Preventive effect of Kampo medicine (Hangeshashin-to) against irinotecan-induced diarrhea in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer Kiyoshi Mori1 , Tetsuro Kondo1, Yukari Kamiyama1, Yasuhiko Kano1 and Keigo Tominaga1 (1) Department of Thoracic Diseases, Tochigi Cancer Center, 4-9-13 Yonan, Utsunomiya, 320 Tochigi, Japan Abstract Purpose Kampo medicine Hangeshashin-to (TJ-14) which contains baicalin, a Beta-glucuronidase inhibitor, alleviates diarrhea induced by irinotecan (CPT-11). We conducted a randomized comparative trial to investigate whether support with TJ-14 would prevent and control CPT-11-induced diarrhea. Methods Of 44 previously untreated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer randomized, 41 (18 TJ-14 group, 23 control group) were available for evaluation. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of a combination of cisplatin and CPT-11. TJ-14 (7.5 g/day) was administered orally. Results Of the 41 patients, 39 experienced diarrhea. Compared with the control group, the TJ-14 group showed a significant improvement in diarrhea grades (P=0.044) as well as a reduced frequency of diarrhea grades 3 and 4 (one patient versus ten patients; P=0.018). However, the two groups showed no differences in the frequency of diarrhea or the number of days the symptoms continued. This study was stopped at an interim evaluation. Conclusion: TJ-14 was effective in preventing and controlling CPT-11-induced diarrhea. This work was supported in part by a Grant-in Aid for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Foundation for the Promotion of Cancer Research, and the Second Term Comprehensive 10-Year Strategy for Cancer Control. J Cancer Chemotherapy & Pharmacology, Volume 51 Number 5 May 2003 J Clin Onc, 1/06 JCO, January 20, 2006 Inter'l Immunopharmacology, 2/07 Antitumor activity of daphnodorins from Daphne genkwa roots Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.