摘要
AIM:To examine whether administration of lentinan,purifiedβ-1,3-glucan,can prolong survival in advanced gastric cancer patients receiving S-1-based chemotherapy.METHODS:Since 2004,78 patients with metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer have received S-1-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment.Survival,side effects,and the ratio of granulocytes/lymphocytes(G/L ratio)were compared between 2 groups of patients who received chemo-immunotherapy using lentinan and chemotherapy alone.RESULTS:Median overall survival was significantly longer in the former group than in the latter group[689 d(95%CI:431-2339 d)vs 565 d(95%CI:323-662 d),P=0.0406].In addition,the G/L ratio in patients who received lentinan was maintained around or below 2,which was significantly lower than that in patients who received chemotherapy alone(P<0.001).CONCLUSION:Chemo-immunotherapy with lentinan offers a significant advantage over S-1-based chemotherapy alone in terms of survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer.