The importance and requirement of evidence-based medicine to expand the use of Kampo medicine

BackgroundCancer treatment is one of the major projects in the world due to the highest number of deaths. In recent years, chemotherapy, surgical treatment, radiation and immune checkpoint therapy have been used for the treatment of cancer patients. In association with these treatments, the number of cancer survivors has also increased. On the other hand, the number of patients suffering from side effects of cancer treatment is increasing, and the importance of cancer supportive care is being emphasized. Japanese Herbal MedicineJapanese herbal medicine, Kampo, has been developed since it was imported from China. Kampo medicine is effectively used in Japan to relieve several symptoms that Western medicine cannot address. However, evidence-based medicine is essential for the expansion of the use of Kampo in the clinical field. Needs of Evidence-Based Medical ResearchOwing to the development of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and a variety of molecular biology tools, we are now able to examine profiles of particular effective ingredients included in Kampo medicines. We now are investigating the effects of Kampo medicine on ameliorating adverse effects by searching and analyzing targets for Kampo medicine in cancer patients. In light of this point, properties of hangeshashinto and rikkunshito, two representatives of Kampo medicine, are shown based on their established scientific evidence. ConclusionIn the present study, we show the importance and requirement of evidence-based medicine to expand the use of Kampo medicine.