Traditional Chinese Medicine Combined with Chemotherapy in Prevention and Treatment of Recurrence and Metastasis of Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer After Radical Resection: A Meta-analysis

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) combined with chemotherapy in the prevention and treatment of postoperative recurrence and metastasis of locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) by meta-analysis. Moreover, we evaluated the efficacy of TCM on the quality of life, immune indexes, and toxic and side effects during adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods The CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, and other databases were searched by computer. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched. After literature screening and data extraction, Review Manager 5.3 software provided by Cochrane was used for meta-analysis.

Results A total of 18 RCTs were included. Compared with chemotherapy alone, TCM combined with chemotherapy could improve the KPS score and CD3⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ index levels. The incidence rates of postoperative leucopenia, hemoglobin reduction, thrombocytopenia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and neurotoxicity were reduced. In terms of postoperative QLQ-C30 score, abnormal liver function, and abnormal renal function, the incidence of TCM combined chemotherapy was similar to that of chemotherapy alone, with no statistical difference. Compared with chemotherapy alone, TCM combined chemotherapy could reduce the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative recurrence and metastasis rates and prolong the disease-free survival time.

Conclusion Compared with chemotherapy alone in adjuvant chemotherapy, TCM combined chemotherapy could improve the immune level and KPS score of LACC patients after surgery, reduce the incidence of adverse reactions, as well as reduce the recurrence and metastasis rate of LAGC after surgery and DFS could be improved.