Astragalus polysaccharides improve adjuvant chemotherapy-induced fatigue for patients with early breast cancer

Shen WC, Chen SC, Wang CH, Hung CM

Published in Scientific Reports

Methodology

Randomised placebo-controlled phase 2 trial of Astragalus polysaccharides (PG2 500 mg on days 1, 3 and 8 of each 21-day cycle) in 66 patients with stage II/III breast cancer receiving adjuvant anthracycline chemotherapy.

Key Findings

Mean change in the fatigue global score and fatigue intensity did not differ significantly between PG2 and placebo overall; benefits were limited to the premenopausal subgroup.

Conclusions

PG2 did not reduce overall chemotherapy-induced fatigue, though premenopausal patients showed less aggravation of fatigue and better global health status.

Limitations

Phase 2 sample size, negative primary endpoint, subgroup findings are exploratory, intravenous polysaccharide formulation not equivalent to oral astragalus.