Banxia Xiexin Decoction Is Effective to Prevent and Control Irinotecan-Induced Delayed Diarrhea in Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND

Irinotecan (CPT-11) can be used as a first-line therapeutic drug against extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC); it can also be used in second-line treatment for SCLC. CPT-11-induced delayed diarrhea restricts its clinical application. This study aimed to confirm whether Banxia Xiexin decoction was effective in preventing and controlling CPT-11-induced delayed diarrhea.

METHODS

A total of 27 patients with recurrent SCLC undergoing chemotherapy regimens including CPT-11 were enrolled for the study. UGT1A1*28, UGTlAl*6, ABCB1*2, and SLCO1B1*15 gene polymorphisms were detected. If delayed diarrhea occurred in the first cycle of chemotherapy, Banxia Xiexin decoction was orally administered for 5 consecutive days starting 1 day before the second cycle of chemotherapy to prevent and control the delayed diarrhea. The objective response, overall survival, and toxicity were recorded.

RESULTS

Complete response, partial response, and stable disease were observed in none, 6, and 10 patients, respectively. Delayed diarrhea occurred in 6 patients, and 4 of 5 patients were relieved or controlled using Banxia Xiexin decoction. The median overall survival was 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Banxia Xiexin decoction appeared to prevent and control delayed diarrhea induced by CPT-11 in this small observational study, and further study with a larger sample size, including potentially randomized trials, is suggested.