTE-024 study was the first to reveal the potent efficacy of ICIs in advanced NSCLC with high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression (PD-L1 ≥50%), although only 18.4% of participants had squamous histology3. The EXPRESS II study established that among patients with advanced NSCLC in the real-world setting in China, just 21.5% of patients with advanced NSCLC exhibited PD-L1 ≥50%4.
Chemotherapy can synergise with ICIs by releasing tumour-associated antigens, remodelling the immune microenvironment, and modulating T-cell function. As a result, ICI-chemotherapy combinations are now the first-line standard for advanced squamous cell lung carcinoma. Although overall haematologic toxicity is lower with ICIs alone than with chemotherapy, myelosuppression remains a common chemotherapy-related adverse effect, disrupting bone marrow cell proliferation and maturation. In severe cases, this can lead to complications, such as infections, anaemia, and bleeding, necessitating dose reductions or impacting the treatment schedule, adversely affecting patient prognosis and even endangering lives5. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), commonly used to treat neutropenia, acts quickly but has a short duration of effect, and some patients may experience adverse reactions, such as fever, bone pain, and fatigue6. Severe anaemia or secondary thrombocytopenia necessitates the transfusion of costly and scarce blood products.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) lacks a specific classification for myelosuppression; however, based on clinical manifestations, such as dizziness, fatigue, weakness in the lumbar and knees, palpitations, shortness of breath, bleeding, susceptibility to infections and fever, it can be classified under TCM syndromes such as 'blood deficiency', 'blood syndrome' or 'internal injury fever'7. Chemotherapy drugs, due to their noxious properties, tend to generate 'toxic heat', damaging organ functions and ultimately leading to bone marrow damage. The main pathological mechanisms are identified as spleen and kidney deficiency and insufficient Qi and blood8,9. Clinically, TCM treatment focuses on strengthening the spleen and kidneys and nourishing Qi and blood. As TCM's efficacy in alleviating chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression gains recognition, its role is increasingly valued. Peanut Skin Decoction (PSD), a formula derived from the hospital team's clinical experience in treating myelosuppression, contains peanut skin, Astragalus membranaceus, Herba Agrimoniae, Spatholobus suberectus, Codonopsis pilosula, Colla Corii Asini, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Angelica sinensis, Forsythia suspensa, Psoralea corylifolia, Ligustrum lucidum, Eclipta prostrata, and Chinese dates. The peanut skin polyphenolic extract KK4-PSE, when combined with chemotherapy, can not only achieve greater tumour inhibition but also significantly mitigate hepatotoxicity induced by both cisplatin and 5-FU10, aligning with TCM theory and modern pharmacological research findings11. Ingredients such as Colla Corii Asini, peanut skin, Astragalus membranaceus, and Poria fortify the spleen, boost Qi, nourish blood, and consolidate the body's foundation, regulating immunity12. Ligustrum lucidum, Eclipta prostrata, and Chinese dates strengthen the kidney, replenish deficiency, and promote haematopoiesis. Current interventions rely on short-acting G-CSF injections and blood transfusions, which frequently cause medullary bone pain (reported in 20%-38% of patients) and may necessitate treatment delays or hospital admissions13,14. Bronze flavonoid-rich peanut skin polyphenols exhibit potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that modified PSD may offer sustained haematopoietic support with fewer side effects and reduced healthcare burden11.
Therefore, this protocol focuses on stage IV squamous non-small cell lung carcinoma patients aged 18-75 years with Qi-blood deficiency undergoing four cycles of standard chemotherapy plus immunotherapy. Modified PSD (30 g peanut skin decocted in 500 mL water at 100 °C for 30 min, filtered through a 200-mesh sieve, administered warm in two divided doses 30 min post-meal) is assessed for its efficacy in mitigating chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses are used to elucidate the formula's key active components and core molecular targets, providing mechanistic insight and clinical application guidance.