Efficacy of treatment with traditional Chinese patent medicine (Fufang E'jiao Syrup) for cancer-related fatigue in patients with advanced cancer: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.

Abstract

12053 Background: There is ongoing interest in finding effective drugs for cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in advanced cancer patients, although studies have had mixed results. Fufang E'jiao Syrup (FFEJS), a traditional Chinese patent medicine, has shown promise in alleviating CRF. This trial aims to investigate whether FFEJS could reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in advanced cancer patients. Methods: This prospective, multicenter, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was implemented at 29 hospitals in China, enrolling 611 advanced non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer patients with Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue ≥ 4 points. The study was conducted between September 23, 2019 and April 7, 2022, with a final follow-up on May 25, 2022. Participants were randomized to receive FFEJS (20 ml, 3 times per day) or a matching placebo orally for six weeks. The safety assessments were extended until the fourth week after the trial ended. The primary outcome was the change in total mean score (range: 0 [no fatigue] to 10 [extreme fatigue] points) on the Revised Piper Fatigue Scale-Chinese Version (RPFS-CV) from baseline to week 6. Secondary outcomes include quality of life (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, FACIT-F) and adverse events. FFEJS were compared with the placebo group using a linear mixed model. Results: Among 611 patients randomized (FFEJS: 303 and placebo: 308; 210 non-small cell lung cancer [34.4%], 201 colorectal cancer [32.9%], 200 gastric cancer [32.7%]; mean [SD] age, 62.8 [9.3] years; 413 [68.3%] man; mean [SD] baseline RPFS-CV total mean score, 4.86 [1.30] points), 503 (82.3%) completed the primary end point. By the end of week 6, the FFEJS group achieved normal fatigue levels (RPFS-CV < 4) compared to the placebo group (FFEJS: 3.78 vs Placebo: 4.39, adjusted mean difference 0.59 points [95% CI, 0.45 to 0.76 points]; P < .001). The adjusted mean difference for a favorable shift to a higher FACIT-F total score at week 6 comparing FFEJS with placebo was 2.77 points (97.36 vs 94.23 points; [95% CI, 0.56-4.96 points]; P = .02). There was no difference in adverse events occurrence between FFEJS and the placebo groups (110 [20%] vs 122 [18%], P = .38). Conclusions: In this randomized clinical trial among advanced cancer patients with CRF, FFEJS reducedfatigue severity and improved quality of life compared to placebo. Research is needed to assess the mechanism, clinical effect, and long-term safety of FFEJS for CRF in advanced cancer patients. Clinical trial information: NCT04147312 .