Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 21 to 89

Yunzhi Essence to Improve Quality of Life in Advanced Cancer

Official title: Yunzhi Essence to Improve the Quality of Life of Patients With Advanced Stage of Cancer: A Randomized, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Trial

Run by Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT05754801 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A 6‑month, randomized, placebo‑controlled test to see if Yunzhi Essence improves quality of life for people with advanced cancer receiving palliative care.

More Palliative Care trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages21 Years to 89 Years
SexAll
Enrollment172 (estimated)
SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hong Kong)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 5, 2024
Main results expectedMarch 31, 2027
Study endsSeptember 30, 2027
Registry record updatedJuly 30, 2026
Trial IDNCT05754801 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults with advanced cancer eligible for palliative care, with adequate cognitive function and no known allergy to traditional Chinese medicines.

Probably not a fit

Patients with very limited life expectancy or inability to take oral treatments may not experience benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This phase 2 trial tests a traditional Chinese medicine product, Yunzhi Essence, versus placebo in adults with advanced cancer. Participants are randomly assigned in a double‑blind manner for six months to assess impact on quality of life and tolerability. The study uses standardized eligibility criteria including palliative prognostic assessment and cognitive screening, and follows conventional safety monitoring protocols. The product is derived from Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) with an aim to bolster well‑being during palliative care.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience improved comfort and overall quality of life during advanced cancer care.

How similar studies have gone: Other randomized trials in supportive cancer care have shown potential quality‑of‑life benefits from traditional herbal products, but this specific approach is relatively novel in rigorous placebo‑controlled testing.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with advanced cancer according to the definition from American Cancer Society;
* According to the experience of the doctor, by using Palliative Prognostic Index (score\>4), integrated with past cases and professional knowledge judged to have life expectancy not less than six months to two years;
* Abbreviated mental test (AMT) score of 6 or above;
* Voluntarily participate in this clinical trial and sign the informed consent form (acceptance of close relatives signed informed consent on behalf of the patient);
* Refer to the national standard for Clinic terminology of traditional Chinese medical diagnosis and treatment-Part 2:Syndromes/patterns, syndrome of "damp heat spleen" and "spleen deficiency with water stop" (Fulfill 2 of the main symptoms and 2 of the secondary symptoms).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a history of allergy to traditional Chinese medicine or Yunzhi;
* Patients who required nasal feeding or difficulty swallowing;
* Patients with comatose/semi-conscious, cognitively impaired with dementia/confusion, physically too ill with extremely poor general condition, or there was a language barrier.

Where it's running

  • School of Chinese Medicine
    Hong Kong, Hong Kong
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Zhixiu Lin — Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine
  • Study coordinator: Cho Wing Lo
  • Email: louislo@cuhk.edu.hk
  • Phone: 35053476

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.