Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41800103›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in pharmacology2026

Effect of compound kushen injection on immune function in patients with primary liver cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Yu Xiong, Yutong Cai, Chenxi Li, Qian Yan, Xiongwen Wang, Xiaoying Zhang

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

6 authors.

Yu XiongDepartment of Tumor, Chongqing Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Yutong CaiSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing University of Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Chenxi LiSchool of Acupuncture and Tuina, Chongqing University of Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Qian YanPostdoctoral Research Station, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
Xiongwen WangDepartment of Tumor, Chongqing Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Xiaoying ZhangDepartment of Tumor, Shenzhen Hospital (Futian) of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The heterogeneity of PLC and the complex immunosuppressive microenvironment make it difficult for single treatment regimens to meet patient needs. Therefore, it is crucial to find effective combination treatment strategies that enhance immune function in PLC therapy. Objective: To systematically evaluate the effect of compound kushen injection (CKI) on enhancing immune function in PLC patients and its role in treatment efficacy and related adverse reactions. Methods: Relevant Chinese and English electronic databases were searched to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the impact of CKI on immune function in PLC patients published before June 2025. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Statistical analyses, Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were conducted using Stata 18.0 software. Results: A total of 2,359 patients from 25 RCTs were included (1,185 in the experimental group and 1,174 in the control group). Compared to conventional treatment alone, the combination of CKI and conventional treatment significantly enhanced immune function, as evidenced by increased CD3 Conclusion: Existing evidence suggests that the combined use of CKI and conventional treatment may positively impact immune function, therapeutic effect and treatment-related adverse reactions in patients with PLC. However, the reliability of these conclusions is limited by the absence of disease staging stratification analysis and long-term follow-up data, which are essential for confirming the long-term efficacy and safety of the combined treatment. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251112494, identifier CRD420251112494.

Indexed as

compound kushen injectionimmune functionmeta-analysisprimary liver cancersystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41800103
PMCPMC12960130

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.