OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect and toxicity of chemotherapy, used alone or in combined with Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI), for the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma (ACRC).

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-two patients with ACRC were equally randomized by digital table, to the treated group, treated by chemotherapy of FOLFOX regimen combined with SFI, and the control group treated by FOLFOX regimen alone. The therapeutic effect and adverse reaction of the treatment in patients were assessed.

RESULTSThe effective rate (CR +PR) was 63.2% (48/76) in the treated group and 46.1% (35/76) in the control group, showing significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The median survival time in the two groups was 31 weeks and 28 weeks respectively. CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly increased in the treated group (1.56 +/- 0.21, 1.64 +/- 0.28, P < 0.05), but significantly decreased in the control group (1.58 +/- 0.22, 1.46 +/- 0.33, P < 0.01). Quality of life in the former group was higher than that in the latter group (P < 0.05). Times/case of nausea, vomiting, leukopenia occurring in the control group was more than those in the treated group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBy combining with SFI, some adverse reactions of chemotherapy (such as nausea, vomiting, leukopenia) and its influence on patients' immunity could be alleviated in treating ACRC, which might enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy, and improve the quality of life and prolong the median survival time in patients.