Abstract:

Objective To observe the time-effect relationship of Kangliu Zengxiao Decoction in reducing chemotherapy-associated adverse reactions in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods One hundred and twenty-four patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were randomly divided into four groups. Patients in group A, group B and group C were treated with Kangliu Zengxiao Decoction 10 d, 5 d and 0 d before chemotherapy respectively, and those in group D received chemotherapy only. The main clinical symptoms, quality of life, immune function and adverse reactions of myelosuppression, liver and kidney function, and digestive system were compared among groups. Results The improvement rates of clinical symptoms (fatigue, aching lumbus and limp legs), the percentages of CD3 and CD4, and the ratio of  CD4 to CD8 in group A were significantly higher than those in group B, group C and group D (P<0.05), and the improvement rate of quality of life in group A was significantly higher than that in group D (P<0.01). The incidences of myelosuppression (decrease in numbers of white cells and neutrophils), hepatotoxicity, nausea and vomiting in group A were significantly lower than those in group D (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the incidences of the other adverse reactions among groups (P>0.05）. Conclusion Application of Kangliu Zengxiao Decoction 10 d before chemotherapy may gain better results in reducing adverse reactions of chemotherapy, improving quality of life and immune function than administration 5 d and 0 d before chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Key words: Kangliu Zengxiao Decoction, non-small cell lung cancer, chemotherapy, time-effect relationship