Search

Objective. To systematically review whether the Kangai injection (KAI), which is commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, can improve the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy and relieve adverse reactions of chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed in three English and three Chinese electronic databases until March 2019. The literature was screened by EndNote X8 and data were analysed by RevMan5 and Stata12.0. Results. This meta-analysis consisted of twenty-eight studies, of which 2310 cases were reported. Among the 2310 cases, 1207 cases were treated with KAI combined with chemotherapy and 1103 cases were treated with chemotherapy alone. The results showed that KAI combined with chemotherapy significantly improved tumor response (Risk Ratio (RR) =1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22-1.43; p p p p p p p p = 0.0004); increased immune function (CD3+: MD=6.34; 95% CI: 5.52-7.16; p < 0.00001, CD4+: MD=-5.99; 95% CI: 5.20-6.78; p < 0.00001; and CD4+/CD8+: MD=0.34; 95% CI: 0.14-0.54; p < 0.0009), and prolonged survival time (OR =1.77; 95% CI: 1.25-2.50; p = 0.001). Renal dysfunction caused by chemotherapy was not affected by KAI treatment (Odds Ratio (OR) =0.53; 95%IC: 0.25-1.12; p = 0.10). Conclusion. KAI can increase clinical effectiveness, improve quality of life, alleviate ADRs, and prolong survival time in advanced colorectal (CRC) patients receiving chemotherapy.

Objective. To systematically evaluate the efficacy of Xihuang pill (XHP) in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods. Three English and four Chinese databases were searched. Literature was screened using EndNote X7 and data were analyzed by Review Manager. Results. This review included 13 randomized clinical studies of 1272 patients. The results showed that XHP increased the tumor response [risk ratio (RR) = 2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.98-4.26] and improved Karnofsky performance score (KPS) for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy [RR = 4.96; 95% CI = 2.07-11.86]. In addition, XHP treatment significantly reduced chemotherapy-induced adverse events, including nausea and vomiting [RR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.33-0.74], WBC reduction [RR = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.47-1.06], platelet reduction [RR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.19-1.44], hemoglobin reduction [RR = 0.31; 95% CI = 0.19-0.52], and hepatic function damage [RR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.35-1.11]. Conclusion. XHP combined with chemotherapy in comparison with chemotherapy alone could significantly enhance the tumor response, improve KPS, and alleviate toxicity induced by chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Objective. To systematically review the effect of invigorating Pi and detoxification (Jianpi Jiedu, (JPJD)) herbs in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods. Three English and four Chinese databases were searched. Literature was screened by EndNote X7 and data were analyzed by RevMan 5.2. Results. This review comprised 12 randomized clinical studies of 701 patients. The results showed that JPJD herbs improved the therapeutic effect on Chinese medicine symptoms [risk ratio (RR) = 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.35~1.88] and Karnofsky performance score [RR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.52~2.82] for advanced CRC patients receiving chemotherapy, lowered the Chinese medicine symptoms’ score [weighted mean difference = −2.44; 95% CI: −3.23~−1.64], reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting [RR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.11~0.49], improved platelet at toxicity grades III-IV [odds ratio = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.12~0.74] and I–IV [RR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.51~0.82], and improved white blood cell at toxicity grades III-IV [RR = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.23~0.58] and I–IV [RR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.60~0.79]. However, the results showed no significant effect on tumor response. Conclusion. JPJD herbs can improve quality of life, relieve symptoms, and reduce adverse events of advanced CRC patients receiving chemotherapy.