Efficacy evaluation of Yiaisanjie soup combined with sustained release fluorouracil in the treatment of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects and adverse events of Yiaisanjie soup combined with sustained release fluorouracil in treating pancreatic cancer. Methods From January 2012 to December 2015, the clinical data of 62 cases with pancreatic cancer in Deqing County People′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed , which were divided into combination group and control group. The combination group underwent the implantation of sustained release fluorouracil particles under CT guidance and took Yiaisanjie soup once a day for at least 5 cycles of 3-week administration and then 1-week no administration. The control group was treated only by sustained fluorouracil particle implantations. The blood samples at fasting were collected before and 1 week after treatment to detect serum tumor markers. The adverse events were recorded. The therapeutic effect for solid tumors was evaluated according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors(RECIST). Results Before treatment, CEA, CA125, CA242, CA19-9 in 2 groups had no statistical differences. After treatment, these tumor markers obviously decreased in both groups compared with before treatment. Compared with the control group, the CEA, CA125, CA242, CA50 and CA19-9 in combination group decreased at a more significant degree, and the difference was statistical significant (P<0.05). The incidence of Ⅱ and Ⅲ degree thrombocytopenia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea was significantly lower in the combination group than in the control group (12.12% vs 34.48%, 18.18% vs 48.28%, 9.09% vs 41.38%, all P<0.05). There were 10 cases with partial remission (PR), 17 cases with stable disease (SD) and 6 cases with progressive disease (PD), and the total effective rate was 81.8%(27/33) in the combination group. There were 5 cases with PR, 15 cases with SD and 9 cases and PD, and the total effective rate was 69.0%(20/29) in the control group. The difference was not statistically significant (χ2=1.390, P=0.119). Conclusions The therapeutic effect of Yiaisanjie soup combined with sustained release fluorouracil in treatment of pancreatic cancer is not obvious, but the combination can significantly reduce serum tumor markers and reduce the incidence of side effects. Key words: Pancreatic neoplasms; Drugs, chinese herbal; Sanjie tumor suppressor soup; Fluorouracil