Clinical study on safety and efficacy of Qinin® (cantharidin sodium) injection combined with chemotherapy in treating patients with gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy, side effects, and the impact on quality of life with Qinin® (Cantharidin sodium) injection combined with chemotherapy for gastric cancer patients. METHOD A consecutive cohort of 70 patients were divided into two groups: experimental group with cantharidin sodium injection combined with chemotherapy, while the control group received chemotherapy alone. After more than two courses of treatment, efficacy, quality of life and side effects were evaluated. RESULTS The response rate of experimental group was not significantly different from that of the control group (P>0.05), but differences were significant in clinical benefit response and KPS score. In addition, gastrointestinal reactions and the incidence of leukopenia were lower than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Qinin® (Cantharidin sodium) injection combined with chemotherapy enhances clinical benefit response, improving quality of life of gastric cancer patients and reducing side effects of chemotherapy. Thus Qinin® (Cantharidin sodium) injection deserves to be further investigated in randomized control clinical trails.