Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Poo, Chin Long; Dewadas, Hemaniswarri Dewi; Ng, Foong Leng; Foo, Chai Nien; Lim, Yang Mooi

doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.11.024

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs has been used to prevent and treat diseases for thousands of years [ 21 ]. It is currently investigated whether it could prevent or treat cancer or enhance conventional anticancer therapies [ 22 ].…”

Section: Phytochemicals Are Instrumental To Advance Cancer Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti-breast cancer effects of phytochemicals: primary, secondary, and tertiary care

et al. 2022

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Breast cancer incidence is actually the highest one among all cancers. Overall breast cancer management is associated with challenges considering risk assessment and predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention of metastatic disease, appropriate treatment options, and cost-effectiveness of approaches applied. Accumulated research evidence indicates promising anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals protecting cells against malignant transformation, inhibiting carcinogenesis and metastatic spread, supporting immune system and increasing effectiveness of conventional anti-cancer therapies, among others. Molecular and sub-/cellular mechanisms are highly complex affecting several pathways considered potent targets for advanced diagnostics and cost-effective treatments. Demonstrated anti-cancer affects, therefore, are clinically relevant for improving individual outcomes and might be applicable to the primary (protection against initial cancer development), secondary (protection against potential metastatic disease development), and tertiary (towards cascading complications) care. However, a detailed data analysis is essential to adapt treatment algorithms to individuals’ and patients’ needs. Consequently, advanced concepts of patient stratification, predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention, and treatments tailored to the individualized patient profile are instrumental for the cost-effective application of natural anti-cancer substances to improve overall breast cancer management benefiting affected individuals and the society at large.

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Section: Phytochemicals Are Instrumental To Advance Cancer Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anti-breast cancer effects of phytochemicals: primary, secondary, and tertiary care

et al. 2022

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“…The increased number of doctor visits for pain and oral soft tissue symptoms recorded in the TCM group may serve to explain the general opinion of patients that TCM therapies can be beneficial for pain and oral soft tissue symptoms, which is correspondingly supported by current literature. [27,[39][40][41] Further, while the cost of outpatient consultations adds to the increased financial expense over time, no significance in the financial burden was discovered. Additionally, Taiwan is renowned for the affordable and accessible healthcare infrastructure that is available to the public, to which end the comprehensive system serves to provide relevant information regarding accurate cost of cover for TCM therapy as it is included as a public health service.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional Chinese medicine use in patients with oral cancer: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study in Taiwan

et al. 2022

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Oral cancer is frequently associated with smoking, alcohol consumption, and betel quid chewing, which are common harmful behaviors observed in certain cohorts of the Taiwanese population. Some reports have explored the potential therapeutic effect of certain herbal remedies on cancer treatments and the outcomes thereof. However, supportive evidence regarding the specific use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in oral cancer treatment is lacking and deserves further investigation. This study measured the use of TCM therapies for oral cancer in a Taiwanese population-based retrospective longitudinal cohort study. The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was utilized to conduct this study. The study population was limited to oral cancer patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2009, which were followed up for at least 5 years. Therapeutic strategies investigated included acupuncture and the Chinese herbs and formula used. Additionally, the frequency of TCM treatment visits, total medical costs, and all-cause mortality were also analyzed. Between 2000 and 2009, a total of 951 patients were diagnosed with various oral cancers. 13.7% of the diagnosed patients utilized TCM treatment measures. The majority of the patients were males. The top 3 common single herbs used were Xuán shēn (Radix Scrophulariae), Shí hú (Herba Dendrobii), and Mài mén dōng (Ophiopogon Japonicus). Then, Gān lù yǐn, Zhī bǎi dì huáng wán, and Sàn zhǒng kuì jiān tāng were the most frequently used herbal formulas. The survival probability was higher in TCM users when compared to non-TCM users in 5-and 12-year all-cause mortality (P < .05). This study explored the use of TCM therapies in oral cancer patients and identified essential information regarding the specifics of conventional herbal medicine used, affiliated medical costs, survival probability, and common symptoms observed in Taiwanese oral cancer patients.

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“…6 Moreover, CHM has been shown to alleviate aromatase inhibitor-related musculoskeletal symptoms in breast cancer patients and improve quality of life. 7 In previous studies, however, the absence of details regarding pathological staging and concurrent and previous treatments associated with CHM use, indeed limited the interpretation of the results. Meanwhile, accurate evaluations of the efficacy of CHM treatment have been further restricted by the relatively small study cohorts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Chinese Herbal Medicine Improved Survival in Stage IV Breast Cancer Patients: Data Mining of the Incorporated Taiwan Cancer Registry Database and Hospital Database

et al. 2023

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Background: According to recent research, breast cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer type among the entire population. Meanwhile, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has become an important therapy to improve the survival rate and quality of life in metastatic cancer patients, as part of a wider trend toward more personalized medicine. However, there is a lack of research in terms of the association between stage IV breast cancer and CHM. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between CHM and the survival rate in breast cancer patients at different cancer stages, with a particular focus on patients diagnosed with stage IV. Methods: Patients with an initial diagnosis of breast cancer identified from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database (TCRD) and China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) database were included in this study. Demographic characteristics including gender, age, and comorbidities were evaluated. Between-group differences for continuous and categorical variables were evaluated by the Student’s t-test and Chi-square test, respectively. Patients diagnosed with breast cancer were recruited and divided into cohorts of CHM users and non-users with a 1:1 propensity score matching. The survival of breast cancer patients was assessed by the Cox proportional hazard model. The cumulative incidence of survival was assessed by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: The adjuvant CHM treatment was associated with a higher survival rate in stage IV breast cancer patients (HR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.2853-0.7044]. Additionally, the use of CHM had a positive impact on survival in stage IV breast cancer patients who had received surgery ( P: .0273, HR: 0.3406, 95% CI: 0.1309-0.8865), chemotherapy ( P: .0004, HR: 0.3893, 95% CI: 0.231-0.656), and hormone therapy ( P: .0013, HR: 0.3491, 95% CI: 0.1836-0.6636). In terms of the specific CHM associated with survival, Zhi-Gan-Cao-Tang (ZGCT), Phellodendron chinense Schneid. (huang-bai), and Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (chi-shao) were the 3 most commonly prescribed herbal medicines correlated with a higher survival rate among stage IV breast cancer patients. Conclusions: CHM associated with conventional management achieved significant survival benefits in patients with stage IV breast cancer. Additional randomized controlled trials for prospective study are recommended for further validation.

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Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Cited by 15 publications

References 30 publications

Anti-breast cancer effects of phytochemicals: primary, secondary, and tertiary care

Anti-breast cancer effects of phytochemicals: primary, secondary, and tertiary care

Traditional Chinese medicine use in patients with oral cancer: A retrospective longitudinal cohort study in Taiwan

Chinese Herbal Medicine Improved Survival in Stage IV Breast Cancer Patients: Data Mining of the Incorporated Taiwan Cancer Registry Database and Hospital Database

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