BACKGROUND

To observe clinical effects of Shen Cao granules on thrombocytopenia in patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients under a FOLFIRI chemotherapy regimen (n = 92) were randomly divided into study and control groups (n = 46 for each group) and were given 10 g of Shen Cao granules and a placebo, respectively, once daily on chemotherapy treatment days. Platelet counts were measured every other day and any adverse reaction recorded during the study and at follow-up.

RESULTS

The incidence of thrombocytopenia (grades II-IV) in the study group was significantly decreased, and the length of hospitalization significantly reduced compared with the control group (11.21 ± 2.46 vs 15.34 ± 3.68 days, P < .05). The minimum numbers of post-chemotherapy platelets and the values of platelet counts 21 days after chemotherapy were significantly increased ([100.65 ± 63.16] × 10/L vs [60.21 ±37.22] × 10/L, P < .05; [267.81 ± 81.32] × 10/L vs [146.42 ± 70.54] × 10/L, P < .001), and the duration of thrombocytopenia and treatment with recombinant human interleukin-11 was significantly decreased in the Shen Cao treatment compared with the control group. No serious adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Shen Cao granules were effective in decreasing chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, shortened the duration of thrombocytopenia, and reduced the length of hospital stay and costs.