Efficacy and safety of sodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection for the treatment of digestive system neoplasms: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of sodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 (SC/B6) combined with conventional medical treatment (CMT) for the treatment of patients with advanced digestive system neoplasms (DSNs).MethodsThe Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were searched for clinical trials using SC/B6 for DSNs. Outcome measures, including therapeutic efficacy, quality of life (QoL), and adverse events, were extracted and systematically evaluated.ResultsData from 24 trials including 1,825 advanced DSN patients were included. Compared with CMT alone, its combination with SC/B6 significantly improved the patients’ overall response rate (OR =2.25, 95% CI =1.83–2.76, P<0.00001), disease control rate (OR =2.41, 95% CI =1.85–3.15, P<0.00001), and QoL improvement rate (OR =2.75, 95% CI =2.13–3.55, P<0.00001). Moreover, adverse events caused by chemotherapy, including leukopenia, nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal side effects, hepatotoxicity, diarrhea, transaminase disorder, myelosuppression, anorexia, and anemia, were significantly alleviated (P<0.05) when SC/B6 was applied to DSN patients. Nephrotoxicity, thrombocytopenia, hand-foot syndrome, and oral mucositis were not significantly alleviated in patients receiving combination therapy (P>0.05).ConclusionThe combination of SC/B6 and CMT is more effective in treating DSNs than CMT alone. This combination alleviates the adverse effects associated with chemotherapy and improves the QoL of DSN patients, and its application in the clinic is worth promoting.

Effect of sodium cantharidinate/vitamin B6 injection on survival, liver function, immune function, and quality of life in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

“…[ 9 , 10 ] However, it is known that the above conventional therapeutic methods often fail to remove the tumor completely. [ 9 , 11 ] In addition, the unpleasant side effects related to chemoradiotherapy also seriously affects the quality of life (QoL) and immune function of patients with HCC. [ 9 , 11 ] Therefore, exploring new alternative regimens with better tolerance and lower toxicity for HCC patients are urgently required.…”

“…[ 12 – 14 ] Sodium cantharidinate/vitamin B6 (SC/VB6, a famous insect-derived traditional Chinese medicine) is a combination of sodium cantharidinate and VB6, and has the pharmacological characteristics of both. [ 11 , 15 , 16 ] SC is a derivative of cantharidin, which is extracted from the body of meloidae insects such as Mylabris phalerata pallas and Mylabris cichorii linnaeus . [ 11 , 17 ] SC preserves the unique anti-cancer activity of cantharidin and has lower toxicity and fewer adverse effects.…”

“…[ 11 , 15 , 16 ] SC is a derivative of cantharidin, which is extracted from the body of meloidae insects such as Mylabris phalerata pallas and Mylabris cichorii linnaeus . [ 11 , 17 ] SC preserves the unique anti-cancer activity of cantharidin and has lower toxicity and fewer adverse effects. [ 11 , 15 , 17 ] Its combination with VB6 can even further lower the side effects.…”

“…[ 11 , 17 ] SC preserves the unique anti-cancer activity of cantharidin and has lower toxicity and fewer adverse effects. [ 11 , 15 , 17 ] Its combination with VB6 can even further lower the side effects. [ 11 , 15 ] Previous studies suggest that the anti-tumor mechanisms of SC might be attributed to the following aspects:…”

“…[ 11 , 15 , 17 ] Its combination with VB6 can even further lower the side effects. [ 11 , 15 ] Previous studies suggest that the anti-tumor mechanisms of SC might be attributed to the following aspects:…”