Chinese patent medicine: Opening new perspectives for treatment of post-endoscopic submucosal dissection esophageal stricture in esophageal cancer patients.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective technique for treating early esophageal cancer, and the prevention of postoperative esophageal stricture has emerged as a significant research topic. Zhou utilized an experimental minipig model to demonstrate that Kangfuxin (KFX) can improve postoperative esophageal stricture following ESD by inhibiting transforming growth factor-β1-driven fibrosis and the downstream fibrotic mediators Smad2/3. In this letter, we primarily discuss recent advancements in the treatment of esophageal stricture, the clinical applications of KFX, and the mechanisms involved in alleviating postoperative esophageal stricture, aiming to provide insights for advancing clinical practice and research in esophageal stricture after ESD.