Effect observation of sodium cantharidate and vitamin B6 combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of sodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). Methods 115 patients with LA-NPC in Shanxi Cancer Hospital were randomly assigned to observation group (61 cases) and control group (54 cases) from February 2014 to April 2016. The patients in the observation group were treated with sodium cantharidate and vitamin B6 injection combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The patients in the control group were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The differences between the two groups were compared in respect of recent curative effect, the quality of life (QOL) and the adverse reactions. Results The recent effective rate was 93.44% (57/61) in the observation group and 79.63% (43/54) in the control group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (χ2= 4.818, P= 0.049). The improvement rate of QOL was 73.77% (45/61) in the observation group and 53.70% (29/54) in the control group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (χ2= 5.028, P= 0.032). The incidence rates of oral cavity mucous membrane inflammation, hematology toxicity, pharynx and esophagus adverse reactions, the gastrointestinal tract adverse reactions and skin fibrosis in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and there were significant differences between the two groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusion The recent effect of sodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6 injection combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy on the patients with LA-NPC is obvious. The comprehensive treatment can also reduce adverse reactions and improve the QOL. Key words: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms; Sodium cantharidinate and vitamin B6; Concurrent chemoradiotherapy