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Review
. 2015:2015:408145.
doi: 10.1155/2015/408145. Epub 2015 Aug 11.

Is Huachansu Beneficial in Treating Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer? Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of Its Efficacy Combined with Chemotherapy

Bingduo Zhou  1 , Fengying Wu  2 , Lin Yuan  3 , Zhulei Miao  4 , Shengliang Zhu  1
Affiliations
Review

Is Huachansu Beneficial in Treating Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer? Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of Its Efficacy Combined with Chemotherapy

Bingduo Zhou et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015.

Abstract

Background. Huachansu, the sterilized water extract of Bufo bufo gargarizans toad skin, is used in China to alleviate the side-effects and enhance the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess Huachansu's efficacy. Methods. We extensively searched electronic databases (CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CBM, Cochrane Library, CNKI, CEBM, WFDP, CSCD, CSTD, and IPA) for randomized controlled trials containing Huachansu plus chemotherapy as the test group and chemotherapy as the control group. Seventeen trials were selected based on the selection criteria. The pooled relative ratio (RR) of indicators with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated for efficacy evaluation. Results. The meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in objective tumor response, one-year survival, Karnofsky performance status, pain relief, and alleviation of severe side-effects (nausea and vomiting, leukocytopenia) in the test group as compared to the control group, but no significant difference in thrombocytopenia. Conclusions. This study demonstrated the efficacy of Huachansu combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced NSCLC. However, limitations exist and high-quality trials are needed for further verification.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of study selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest-plot of objective tumor response.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest-plot of one-year survival.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Forest-plot of improved Karnofsky performance status.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Forest-plot of pain relief.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Forest-plot of nausea and vomiting at the grade of III~IV.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Forest-plot of leukocytopenia at the grade of III~IV.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Forest-plot of thrombocytopenia at the grade of III~IV.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Funnel plots of the studies belong to different groups: (a) objective tumor response; (b) one-year survival; (c) improved Karnofsky performance status; (d) pain relief; (e) nausea and vomiting; (f) leukocytopenia; (g) thrombocytopenia.
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