Efficacy and Safety of Ginger on the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, with breast cancer being the most prevalent cancer. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most serious side effects of chemotherapy. Because the current CINV treatment option has several flaws, alternative treatment options are required. Ginger has traditionally been used to treat nausea and vomiting, and it also has anticancer properties in breast cancer cells. Based on these findings, researchers investigated whether using ginger to treat CINV in breast cancer patients is both effective and safe. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wanfang from inception to June 2022. Outcomes included Rhodes Index Scores of Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching, severity and frequency of CINV. Five RCTs were included. We pooled all included data and performed subgroup analysis by types of CINV. Overall, authors found that ginger was associated with a reduction in CINV. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis revealed that managing severity of acute CINV in breast cancer patients with ginger was efficient. In terms of managing delayed CINV in breast cancer patients, ginger was also statistically significant. The authors concluded that ginger may be helpful in lowering both acute and delayed CINV in breast cancer patients. Since there were no serious side effects, ginger is thought to be safe.

Ginger Update

“…In addition, the numbers and qualities of RCTs selected by each meta-analysis also varied. Table 35–64 provides an overview and perspective on some of these differences in methodologies among those trials assessed in meta-analyses.…”

“…Although various antiemetic drugs were developed to alleviate this, a substantial proportion of patients nonetheless experience episodes of NV 69 . The effectiveness of ginger as a potential adjunct to suppress CINV was examined in several meta-analyses and reviews 10,12,13,39–42,69–72 . Determining any benefit of ginger is complex because patient NV episodes are classified as acute, delayed, anticipatory, breakthrough, and refractory, and generally ginger's effects on only the acute and delayed phases have been assessed.…”

“…69 The effectiveness of ginger as a potential adjunct to suppress CINV was examined in several meta-analyses and reviews. 10,12,13,[39][40][41][42][69][70][71][72] Determining any benefit of ginger is complex because patient NV episodes are classified as acute, delayed, anticipatory, breakthrough, and refractory, and generally ginger's effects on only the acute and delayed phases have been assessed. The uses of different cancer chemotherapy regimens possess variable emetogenicities, and prescribed antiemetic agents can exhibit distinct mechanisms of action.…”

The therapeutic potential of immunotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer: Rational strategies and recent progress

“…The most common treatments are surgical resection followed by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy 2 . There are many side effects associated with conventional treatments, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, immunosuppression, anemia and even impaired cognitive function 3 . In addition, hair loss secondary to chemotherapy may lead to anxiety and can affect the patient's sense of self and identity 4,5 .…”

“…2 There are many side effects associated with conventional treatments, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, immunosuppression, anemia and even impaired cognitive function. 3 In addition, hair loss secondary to chemotherapy may lead to anxiety and can affect the patient's sense of self and identity. 4,5 Early-stage BC patients can benefit from routine treatment, but…”