Clinical Studies of Immunomodulatory Activities of Yunzhi-Danshen in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Authors: Yi Xi Bao, Chun Kwok Wong, Sing Fai Leung, Anthony Tak Cheung Chan, Pok Wai Li, Eliza Lai Yi Wong, Ping Chung Leung, Kwok Pui Fung, Yi Bing Yin, and Christopher Wai Kei Lam

Journal: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Participants: 27 patients with histologically proven nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)

Trial Length: 16 weeks

Intervention:

• TCM group (n = 14): Yunzhi (3.6 g daily) and Danshen (1.4 g daily) in 12 combination capsules daily
• Placebo group (n = 13): 12 placebo capsules daily

Primary Outcomes: Percentages and absolute counts of human lymphocyte subsets in whole blood

Secondary Outcomes: Plasma concentration of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (sTNFR2), ex vivo production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10

Summary: The study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Yunzhi-Danshen capsules in NPC patients undergoing radiotherapy. The results showed that the decreases in the percentage and absolute count of T lymphocytes were significantly lower in the TCM group compared to the placebo group after 16 weeks. The decreases in the absolute count of T suppressor cells plus cytotoxic T lymphocytes (TsCTL) and T helper cells (Th) were also significantly lower in the TCM group. There were no significant differences in other lymphocyte subsets, plasma sIL-2R and sTNFR2 levels, or ex vivo cytokine production between the two groups. The study concludes that Yunzhi-Danshen can alleviate lymphopenia (a decrease in lymphocytes) caused by radiotherapy in NPC patients, suggesting a potential immunomodulatory effect.