[Clinical study on treatment of malignant neoplasms with Shenqi Fuzheng Injection and chemotherapy]

Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction enhances anti-tumor efficacy of cisplatin on lung cancer

Traditional Chinese medicine has been widely used in cancer treatment in China. Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction is a traditional Chinese compound medicine, composed of 12 traditional Chinese herbs. This study aimed to investigate anti-tumor activity and the underlying mechanisms of Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction combined with cisplatin in the treatment of lung cancer. We established lung cancer model in C57BL/6 mice injected with mouse Lewis lung cancer cells. Our results demonstrated that Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction treatment increased necrotic area in tumor tissue, and significantly enhanced the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the tumor. In addition, Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction treatment enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy of cisplatin and partially recovered mouse body weight loss caused by cisplatin treatment. Mechanistically, we found that Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction upregulated the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins p53 and Bax and suppressed the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Combined treatment of Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction and cisplatin further increased p53 and Bax levels and suppressed Bcl-2 level. Taken together, these data suggest that Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction could synergistically enhance the apoptotic signaling in cancer cells during chemotherapy. In addition, it has health improving and immune response enhancing effects. Yangyin Fuzheng Decoction could be a promising adjunct agent for lung cancer chemotherapy.

[Aidi Injection as an adjunct therapy for non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review]

OBJECTIVE

To assess methodological quality of clinical studies using Aidi Injection as an adjunct therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate the effects of Aidi Injection.

METHODS

PubMed (1980-2008), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2008), EMBASE (1984-2008), CancerLit (1996-2003), CBMdisc (1980-2008), CNKI database (1980-2008), Wanfang database (1980-2008), and Chongqing VIP database (1980-2008) were searched. The authors also hand-searched Chinese periodicals potentially related to the question. All randomized controlled trials comparing Aidi Injection with other treatment methods of NSCLC were included. Two reviewers selected studies, assessed the quality of studies, and extracted the data independently. The included studies were appraised and analyzed by Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 5.0.

RESULTS

Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis, but the quality of reports of the 14 included studies was poor. Aidi Injection combined with cobalt-60 or navelbine and platinol (NP) showed statistically significant differences in improving the response rate as compared with single use of cobalt-60 (P=0.000 2) or NP (P=0.04), and the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 1.93 [1.36, 2.72] and 1.18 [1.00, 1.38], respectively. However, Aidi Injection combined with etoposide and platinol (EP), taxinol and platinol (TP) or gamma knife showed no significant differences as compared with single use of EP (P=0.60), TP (P=0.16) or gamma knife (P=0.34), respectively. The RR and 95% CI of EP, TP and gamma knife were 1.17 [0.65, 2.09], 1.27 [0.91, 1.78] and 1.08 [0.92, 1.26] respectively. Six studies indicated that Aidi Injection combined with NP or gamma knife could improve the quality of life.Six studies showed that Aidi Injection combined with NP or TP could improve the bone marrow hematopoietic function.Three studies indicated that Aidi Injection combined with NP could improve the immune function. Three studies showed that the combined therapy could not improve 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates.

CONCLUSION

The results of meta-analysis indicate that Aidi Injection may have adjuvant therapeutic effects in treatment of NSCLC patients, but the sample size is too small and with poor quality, and the existence of publication bias is found.The effects of Aidi Injection need to be confirmed by large multicenter randomized controlled trials.

Clinical study on treatment of mammary cancer by shenqi fuzheng injection in cooperation with chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI) on cellular immune in patients with mammary cancer (MC) after chemotherapy.

METHODS

One hundred and ten patients with MC were randomly assigned to two groups. The 58 patients in the tested group were treated with SFI in cooperation with chemotherapy of CAF protocol (Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin and Fluorouracil), while the 52 patients in the control group were treated with chemotherapy of the same protocol alone. Changes of the patients' quality of life (QOF), adverse reaction that occurred, peripheral lymphocyte count and killing activity of single karyocyte before and after treatment between the two groups were compared.

RESULTS

Patients' QOF elevating rate after treatment in the tested group and the control group was 34.5% and 13.5% respectively; The lowering of peripheral blood cell count of WBC, platelet and lymphocyte as well as that of the killing activity of single peripheral karyocyte on various kinds of MC cells were all milder and recovery sooner than those in the control group.

CONCLUSION

SFI in combination with chemotherapy in treating MC could reduce the occurrence of adverse reaction to chemotherapy, improve clinical symptoms, elevate QOF and enhance immunity in patients with MC.