Open AccessTraditional herbal medicine combined with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer
Author(s) -
Hayun Jin,
Su Bin Park,
Jang Ho Yoon,
Jee Young Lee,
Eun Hye Kim,
Seong Woo Yoon
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000027163
Subject(s) - medicine , lung cancer , relative risk , nausea , confidence interval , adverse effect , hazard ratio , leukopenia , meta analysis , randomized controlled trial , oncology , progression free survival , chemotherapy
Background: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major health burden in many countries. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of traditional herbal medicine (THM) combined with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (PBCT) for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. Methods: From inception to April 2021, relevant studies were retrieved from 9 electronic databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing survival outcomes of THM + PBCT treatment with PBCT treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC were reviewed. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Overall survival, 1-year survival, progression-free survival or time to progression, tumor response rate, and adverse effects were analyzed. Results: Sixteen RCTs comprising 1445 patients were included. The meta-analysis indicated that THM + PBCT treatment, compared to PBCT alone, could improve overall survival (median survival ratio = 1.24, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [1.11, 1.39], P < .001), progression-free survival/time to progression (median survival ratio = 1.22, 95% CI [1.09, 1.37], P < .001), and the 1-year survival rate (risk ratio [RR] = 1.56, 95% CI [1.31, 1.86], P < .001). THM + PBCT also led to a higher tumor response rate (RR = 1.39, 95% CI [1.22, 1.59], P < .001) and lower incidence of thrombocytopenia (RR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.56, 0.92], P = .009) and nausea/vomiting (RR = 0.35, 95% CI [0.21, 0.57], P < .001), while there was no significant effect observed on leukopenia (RR = 0.68, 95% CI [0.34, 1.36], P = .27). Conclusion: THM, when used in combination with PBCT, might increase survival and the tumor response rate while decreasing the side effects caused by chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. However, considering the limited methodological qualities of the included trials, more rigorous RCTs are needed.