Objective: To verify the efficacy and safety of Quxie Capsule () in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).
Methods: The present study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Sixty patients with mCRC were randomized into two groups at a 1:1 ratio by sealed envelope. The treatment group received conventional therapy combined with Quxie Capsule for 3 months. The control group was treated with conventional therapy combined with placebo for 3 months. Main outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Subgroup analysis was performed according to age, right or left-sided disease, and second-line therapy to determine the differences in PFS and OS between the two groups. Patients were followed up every 3 months until Dec 31st 2016.
Results: The median OS was 23 months in the treatment group [95% confidence interval (CI): 15-not calculated] vs. 14 months in the control group (95% CI: 11-22, P=0.060). The OS of the treatment group tended to be longer than that of the control group (P>0.05). In the subgroups of patients <65 years old, left-sided colon, and 2nd-line therapy, the treatment group showed a significant survival benefit compared with the control group (P=0.006, 0.038, 0.013, respectively). There were no significant differences between the two groups in PFS (P>0.05). Safety analysis showed no severe hematological toxicity or liver and renal function injury in the treatment group.
Conclusions: Quxie Capsule showed good safety and efficacy, and could prolong the OS of patients with mCRC. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IOR-16009733).
Keywords: Chinese medicine; Quxie Capsule; metastatic colorectal cancer; randomized controlled trial.