Abstract: Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Shendong Xihuang Decoction against radiation pneumonitis in the elderly patients with thoracic malignancies undergoing radoitherapy and the effects on the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Methods A total of 68 eligible patients were randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group, with 34 cases in each group. The control group was only treated with chest radiotherapy, while the experimental group was treated with chest radiotherapy and oral Shendong Xihuang Decoction. The patients’ general condition, incidence rate and grading-score of radiation pneumonitis were observed. The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β1 before treatment, at the end of radiotherapy and 3 months after radiotherapy in the two groups were detected and compared. Results At the end of radiotherapy, the quality of life in the experimental group was better than that in the control group(P＜0.05). The incidence rate of radiation pneumonitis and the percentage of grade-3 and grade-4 radiation pneumonitis in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (22.22% vs 64.71%, 5.56% vs 29.41%, all P＜0.05). During the period of radiation treatment, the serum levels of IL-6, TGF-β1 and TNF-α increased significantly at the end of radiotherapy in the two groups, especially in the control group(P＜0.05), and decreased significantly 3 months after radiotherapy, especially in the experimental group (P<0.05). Conclusions Shendong Xihuang Decoction could reduce the incidence rate and the grade of radiation pneumonia in the elderly patients with thoracic malignancies. It has favorable effects in improving their quality of life. The potential mechanism may be related with reducing the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1.

Key words: Shendong Xihuang Decoction, radiation pneumonitis, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β1