Title:The FJQR Has Synergistic Effect with Fluoropyrimidine in the Maintenance
Treatment for HER-2 Negative Gastric Cancer
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Author(s): Fanming Kong*, Lu Zhao, Na Wang, Dou Zhang, Ziwei Wang, Qingyun Mei, Yongchao Yu and Yingjie Jia
Affiliation:
- Department of Oncology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nankai District, 300193, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 300193, Tianjin, China
Keywords:
Gastric cancer, maintenance therapy, traditional chinese medicine, fluoropyrimidine, FJQR, HER-2.
Abstract:
Introduction: Maintenance therapy aimed to strengthen the first-line chemotherapy and
improve quality of life is needed for gastric cancer (GC). Currently, many clinical studies have
confirmed the important role of fluoropyrimidine in the maintenance stage. Our team has created
patented prescriptions “Fuzheng jiedu Quyu Method” recipe (FJQR), which was considered as an
adjuvant therapeutic scheme (reduce toxicity and increase the efficacy of chemotherapy). This
study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FJQR combined with fluoropyrimidine as a
maintenance treatment in HER-2 negative GC patients.
Methods: We performed the analysis of 129 patients with HER-2 negative GC who entered the
maintenance stage in our hospital and Tianjin Cancer Hospital between January 2018 and December
2020. Out of the 129 eligible patients, 64 were categorized into the maintenance treatment
group with FJQR+fluoropyrimidine, and 65 patients were assigned to the control group if they
received fluoropyrimidine alone. Capecitabine was orally 1000mg/m2, Qd, half an hour after
meals, and FGQR was 15g Bid after capecitabine. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival
(PFS). The secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), overall remission rate (ORR),
quality of Life (QOL), TCM syndrome and safety.
Results: The mPFS in the treatment group was significantly prolonged compared with the control
group (6.3 vs. 5.0 months, p = 0.03), while the mOS was not substantially improved (11.4 vs. 10.5
months, p = 0.38). Gastrointestinal symptoms and pain became better in the treatment group. The
number of distant metastatic organs, first-line chemotherapy cycles, and lymph node metastasis
were independent risk predictors for PFS. Blood stasis syndrome may be the protective factor. In
terms of safety, treatment-related adverse events (AEs) in the treatment group were relatively
lighter, and the incidence of grade III-IV AEs could be significantly reduced.
Conclusion: FJQR and fluoropyrimidine have synergistic effects as maintenance treatment in
HER-2 negative GC, with good efficacy and safety.
