Effectiveness of a novel herbal agent MB-6 as a potential adjunct to 5-fluoracil-based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer
Journal
Nutrition Research
Journal Volume
34
Journal Issue
7
Pages
585-594
Date Issued
2014
Abstract
Natural products, such as fermented soybeans, have been used to treat various physical conditions, including cancer. MB-6 is a botanical preparation composed of fermented soybean extract, green tea extract, Antrodia camphorata mycelia, spirulina, grape seed extract, and curcumin extract. Based on this, we hypothesized that MB-6 would increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with colon cancer. In a rodent study, MB-6, in combination with leucovorin/5-fluorouracil chemotherapy, increased the survival rate and life span of colon cancer tumor-bearing BALB/c mice as compared with treatment with chemotherapy alone. In a proof-of-concept clinical study, 72 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were randomized to receive leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin in combination with either MB-6 or placebo for 16 weeks. The primary outcome was the best overall response, and secondary outcomes included progression-free survival, overall survival, and adverse effects. Up to 77 weeks after treatment, there was follow-up with the patients. No significant difference in the best overall response rate and overall survival was observed between the 2 groups. Patients in the MB-6 group had a significantly lower disease progression rate than patients in the placebo group, during the study period (0.0% vs 15.8%, P =.026). The placebo group had a significantly higher incidence of adverse events at least grade 4 compared with the MB-6 group (28.9% vs 2.9%, respectively, P =.004) and a significantly higher occurrence of increased serum creatinine compared with the MB-6 group (29% vs 5.9%, P =.014). MB-6 is a promising botanical supplement that may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. ? 2014 Elsevier Inc.
Subjects
BALB/c mice; Herbal medicine; MB-6; Metastatic colorectal cancer; Overall survival; Progression-free survival; Tolerability
SDGs
Other Subjects
antineoplastic agent; creatinine; fluorouracil; folinic acid; mb 6; oxaliplatin; placebo; unclassified drug; antineoplastic agent; creatinine; fluorouracil; folinic acid; oxaliplatin; plant extract; platinum complex; adult; animal cell; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; article; cancer combination chemotherapy; cancer incidence; clinical effectiveness; controlled study; creatinine blood level; disease severity; double blind procedure; drug efficacy; drug safety; female; follow up; human; lifespan; major clinical study; male; metastatic colorectal cancer; middle aged; mouse; multicenter study; neurotoxicity; nonhuman; outcome assessment; overall survival; priority journal; progression free survival; randomized controlled trial; survival rate; treatment response; adjuvant chemotherapy; aged; angiosperm; animal; Antrodia; Bagg albino mouse; blood; Colorectal Neoplasms; disease course; disease free survival; inbred rat strain; phytotherapy; Spirulina; Glycine max; Mus; Rodentia; Spirulina; Taiwanofungus camphoratus; Vitaceae; Aged; Angiosperms; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Antrodia; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Colorectal Neoplasms; Creatinine; Disease Progression; Disease-Free Survival; Double-Blind Method; Female; Fluorouracil; Humans; Leucovorin; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Middle Aged; Organoplatinum Compounds; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Rats, Inbred Strains; Spirulina
Type
journal article