Integrative Cancer Therapies最新文献

Background: Cancer pain is a prevalent and persistent issue, and while there have been some observations of the possible benefits of acupuncture in managing cancer pain, there is still debate regarding its safety and effectiveness. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of different acupuncture modalities in the treatment of cancer pain through a network meta-analysis.

Methods: Between the time each database was created and June 3, 2024, eight databases were queried: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and China Biomedicine. Randomized controlled trials investigating the use of various acupuncture and moxibustion techniques in the treatment of cancer pain were identified. Publication bias and quality of randomized controlled trials were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Jadad scale, and network meta-analyses were performed using Stata 15 and R 4.3.2.

Results: We incorporated 111 studies encompassing 9549 individuals diagnosed with cancer, examining 29 distinct therapies. Network meta-analysis showed that, compared to Usual Medicine, Acupuncture + Usual Medicine + Traditional Chinese medicine (MD = -1.83, 95% CI: -2.86 to -0.80) could reduce NRS scores, Acupuncture + Traditional Chinese medicine (OR = 30.86, 95% CI: 3.75-254.20) could improve cancer pain relief, Moxibustion + Usual Medicine (MD = 2.12, 95% CI: 0.43-3.80) could effectively improve KPS score, Acupuncture + Application of Chinese medicine (OR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04-0.66) is associated with a lower incidence of constipation, Electro-Acupuncture + Usual Medicine (OR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03-0.45) shows a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting, Acupuncture + Moxibustion + Usual Medicine (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09-0.90) is associated with a lower incidence of dizziness.

Conclusion: Acupuncture + Traditional Chinese medicine is the best intervention for different acupuncture methods in the treatment of cancer pain, and Moxibustion + Usual Medicine is the best intervention to improve the quality of life of patients.

Background: Over the last decade, the anticancer effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) have been reported in various preclinical or clinical studies. However, the effects of RVS on immuno-oncology, especially on the functional properties of T cells and their phenotypes, remain unclear. Here, we planned to investigate the impact of RVS on immuno-oncology, specifically focusing on its effects on T cells.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from breast cancer patients were isolated to obtain cytokine-induced killer cell populations with >85% CD3+ T cells. The anticancer activity of these T cells was evaluated by introducing red fluorescent protein (RFP) into HLA-A02:01 type-matched breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and MDA-MB-231) and analyzing the results using flow cytometry. The effect of RVS extracts on T cell phenotype was assessed using markers such as CTLA-4 and PD-1, as well as mRNA expression levels of key genes (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2).

Results: RVS treatment significantly enhanced the anticancer activity of T cells against breast cancer cells. Specifically, T cells treated with 100 µg/mL of RVS showed a 20.6% increase in cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells and a 36.2% increase against MDA-MB231 cells compared to the control. Additionally, RVS treatment led to a significant reduction in PD-1 expression on T cells.

Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that RVS treatment enhances T cell function against breast cancer cells by reducing PD-1 expression. These results suggest that components of RVS may serve as potential candidates for restoring exhausted T cells in cancer therapy.

Background: With an increasing number of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients being offered surgical treatment, postoperative rehabilitation is also being increasingly emphasized. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds promise for enhancing postoperative recovery, with treatment methods still in refinement. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Chinese herbal decoction and Liuzijue exercises in NSCLC patients during the rapid postoperative recovery period.

Methods: A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial assigned 50 patients to receive Chinese herbal medicine and Liuzijue exercise plus symptomatic treatment, and 49 to symptomatic treatment alone. Treatment continued until postoperative complications resolved, chest tubes were removed, and no abnormal examination findings were reported. The primary outcome was Quality of Life Questionnare-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) score. Secondary outcomes included MOS item short form 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) score, rate of complications, six-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ) score, numerical rating scale (NRS) score, and functional activity score (FAS).

Results: Significant improvements in role (MD: 12.15, 95%CI: 2.99-21.32, P < .05) and social functioning (MD: 10.25, 95%CI: 1.72-18.78, P < .05) were observed in the intervention group vs. controls, as measured by QLQ-C30. The intervention group showed better post-treatment SF-36 scores in Role-Physical (RP), Social Function (SF), Role-Emotional (RE), and Mental Health Summary (MCS) (P < .05). The complication rate was lower in the intervention (20.00%) than the control group (44.44%) (P < .05). The intervention group also had a significant increase in FAS scores (P < .05) and covered a better 6MWT distance (P < .05).

Conclusion: Chinese herbal decoction and Liuzijue exercises during the rapid recovery period after lung cancer surgery enhanced patients' QoL and physical endurance, and mitigated complications.Trial registration: This tial was registered with chictr.org.cn (Registration number:ChiCTR2100044776).

Objective: A large number of patients with cancer experience distress, but not all of them receive adequate psychological support. The e-psycho-oncological short-term intervention "By your Side" was developed to offer evidence-based and low-threshold support for cancer patients dealing with distress.

Methods: A longitudinal intervention pilot study was conducted from 4 March 2022 to 4 January 2023. N = 91 participants took part in the study. N = 82 completed the first module, while n = 23 successfully completed the whole intervention and were included in the final data analyses. "By your Side" consists of 16 modules based on cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Differences in distress between the baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and follow-up (T2) were analyzed using an ANCOVA and post-hoc t-tests. Secondary outcomes (anxiety, depression, mindfulness, and self-efficacy) were also compared between measuring points, using ANOVAs and post-hoc tests.

Results: A significant reduction (p_adj = 0.014, d = 0.654) in distress from baseline (T0, M = 52.68, SD = 16.34) to follow-up (T2, M = 43.84, SD = 17.59) was observed. There was a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms and a significant increase in mindfulness and self-efficacy. The user's satisfaction (M = 28.00, range 8-32) and the usability (M = 89.57, range 0-100) of the intervention were high.

Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence that the e-psycho-oncological short-term intervention "By your Side" can successfully reduce the distress of cancer patients. The high dropout rate (74.7%) must be taken into account.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Register (https://www.drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00036001), DRKS number: 00036001 (retrospectively registered).

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the early growth response gene 1 (EGR1) in inducing senescence in lung cancer cells by Qidongning Formula (QDF). Methods: Cell-Counting-Kit-8 was used to study the effect of QDF on A549 and NCI-H1975 cells proliferation. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-GAL) staining was used to examine the effect of QDF on cellular senescence. RT-qPCR analyses and Western blot were used to monitor the expression of EGR1 and the senescence-associated proteins p21 and p53. A rescue assay using an EGR1-overexpressing vector to explore whether EGR1 is a key target gene of QDF-induced lung cancer senescence. Bioinformatics analyses were used to identify the regulatory network involved in the process of QDF-induced senescence in lung cancer cells, downstream of EGR1 activation. Results: QDF could inhibit the proliferation of lung cancer cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. SA-β-GAL assay showed that QDF can induce lung cancer cells senescence, an increase in QDF concentration led to a significant increase in the number of cells that stained positive in the SA-β-GAL assay in the group exposed to a higher concentration of QDF. Western blot and RT-qPCR analyses indicated that the expression levels of the p53 and p21 proteins in A549 and H1975 cells increased significantly after QDF intervention. Additionally, EGR1-overexpressing can enhance QDF-induced senescence in lung cancer cells. Bioinformatics analyses revealed the EGR1 target genes implicated in QDF-induced senescence in A549 cells, including 21 senescence-related genes. Conclusion: The present study suggests QDF induces cellular senescence through activation of EGR1 in lung cancer cells and provides an insight for understanding the antitumor mechanisms of this Chinese traditional medicine.