Ninjin’yoeito Reduces Chemoradiotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression for Head and Neck Cancer

Supportive care is essential during chemotherapy for head and neck cancer, yet the role of traditional Japanese medicine (kampo) remains unclear; therefore, we investigated whether Ninjin’yoeito (NYT) could reduce adverse events during cisplatin-based chemotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed 47 patients treated between June 2022 and June 2024, dividing them into an NYT group and a control group. Hematological toxicities, including decreases in white blood cells, neutrophils, hemoglobin, and platelets, as well as gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, were evaluated. Compared with controls, patients receiving NYT showed significantly lower incidences of decreased white blood cell counts (p = 0.04), decreased hemoglobin levels (p = 0.03), and gastrointestinal disorders (p = 0.04). Trends toward reduced neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were also observed, although these did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggest that NYT may help mitigate hematological and gastrointestinal toxicities associated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. However, given the retrospective design and limited sample size, prospective studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of NYT in this setting.