An Open-label,two-arm, Exploratory Randomised Controlled Trial to evaluate the effect of Vardhamana Pippali Rasayana as an add-on therapy in the management of Non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer, with increasing incidence and disproportionatelyhigh mortality remains a major health hazard to the Indian population. Majorityof the patients present at the advanced stages of the disease with narrowcurative options. Majority belong to the low socio-economic strata of thesociety and hence unable to reap the benefits of advanced therapeutictechniques and biologics. With disease progression occurring less than a yearpost-diagnosis, there is need for urgent intervention that is effective as wellas economically feasible. Quality of life is an important clinical indicator ofdisease control for the patient.

Traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda are soughtafter by the cancer patients for reduced side-effect profile and improvedquality of life. Dhehghan et al reported a significantly high QoL among CAMusing terminally ill cancer patients.The study drug, Vardhamana Pippali Rasayana is widely practiced in treating thesymptoms of cough, dyspnea and anorexia among lung cancer patients to goodresults. However, there are no clinical evidences generated so far. This study is expected to improve the treatment outcomes of lungcancer in terms of symptomatic relief and enhance quality of life of thepatient without causing major side-effects. Moreover, based on the previousin-vitro and in-vivo studies, there may be better tumor response to the add-onintervention.