Aidi injection as adjunctive treatment to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#antineoplastic-combined-chemotherapy-protocols #carcinoma-non-small-cell-lung #deoxycytidine #drugs-chinese-herbal #humans

Aidi injection as adjunctive treatment to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Guo et al., 2021 | Pharm Biol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Guo Sitong, Li Yan, ... Chen Xiaoyu. Aidi injection as adjunctive treatment to gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharm Biol. 2021-Dec;59(1):1260-1275. doi:10.1080/13880209.2021.1973038

Abstract

CONTEXT: Aidi injection is one of the most commonly use antitumor Chinese medicine injections for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is made from the extraction of Astragalus, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Ginseng, and Cantharis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aidi injection in combination with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy (GBC) for advanced NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biological Medicine, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP were searched for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Aidi injection plus GBC treatment with GBC alone in NSCLC, from inception up to October 2020. The primary outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). Secondary outcomes were quality of life (QOL) and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The quality of evidence was rated using the GRADE approach. This study was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42021221225. RESULTS: In total, 54 RCTs involving 4318 NSCLC patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with GBC alone, Aidi injection plus GBC significantly improve ORR (risk ratios [RR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-1.48), DCR (RR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.12-1.19), QOL (RR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.54-1.89), and reduced the risk of gastrointestinal toxicity, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, liver injury, renal injury, and anaemia. The evaluation results of the evidence ranged from moderate to low. CONCLUSIONS: Current moderate evidence revealed that Aidi injection as an adjunctive treatment to GBC was associated with superior benefits in patients with advanced NSCLC and alleviate toxicities. High-quality RCTs are needed to further confirm the results.

Key Findings

In total, 54 RCTs involving 4318 NSCLC patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with GBC alone, Aidi injection plus GBC significantly improve ORR (risk ratios [RR] = 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-1.48), DCR (RR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.12-1.19), QOL (RR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.54-1.89), and reduced the risk of gastrointestinal toxicity, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, liver injury, renal injury, and anaemia. The evaluation results of the evidence ranged from moderate to low.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population advanced nsclc and alleviate
Sample Size 54
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Gemcitabine

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: ginseng

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09