Efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicine (Jinlong capsule) in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Jinlong capsule (JLC), a type of herbal medicine, is considered to be a promising adjuvant therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HC). Although an analysis of the published literature has been performed, the exact effects and safety of JLC are yet to be systematically investigated. Therefore, a wide-ranging systematic search of electronic databases to draw conclusions was performed. Data from 29 trials, including 2488 patients with advanced HC, were analyzed. The results indicated that, compared with conventional treatment alone, the combination of conventional treatment and JLC markedly improved overall patient response (odds ratio (OR) 2.06 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.71–2.49]; P<0.00001), disease control rate (DCR) (OR 2.17 [95% CI 1.74–2.71]; P<0.00001) and quality of life (QoL) (OR 2.71 [95% CI 2.05–3.58]; P<0.00001), and significantly prolonged 6- (P=0.01), 12- (P<0.00001), 24- (P=0.001) and 36-month (P<0.0001) overall survival (OS) rates. The immune function of patients was also significantly enhanced after combined conventional therapy and JLC treatment, indicated by clearly increased percentages of CD3+ (P<0.0001), CD4+ (P<0.00001) and natural killer (NK) cells (P=0.0003), and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (P<0.00001). The incidence of leukopenia (P<0.00001), hepatotoxicity (P=0.005), and myelosuppression (P=0.0007) was lower in HC patients injected with JLC, whereas other adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups (P>0.05). In summary, results of this meta-analysis suggest that the combination of conventional treatment and JLC is more effective for the treatment of HC than conventional treatment alone.

Using Traditional Chinese Medicine to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting Tumor Immunity

“…Upregulated serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels and increased CD69 expression on the surface of tumor cells were also observed, which correlated with enhanced adaptive immunity. A meta-analysis that included 29 clinical trials and 2,488 patients with advanced HCC was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a Chinese patent medicine-Jinlong capsules-in treating advanced HCC [61]. Jinlong capsules increased the ratio of CD4 + to CD8 + T cells and the percentages of NK, CD3 + , and CD4 + cells in patients with advanced HCC, indicating that it reinforced antitumor immunity.…”

Oral Chinese Patent Medicine Combined With Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy Regimen for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis

“…55 JL has the function of tonifying qi and blood, dredging collaterals, and detoxification, It is traditionally prepared from 3 animals with medicinal properties: Bungarus, Agkistrodon, and Gecko. 8 Studies have shown that JL can suppress cellular mitotic division and inhibit proliferation and promote cancer cell apoptosis. 56 …”

“… 6 Some studies have provided evidence that the combination of OCPM and chemotherapy can obtain a better clinical efficacy in the treatment of CRC. 7 , 8 However, there is a lack of head-to-head comparisons between different OCPM, and its relative advantages have not been well understood.…”

Current Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicines and Active Ingredients in the Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…The complete activation of various stimulatory immune cells reflects the immunomodulatory characteristics of JLC as a potent therapeutic agent in the anti-HCC treatment. 87 Fuzheng Qingjie (FZQJ) granules are composed of four Fuzheng Guben herbs including Astragalus membranaceus, Ligustrum lucidum, Ganoderma lucidum and Rhizoma dioscorea, and two Qingre Jiedu herbs including Hedyotis diffusa and Prunella vulgaris. It has been reported that FZQJ granules exert the adjuvant effect in the treatment of HCC.…”