[Effect on late-stage mammary cancer treated by endocrinotherapy or chemotherapy combined with pingxiao capsule].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the action of pingxiao capsules (PXC) and its significance in the treatment of late stage mammary cancer (LSMC).


METHODS
One hundred and forty-two LSMC patients were randomized into four groups: the two single treated groups treated by endocrinotherapy (ET) alone (n = 27) and by chemotherapy alone (n=44) respectively, and the two PXC combined treated groups treated with PXC plus endocrinotherapy (n=27) or chemotherapy (n=44). The remission rate and progression time (TTP) of disease, the survival time and quality of life (QOL) of patients, and the adverse reaction were compared between the single treated groups and the combined treated groups.


RESULTS
The median progression time was obviously prolonged, and QOL improved in the combined treated groups than those in the single treated groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in the remission rate or adverse reaction between them.


CONCLUSIONS
PXC can improve QOL, prolong the progression time in patients of LSMC, and with less adverse reaction. It is worth spreading combination of PXC with chemo- or endocrino-therapy in clinical application for treatment of LSMC patients.
Zhang
Qing-yuan
QY
Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150040. Zhmal9650210@163.com
Zhao
Wen-hui
WH
Lai
Yu-juan
YJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012685:Sepharose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C026318:estradiol 7 alpha-decamethylene-sepharose; D013629:Tamoxifen; D012685:Sepharose; D017239:Paclitaxel