Fufang E'jiao Syrup's Cancer Fatigue Research Wins 2024 ASCO Excellence Award

The 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), a pivotal event in the global oncology field, took place in Chicago, USA, from May 31 to June 4, 2024. ASCO revealed the prestigious list of outstanding abstracts for the year, awarding 138 "Excellence Awards" and five "Special Excellence Awards." Among these, Professor Xu Yun from Xiyuan Hospital, part of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, received acclaim for her study on Fufang E'jiao Syrup in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue (CRF), securing a "Special Excellence Award" in the category of pain and symptom management. This represents a significant accolade, recognizing the study's high-level evidence-based approach, stringent quality controls, and top-tier research outcomes.

Fufang E'jiao Syrup's clinical research is noteworthy as it is the only Chinese patent medicine to be included among the five "Special Excellence Awards" winners. This marks the first instance of a Chinese patent medicine achieving high-quality, evidence-based validation for treating CRF, showcasing a promising Chinese medicinal solution for global CRF management and potentially enhancing the effectiveness of anti-tumor therapies.

On June 1, at around 6 a.m. Beijing time, Professor Xu Yun's team, including Physician Gu Shanshan and Professor Sun Lingyun, attended the ASCO Annual Meeting to accept the award. Physician Gu Shanshan received the accolade on behalf of the team, with ASCO President Eric P. Winer, MD, and Conquer Cancer Foundation President Howard A. Burris III, MD, extending their congratulations and marking the occasion with photographs.

CRF significantly affects the quality of life and the overall success of anti-tumor treatments in cancer patients. It is a pervasive, distressing condition characterized by persistent physical, emotional, or cognitive exhaustion related to cancer or its treatment. CRF impacts up to 70% of patients with malignant tumors, and its prevalence can reach 80%-90% among those undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The condition greatly reduces daily quality of life, causes substantial distress, and can disrupt anti-tumor therapies, thus affecting overall treatment outcomes. Addressing CRF is increasingly vital in cancer care, as proper diagnosis and management can improve patients' quality of life, extend survival rates, and aid in comprehensive recovery, helping patients reintegrate into their families and society.

Fufang E'jiao Syrup's research gained international recognition at the 20th Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) in 2023, where it was awarded "Best Abstract." This achievement attracted significant interest from global experts and led to in-depth discussions with Professor Xu Yun's team. Building on this success, the research was honored with the "Special Excellence Award" at this year's ASCO Annual Meeting, aligning with the ASCO theme, "The Art and Science of Cancer Care: From Comfort to Cure." Professor Xu Yun expressed her joy in contributing valuable research to improve cancer patients' quality of life.

In 2018, a National Key R&D Program was launched to evaluate the clinical value and mechanisms of ten major Chinese patent medicines and classical formulas for treating major diseases. Within this initiative, Professor Xu Yun led a sub-study on Fufang E'jiao Syrup, supported by Dong-E-E-Jiao Co., Ltd. and 29 hospitals across China. This multi-center, evidence-based medicine study, backed by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, was China's first large-scale trial on CRF treatment with Chinese patent medicine. Conducted from April 2019 to May 2022, the study included 611 CRF patients with advanced cancers. Results showed that Fufang E'jiao Syrup significantly reduced CRF severity and improved patients' quality of life, offering new insights for global oncology experts.

The study's success highlights that Chinese medicine can provide high-quality evidence through well-designed, rigorously controlled large clinical trials. This achievement is expected to influence clinical guidelines and promote the use of Fufang E'jiao Syrup in CRF treatment.

Fufang E'jiao Syrup, derived from the Ming Dynasty's "Liangyi Paste" and described in Zhang Jiebin's "Jingyue Quanshu," is a contemporary compound comprising Ejiao, Rehmannia, Red Ginseng, Codonopsis, and Hawthorn. Modern pharmacological studies have shown its effectiveness in promoting hematopoietic function, improving bone marrow suppression, enhancing immunity, and combating fatigue. Clinically, it treats various types of anemia and other conditions, offering significant therapeutic value.

The international recognition of Fufang E'jiao Syrup underscores the global acceptance of traditional Chinese medicine, validating its effectiveness in treating CRF with high-quality evidence. Dong-E-E-Jiao aims to continue leveraging ancient formulas for modern applications, benefiting more patients worldwide.