Research published in Cancer (2006; 24:419–430) examined whether traditional Chinese herbal preparations containing astragalus were associated with improved outcomes when used alongside platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. The paper reported a meta-analysis of 34 clinical trials involving more than 2,800 patients.
Across twelve of the included studies, representing 940 patients, the use of Chinese herbal formulations was linked with an approximately one-third lower risk of death at 12 months compared with chemotherapy alone. In two additional studies involving more than 200 patients, the herbal formula Jin Fu Kang was associated with nearly a 50% reduction in mortality at 24 months. Four other studies, involving more than 250 patients, reported that the herbal formula Ai Di was linked with improvements of more than 25% in patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living.
Because this work was a meta-analysis drawing from multiple trials of varying design and quality, the authors emphasized the need for further investigation. They noted that these findings should be confirmed in rigorously controlled clinical trials before being considered for broader clinical application.
