Effects of Chinese Medicine as Adjunct Medication for Adjuvant Chemotherapy Treatments of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a combination medication with adjuvant chemotherapy on postoperative early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The 314 patients with completely resected stage IB, II or IIIA cancers were assigned into vinorelbine plus cisplatin/carboplatin (NP/NC) (control, n = 158) and NP/NC with additional TCM (intervention, n = 156) groups. The primary endpoint was QOL scores; secondary endpoints were the toxicity and safety of the regimens. The NP/NC regimen caused mild (grade 1 or 2) non-hematologic toxic effects in the patients comprising vomiting (43.6%), fatigue (36.9%), pain (23%), dry mouth (27.6%) and diarrhea (7.9%). The incidence of adverse events was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (0.57% vs 4.02%, P = 0.037). Transient severe (grade 3 or 4) hematological toxic effects occurred less often (hemoglobin reduction (11.9 vs 22.5 percent) and total bilirubin increased (to 42.1 vs 46.2%) in the intervention compared to the control group during the 2nd chemotherapy cycle. When combined with adjuvant chemotherapy, TCM led to partial relief of symptoms in addition to a reduction of side-effects and adverse events caused by the NP/NC regimens.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy with Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas Versus Placebo in Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma after Radical Surgery: a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…It was revealed that compared with the patients receiving ACT alone, those receiving Chinese medicine + ACT enjoyed a longer time without relapse or metastasis [10]. Our previous study showed that Chinese herbal medicines based on syndrome differentiation were able to improve the symptoms, including nausea, fatigue, pain and dry mouth, and also alleviate some chemotherapy-related side effects [11,12].…”

Kanglaite Injection Combined with Chemotherapy versus Chemotherapy Alone for the Improvement of Clinical Efficacy and Immune Function in Patients with Advanced Non‐Small‐Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…However, these treatments are also limited to a certain extent. Clinically, the effectiveness of chemotherapy alone is not completely satisfactory due to the potential side effects and adverse reactions that affect the quality of life (QOL) and seriously inhibit the immune function of patients [9]. Hence, drugs that exhibit clinical efficacy and promote immune function, improve QOL, and alleviate side effects and adverse reactions may be preferable for advanced NSCLC patients.…”

The effect of comprehensive rehabilitation program plus chemotherapy on quality of life in patients with postoperative non-small-cell lung cancer: study protocol of a multicenter randomized clinical trial

“…Our previous study reported that the adverse events from CHM combined with chemotherapy had a lower overall incidence than those from chemotherapy alone, especially in the improvement of symptoms (e.g., pain, diarrhea, and hemoptysis). However, it was also observed that CHM could increase the incidence of nausea and vomiting in the combined chemotherapy [20].…”