Objective To explore the effect of Shenqi Sanjia Decoction combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) on serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein isoplast L3 (AFP-L3), Golgi glycoprotein-73 (GP-73) and phosphatidyl inositol proteosan-3 (GPC-3) as well as Child-Pugh classification in patients with primary liver cancer.

Methods A total of 62 patients with primary liver cancer were selected as research objects, and they were randomly divided into control group (treated with TACE) and observation group (treated with Shenqi Sanjia Decoction and TACE), with 31 cases in each group. Total effective rate, score of tradition Chinses medicine syndrome (chest tightness and shortness of breath, fatigue and weak, pale complexion, and dizziness and vertigo), liver function, Child-Pugh classification, AFP-L3, GP-73, GPC-3, incidence of disease progression (PD) and progression free survival were compared between two groups.

Results The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.55%, which was significantly higher than 74.19% of the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the score of traditional Chinses medicine syndrome, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), AFP-L3, GP-73 and GPC-3 in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the Child-Pugh classification in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of PD in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group, while the progression free survival was significantly longer than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Shenqi Sanjia Decoction combined with TACE can improve liver function and reduce the expression levels of AFP-L3, GP-73 and GPC-3 in patients with primary liver cancer.