Effects of complex sophorae injection combined with FOLFOX4 on the levels of Th17 cells, IL-17 and the survival rate in patients with rectal cancer

Abstract

Objective To observe the effect of complex sophorae injection combined with FOLFOX4 on Th17 cells, IL-17 and survival rate in patients with rectal cancer. Methods A total of 128 patients with rectal cancer were sellected in this study. The patients were divided into the control group (n=64) and observation group (n=64). The control group received the treatment of FOLFOX4 regimen, and the observation group received the treatment of FOLFOX4 regimen and sophorae injection. The Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometry, and IL-17 by ELISA assay. Results After treatment, the Th17 cells (11.28% ± 2.42% vs. 13.12% ± 3.15%, t=2.376) and IL-17 (16.58 ± 3.26 ng/ml vs. 21.84 ± 4.12 ng/ml, t=2.391) in observation group was lower than those in control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the effective rate (60.9% vs. 43.8%, χ2=2.384) and control rate (92.2% vs. 81.3%, χ2=2.371) in observation group was higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The different levels of white blood cells (37.5% vs. 60.9%, χ2=2.417), anemia (35.9% vs. 59.3%, χ2=2.421), thrombocytopenia (34.4% vs. 62.5%, χ2=2.432), nervous system toxicity (15.6% vs. 37.5%, χ2=2.458), gastrointestinal tract reaction (21.9% vs. 43.8%, χ2=2.453), oral mucositis incidence (28.1% vs. 57.8%, χ2=2.451) in observation group were lower than those in control group (P<0.05). The 1 year survival rate was 79.7% (51/64) in observation group,, which was higher than that of 60.9% (39/64) in control group (χ2=2.414, P<0.05). Conclusions The complex sophorae injection combined with FOLFOX4 regimen can reduce Th17 cells and IL-17 in patients with rectal cancer, improve survival rate, and reduce the clinical toxicity of chemotherapy drugs. Key words: Rectal neoplasms; Complex sophorae injection; Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; T-lymphocytes, helper-inducer; Interleukins; Integrated Chinese traditional and western medicine therapy