Retrospective cohort study on the postoperative survival rate enhancement of patients with colorectal cancer using three traditional Chinese medicine formulations: evidence from 1,361 cases

Abstract

Background: Prior studies have affirmed the safety and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine in treating colorectal cancer patients. However, definitive evidence regarding whether traditional Chinese medicine can significantly enhance the survival of colorectal cancer patients remains elusive. This study seeks to provide conclusive insights by examining the postoperative administration of Xihuang capsules, Pingxiao capsules, and Zilongjin tablets and its impact on the 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates among colorectal cancer patients.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, involving 1,361 patients selected from the medical center. This retrospective study was carried out at a medical center in Tianjin, China. We assessed differences in postoperative OS and DFS between the control group and the medication group using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards modeling. Additionally, propensity score matching was used to mitigate imbalances in baseline characteristics among patients.
Results: Before propensity score matching, Xihuang capsules could prolong the 5-year OS (79.9% vs. 81.4%, Pβ=β0.0480) and 5-year DFS (74.9% vs. 79.5%, Pβ=β0.0046) of patients after surgery. Similar conclusions were obtained after propensity score matching: OS (74.8% vs. 78.3%, Pβ=β0.0084), DFS (72.7% vs. 78.9%, Pβ=β0.008). Patients taking Pingxiao capsules showed improved 5-year OS (77.2% vs. 84.0%, Pβ=β0.0383) and 5-year DFS (69.9% vs. 80.0%, Pβ=β0.0157) after propensity score matching. Patients taking Zilongjin tablets showed improvement in the 2-year OS (84.2% vs. 93.1%, Pβ=β0.0390) and 1-year DFS (88.2% vs. 92.0%, Pβ=β0.0320) after propensity score matching.
Conclusion: Xihuang capsules and Pingxiao capsules significantly improved the 5-year OS and DFS of patients with colorectal cancer after surgery. Zilongjin tablets showed improvement in the 2-year OS and 1-year DFS after surgery for patients.

Keywords

Colorectal cancer / Disease-free survival / Traditional Chinese medicine / Overall survival

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