Efficacy of compound Kushen injection plus radiotherapy on nonsmall-cell lungcancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the benefits of compound Kushen injection (CKI) combined with radiotherapy for nonsmall cell lung cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched nine electronic databases and six gray literature databases comprehensively until June 2015. Two reviewers independently selected and assessed the included trials according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The risk of bias tool from the Cochrane Handbook version 5.1.0, the Review Manager 5.3 software was employed for data analysis. Funnel plot and Egger's test were applied to evaluate the publication bias.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies including 1558 participants met the inclusion criteria, most of which were low quality. Compared with radiotherapy alone, CKI plus the same radiotherapy significantly improved the effective rate (odds ratio [OR] =1.92, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: [1.42, 2.60] P < 0.0001) and quality of life (OR = 4.61, 95% CI: [3.28, 6.48], P < 0.00001). There was a significant decrement in the incidences of acute radiation pneumonia (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: [0.37, 0.61], P < 0.00001), radiation pneumonia 3 months after radiotherapy (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: [0.20, 0.41], P < 0.00001), radiation pneumonia 6 months after radiotherapy (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: [0.08, 0.69], P < 0.009), radiation esophagitis (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: [0.19, 0.45], P < 0.00001), and bone marrow suppression (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: [0.24, 0.51], P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

CKI combined with radiotherapy significantly improved the clinical effect and reduced the incidence of adverse events. Use of the CONSORT statement for randomized controlled trials is recommended for rigorous reporting.