scholarly journals Adjunctive Chinese Herbal Medicine Treatment is Associated With an Improved Survival Rate in Patients With Cervical Cancer in Taiwan: A Matched Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542110617
Author(s):  
Chieh Wang ◽  
Kent Yu-Hsien Lin ◽  
Mei-Yao Wu ◽  
Cheng-Li Lin ◽  
Jaung-Geng Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Survival Probability ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Chinese Herbal

Background Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in Taiwan. Some patients take Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). However, very few current studies have ascertained the usage and efficacy of CHM in patients with cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of complementary CHM among patients with cervical cancer in Taiwan. Methods We included the newly diagnosed cervical cancer patients who were registered in the Taiwanese Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients Database between 2000 and 2010. The end of follow-up period was December 31, 2011. Patients who were less than 20 years old, had missing information for age, withdrew from the National Health Insurance (NHI) program during the follow-up period, or only received other TCM interventions such as acupuncture or tuina massage were excluded from our study. After performing 1:1 frequency matching by age and index date, we enrolled 7521 patients in both CHM and non-CHM user groups. A Cox regression model was used to compare the hazard ratios (HRs) of the risk of mortality. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to compare the difference in survival time. Results According to the Cox hazard ratio model mutually adjusted for CHM use, age, comorbidity, treatment, and chemotherapeutic agents used, we found that CHM users had a lower hazard ratio of mortality risk (adjusted HR = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.27-0.31). The survival probability was higher for patients in the CHM group. Bai-Hua-She-She-Cao ( Herba Oldenlandiae, synonym Herba Hedyotis diffusae) and Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San were the most commonly prescribed single herb and Chinese herbal formula, respectively. Conclusions Adjunctive CHM may have positive effects of reducing mortality rate and improving the survival probability for cervical cancer patients. Further evidence-based pharmacological investigations and clinical trials are warranted to confirm the findings in our study.

scholarly journals Chinese Herbal Medicine for Reducing Chemotherapy-Associated Side-Effects in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sha Li ◽  
Tsz-him So ◽  
Guoyi Tang ◽  
Hor-Yue Tan ◽  
Ning Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Chinese Herbal

BackgroundChemotherapy usually induces a variety of side-effects in cancer treatment as it cannot tell normal cells apart from cancer cells and kills both. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been regarded as a potential effective intervention for relieving the side-effects of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.ObjectiveThis study aims to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of CHM as adjuvant therapy for reducing the chemotherapy-induced side-effects in the treatment of breast cancer.MethodsMain electronic databases were searched up to May 2020 for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of CHM on breast cancer patients with chemotherapy. The PRISMA statement was adopted in this study and meta-analyses were performed.ResultsThe included studies showed unsatisfied quality. Results based on available literature indicated that the adjunctive use of CHM with chemotherapy may reduce the chemotherapeutic agents-associated adverse events, including nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, alopecia, myelosuppression, and impaired immune function.ConclusionA confident conclusion could not be have due to the lack of large scale and high quality trials.

scholarly journals Chinese Herbal Medicine Dingji Fumai Decoction for Ventricular Premature Contraction: A Real-World Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Bo Liang ◽  
Fei-Hu Zou ◽  
Ling Fu ◽  
Hui-Ling Liao
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Medication Compliance ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Ventricular Premature Contraction ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome ◽  
Chinese Herbal ◽  
Double Blinded

Background. Chinese herbal medicine Dingji Fumai Decoction (DFD) is widely clinically used for ventricular premature contraction (VPC). This real-word trial was designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of DFD for VPC. Methods. This was a double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Patients with VPC were randomized (1 : 1) to treatment with DFD combined with metoprolol (DFD arm) or metoprolol combined with placebo (MET arm). A primary end point was a composite of clinical symptoms and signs determined by the traditionalChinese medicine syndrome score and the number of VPC determined by the Holter examination. Second outcomes were adverse events, medication compliance, and laboratory examination. Results. 144 patients were randomized to DFD arm (76 patients) or MET arm (68 patients), and 136 cases (71 in DFD arm and 65 in MET arm) finally completed this trial. After a 12-week follow-up, DFD arm significantly decreased traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score and the number of VPC compared with MET arm (P=0.003 and 0.034, respectively). There was no adverse drug effect and patient medication compliance was good. Conclusions. Superiority with DFD arm for VPC was demonstrated over MET arm for both the safety and effectiveness end points.

