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Purpose of the Review <p>Patients with cancer often choose to use traditional and complementary medicine in addition to conventional treatments. To assess the current status of integrative oncology (IO) worldwide including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) Global Committee launched a review program in 2024. This review examines the status of IO in LMICs across East and Southeast Asia, including Mongolia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. By analyzing historical backgrounds, hospital systems, education and research endeavors, and government support in IO, this review seeks to outline the current status while identifying challenges and future prospects for IO integration in these regions.</p> Recent Findings <p>Despite the widespread use of traditional medicine in East and Southeast Asian LMICs, most countries lack significant IO services, except Thailand and Malaysia. Preliminary information suggests some IO practices in countries such as Mongolia. There are ongoing efforts in Cambodia and Philippines, while some countries like Myanmar and Timor-Leste lag behind in IO development. Key challenges include limited research on IO, educational gaps, and inadequate national policies supporting IO.</p> Summary <p>This narrative review provides insights into the present state of IO in East and Southeast Asian LMICs, highlighting the need for expanded cross-national research partnerships, educational initiatives, and stronger government support to facilitate the integration of traditional therapies into cancer care frameworks.</p>

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Status of Integrative Oncology in Low- and Middle-Income Countries of East and Southeast Asia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月20日

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  • Chun Sing Lam,
  • Lingyun Sun,
  • E Lyn Lee,
  • Libin Jia

摘要

Purpose of the Review

Patients with cancer often choose to use traditional and complementary medicine in addition to conventional treatments. To assess the current status of integrative oncology (IO) worldwide including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) Global Committee launched a review program in 2024. This review examines the status of IO in LMICs across East and Southeast Asia, including Mongolia, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. By analyzing historical backgrounds, hospital systems, education and research endeavors, and government support in IO, this review seeks to outline the current status while identifying challenges and future prospects for IO integration in these regions.

Recent Findings

Despite the widespread use of traditional medicine in East and Southeast Asian LMICs, most countries lack significant IO services, except Thailand and Malaysia. Preliminary information suggests some IO practices in countries such as Mongolia. There are ongoing efforts in Cambodia and Philippines, while some countries like Myanmar and Timor-Leste lag behind in IO development. Key challenges include limited research on IO, educational gaps, and inadequate national policies supporting IO.

Summary

This narrative review provides insights into the present state of IO in East and Southeast Asian LMICs, highlighting the need for expanded cross-national research partnerships, educational initiatives, and stronger government support to facilitate the integration of traditional therapies into cancer care frameworks.