HINC dataset from: Homeopathic treatment as an add-on therapy may improve quality of life and prolong survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-arm, multicenter study

Background: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer
(NSCLC) have limited treatment options. Alongside conventional anticancer
treatment, additive homeopathy might help to alleviate side effects of
conventional therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate
whether additive homeopathy might influence quality of life (QoL) and
survival in NSCLC patients. Methods: In this prospective,
randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-arm, multicenter,
phase III study, we evaluated the possible effects of additive homeopathic
treatment compared with placebo in NSCLC stage IV patients with respect to
QoL in the two randomized groups and survival time in all three groups.
Treated patients visited the outpatients’ centers every 9 weeks. 150
Patients with stage IV NSCLC were included in the study. 98 received
either individualized homeopathic remedies (n=51) or placebo (n=47) in a
double-blinded fashion. 52 control patients without any homeopathic
treatment were observed for survival only. The constituents of the
different homeopathic remedies were mainly of plant, mineral or animal
origin. The remedies were manufactured by stepwise dilution and
succussion, thereby preparing stable Good Manufacturing Practice grade
formulations. Results: QoL as well as functional and symptom
scales showed significant improvement in the homeopathy group when
compared with placebo after 9 and 18 weeks of homeopathic treatment
(p<0.001). Median survival time was significantly longer in the
homeopathy group (435 days) vs placebo (257 days; p=0.010) as well as vs
control (228 days; p<0.001). Survival rate in the homeopathy group
differed significantly from placebo (p=0.020) and from control
(p<0.001). Conclusion: QoL improved significantly in the
homeopathy group compared with placebo. In addition, survival was
significantly longer in the homeopathy group versus placebo and control. A
higher QoL might have contributed to the prolonged survival. The study
suggests that homeopathy positively influences not only QoL but also
survival. Further studies including other tumor entities are warranted.