A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study of the Clinical Effects of Ganoderma Lucidum (Ling Zhi) in Children With Cancer
试验速览
- 阶段
- 3 期
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 58
- 试验地点
- 3
- 主要终点
- Generic and cancer-specific Pediatric Quality-of-Life assessment
研究概览
简要总结
Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine which is widely used as a means to 'strengthen immunity' among patients with cancers. However, there is no published randomized controlled clinical trial on its efficacy and safety despite the many in vitro studies on its anti-viral, anti-oxidative, anti-tumour, radioprotective, hepato-protective and immunomodulatory effects. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel clinical trial that investigated the benefits and safety of Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) in treating children with cancers. Patients were randomized to receive identical capsules of either Lingzhi or placebo for six months. The primary outcome was the general Paediatric Quality of Life score. Secondary outcomes included immune functions, infection-related morbidities, complete blood counts and serum biochemistry, and overall and event-free survival.
详细描述
Alternative and complementary medicine are widely used in treating children with cancers. A population-based survey in British Columbia revealed that they were used by 42% of the respondents. Among Chinese in Hong Kong, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is also widely practiced. Some 60% of the population had consulted TCM practitioners at one time or another. TCM use could be dated back to more than five thousand years ago, and written records were available for over two thousand years. TCM is considered to be an integral part of the Chinese culture. In our experience, TCM is believed to be commonly used to 'strengthen immunity and promote health' among local children with cancers, despite the lack of well-designed study to prove its usefulness. Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi) is a mushroom long-used in China for a broad range of disorders. Its use is common in the general population and among both adults and children with a wide range of malignancies. However, there is no randomized controlled trial to support its clinical efficacy and safety. Therefore, we conducted this clinical trial of Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi) among Hong Kong children with cancers.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 2 Years 至 18 Years（Child, Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Male and female patients aged 2-18 years
- •Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia who completed induction chemotherapy and pending maintenance chemotherapy treatment
- •Solid tumours completed chemotherapy
- •Aute myeloid leukaemia who completed induction and consolidation chemotherapy treatment
- •All patients and their parents signed informed written consent
排除标准
- •Relapsed cancer patients
- •Received Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment within preceding one month
- •Could not swallow capsules
- •Syndromal disorders (e.g. Down syndrome)
- •History of hypersensitivity reaction to Lingzhi or any TCM
- •Significant gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, bronchopulmonary, neurological, cardiovascular or allergic diseases
- •In the judgement of investigators were unable to comply with study protocol requirements
研究组 & 干预措施
A: Lingzhi extract
Oral 300mg capsules containing Lingzhi extract (4 to 6 capsules per day as dosed by patients' age)
干预措施: LingZhi capsule (Drug)
B: Placebo
Starch with same appearance and taste as LingZhi
干预措施: LingZhi capsule (Drug)
结局指标
主要结局
Generic and cancer-specific Pediatric Quality-of-Life assessment
时间窗: 1 year
次要结局
- Cellular immune functions; blood counts and biochemistry for patient safety; infection-related morbidities; overall and event-free survival(1 year)