A randomized controlled trial involving 129 patients with advanced colorectal cancer across 12 hospitals in Southwest China investigated whether adding a modified Banxia Xiexin Decoction (mBXD) to standard chemotherapy and targeted therapy improves outcomes. The study compared this combination against a placebo combined with the same standard treatments. Patients received the treatment for six months, with follow-ups continuing for up to 1.9 months after treatment ended.
The researchers found that the group taking the herbal decoction experienced a 2.8-month extension in overall survival and a 1.9-month extension in progression-free survival compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the herbal treatment was associated with a 17% lower risk of disease progression and a 15% lower risk of death. The treatment also showed higher rates of objective response and disease control, particularly after six cycles. In laboratory tests, the herbal serum suppressed tumor cell growth and invasion.
Despite these favorable trends, the statistical significance for overall survival and progression-free survival was not reached in the main analysis. Only the disease control rate after six cycles showed a statistically significant difference. The study noted that well-designed clinical trials and foundational research in this specific field remain insufficient. No severe adverse events were reported, and the treatment appeared safe and well-tolerated. Readers should view these results as preliminary evidence that warrants further investigation before changing standard care.