ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of IMRT combined with astragalus polysaccharide (ASP) injection on cervicocerebral tumor,radiation side effects and its influence on immune function. Methods 61 head and neck tumor patients were randomly divided into two groups.One groups received the IMRT combined with Astragalus Polysaccharide (ASP) injection (n=30) while the other group only received the IMRT(n=31). The recent effect, immune function and the side effects of radiotherapy between the 2 groups were observed and compared , changes of T-lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cell activity and the dermatitis,oral mucosa reaction,thirsty condition on patients in intraoperative or postoperative period were also observed and compared. Results The total effective rate in experimental group and the control group were 83.0% and 80.6% respectively.The cell viability of peripheral blood lymphocyte and NK cell as well as the T3、T4、NK cell value increased in IMRT-ASP group (P<0.05) after treatment. While T3、T4、NK cell value in peripheral blood decreased (P<0.05). Mucosa,dermatitis and salivary gland damage showed in IMRT-ASP group were significantly better than in control group after 3 weeks treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion ASP can improve immune function effect in head and neck tumor patients during RT, and can also eliminate the side effects of radiotherapy.