Improved Survival With Integration of Chinese Herbal Medicine Therapy in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most deadly subtype of leukemia, and many patients with this disease seek other complementary therapies, one of which is Chinese medicine. We set out to provide reliable data regarding the benefit of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for AML patients, using mortality as the main outcome measure. We also characterized the herbal prescriptions of patients. Methods. Using the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database, we performed a nationwide population-based cohort study among AML patients from 1997 to 2010. The Cox regression model was used to adjust for comorbidities and other variables, and the hazard ratios (HRs) of CHM users and non–CHM users were compared. Results. After 1:1 matching, 498 patients were included into the study. The HR of the CHM group was 0.41 (95% CI = 0.26-0.65; P = .0001) compared with the non-CHM group. This decrease in HR was also shown to be dose dependent (P < .001). The 3 single-herbs most commonly prescribed were Salvia miltiorrhiza (Dan Shen), Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi), and Spatholobus suberectus (Ji Xue Teng). The 3 mutli-herb products most commonly prescribed were Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, Gui Pi Tang, and Qi Ju Di Huang Wan. Conclusion. Prospective controlled clinical data is still needed, however, this study provides real-world data regarding the benefit AML patients may have from CHM. This study suggests that all AML patients, regardless of age or other prognostic factors, may achieve longer survival times when receiving CHM in addition to standard therapy.

Dietary Supplements Commonly Used by Cancer Survivors: Are There Any Benefits?

“…In vitro studies reflect the immune properties of astragalus, including enhancement of the antitumor activity of interleukin 2 and potentiation of the activity of macrophages and natural killer cells 153 . While there is not a wealth of evidence, several investigators have evaluated the use of astragalus or astragalus‐containing herbal supplements regarding benefits for patients with cancer 153 – 156 . For patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer, a meta‐analysis found increased effectiveness of chemotherapy, as evidenced by improved tumor response, decreased risk of death, and improved Karnofsky performance status with use of astragalus supplements 154 .…”

“…For patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer, a meta‐analysis found increased effectiveness of chemotherapy, as evidenced by improved tumor response, decreased risk of death, and improved Karnofsky performance status with use of astragalus supplements 154 . Furthermore, prolonged survival was associated with use of Chinese herbal medicine, which often included astragalus, in patients with acute myeloid leukemia receiving standard treatment 156 . Last, in patients with colorectal cancer receiving oxaliplatin, astragalus was associated with reduced neutropenia 157 .…”

Adjunctive Chinese herbal medicine therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Clinical evidence and experimental validation

“…It provides a platform for understanding the utilization of Western medicine and CHM. For example, we have investigated the utilization of CHM in patients with different types of cancer, such as breast cancer, 18 pancreatic cancer, 19 leukemia, [20][21][22] and gastric cancer. 23 To bridge the gap between big data and bench research, we first used the NHIRD to address whether adjunctive CHM therapy improves the overall survival rate of patients with NPC.…”

Integrated Chinese Herbal Medicine and Western Medicine on the Survival in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Retrospective Study of Medical Records

“…Fourth, Qui Pi Tang can be used to treat amnesia, fatigue, poor memory or forgetfulness, anorexia, anemia, insomnia, palpitation, and neurosis [27]. It can also treat blood stools, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine subcutaneous purple spots, diet reduction, pain, and severe insomnia [28][29][30]. Moreover, Qui Pi Tang has been reported to exert antistress effects and beneficial effects on gastrointestinal and immune-mediated diseases [31], which are the common side effects of colorectal cancer after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.…”