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The use of a standardized Chinese herbal formula in patients with advanced lung cancer: a feasibility study
- Source :
- Journal of integrative medicine. 16(6)
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Objective Increasing numbers of cancer patients are using Chinese herbs (CHs). However, differences among prior studies make it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the clinical usefulness of any specific CH formula. The primary objective of this study was to establish the acceptability of taking a standardized CH formula for patients with advanced lung cancer. The secondary objective was to identify any toxicities attributable to this CH formula and to measure changes in quality of life. Methods A single-arm, prospective study of a 6-week intervention with a selected CH formula in 15 patients with stage 4 nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC, Seventh American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system). Results Patients with advanced lung cancer were interested in using the CH formula. Completion (93%) and adherence (98%) levels were very high and most patients perceived the CH treatment as easy to take and were willing to take the CHs used in the study again if it was available. About half of the patients reported adverse events, all of which were mild (Grade 1 or 2) and only a small minority (8%) were potentially related to CHs. No biochemical or hematological evidence of toxicity was observed. Overall, there were improvement in quality of life, and reduced feelings of tiredness and sleepiness. Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence that short-term use of a carefully selected and prepared CH formula in patients with stage 4 NSCLC is acceptable and safe.
- Subjects :
- Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Lung Neoplasms
Drug Compounding
TNM staging system
030226 pharmacology & pharmacy
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Quality of life
Internal medicine
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
medicine
Humans
In patient
Prospective Studies
Stage (cooking)
Adverse effect
Lung cancer
Prospective cohort study
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
business.industry
Cancer
Middle Aged
medicine.disease
Complementary and alternative medicine
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Quality of Life
Feasibility Studies
Female
business
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 20954964
- Volume :
- 16
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of integrative medicine
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....a7d0c6fd2c4992229e4bc1fd3decafe1