Frontiers in Oncology (Feb 2023)

Adjuvant effect of herbal medicine on transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

  • Hyeon-Muk Oh,
  • Eun-Ji Kim,
  • Hye-Ri Bae,
  • Jung-Hyo Cho,
  • Chang-Gue Son,
  • Nam-Hun Lee

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2023.1106827
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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ObjectivesPrimary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, especially in Asian countries. As a practical treatment option, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been well applied; however, its limited efficacy remains challenging. This study analyzed the adjuvant effects of herbal medicine on TACE to determine whether it improves clinical outcomes in patients with HCC.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compare the adjuvant effects of herbal medicine on TACE versus TACE therapy alone. We searched the literature from eight databases since January 2011.ResultsTwenty-five studies involving 2,623 participants were selected. The adjuvant therapy of herbal medicine on TACE improved the overall survival at 0.5 years (OR = 1.70; 95% CI 1.21-2.38), 1 year (OR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.65-2.46), 2 years (OR = 1.83; 95% CI 1.20-2.80), and 3 years (OR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.25-2.91). The combination therapy also increased the tumor response rate (OR = 1.84; 95% CI 1.40-2.42).ConclusionsDespite the unsatisfactory quality of the included studies, the adjuvant therapy of herbal medicine on TACE may provide survival benefits to patients with HCC.Systematic reviews registrationhttp://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier (376691).

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