Interactions between Chinese Medicines and Anticancer Drugs: An Overview
Item
Title
Interactions between Chinese Medicines and Anticancer Drugs: An Overview
Description
EJOM (2011), Becker, Simon A..
Abstract
Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is gaining popularity in chemo- and radiotherapy support treatments. However, the potential risk of interactions seems high. Does clinical experience provide any evidence about the risks involved? Does it make sense to prescribe CHM to patients on chemo- and radiotherapy? Or are patients put at risk? In this article, these two factors – interaction potentials and clinical experience – are evaluated via a review of the current literature on these topics. The author points out that, in investigating interactions, a pharmacological approach focused on single medicinals and their compounds and relying primarily on in vitro and animal studies as well as on theoretical assumptions, does not accurately reflect standard CHM practice and is therefore of limited use in providing clinical guidance. Bothe the pharmacological and the clinical approaches must, he argues, be combined to come up with a valid conclusion. While acknowledging that currently available evidence is far from sufficient for final conclusions, the author's review finds that although there is a potential for interaction between chemotherapy and Chinese medicinals, the cautious and traditional use of CHM for chemo-and radiotherapy patients seems supported by the current literature. Preliminary clinical studies suggest that Chinese herbal medicine benefits chemo- and radiotherapy patients. Besides improving quality of life, the concurrent intake of CHM seems to reduce side-effects due to the toxicity of chemo- or radiotherapy.
Alternative Title
EJOM
Creator
Date
Date Created
3/2/2015
Language
English
Subject
Type
Journal Article
issn
1351-6647
issue
6
volume
6