Table 6.
TCM in clinical applications.
| TCM | Patients | Effects | Main mechanisms | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YWKLF (formula, orally) combined with chemotherapy |
Stage IV gastric cancer, 123 patients | Prolonged the survival time compared to chemotherapy alone | The sera from rabbits orally administered with YWKLF induced cell apoptosis in human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells through inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, increasing the expression of Fas and Bax, as well as reducing the mRNA of FasL | (Li et al., 2008) |
| JPBS (formula, orally) combined with chemotherapy | Gastric cancer, 26 studies with 3098 individuals | Improved the efficiency of clinical curative effect and QOL of patients | Increase the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+, NK+, and macrophages in patient serum | (Chen et al., 2018) |
| Cinobufacini (TCM monomer, injection) and herbal decoction (formula, orally) maintenance therapy | NSCLC, 64 patients | Improved QOL and had higher 1-year survival of patients | Not mentioned | (Jiang et al., 2016) |
| TCM decoction (formula, orally), maintenance therapy | NSCLC, 106 patients | Improved 3-month PFS and QOL in patients | Not mentioned | (Han Y. et al., 2016) |
| XAP (TCM component, injection) | HCC, 68 patients | Improved immediate therapeutic efficacy and QOL and prolonged the PFS in patients | Increasing levels of CD3+, CD4+and CD4+/CD8+ in the peripheral blood | (Huang Z. et al., 2013) |
| BSJPR (formula) combined with TACE |
primary liver cancer, 117 patients | Improved the half-year survival rate and QOL of patients | Increasing MHC class II (CD14+/HLA-DR), IFN-γ and IL-12 in monocytes | (Wang et al., 2008; Song et al., 2013) |
| YJQR (formula, orally) combined with endocrine therapy | APC, 44 patients | Increased PSA, f-PSA and Hb in serum, and improved QOL and immune function of patients | Increasing levels of CD3+, CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ and NK cell in serum | (Jia Y. J. et al., 2013) |
YWKLF, Yang Wei Kang Liu formula; JPBS, Jianpi Bushen; QOL, quality of life; herbal decoction, benefiting Qi and Yin and detoxication recipe; NSCLC, non-small cell lung cancer; PFS, progression-free survival; XAP, Xiaoaiping; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; BSJPR, Bushen Jianpi Recipe; TACE, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; YJQR, Yiqi Jiedu Quyu Recipe; APC, advanced prostate cancer; PSA, prostate specific antigen; f-PSA, free PSA; Hb, hemoglobin.