The efficacy of Fufangbanmao capsules combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy and side effects of Fufangbanmao capsules combined with FOLFOX-4 (Oxaliplatin + 5-fluorouracil /Calcium folinate) regimen in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (MCC). Methods A total of 107 patients with previously untreated MCC, who were admitted to the hospital between April 2006 and October 2008, were randomly divided into combination group (n = 54) and chemotherapy group (n = 53). In combination group, patients received Fufangbanmao capsules (750 mg twice daily) and FOLFOX4 regimen (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 day 1, infusion of CF 200 mg/m2 for 2 hours followed by bolus 5-FU 400 mg/m2 and a 22-hour infusion of 5-FU 600 mg/m2 ). Whereas the patients in chemotherapy group were treated with FOLFOX4 regimen. Results The effective rate was 44. 4% in combination group and 37. 7% in chemotherapy group with no significant difference (P = 0. 481). The median time to progression (TTP) was 11. 6 and 7. 9 months in combination group and chemotherapy group, respectively, with significant difference (P=0. 020). The difference was found in improvement of quality of life (QOL) between combination group and chemotherapy group (57. 4% vs 32. 1 % , P=0. 008). The side effects in two groups included gastrointestinal toxicities, neuropathy, alopecia and bone marrow suppression. However, Ⅲ/Ⅳ neutropenia was significantly less in combination group(37. 0%) when compared with chemotherapy group (58. 5%, P = 0. 043). Conclusions In first-line treatment of MCC, Fufangbanmao capsules combined with FOLFOX4 regimen showed synergic and enhanced effect for improving TTP and QOL, and also reduced the incidence of neutropenia. Key words: Colorectal neoplasms; Mylabris; Antineoplastic combined chemotherapy protocols; Neoplasm metastasis