Acupuncture in remodeling the tumor microenvironment: current status and challenges

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Traditional Chinese Medicine

Background:

• The tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for tumor growth and treatment resistance.
• Acupuncture, an ancient therapy, is emerging as a supportive treatment in oncology.
• Mechanisms linking acupuncture to TME modulation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the anti-tumor mechanisms of acupuncture from the TME perspective.
• To explore acupuncture's potential in cancer supportive care and survivorship.
• To establish an evidence chain connecting acupuncture's clinical benefits to TME modulation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of acupuncture's anti-tumor effects.
• Analysis of acupuncture's impact on malignant cells, immune cells, and tumor vasculature.
• Focus on breast cancer as a model for TME modulation.

Main Results:

• Acupuncture induces malignant cell apoptosis.
• It re-educates innate and adaptive immune cells within the TME.
• Acupuncture normalizes tumor vasculature, inhibiting growth and metastasis.
• Evidence suggests acupuncture synergizes with chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Acupuncture modulates the TME to inhibit tumor progression and enhance cancer treatment.
• Further interdisciplinary trials are needed to validate acupuncture's efficacy and safety in oncology.
• Integrating acupuncture into survivorship care may improve patient outcomes by linking symptom relief to TME modulation.