scholarly journals Survival Benefit of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine (A Herbal Formula for Invigorating Spleen) in Gastric Cancer Patients with Peritoneal Metastasis

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Zhao ◽  
Ai-Guang Zhao ◽  
Gang Zhao ◽  
Yan Xu ◽  
Xiao-Hong Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Peritoneal Metastasis ◽  
Herbal Formula ◽  
First Line ◽  
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Chinese Herbal ◽  
Gastric Cancer Patients

Objective.We evaluated the efficiency of traditional Chinese herbal medicine (a compound herbal formula for invigorating spleen) as a complementary and alternative therapy for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis.Methods.Between 2001 and 2012, 93 gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis were enrolled in this study. The effect of traditional Chinese herbal medicine on their long-term outcome was investigated. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the difference in survival time, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors.Result.First-line palliative chemotherapy plus traditional Chinese herbal medicine was performed in 47 patients and the other 46 patients received chemotherapy alone. The overall survival was different between patients with and without traditional Chinese herbal medicine (12.0 versus 10.5 months;P=0.046). According to the Cox proportional hazard model, first-line chemotherapy cycle (hazards ratio [HR] = 0.527; 95% CI = 0.323~0.860) and TCHM (hazards ratio [HR] = 0.644; 95% CI = 0.481~0.992) were selected as independent prognostic factors for survival.Conclusion.The results suggest that traditional Chinese herbal medicine could improve the prognosis of the gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis.

scholarly journals Complementary Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy Improves Survival of Patients With Pancreatic Cancer in Taiwan: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 411-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Ting Kuo ◽  
Hou-Hsun Liao ◽  
Jen-Huai Chiang ◽  
Mei-Yao Wu ◽  
Bor-Chyuan Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Chinese Herbal ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Lower Hazard

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a difficult-to-treat cancer with a late presentation and poor prognosis. Some patients seek traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) consultation. We aimed to investigate the benefits of complementary Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) among patients with pancreatic cancer in Taiwan. Methods: We included all patients with pancreatic cancer who were registered in the Taiwanese Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients Database between 1997 and 2010. We used 1:1 frequency matching by age, sex, the initial diagnostic year of pancreatic cancer, and index year to enroll 386 CHM users and 386 non-CHM users. A Cox regression model was used to compare the hazard ratios (HRs) of the risk of mortality. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to compare the difference in survival time. Results: According to the Cox hazard ratio model mutually adjusted for CHM use, age, sex, urbanization level, comorbidity, and treatments, we found that CHM users had a lower hazard ratio of mortality risk (adjusted HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.56-0.79). Those who received CHM therapy for more than 90 days had significantly lower hazard ratios of mortality risk than non-CHM users (90- to 180-day group: adjusted HR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.42-0.75; >180-day group: HR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.24-0.45). The survival probability was higher for patients in the CHM group. Bai-hua-she-she-cao (Herba Oldenlandiae; Hedyotis diffusa Spreng) and Xiang-sha-liu-jun-zi-tang (Costus and Chinese Amomum Combination) were the most commonly used single herb and Chinese herbal formula, respectively. Conclusions: Complementary Chinese herbal therapy might be associated with reduced mortality among patients with pancreatic cancer. Further prospective clinical trial is warranted.

scholarly journals Chinese Herbal Medicine Effectively Prolongs the Overall Survival of Pancreatic Cancer Patients: A Case Series

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 153473541982883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Wong ◽  
Bing Zhong Chen ◽  
Allyson Kin Yan Lee ◽  
Adrian Ho Cheung Chan ◽  
Justin Che Yuen Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Western Medicine ◽  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Chinese Herbal

