Traditional Knowledge as a Source of Innovation in Oncologic Therapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17981399Keywords:
Ethnopharmacology, Integrative Medicine, Neoplasms, PhytotherapyAbstract
Traditional knowledge and popular beliefs have historically contributed to the development of medical science, particularly in oncology, where empirical practices often preceded systematic scientific investigation. This integrative review aimed to analyze the relevance of popular beliefs in cancer treatment and their contribution to the development of scientific research and oncologic therapies. Publications indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, LILACS, SciELO, and the Cochrane Library were analyzed using standardized descriptors and inclusion criteria applied to studies published between 2010 and 2025. The findings indicate that the traditional use of medicinal plants, natural extracts, and cultural practices played a decisive role in the identification of bioactive compounds with antineoplastic potential, acting through modulation of inflammatory, apoptotic, and immunological pathways. In addition, popular beliefs influence psychosocial aspects of care, including treatment adherence and disease coping. However, risks associated with the indiscriminate use of such practices were also identified, including drug interactions, toxicity, and delays in conventional treatment. It is concluded that traditional knowledge represents a relevant source of innovation in oncologic therapy, provided it is integrated critically, ethically, and based on scientific evidence.
References
ALIU, T. B. et al. Safety Evaluation and Concerns of Natural Products in Traditional Medicine. AROC in Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology, 5(1):09-17, 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.53858/arocpb05010917.
AMORIN, V. R. et al. Evidências científicas para o uso popular de frutos e plantas medicinais utilizadas por portadores de câncer no Piauí. Fitos, v. 15, n. 3, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.32712/2446-4775.2021.859.
AN, X. et al. Oxidative cell death in cancer: mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities. Cell Death Dis 15, 556 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-024-06939-5.
ANDRÉS, C. M. C. et al. Michael Acceptors as Anti-Cancer Compounds: Coincidence or Causality? Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6099. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116099.
CÁMARA, A. S. et al. The key role of immunomodulatory cytokines for the development of novel NK cell-based cancer therapies. Int Rev Cell Mol Biol. 2025;396:95-137. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.ircmb.2025.01.007.
DEHELEAN, C. A. et al. Plant-Derived Anticancer Compounds as New Perspectives in Drug Discovery and Alternative Therapy. Molecules. 2021 Feb 19;26(4):1109. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26041109.
FERREIRA, A. L. S.; PASA, M. C.; NUNEZ, C. V. A etnobotânica e o uso de plantas medicinais na Comunidade Barreirinho, Santo Antônio de Leverger, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Interações, 21 (4), Jul-Sep 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.20435/inter.v21i4.1924.
GANDHI, A.; MASTER, S.; BHISE, V. When Nature Meets Oncology: Unraveling Herb-Drug Interactions in Cancer Therapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Oct 29;26(21):10494. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110494.
GUTIERREZ-ROJAS, A. et al. The influence of spirituality on psychological resilience in cancer patients undergoing oncological treatment: a cross-sectional study. BMC Palliat Care. 2025 May 14;24(1):136. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-025-01768-5.
HOFFMANN, R.; ANJOS, M. C. R. Construção histórica do uso de plantas medicinais e sua interferência na socialização do saber popular. Guaju, v.4, n.2, p. 142-163, jul./dez. 2018.
HOWICK, J. et al. How does communication affect patient safety? Protocol for a systematic review and logic model. BMJ Open. 2024 May 27;14(5):e085312. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-085312.
LATIF, R., NAWAZ, T. Medicinal plants and human health: a comprehensive review of bioactive compounds, therapeutic effects, and applications. Phytochem Rev (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-025-10194-7.
MACHADO, L. C. S. et al. Ansiedade e depressão em pacientes com câncer: associação com aspectos clínicos e adesão ao tratamento oncológico. Cogitare Enferm. 29, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/ce.v29i0.92059.
OLIVEIRA, D. F. et al. Fatores associados à baixa adesão ao tratamento farmacológico de pacientes atendidos por um centro integrado de saúde. Braz. J. Nat. Sci., V.3, N.3, 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.31415/bjns.v3i2.113.
SULAIMAN, C. et al. Cancer and Traditional Medicine: An Integrative Approach. Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(5), 644. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18050644.
TANNÚS, S. F. et al. Risco ocupacional na manipulação de medicamentos quimioterápicos antineoplásicos por profissionais de saúde: uma revisão integrativa. Revista Caderno Pedagógico, v.22, n.12, p. 01-19. 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.54033/cadpedv22n12-018.
TEIXEIRA, C. C. et al. Professionals’ beliefs in patient involvement for hospital safety. Rev Bras Enferm. 2022;75(4):e20210359. doi: https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2021-0359.
VIEIRA, V. S. et al. Quimioterápicos antineoplásicos derivados de plantas. Enciclopédia Biosfera, v.17 n.34; p.444, 2020. doi: https://doi.org/10.18677/EnciBio_2020D34.
ZAFAR, A. et al. Advancements and limitations in traditional anti-cancer therapies: a comprehensive review of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy. Discov Oncol. 2025 Apr 24;16(1):607. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02198-8
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Valderice Herth Junkes
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Os artigos publicados na International Journal of Health and Surgical Research são licenciados sob a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
Isso permite que outros distribuam, remixem, adaptem e criem a partir do trabalho publicado, para qualquer finalidade, incluindo comercial, desde que seja dado o devido crédito ao autor original e à revista.
Os autores mantêm os direitos autorais de seus trabalhos e concedem à revista o direito de primeira publicação.
