Add-On Therapy with Traditional Chinese Medicine Improves Outcomes and Reduces Adverse Events in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Table 1

Characteristics of studies included in the meta-analysis.

Study	Number of cases		Control regimen	Chemo; times	TCM intervention	TCM duration (days)	HCC; staging	Child-Pugh; score	KPS; score	Randomized method
	Treatment	Control
Huang et al. 2001 [20]	32	30	Palliatively supporting therapy	None	Jianpi Xiaoji oral liquid	30	III, IV	A, B, C	≥60	Random number table
Huang et al. 2009 [21]	40	37	TACE	1~2	Ganji decoction	28~42	II, III	A, B	≥60	Random number table
Li et al. 2008 [22]	50	46	TACE	2~7	Chinese toad bufotoxin injection	28~112	OkudaI, II, III	A, B	≥60	Sealed envelopes
Li et al. 2013 [23]	31	22	TACE	3	Hydroxycamptothecin and Chinese herbal compound	84	II, III	NA	NA	Random number table
Li et al. 2016 [24]	26	26	TACE	NA	Aidi injection	30	III, IV	NA	30~60	Random number table
Lin et al. 2005 [25]	52	33	TACE	2	Hydroxycamptothecin and Shentao Ruangan pill	56	II, III	A, B	≥60	Randomized block
Ling et al. 2001 [26]	162	151	TACE/PEI	NA	Sisheng decoction/Chinese toad bufotoxin injection/norcantharidin tablets	Irregular	II, III	NA	NA	Sealed envelopes
Liu 2011 [27]	32	30	Palliatively supporting therapy	None	Chinese herbal compound	21	III, IV	A, B, C	≥60	Random number table
Liu and Lü 2016 [28]	53	53	TACE + PMCT	3	Chinese herbal compound	90~135	NA	A, B	NA	Random number table
Lu 2008 [29]	69	69	TACE	NA	Aidi injection	20	NA	NA	60~90	Draw method
Lü et al. 2014 [30]	63	63	TACE	NA	Shenyi capsules	60	NA	NA	60~90	Random number table
Min and Zhou 2011 [31]	23	22	Palliatively supporting therapy	None	Chinese herbal compound	84	II, III	A, B	72 ± 8	Random number table
Ren and Cheng 2004 [32]	104	68	TACE	NA	Chinese herbal compound	≥90	II, III	NA	NA	Random number table
Shao et al. 2001 [33]	30	30	TACE	2~10	Chinese herbal compound	180~300	II, III	NA	NA	According to hospitalized date
Shi and Tang 2013 [34]	42	56	TACE	NA	Kang’ai injection and Carapacis Trionycis Bolus	56	NA	A, B	≥60	Random number table
Tian et al. 2008 [35]	49	48	TACE	NA	Chinese herbal compound	28	II, III	A, B	≥60	Randomized block, single blind
Xie et al. 2014 [36]	34	34	TACE	NA	Chinese herbal compound	40	NA	A, B	≥60	Draw method
Yang et al. 2011 [37]	30	30	TACE	NA	Aidi injection	30	NA	A, B, C	≥70	Sealed envelopes
Yi et al. 2008 [38]	28	23	TACE	3	Kang’ai injection	45	II, III	NA	≥60	Sealed envelopes
Zhong et al. 2014 [39]	60	60	Hepatectomy	None	Chinese herbal compound	365	I~IIIa	A, B	NA	Sealed envelopes

TACE, transcatheter arterial chemoembolization; PEI, percutaneous ethanol injection; PMCT, percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy; KPS, Karnofsky performance status.