Editor’s Note: This is the latest column from the Society for Acupuncture Research (www.acupunctureresearch.org). Visit the SAR online columnist page for access to previous articles.
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, with clinical management complicated by chemotherapy resistance and toxic effects such as bone marrow suppression and immunosuppression. Electroacupuncture (EA) has emerged as a promising adjunct, with evidence supporting its role in modulating immunity and protecting bone marrow function during chemotherapy.
This study evaluated the efficacy and mechanisms by which EA combined with chemotherapy drug cisplatin affects tumor growth, immune cell dynamics and bone marrow health in an NSCLC mouse model.
Study Overview
Researchers established NSCLC in male C57BL6 mice by implanting Lewis lung carcinoma cells. The mice were then assigned to one of four groups: tumor control, cisplatin chemotherapy, cisplatin with EA, or cisplatin plus PAC1 agonist. Cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally at low (3 mg/kg) and high (5 mg/kg) doses, with EA performed at Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) for 15 minutes, three times weekly for two weeks.
Tumor growth, gene expression, immune cell infiltration, cytokine profiles, and bone marrow progenitor differentiation were quantified using gene sequencing, flow cytometry and liquid-phase multiplex assays.
Key Findings
EA combined with low-dose cisplatin significantly reduced tumor volume by 76% versus 45% with cisplatin alone, indicating superior tumor suppression. Gene profiling revealed EA upregulated immune-related genes (including Ccr1, Cxcr5, Zbp1, CamkII), boosting local anti-tumor responses.
EA increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells, dendritic cells, and M1 macrophages, while reducing Th17 and regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Cytokine analysis showed increased IFN-y, IL-2 and local chemokines (CCL4, CCL3, IL-6), which favor anti-tumor immunity.
EA protected bone marrow hematopoiesis against chemotherapy-induced suppression by enhancing the number and functional subsets of progenitor cells, peripheral leukocytes, and lymphocytes.
Notably, PAC1 receptor agonists mimicked the effects of EA, implicating the PACAP-PAC1 pathway as a key mechanism in hematopoietic and immunomodulatory enhancement.
Clinical Relevance for Acupuncture Practitioners
This study suggests EA at Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) is a potent adjunct to cisplatin, enhancing anti-tumor immunity and protecting bone marrow function in NSCLC. The synergistic benefits extend beyond conventional chemotherapy to reduce toxicity, improve immune response and safeguard hematopoiesis. The PACAP-PAC1 pathway may be a promising drug target for further enhancing these effects.
These findings support the value of EA as an adjunct to improve treatment responses and minimize toxicity in cancer care, and emphasize the need for additional research for clinical translation.
Conclusion
EA combined with cisplatin offers robust anti-tumor activity and protects bone marrow from chemotherapy damage by remodeling immune and hematopoietic microenvironments. These findings support EA’s potential as a safe and highly practical adjuvant in the clinical management of NSCLC. Further research should focus on refining protocols, exploring drug synergy, and validating these benefits in diverse patient populations.
Reference
- Wang JQ, Yang YZ, Lu SS, et al. Electroacupuncture combined with cisplatin induces an effective anti-tumor immune response by protecting chemotherapy-impaired bone marrow hematopoiesis in nonsmall-cell lung cancer mice. Acupunct Herb Med, 2025; 52:229-245.
