The evolution of research paradigms in cancer research in China within the framework of holistic integrative medicine

Abstract

The traditional medical model has driven significant advances in oncology research; however, its excessive focus on molecular details, which hinders a holistic understanding of patients, has become increasingly evident as a limitation. As an emerging medical paradigm, holistic integrative medicine emphasizes a systems-thinking approach that regards the patient as an integrated whole and seeks multidimensional and temporally coordinated integration under three hierarchical goals: anticancer, tumor control, and patient centric care. Using holistic integrative medicine as the theoretical framework, this article provides a systematic review of a series of original research achievements by Chinese scholars published in leading international journals, aiming to elucidate the trajectory of paradigm evolution in oncology research in China. The analysis indicates a three-level progressive paradigm shift. At the molecular level, research has evolved from single targets to system-level networks, revealing the complex tumor ecosystem through cross-organ and cross-system interaction analyses. At the clinical level, therapeutic strategies have shifted from single modalities to multidisciplinary temporally coordinated approaches, achieving a balance between maximal efficacy and minimal toxicity through temporal integration of multiple interventions. At the system level, cancer prevention and management has transitioned from a disease-oriented model to whole-course care, encompassing prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. These paradigm shifts reflect a transition in Chinese oncology research from molecular reductionism to systems integration. Future research should move from descriptive integration toward quantitative and intelligent integration, establish a unified analytical framework, and systematically map the structural pathway for transforming oncology toward a holistic integrative medicine paradigm.