Effectiveness of <italic>Sasim-tang-gagam</italic> for Treating Cancer Treatment-induced stomatitis: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis

Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of <i>Sasim-tang-gagam</i> (modified Xie-xin decoction) in managing cancer treatment-induced stomatitis through a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing <i>Sasim-tang-gagam</i> for stomatitis caused by cancer treatment were identified from 12 databases up to December 22, 2024. No restrictions were applied regarding cancer type, cancer treatment type, comparators, or outcome measures.Results: Eleven RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Six RCTs reported a 22% reduction in stomatitis incidence (RR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.62-0.98, p=0.03), with greater reductions observed when <i>Sasim-tang-gagam</i> was administered for ≥2 weeks. Three RCTs demonstrated a 24% higher treatment efficacy (RR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.13-1.37, p<0.0001). Symptom scores also decreased significantly (SMD=-2.08, 95% CI: -2.90 to -1.26, p<0.00001).Conclusion: <i>Sasim-tang-gagam</i> shows potential effectiveness and safety for managing cancer treatment-induced stomatitis. However, confirmation through large-scale, high-quality RCTs is needed.