A randomized, controlled trial of Panax quinquefolius extract (CVT-E002) to reduce respiratory infection in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

J Support Oncol. 2012 Sep-Oct;10(5):195-201. doi: 10.1016/j.suponc.2011.10.005. Epub 2012 Jan 23.

Abstract

Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients are at high risk for acute respiratory illness (ARI).

Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of a proprietary extract of Panax quinquefolius, CVT-E002, in reducing ARI.

Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of 293 subjects with early-stage, untreated CLL conducted January-March 2009.

Results: ARI was common, occurring on about 10% of days during the study period. There were no significant differences of the 2 a priori primary end points: ARI days (8.5 ± 17.2 for CVT-E002 vs 6.8 ± 13.3 for placebo) and severe ARI days (2.9 ± 9.5 for CVT-E002 vs 2.6 ± 9.8 for placebo). However, 51% of CVT-E002 vs 56% of placebo recipients experienced at least 1 ARI (difference, -5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -16% to 7%); more intense ARI occurred in 32% of CVT-E002 vs 39% of placebo recipients (difference, -7%; 95% CI, -18% to 4%), and symptom-specific evaluation showed reduced moderate to severe sore throat (P = .004) and a lower rate of grade ≥3 toxicities (P = .02) in CVT-E002 recipients. Greater seroconversion (4-fold increases in antibody titer) vs 9 common viral pathogens was documented in CVT-E002 recipients (16% vs 7%, P = .04).

Limitations: Serologic evaluation of antibody titers was not tied to a specific illness, but covered the entire study period.

Conclusion: CVT-E002 was well tolerated. It did not reduce the number of ARI days or antibiotic use; however, there was a trend toward reduced rates of moderate to severe ARI and significantly less sore throat, suggesting that the increased rate of seroconversion most likely reflects CVT-E002-enhanced antibody responses.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panax*
  • Plant Extracts / adverse effects
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • COLD-fX
  • Plant Extracts