Effect of rikkunshi-to treatment on chemotherapy-induced appetite loss in patients with lung cancer: A prospective study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of rikkunshi-to, a Japanese herbal medicine, on post-chemotherapeutic appetite loss. Patients with unresectable lung cancer, who were treated with carboplatin (CBDCA)-containing, cisplatin (CDDP)-containing or non-platinum chemotherapy between 2011 and 2014, were recruited for the prospective study. For each course of chemotherapy, the patients were randomized into two groups, with or without a rikkunshi-to prescription. In patients treated with CBDCA-containing chemotherapy, food intake at day 7 following the initiation of chemotherapy in the rikkunshi-to treatment group was significantly higher compared with the group not treated with rikkunshi-to (P=0.0078). However, a significant improvement in food intake with rikkunshi-to treatment was not observed in the CDDP-containing and non-platinum chemotherapy groups. An improved assessment of the incidence rate of chemotherapy-induced appetite loss is essential for achieving adequate control. The results of the present study indicated the possibility of the clinical application of rikkunshi-to for improving post-chemotherapeutic appetite loss.

Keywords: appetite loss; chemotherapy; herbal medicine; rikkunshi-to.

Figure 1.

Food intake on days 1–7 following the initiation of carboplatin-containing chemotherapy in the two groups, with (bold line) or without (dotted line) rikkunshi-to therapy. Error bars show the 25^th and 75^th percentiles. *P<0.05, the without rikkunishi-to group.

Figure 2.

Food intake on days 1–7 following the initiation of cisplatin-containing chemotherapy in two groups, with (bold line) or without (dotted line) rikkunshi-to therapy. Error bars show the 25^th and 75^th percentiles.

Figure 3.

Food intake on days 1–7 following the initiation of non-platinum containing chemotherapy in two groups, with (bold line) or without (dotted line) rikkunshi-to therapy. Error bars show the 25^th and 75^th percentiles.