A Randomized, Multi-Center, Open Label Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy between Afatinib Monotherapy and

Eunbin Kwag1,2, Soo-Dam Kim1,3, Seong-Hoon Shin4

  • 1East West Cancer Center, Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University, Daejeon 35235, Republic of Korea.

PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found that combining HAD-B1 with Afatinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients did not improve disease control but did enhance physical functioning and reduce adverse events. Further research is needed to confirm long-term benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Herbal Medicine

Background:

  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presents a significant global health burden with high mortality rates.
  • Afatinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), offers improved efficacy over chemotherapy but faces challenges with resistance and side effects.
  • HAD-B1, a herbal medicine formulation, shows preclinical and clinical promise for lung cancer treatment, suggesting potential as an alternative or complementary therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combining HAD-B1 with Afatinib in advanced NSCLC patients.
  • To assess the impact of this combination on Afatinib's initial dose maintenance and disease control rate (DCR).
  • To explore the combination's effects on survival outcomes, quality of life, and adverse events.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, open-label trial involving 90 EGFR-mutation-positive NSCLC patients.
  • Participants received Afatinib with or without HAD-B1.
  • Primary endpoints included initial dose maintenance rate and DCR; secondary endpoints included survival rates and quality of life, with continuous safety monitoring.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences were observed in initial dose maintenance or DCR between the treatment and control groups.
  • While survival outcomes (PFS, TTP, OS) showed no notable differences, the treatment group experienced a significant improvement in physical functioning.
  • The control group reported higher rates of adverse events, suggesting the combination may enhance physical function without increasing toxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Combining HAD-B1 with Afatinib may improve quality of life and reduce adverse events in advanced NSCLC patients.
  • The combination therapy demonstrated a positive impact on physical functioning.
  • Further investigation is warranted to validate the long-term benefits and therapeutic potential of this combination approach in NSCLC treatment.