OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Guben Xiaoliu Capsule (GXC) in treating advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSOne hundred and ninety-eight NSCLC in-patients were divided into the integrative treated group [Group A, 54 patients treated with chemotherapy (CT) plus GXC], the TCM treated group (Group B, 96 patients treated with GXC alone) and the chemotherapeutic group (Group C, 48 patients treated with CT alone). Randomized controlled observation was applied to the Group A and C. The clinical effect, quality of life (QOL), adverse reaction and survival period in the three groups were observed.

RESULTSThe immediate effective rate (CR + PR) in the Group A, B and C was 16.7%, 3.1% and 8.3%, respectively, in the Group A, it was better than that in the other two groups (P < 0.05). The improvement of clinical symptoms and QOL in the Group A and B were superior to those in the Group C (P < 0.05). The median survival rate in the three groups was 12, 15 and 9 months, respectively, the 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate in Group A being 57.4%, 11.1% and 3.7%, respectively, in Group B, 67.7%, 9.4% and 3.1%, and in (Group C, 39.6%, 4.2% and 0, respectively, comparison between the three groups showed that the survival rates in the former two were higher than those in Group C (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence rate and degree of CT toxicity were milder in Group A than those in Group C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGXC has definite effect in treating NSCLC, it could raise the QOL, prolong the survival period of patients, also reduce the toxicity and enhance the efficacy of CT.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mitomycins ; administration & dosage ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Survival Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage