Clinical study on thalidomide combined with cinobufagin to treat lung cancer cachexia.

OBJECTIVE

To discuss and assess the clinical value of treating lung cancer cachexia with thalidomide combined with cinobufagin.s.

METHODS

A cohort of 54 patients, who were diagnosed with lung carcinoma, was randomly divided into two groups, a trial group and a control group, respectively. The trial group was given 150 mg/day thalidomide and 2700 mg/day cinobufagin; the control group only received 2,700 mg/day cinobufagin. The therapy lasted for 12 weeks, and the nutritional status, quality of life, survival, and side effects in patients in the two groups were recorded.

RESULTS

The nutritional status, quality of life, and survival of patients with lung cancer cachexia in the trial group were significantly improved compared to the control group. The trial group received 150 mg thalidomide, which by contrast reduced the incidence of side effect and increased tolerance.

CONCLUSION

Using thalidomide combined with cinobufagin to treat patients with lung cancer cachexia will significantly improve their nutritional status and quality of life. This therapy is better than that using cinobufagin alone and is well tolerated.