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Cancer Care
Clinical Evidence and Scientific Mechanism
Life expectancy and quality of life
The right figure shows data of Taiwan, which indicates patients who take traditional Chinese medicine for more than 180 days a year will survive at least four times longer than those who do not take traditional Chinese medicine (or conventional medicine only). This is a study which observed for more than 14 year, a very convincing report.
Other reposts showed that acupuncture and/or Chinese herbs can also improve the quality of life in cancer patients, which includes better digestion, better energy, less stressful, less pain, et al.
Symptoms
In America, Acupuncture is commonly used clinically to
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manage cancer-related symptoms
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treat side effects induced by anticancer therapies
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boost blood cell count
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enhance lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell activity.
In cancer treatment, its primary use is symptom management; commonly treated symptoms are
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cancer pain
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chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (N/V)
and other symptoms that affect a patient’s quality of life, including
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weight loss
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anxiety
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depression
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cough
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coughing up blood
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speech problems
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insomnia
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poor appetite
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fatigue
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xerostomia
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hot flashes
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chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
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gastrointestinal symptoms (constipation and diarrhea
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postoperative ileus
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chemotherapy-related cognitive problems
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hiccups
It is noteworthy that almost all reported clinical studies on the effects of acupuncture on cancer or cancer therapy–related symptoms focus on symptom management rather than the disease itself. Investigations into the effects of acupuncture on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, many of which were randomized and well-controlled, produced the most convincing findings. A number of randomized controlled trials have reported on the effect of acupuncture in alleviating other cancer treatment-associated side effects, with many showing promising evidence supporting the use of acupuncture. Additional phase III clinical trials are ongoing.
Tumor size (Mechanism Research)
A team of Chinese scientists adapted the traditional technique to create a form of “electro-chemotherapy” (similar to electrical acupuncture) to treat laboratory mice with brain tumors, shrinking them to less than 1 percent (see the red rectangle below) of their initial size.
Figure 1. (A) Schematic illustration of C6 tumor xenograft establishment, blank and H2-ECT procedures, and therapeutic outcome (n = 3). (B) Typical photographs of the tumor-bearing mice and tumor lumps, and their control groups, before and after 15 days of first treatment in different conditions (10 min twice a day for first 3 days). Red circle indicates the eliminated tumor in this case. Scale bar: 1.5 cm. (C) The body weights of C6 tumor-bearing nude mice with different groups, recorded every day. (D–F) Tumor weight and tumor volume dissected and relative tumor volume after 15 days of first treatment in different conditions (10 min twice a day for first 3 days, n = 3).
All the data are represented as mean ± SEM. n denotes the number of mice. n = 3, P<0.05 and P<0.005 representing statistical significance, which is evaluated by Student’s two-sided t-test with GraphPad Prism software compared to the control group.
Another group of investigators found that acupuncture and/or cyclophosphamide (CTX) both reduced the size of the solid tumors of breast cancer. When used in conjunction, the tumor size reduction was even more obvious. The mechanisms are associated with inhibition of angiogenesis.
Acupuncture treatment was also be observed to delay tumor growth and changes of intestinal bacteria in osteosarcoma tumor-burdened mice.
β-endorphin is one of key components related to acupuncture treatment. The cancer-preventive effect of β-endorphin is mediated through the suppression of sympathetic neuronal function, which results in increased peripheral natural killer cell and macrophage activities, elevated levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, and reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines. β-endorphin inhibition of tumor progression also involves alteration in the tumor microenvironment, possibly because of suppression of catecholamine and inflammatory cytokine production, which are known to alter DNA repair, cell-matrix attachments, angiogenic process, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Thus, β-endorphin cell therapy may offer some therapeutic value in cancer prevention.
In a tumor microenvironment, these hormonal and cytokine changes downregulate inflammation-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and, thereby, suppress cancer progression. Collectively, these effects create an unfavorable environment for tumor initiation, growth, and progression.
Representative references:
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Qi G, et al. A green, efficient and precise hydrogen therapy of cancer based on in vivo electrochemistry. National Science Review, 2020;7(3): 660–670.
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National Cancer Institutes. Acupuncture (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/acupuncture-pdq
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Tian Y et al. Acupuncture enhances anticancer effects of cyclophosphamide on 4T1 tumors via suppression of angiogenesis in BALB/c mice. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences. 2017;4(2):216-221.
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Sarkar DK et al. Regulation of cancer progression by β-endorphin neuron. Cancer Res. 2012;72(4):836-40.
General Clinical Outcome in Our Clinic
Generally, prolonging life expectancy, improving quality of life are the common benefits. Shrinking tumor size or even complete remission is observed in some cases of late stages of cancer.
We have helped many terminal cancer patients, some of them were referred to hospice therapy. Some conditions in terminal cancer patients include but not limit to: metastasis, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, ascites, pericardial tamponade, heart failure, lung failure, renal dysfunction.
Evidence based Medicine
We will show you more clinical evidences, both in literature and practice in our clinic, at your visit in-person.
The National Cancer Institutes (NCI) generated The Physician Data Query (PDQ®) database, which contains summaries on a wide range of cancer topics, information about cancer-related drugs and drug combinations, cancer-related dictionaries and drug terms, genetics term, and provides a directory of genetics services providers. PDQ is used by the general public and health professionals seeking cancer-related information. For the health professional version of PDQ regarding acupuncture, provides an overview of the use of acupuncture as a treatment for individuals with cancer or cancer-related disorders, please copy and paste this link: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/acupuncture-pdq ; for the patient version, please click this link: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/patient/acupuncture-pdq.
For good long term clinical outcome, we strongly recommend receiving treatment regularly, to have sufficient duration and dosage.
Figure 2. β-Endorphin neuronal cells in the hypothalamus control the neoplastic growth and progression of tumor cells, likely by modulating one or more of the factors indicated. Effects include the activation of parasympathetic nervous system control of lymphoid organs, causing activation of innate immune cells (macrophages and NK cells) and an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in the circulation. The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland (HPA) axis and subsequent stress hormones released from the adrenal gland and sympathetic nerve terminals (glucocorticoids and catecholamines) may also be suppressed.
