Translational Medicine
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-1025
ISSN: 2161-1025
Kaichiro Yamamoto
Posters: Transl Med
The efficacy of the Kampo medication Shakuyaku-kanzo-to (TJ-68, Tsumura & Co., Tokyo, Japan) is recognized in the treatment of muscle pain. In the present study, we used a visual analogue scale (VAS) as an indicator to provide a more objective evaluation of the effects of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to in treating the muscle pain associated with paclitaxel use. Subjects were 11 patients undergoing at least 2 courses of chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin, who had developed muscle pain during the first course of treatment (control course). For the next course of chemotherapy (Shakuyaku-kanzo-to course), these patients received 7.5 g/day of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to for 7 days beginning 2 days before the start of chemotherapy. Informed consent was obtained before starting the control course. VAS scores were recorded during the control and Shakuyaku-kanzo-to courses. Mean values were calculated for VAS scores from day1 through day7 for each course of treatment, and these mean values were compared for the control and Shakuyaku-kanzo-to courses. The statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon signed- ranks test. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. VAS scores, expressed as mean ± SE, were 6.95 ± 0.62 and 3.32 ± 1.10 for the control and the Shakuyaku-kanzo-to courses respectively. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.0069). No notable adverse drug reactions were associated with the administration of Shakuyaku-kanzo-to. Shakuyaku- kanzo-to could be significantly effective against the muscle pain associated with paclitaxel treatment. We observed no notable adverse reactions to Shakuyaku-kanzo-to. This preparation is also inexpensive and well-suited for clinical applications.
Kaichiro Yamamoto was one of the pioneers in chemotherapy for cervical cancer at Kinki University Faculty of Medicine. He and his team developed some new combination chemotherapies for cervical cancer. He later became Professor and Chairman of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sakai Hospital, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine. He has served on the editorial boards of some scientific journals. He is a member of the Japanese Academies such as Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Oncology, Cancer, Gynecologic Oncology, etc.