Efficacy and safety of Qu Xie capsule in metastatic colorectal cancer: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract

e15069 Background:Qu Xie capsule was discovered by Li Zhongzi, a traditional Chinese Medicine doctor in the Ming Dynasty. Doctor Yang Yufei improved Qu Xie capsule and used it clinically for more than 10 years. In a previous study, we found that Qu Xie capsule reduces the risk of stage II–III colorectal cancer postoperative recurrence and metastasis and prolongs the survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The present clinical trial was designed to verify the efficacy and safety of Qu Xie capsule in patients with mCRC. Methods: The present study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Sixty patients with mCRC were randomized into two groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received conventional therapy combined with Qu Xie capsule. The control group was treated with conventional therapy combined with placebo. Main outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Results: A total of 121 patients were enrolled and 60 patients were eligible; 54 patients were analyzed. The median OS was 23 months in the treatment group [95% confidence interval (CI) 15–not calculated] vs. 14 months in the control group (95% CI 11–22) (Kaplan–Meier, Log-rank p = 0.060). The OS of the treatment group tended to be longer than that of the control group, although the difference was not significant. This may have been related to the small sample size. In the subgroups of patients < 65 years old, left-sided colon, and ≥second-line therapy, the treatment group showed a significant survival benefit compared with the control group ( p = 0.006, 0.038, 0.013). There were no significant differences between the two groups in PFS. Safety analysis showed no severe hematological toxicity or liver and renal function injury in the treatment group. In the treatment group, one patient had 'abdominal pain' once, which may have been related to the Qu Xie capsule. No other related adverse events were reported. Conclusions:Qu Xie capsule showed good safety and efficacy, and can prolong the OS of patients with mCRC. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR-IOR-16009733.