A Prospective and Randomized Control Study on Effects of Thymalfasin for Injection on Perioperative Immune Function and Long-term Prognosis of Patients with Colorectal Cancer

ABSTRACTThe objective of this study is to explore the effects of thymalfasin for injection on perioperative immune function and long-term prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). In total, 400 patients who entered the groups from February 2019 to January 2021 and underwent radical resection of CRC in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were the study subjects. They were separated into experimental group (0–199, XELOX chemotherapy and thymalfasin for injection) and control group (200–400, XELOX chemotherapy) by random number table, and the experimental group was randomly divided into conventional-dose group (n = 100, 1.6 mg of thymalfasin for injection, twice a week) and high-dose group (n = 100, 1.6 mg of thymalfasin for injection, thrice a week) according to a ratio of 1:1, to analyze the effects of different treatment schemes on perioperative immune function and long-term prognosis of CRC patients. Compared with control group, the conventional-dose group and high-dose group had notably lower incidences of perioperative infection (P < 0.05), with no significant difference in both groups (P > 0.05). The experimental group had significantly lower overall incidence of early and late postoperative complications, local recurrence rate and the incidence of distant metastasis, and higher perioperative immune function indexes and median disease free survival (DFS) (P < 0.05). The conventional-dose and high-dose thymalfasin for injection effectively improves the perioperative immune function of CRC patients and reduces the incidence of postoperative complications, as an effective treatment for such patients, which can benefit patients.KEYWORDS: Thymalfasin for injectioncolorectal cancerperioperative immune functionlong-term prognosis Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Data availability statementData to support the findings of this study is available on reasonable request from the corresponding author.Additional informationFundingThis research was funded by Beijing Cihua Medical Development Foundation, grant number CH-2020-KY-004.Notes on contributorsWenbo NiuWenbo Niu, Surgery II, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, M.D.,Engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors for 17 years, particularly skilled in minimally invasive treatment of colorectal tumors. Research direction: Diagnosis and treatment of colorectal tumors.Zhiying LiZhiying Li, Elderly Cadre Ward of 980 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People's Liberation Army of China, Master of medicine, Proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of elderly diseases, with rich clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of elderly diseases. Research direction: Diagnosis and treatment of elderly diseases.Zhihan LiZhihan Li, Surgery II, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Master of medicine, Proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors, with a focus on clinical and basic research of colorectal tumors. Research direction: Fundamentals and clinical aspects of colorectal tumors.Xuhua HuXuhua Hu, Surgery II, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Master of medicine, Mainly engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors, skilled in clinical and basic research of colorectal tumors. Research direction: Fundamentals and clinical aspects of colorectal tumors.Xiaoran WangXiaoran Wang, Surgery II, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Studying for a PhD, Mainly engaged in clinical work on gastrointestinal tumors, with a focus on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of colorectal tumors. Research direction: Clinical, Immunological, and Fundamentals of Colorectal Tumors.Yuanyi DingYuanyi Ding, Surgery II, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Studying for a PhD, Have extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors and colorectal tumors. Research direction: Clinical diagnosis and treatment of colorectal tumors.Chenhui LiChenhui Li, Surgery II, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Master of medicine, Proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors, with a focus on clinical and basic research of colorectal tumors. Research direction: Fundamentals and clinical aspects of colorectal tumors.Bin YuBin Yu, Surgery II, Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Master of medicine, Engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumors for 30 years, with rich clinical experience in the treatment of colorectal tumors. Research direction: Diagnosis and treatment of colorectal tumors.