Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the clinical management of advanced colorectal cancer, traditional Chinese patent medicines or their simple preparations are commonly combined with conventional chemotherapy; however, robust comparative evidence on efficacy and safety across regimens is lacking. Because the submission system does not allow relabeling the section heading, we have clarified this change here. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials investigating the use of traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations in combination with conventional chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer were searched in the following databases: CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science. The search was conducted from the establishment of the databases until October 20, 2023, using computer-based searches. Two individuals independently screened, extracted data, and assessed the quality of the literature. Used RevMan and Stata 16.0 software to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 45 studies were included, involving 3888 patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The intervention measures in the experimental group included Huachansu capsules, Brucea Javanica Oil Emulsion injection, Kanglaite, Xiaoaiping, compound cantharidin capsules, Kangai injection, Yangzheng Xiaoji capsules, Tenglong Buzhong Tang, Aidi injection, and Compound Sophora flavescens injection, in combination with conventional chemotherapy. The control group was treated with conventional chemotherapy. The mesh meta-analysis results showed that the combination of conventional chemotherapy has the following benefits for colorectal cancer patients: Yangzheng Xiaoji capsule is the best in terms of improving the objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), quality of life (QOL), and immune function. Huachansu capsule is the best in terms of reducing the decline of white blood cell count and the incidence of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The existing evidence indicates that the combination of 10 traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations, in addition to conventional chemotherapy, can improve the DCR, ORR, and QOL for patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Furthermore, this combination treatment can improve patients' immune function and reduce the adverse reactions associated with chemotherapy. Among them, Yangzheng Xiaoji capsules have the best effect in improving immune function, ORR, DCR, and QOL, Huachansu capsules have the best effect in improving white blood cell count decline and reducing nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy.