J Mol Histol. 2026 May 20;57(3):170. doi: 10.1007/s10735-026-10822-2.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Fufang Zaofan Pills in individuals diagnosed with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and to assess associated changes in peripheral blood dendritic cell (DC) levels. A cohort of 60 individuals with newly diagnosed lower-risk MDS were enrolled at the Department of Hematology, Jiading Central Hospital, affiliated with Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences between February 2022 and July 2023. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: an integrated Chinese-Western medicine group (n = 40) and a Western medicine group (n = 20). Both groups received standard Western medical therapy as per clinical guidelines, while the integrated group received additional oral administration of Fufang Zaofan Pills. Following the treatment course, clinical outcomes were compared between groups, including Western medicine efficacy, changes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, and peripheral blood DC levels before and after treatment. At baseline, lower-risk MDS patients exhibited significantly elevated levels of DC and mDC compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05). The objective response rate (ORR) in the integrated Chinese-Western medicine group was 47.5%, which was significantly higher than the 20% observed in the Western medicine group (p < 0.05). The total effective rate for TCM syndrome scores was also significantly greater in the integrated group (80% vs. 60%, p < 0.05). Post-treatment analysis indicated significant changes in DC percentage, absolute count, and mDC-related indices in the integrated group compared to baseline values (p < 0.05), with intergroup comparisons demonstrating statistically significant differences in favor of the integrated therapy (p < 0.05). The addition of Fufang Zaofan Pills to standard treatment appears to enhance clinical efficacy in lower-risk MDS and is associated with modulation of peripheral blood DC levels. These preliminary findings contribute evidence supporting further investigation into the integration of TCM and Western medical approaches in the management of lower-risk MDS, particularly regarding their immunomodulatory potential.
PMID:42156596 | DOI:10.1007/s10735-026-10822-2
