Open AccessA systematic review and meta-analysis of traditional insect Chinese medicines combined chemotherapy for non-surgical hepatocellular carcinoma therapy
Author(s) -
Zhaofeng Shi,
Tiebing Song,
Yi Wan,
Juan Xie,
Yi-Shang Yan,
Kekai Shi,
Yiqin Du,
Lei Shang
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-017-04351-y
Subject(s) - medicine , meta analysis , hepatocellular carcinoma , traditional chinese medicine , adverse effect , randomized controlled trial , chemotherapy , integrative medicine , systematic review , clinical trial , traditional medicine , medline , surgery , oncology , alternative medicine , pathology , political science , law
On the background of high morbidity and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and rapid development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of traditional insect Chinese medicine and related preparation for non-surgical HCC. RCTs were searched based on standardized searching rules in mainstream medical databases from the inception up to May 2016. Ultimately, a total of 57 articles with 4,651 patients enrolled in this meta-analysis. We found that traditional insect Chinese medicine and related preparation combined chemotherapy show significantly effectiveness and safety in objective response rate ( P < 0.001), survival time extension [12 months ( P < 0.001); 18 months ( P < 0.001); 24 months ( P < 0.001); 36 months ( P < 0.001)], amelioration for life quality [QoL scores improvement ( P < 0.001); KPS improvement ( P < 0.001); AFP improvement ( P < 0.001)] and reduction of therapeutic toxicity [WBC decrease ( P = 0.04); gastrointestinal adverse reactions ( P < 0.001)]. In conclusion, traditional insect Chinese medicine and related preparations could be recommended as auxiliary therapy combined chemotherapy for HCC therapy.