Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common peripheral nervous system injury in cancer treatment, specifically manifested as sensory abnormalities, neuropathic pain, and motor dysfunction, which significantly affects patients’ quality of life and chemotherapy progression. The core mechanism of CIPN involves the induction of mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to mitochondrial oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction, followed by aberrant sodium/calcium channel function, resulting in neuronal apoptosis and nerve fiber degeneration. CIPN is classified as the “Xuebi” category in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), results from drug toxicity, causing qi and blood deficiency and meridian obstruction. TCM interventions, based on “tonifying vital energy, activating meridians, and integrating internal-external therapy” aim to reduce nerve damage. This review summaries CIPN’s toxicological mechanisms and TCM-based pathogenesis, focusing on TCM therapeutic strategies. A treatment protocol, including “formula-based reinforcement, synergistic enhancement, external meridian penetration, and acupuncture regulation”, is proposed to improve chemotherapeutic outcomes and patient survival.

chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy  /  oxaliplatin  /  paclitaxel  /  vincristine  /  traditional Chinese medicine therapy