Research Progress of Traditional Drug Therapies for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an uncommon type of epithelial carcinoma, characterized by unique features and a higher prevalence in certain populations. Traditional medicines are commonly employed in the treatment of various cancers, including NPC. Early-stage NPC patients who undergo radiotherapy alone or in combination with chemotherapy can experience significant improvements in clinical outcomes; however, these treatments often come with substantial side effects. Given that NPC is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage, there is a significant likelihood of local recurrence, distant metastasis, and drug resistance, which limits treatment options and results in poor clinical outcomes. Consequently, the development of highly active antitumor drugs with minimal side effects has become a major focus in current cancer research. Objectives This study aims to summarize the current clinical treatments for NPC and explore the role of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway in NPC. Additionally, it reviews the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds and monomers on NPC through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methodology The main keywords chosen for this study were “Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)”, “nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC),” “natural plant,” and “PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.” We conducted a comprehensive literature search using multiple online databases, including CNKI, Web of Science, and PubMed, along with other publication resources. Results The findings suggest that current first-line treatments for NPC fall short of fully addressing clinical needs. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is crucial in the development and progression of NPC. Several components of TCM have been shown to impact NPC development and progression through the modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion The regulatory mechanisms of NPC involve multiple signaling systems, with the PI3K/AKT pathway identified as a critical mechanism for effective modulation of the disease. This review highlights traditional medicines that target the PI3K/AKT pathway, demonstrating promising anti-NPC effects by inhibiting cell growth, inducing apoptosis, and modulating the PI3K/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. The review concludes by underscoring the potential of the PI3K/AKT pathway as a therapeutic target for NPC and the importance of continued research to optimize treatment strategies.