Randomized Controlled Clinical Study on the Reduction of Tumor Marker Levels in Breast Cancer Patients by Huaier Granules

This study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients in the follow-up phase after breast cancer surgery were screened, excluding those with recurrence or metastasis, while having tumor markers (CEA/CA125/CA153) levels exceeding the upper limit of normal. A total of 232 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. They were followed up for one year, or until intolerable toxicity, withdrawal from the study for any reason, or death, whichever occurred first; or until the investigator determined that no further benefit could be obtained.

During the entire study period, the planned patient recruitment and enrollment duration is approximately 12 months, with a total follow-up duration of 12 months per participant. After enrollment, patients will be followed up every three months until the study concludes, or until the patient withdraws from the study for any reason or passes away.

Inclusion criteria

• 18 ≤ age ≤ 75 years old, regardless of gender.
• Postoperative pathological diagnosis of breast cancer.
• Imaging or pathological examination without evidence of recurrence or metastasis.
• If tumor markers are elevated, it is necessary to go to the corresponding department for medical treatment or issue a corresponding examination when necessary to exclude recurrence, metastasis or the second primary tumor of breast cancer.
• One or more tumor markers in CEA/CA125/CA153 exceed the upper limit of normal values.
• The liver and kidney functions meet the following conditions: AST and ALT< 3 ULN, total bilirubin ≤ 2 ULN, and blood creatinine<1.5 ULN;
• Other laboratory tests meet the following requirements: Hb ≥ 9g/dl, platelet count ≥ 60 × 10^9/L, absolute neutrophil count>1.0 × 10^9/L.
• The patient's ECOG physical state score is 0 or 1.
• The subjects participated in this study voluntarily and signed an informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed as any other malignant tumor within the 5 years prior to enrollment, except for malignant tumors with low risk of metastasis and death (5-year survival rate>90%), such as fully treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or cervical cancer in situ.
• Imaging or pathological confirmation of recurrence and metastasis.
• Serious infections (CTCAE>Level 2) occurred within the first 4 weeks of enrollment, such as severe pneumonia, bacteremia, and infection complications that require hospitalization; Symptoms and signs of infection or the need for oral or intravenous antibiotic treatment within 2 weeks prior to enrollment, excluding the use of prophylactic antibiotics.
• Suffering from severe acute and chronic diseases.
• Suffering from severe diabetes whose blood sugar cannot be effectively controlled.
• Patients who are unable to take oral medication, those who are allergic to the ingredients of Huaier granules, and pregnant or lactating women.
• Drug abusers, or those who suffer from psychological or mental illnesses that may interfere with research compliance.
• The researcher believes that it is not suitable to participate in this study.