Background and Aims: Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all cancers (4%), and it accounts for 1.9% of new cancer cases in Hong Kong. Combined treatment with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and Western medicine has yielded promising results, leading to improved prognosis and overall survival. This retrospective case series aimed to illustrate the improved survival and quality of life outcomes of pancreatic cancer patients administered CHM based on traditional Chinese medicine theory. Methods: To investigate the effectiveness of CHM in prolonging overall survival, 182 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who received CHM treatment were observed from 2005 to 2015. Results: One hundred eighty-two pancreatic cancer patients were treated with CHM; 21 patients died. The mean and median survival of these patients were 29.6 and 15.2 months, respectively; the 1-year survival rate was 76% (range = 4 months to 9 years). These results are better than those reported in patients treated with Western medicine, suggesting the need for further study of CHM. Conclusion: A superior clinical outcome may be obtained with CHM treatment. The case series illustrates the potential benefits and safety issues of CHM in pancreatic cancer patients that could be relevant for developing strategies to increase individualization of pancreatic cancer treatment and improve survival. This study may facilitate interprofessional communication and improved clinical management of pancreatic cancer patients.

scholarly journals Diagnosis and Management of Infected or Suspected Patients with Covid-19 a Study of 48 Cases in the UK

2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-06
Author(s):  
Dan Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
The Body ◽  
Critical Stage ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Chinese Herbal

Covid-19 is a pandemic infective disease, which has been erupting throughout the whole world from 2020 to 2021. There have been at the time of reviewing more than a hundred million cases (102,399,513) of infection, and more than 2 million deaths (2,217,005) in more than 200 countries; this information is taken from the Covid-19 daily situation report issued on 1st Feb 2021 by WHO. The pandemic was also declared as an outbreak of Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30th Jan 2020 by WHO. No effective treatment model has yet been confirmed by conventional western medicine, but some herbal treatments used in China can be recognized as having positive results in Covid-19 cases. This pandemic disaster has been severely damaging to quality of life, disturbing social communication, economic development and the progress of humanity. Successful results were first reported from temporary hospitals (Fangcang Hospitals set up in arenas and exhibition spaces) in Wuhan, China, where more than 90% of patients treated with Chinese herbal medicine were prevented by transferring from the minor or milder stages of the disease to the severe or critical stage. In all of them the positive PCR became negative; herbs were involved in the rescue and treatment of severe and critical cases in ICU’s in hospitals as well. It was an important factor in how Covid-19 was controlled so quickly in China. The author recruited both confirmed and suspected Covid-19 patients through social media (WeChat, WhatsApp, Internet, message etc.) as a volunteer TCM consultant from March 2020, during the first Lockdown phase in UK. It was quickly realized that the appearance of the tongue provides special and significant information for identifying whether Covid-19 is present and shows its severity, from a TCM perspective, as the degree and type of dampness accumulated within the body. Herbal prescriptions were sent by post for patients’ treatment according to their clinical findings, virus exposure history and tongue information (from photos). Similar positive effects were found as in China, and treatment reports and results are summarized here. The author believes there are many herbal medicines that can be effective in controlling the Sars-Cov-2 virus, and that prescribing the appropriate formula to match each individual case is the key point for TCM control of Covid-19. Chinese herbal medicine is the most effective current treatment method that can prevent cases in the minor and ordinary stages from progressing to the severe or critical stage, and so can play a significant role in the decrease and cure of Covid-19.

scholarly journals Astragalus-Containing Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined With Chemotherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Shen ◽  
Si Ra Gwak ◽  
Zhen Yang Cui ◽  
Jong Cheon Joo ◽  
Soo Jung Park
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Karnofsky Performance Score ◽  
Medical Databases ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Chinese Herbal

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignant tumor among women worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Astragalus-containing Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) combined with chemotherapy (CT) for the treatment of cervical cancer.Methods: Ten electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Korean databases, and Chinese medical databases, were systematically searched up to July 2020. All randomized controlled trials using Astragalus-containing CHM combined with CT to treat cervical cancer were included.Results: A total of 19 trials were included in the analysis. Compared with the control group, the Astragalus-containing CHM combined with CT group showed a significantly increased tumor response (complete and partial response (CR and PR)) (risk ratio [RR] = 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.33, p < 0.00001) and Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.46–2.17, p < 0.00001). This group also displayed remarkably reduced CT toxicity.Conclusion: Our study suggests that Astragalus-containing CHM might be a potential option for cervical cancer to enhance the curative efficacy and reduce CT toxicity.

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