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Effect of Feitai Capsule (肺泰胶囊) on quality of life and progression-free survival of patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer

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Abstract

Objective

To examine the effect of a Chinese medicinal herbal formula (Feitai Capsule, 肺泰胶囊) on the quality of life (QOL) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Sixty-two patients were randomly divided into the treatment group (31 cases) and the control group (31 cases). For the treatment group, 4 capsules (1.2 g/capsule) of Feitai Capsule were administered 3 times a day after meals for 3 weeks; then no drug was administered for 1 week. This schedule was continued for at least 3 more cycles (12 weeks totally). If there were no obvious toxic reactions, the treatment was extended. The patients were evaluated at least once every 8 weeks until progressive disease (PD). For the control group, the regular follow-up and evaluation were performed at least once every 8 weeks until PD. Clinical symptoms, objective response, physical constitution and energy, QOL, and PFS were evaluated regularly. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), a non-parametric test, and analysis of covariance were used to compare clinical features, amelioration of clinical symptoms, physical constitution and energy, and QOL. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the two-group PFS.

Results

Sixty patients finished the final evaluation, with 30 patients in each group. Baseline characters between groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). The control group had a 36.7% improvement in clinical symptoms, while the treatment group had a 73.3% improvement. This difference was statistically significant (Z= −2.632, P=0.008). The control group had a 26.7% improvement in the Karnofsky performance status (KPS), while the treatment group had a 53.4% improvement. This was also significantly different (Z=−2.182, P=0.029). A comparative analysis indicated a positive correlation (r=0.917, P<0.001). Compared with the control group, QOL in the treatment group was significantly improved, except in the social/family condition and doctor-patient relationship indicators. The PFS of the treatment group and control group were 6.23 months and 4.67 months, respectively (P=0.048).

Conclusion

Feitai Capsule, a Chinese medicinal herbal treatment could improve the QOL and extend the PFS of the unresectable NSCLC patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Fuzhou General Hospital, Nanjing Military Command, Fuzhou, 350025, China

    Zong-yang Yu  (余宗阳), Xue-nong Ouyang  (欧阳学农), Xi-hu Dai  (戴西湖), Xi Chen  (陈 曦), Zhong-quan Zhao  (赵忠全), Wen-wu Wang  (王文武) & Jie Li  (李 捷)

  2. Fujian Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China

    Zhi-zhen Liu  (刘志臻) & Jian Du  (杜 建)

Authors
  1. Zong-yang Yu  (余宗阳)
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  2. Zhi-zhen Liu  (刘志臻)
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  3. Xue-nong Ouyang  (欧阳学农)
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  4. Jian Du  (杜 建)
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  5. Xi-hu Dai  (戴西湖)
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  6. Xi Chen  (陈 曦)
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  7. Zhong-quan Zhao  (赵忠全)
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  8. Wen-wu Wang  (王文武)
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  9. Jie Li  (李 捷)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zong-yang Yu  (余宗阳).

Additional information

Supported by the Key Subject of People’s Liberation Army Eleventh-Five-Year Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Program (No. 2006051002)

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Yu, Zy., Liu, Zz., Ouyang, Xn. et al. Effect of Feitai Capsule (肺泰胶囊) on quality of life and progression-free survival of patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 18, 106–111 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-0994-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-0994-1

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