Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37068063›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2023

Ginseng-containing traditional medicine preparations in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Jiaqi Hu, Mengqi Cheng, Yue Li, Bolun Shi, Shulin He, Ziang Yao, Juling Jiang, Huibo Yu, Zhongning He, Yuwei Zhao and 3 more

Open access · goldAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
0.6field-weighted citation impact, top 31% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Jiaqi HuDepartment of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.ORCID 0000-0002-3319-7167
Mengqi ChengThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, China.
Yue LiGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Bolun ShiDepartment of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Shulin HeGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Ziang YaoGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.ORCID 0000-0002-7357-6970
Juling JiangXiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Huibo YuGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Zhongning HeDepartment of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Yuwei ZhaoGraduate School, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
Honggang ZhengDepartment of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Baojin HuaDepartment of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Rui LiuDepartment of Oncology, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine · CNChinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College · CNZhejiang Chinese Medical University · CN

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGinseng-containing traditional medicine preparations (G-TMPs) in combination with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy (FBC) are well-known treatments for advanced gastric cancer (AGC), with a superior efficacy to FBC alone. However, evidence regarding their efficacy remains limited. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of G-TMPs in combination with FBC for the treatment of AGC.

methodsEight electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using G-TMPs with FBC for the treatment of AGC. The primary outcome included the tumor response, while the secondary outcomes included the quality of life (QoL), proportions of peripheral blood lymphocytes, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and levels of cancer biomarkers. The quality of evidence for each outcome was assessed using GRADE profilers.

resultsA total of 1,960 participants were involved in the 26 RCTs included. Patients treated with FBC plus G-TMPs had better objective response (risk ratio [RR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13 to 1.35, p < 0.00001) and disease control (RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.19, p < 0.00001) rates than those treated with FBC alone. Additionally, the combination group had a better QoL, higher proportions of CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, and natural killer cells, as well as a higher CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio. Furthermore, lower levels of CA19-9, CA72-4, and CEA were confirmed in the combination treatment group. In addition, G-TMPs reduced the incidence of ADRs during chemotherapy.

conclusionIn combination with FBC, G-TMPs can potentially enhance efficacy, reduce ADRs, and improve prognosis for patients with AGC. However, high-quality randomized studies remain warranted. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Number: CRD42021264938.

Indexed as

PanaxStomach NeoplasmsAntimetabolitesAntineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy ProtocolsHumansMedicine, TraditionalAntimetabolites

Identifiers

PMID37068063
PMCPMC10109524
OpenAlexW4366083682

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.