The efficacy and safety of Xuebijing injection in the treatment of radiation pneumonitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: At present, the treatment of radiation pneumonitis (RP) is still a clinical problem. Although a variety of drugs such as glucocorticoids and antibiotics are used for RP treatment, side effects remain to be inevitable. Xuebijing injection (XBJ), a Chinese herbal injection, has been widely used in RP treatment, but there is no published systematic review to evaluate its efficacy and safety. METHODS: Based on Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines, we will conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis. Related randomized controlled trials will be searched in 7 databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WANFANG database, SinoMED, and China Science and Technology Journal Database from inception of the library to October 1, 2020. Two researchers will independently carry out literature screening, data extraction, and bias risk assessment. The primary outcome is total effective rate and the secondary outcome is inflammation-related indicators such as C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, etc and adverse events. Cochrane Review Manager (RevMan 5.3) software will be applied to analyze the data and generate forest plot and funnel plot. RESULTS: This study will provide a synthesis of current evidence of XBJ in RP treatment including total effective rate and inflammation-related indicators such as CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, etc. and adverse events (AEs). CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis will objectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of XBJ in the treatment of RP, and provide evidence for the application of XBJ in RP treatment. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY2020120037