Utilizing network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the mechanisms of the Qijiafuzheng formula promoting CD8+ T-cell infiltration in the microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma through STAT1/CXCL10.

Abstract

Qijiafuzheng formula (QJFZF), a Traditional Chinese Medicine used to treat lung cancer and mitigate chemotherapy side effects, was studied to clarify its impact on the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Using network pharmacology and experimental validation, 39 overlapping targets were identified from 579 QJFZF-related and 752 lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD)-TIME targets. Key genes (CCL3, IL10, CXCL10, FOXP3, CD86) correlated negatively with tumor purity and positively with CD8+ T-cell infiltration. CXCL10 emerged as the core target, with experiments showing QJFZF activates the STAT1/CXCL10 pathway to enhance CD8+ T-cell recruitment in LUAD-TIME. This study elucidates QJFZF's immunomodulatory mechanisms, supporting its clinical application.