Chinese herbal medicine, Jianpi Ligan decoction, improves prognosis of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma after transarterial chemoembolization: a retrospective study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Jianpi Ligan decoction (JLD) as an adjuvant therapy for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated by transarterial chemoembolization (TACE).MethodsFrom March 2007 to March 2013, 103 patients with unresectable HCC who underwent TACE in our center were included in this retrospective study. Among the 103 patients, 53 patients accepted JLD along with TACE (JLD group) and 50 patients accepted TACE alone (control group). Indices including complication, toxicity, treatment success rate, and long-term survival were obtained for analysis and comparison.ResultsThere was no significant difference in patient characteristics between the two groups. No procedure-related deaths or encephalopathy occurred. Fewer patients from the JLD group experienced constipation (7/53 vs 15/50, P=0.0377), abdominal bloating (5/53 vs 12/50, P=0.0466), and lack of appetite (35/53 vs 42/50, P=0.0360). The JLD group had lesser and lighter hepatic toxicity (P=0.0265) and gastrointestinal toxicity (P=0.0445) such as nausea and vomiting. The JLD group had a significantly higher treatment success rate than the control group (51/53 vs 40/50, P=0.0103). Three-year overall survival probability was significantly higher in the JLD group than in the control group (37.74% vs 26.00%; hazard ratio [HR] 0.6171; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3832–0.9938; P=0.0365 by log-rank test). No significant difference was found in 3-year overall survival probability (39.22% vs 32.50%; HR, 0.7449; 95% CI, 0.4398–1.2614; P=0.2491 by log-rank test) or 3-year intrahepatic recurrence-free survival probability in patients who achieved treatment success (37.25% vs 30.00%; HR, 0.7280; 95% CI, 0.4332–1.2233; P=0.2087 by log-rank test) between the two groups.ConclusionApplication of JLD was effective for reduction of side effects and improvement of long-term survival for patients with unresectable HCC treated by TACE.

Circulating Cell-Free mtDNA Content as a Non-invasive Prognostic Biomarker in HCC Patients Receiving TACE and Traditional Chinese Medicine

“…Several clinical studies have demonstrated that the utility of TCM can reduce adverse events after the TACE treatment of HCC patients. Tang et al (2016) found that the Chinese medicine Jianpi Ligan decoction was effective in in reducing side effects and improving the long-term survival of patients with unresectable HCC treated by TACE. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of TCM-mediated anti-tumor effect are still not clear, and effective predictive and prognostic biomarkers are needed to increase the efficacy and improve the survival of HCC patients receiving treatment in the combination of TACE and TCM.…”

Efficacy and Safety of Banxia XieXin Decoction, a Blended Traditional Chinese Medicine, as Monotherapy for Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…To improve the outcome of patients with HCC, there is an urgent need for more effective therapies. At present, TCM is often used as an adjuvant therapy to conventional treatments, such as TACE in treating patients with liver cancer, [15][16][17][18] to reduce the toxicities of other treatments, relieving symptoms, and improving quality of life. TCM has only been considered as a complementary or alternative treatment for cancer patients, and there is a paucity of data regarding the tumor control effect of TCM as monotherapy for patients with liver cancer.…”

Chinese Herbal Medicine (Chaihu-Huaji Decoction) Alleviates Postembolization Syndrome following Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization and Improves Survival in Unresectable Hepatocellular Cancer: A Retrospective Study

“…Previous clinical studies have demonstrated the utility of TCM in relieving adverse events after TACE. Tang et al [16] found that CHM was effective at reducing side effects and improving long-term survival in cases of unresectable HCC treated with TACE. Xu et al [21] found that Jian Pi Li Qi (JPLQ) decoction can relieve PES (including fever, pain, fatigue, and lack of appetite) and improve the QOL of patients after TACE.…”