[Observation on effect of radiotherapy and antike capsule combination therapy in treating nasopharyngeal cancer patients].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of radiotherapy (RT) combined with Antike capsule (AC) and RT alone in treating nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients.


METHODS
Eighty-nine patients with pathologically confirmed NPC (stage II-IV) were randomly divided into two groups: group A (46 cases) were treated with RT, receiving 65-70 Gy/6.5-7 weeks to nasopharynx region and the same dosage to neck region, and AC was given in combination. Group B (43 cases) received the same RT alone. The total dosis of RT for complete remission (CR) of primary nasopharyngeal tumor and neck lymph nodes, the CR rate and the changes of peripheral NK cell, T lymphocyte subsets in the two groups were compared.


RESULTS
The total dosis of RT for CR in group A and B were 41.6 +/- 8.9 Gy vs 50.7 +/- 9.2 Gy for primary nasopharyngeal tumor, P < 0.05 and 47.4 +/- 10.3 Gy vs 56.2 +/- 9.7 Gy for neck lymph nodes, P < 0.05. The CR rate of primary nasopharyngeal tumor in group A and B were 93.5% and 88.4% respectively, P < 0.05. The activity of NK cell as well as T3, T4 in peripheral blood increased significantly in the group A after treatment, P < 0.05, while in group B, T3, T4 lowered significantly, P < 0.05.


CONCLUSIONS
RT combined with AC could be helpful in elevating and promoting the remission rate of primary tumor and neck lymph nodes, and AC has some effects in improving the immune function and general condition in NPC patients during RT.
Xie
F Y
FY
Cancer Prevention and Treatment Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060.
Huang
H Y
HY
Hu
J Z
JZ
D000328:Adult; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002214:Capsules; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008517:Phytotherapy
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D002214:Capsules; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal