Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of Xihuang Pills/capsules in adjuvant treatment of uterine cervical neoplasms

Q: What was the goal of the meta-analysis?

To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of combining Xihuang Pills/Capsules with Western medicine in patients with uterine cervical neoplasms.

Q: How were the studies selected and analyzed?

Randomized controlled trials using Xihuang Pills/Capsules with Western medicine were searched in 5 English and 4 Chinese databases, and the results were analyzed with Review Manager (version 5.3).

Q: What benefits and safety outcomes were reported?

The combination improved short-term efficacy, Karnofsky performance, survival-related and immune-related measures, and reduced adverse reactions including gastrointestinal reactions, radiation proctitis, and myelosuppression.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Đào

Meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of Xihuang Pills/Capsules used alongside Western medicine for uterine cervical neoplasms. Searches across 5 English and 4 Chinese databases identified randomized controlled trials, with statistical synthesis performed using Review Manager software (version 5.3). Ten RCTs with 937 patients showed improved short-term efficacy, Karnofsky performance, immunological indicators, and reduced adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal effects, radiation proctitis, and myelosuppression, supporting effectiveness and safety.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusion

Abbreviations

® Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of Xihuang Pills/capsules in adjuvant treatment of uterine cervical neoplasms Huirong Xu, MDa , Guangyu Tian, MD, A. P.a , Chunli Wu, MDa ,b , Xiaowen Sun, MMa , Kejian Li, MD, PhDa,* | Abstract
Background: Xihuang Pills/Capsules have a longstanding history of utilization in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating cancer. Nevertheless, a comprehensive investigation is required regarding the specific impacts and safety of Xihuang Pills/Capsulesin individuals with uterine cervical neoplasms. Thus, conducting a meta-analysis is essential to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of combining Xihuang Pills/Capsules with Western medicine in patients with cervical neoplasms.
Methods: The research involved searching 5 English and 4 Chinese databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the use of Xihuang Pills/Capsules in conjunction with Western medicine for treating uterine cervical neoplasms. Subsequently, statistical analysis was carried out using Review Manager software (version 5.3) .
Results: This research encompassed 10 RCTs involving 937 patients. The findings revealed that the combination of Xihuang Pills/Capsules with Western medicine treatment led to improvements in various aspects of the patients’ condition. Specifically, there was an enhancement in the short-term efficacy rate (risk ratio [RR] = 1. 14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.22, P = .0003), Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (mean difference [MD] = 5 .90, 95% CI: 0.54–11.26, P = .03), survival rates, CD3+, CD3 + CD4+, CD3 + CD8+, CD3–CD56 + cells, and immunoglobulin M in patients with uterine cervical neoplasms. Moreover, the combination treatment resulted in a reduction of adverse reactions, including gastrointestinal reactions (RR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.42–0.64, P < .00001), radiation proctitis (RR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.33–0.68, P < .0001), myelosuppression (RR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.26–0.64, P < .0001), as well as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) levels. Additionally, the treatment exhibited an inhibitory effect on white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets (PLTs) .
Conclusion: The amalgamation of Xihuang Pills/Capsules with conventional anti-tumor therapy proves to be both effective and safe in the treatment of cervical neoplasms. However, further validation through high-quality RCTs is necessary to substantiate these findings.
Abbreviations: CEA = carcinoembryonic antigen, CI = confidence interval, KPS = Karnofsky performance score, MD = mean difference, NK = natural killer cell, PLTs = platelets, RCTs = randomized controlled trials, RR = risk ratio, SCC-Ag = squamous cell carcinoma antigen, TCM = traditional Chinese medicine, WBCs = white blood cells. | | --- | | Keywords: adverse reaction, effectiveness, meta-analysis, uterine cervical neoplasms, Xihuang Pills/Capsules | 1. Introduction Uterine cervical neoplasms represent the most prevalent gynecological tumors, mainly attributed to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and stand as the fourth most common cancer in women, trailing breast, colorectal, and lung cancers. Despite its preventable nature, cervical neoplasms persist as the second leading cause of death among female cancer patients aged 20 to 39 years. [1] Recent statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer indicate that approximately 527,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, with around 311,000 succumbing to the disease. [2] This condition is not only detrimental to women’s health but also exhibits a notably low 5-year survival rate. Hence, timely diagnosis and treatment are of paramount importance, as delayed interventions can adversely impact treatment outcomes. [3] Non-surgical regimens have now become the prevailing approach for intermediate and advanced cervical cancer, encompassing radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherap

FAQs

What was the goal of the meta-analysis?

To assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of combining Xihuang Pills/Capsules with Western medicine in patients with uterine cervical neoplasms.

How were the studies selected and analyzed?

Randomized controlled trials using Xihuang Pills/Capsules with Western medicine were searched in 5 English and 4 Chinese databases, and the results were analyzed with Review Manager (version 5.3).

What benefits and safety outcomes were reported?

The combination improved short-term efficacy, Karnofsky performance, survival-related and immune-related measures, and reduced adverse reactions including gastrointestinal reactions, radiation proctitis, and myelosuppression.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Đào