Matrine promotes the efficacy and safety of platinum-based doublet chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose: Many studies have investigated the efficacy of matrine combined with platinum-based doublet chemotherapy (PBDC) versus PBDC alone for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study is an analytic value of available evidence. Methods: twenty-two studies reporting matrine combined with PBDC versus PBDC alone for treating advanced NSCLC were reviewed. Pooled odds ratios and hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using either the fixed effects model or random effects model. Results: The overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) of matrine combined with PBDC for treating NSCLC were significantly higher than those of PBDC alone, with 15.1% and 19.7% improvement, respectively (P < 0.00001). In addition, the mean survival time (MST) and quality of life (QOL) were improved after the treatment of matrine combined with PBDC (P < 0.00001). The main adverse effects found in this review were hematological reactions, nausea and vomiting. Matrine combined with PBDC had a lower incidence of adverse reactions compared with PBDC alone (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Matrine combined with PBDC was associated with higher RR, DCR, and MST as well as superior QOL profiles compared with PBDC alone. Matrine combined with PBDC decrease the incidence of adverse reactions compared with PBDC alone.