Letter to the Editor Regarding “A Prospective, Controlled Study of the Botanical Compound Mixture LCS101 for Chemotherapy-Induced Hematological Complications in Breast Cancer” by Yaal-Hahoshen et al. ( The Oncologist 2011;16:1197–1202)

Abstract

A prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled study by Yaal‐Hahoshen et al. published in a recent issue of The Oncologist that concluded that the botanical mixture LCS101 prevented hematological complications in breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline‐ and taxane‐based chemotherapy is critically reviewed.

Botanical Formula LCS101: A Multi-Targeted Approach to Cancer Care

“…None of these components have been associated with adverse effects or negative interactions with chemotherapy agents, though this has not been shown to be true for all conventional drugs being used in the oncology setting. 29 This is true for many of the TCM-based botanicals and botanical formulas, such as Astragalus or the Astragalus -containing formula Jinfukang ( Astragalus, Ophiopogon japonicus, Glehnia littoralis , and Ligustrum lucidum ) 13 ; PHY906 ( Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Paeonia lactiflora ) 30 , 31 ; and a formula containing Oldenlandia diffusa, Scutellaria barbata , and Astragalus , 14 all of which have been found to be safe and without negative interactions with chemotherapy agents. LCS101 capsules are prepared in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, in keeping with the regulations of the Israel Ministry of Health.…”