Objective: This study aims to review the existing literature on the efficacy and safety of unconventional treatments among pancreatic cancer patients, including the use of natural products, dietary supplements, probiotics, whole medical systems, and body-based therapies. Methods: An electronic, systematic, and comprehensive literature review was conducted searching for studies up to November 2024 following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Randomized controlled trials and prospective and retrospective studies assessing the efficacy and safety of unconventional treatments for pancreatic cancer were considered eligible. Data on overall survival, quality of life, and treatment tolerability were extracted. Results: A total of 21 studies, providing data from 3095 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Various types of unconventional treatments are used in pancreatic cancer patients, including Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), mistletoe extract (ME), curcumin, and electroacupuncture. Among these, the use of CHM and curcumin concomitant with standard therapy was associated with survival and quality-of-life benefits. Electroacupuncture reduced pancreatic cancer pain intensity in a cost-effective manner. The data on ME are mixed and of insufficient quality for drawing definitive conclusions. Conclusions: Some unconventional treatments showed potential benefits in improving overall survival and quality of life in pancreatic cancer patients within an integrative oncology setting. Further high-quality studies are needed to provide robust, rigorous, and ethical evidence to support their integration into future guidelines, ensuring a holistic approach to cancer treatment.
目的：本研究旨在综述现有关于胰腺癌患者接受非常规治疗（包括天然产物、膳食补充剂、益生菌、整体医学体系及身体疗法）的有效性与安全性的文献。方法：遵循PRISMA 2020指南，对截至2024年11月的研究进行了系统性电子文献检索。纳入标准为评估胰腺癌非常规治疗疗效与安全性的随机对照试验、前瞻性及回顾性研究。提取总生存期、生活质量及治疗耐受性相关数据。结果：共21项研究符合纳入标准，涉及3095例患者数据。胰腺癌患者应用的非常规治疗类型多样，包括中药、槲寄生提取物、姜黄素及电针疗法等。其中，中药与姜黄素联合标准治疗显示出生存获益与生活质量改善。电针疗法能以经济有效的方式减轻胰腺癌疼痛强度。关于槲寄生提取物的数据结果不一，且证据质量不足以得出明确结论。结论：在整合肿瘤学框架下，部分非常规治疗在改善胰腺癌患者总生存期与生活质量方面显示出潜在价值。未来需开展更高质量研究，以提供坚实、严谨且符合伦理的证据支持其纳入临床指南，从而推动癌症治疗向整体化模式发展。
Unconventional Treatments for Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家