[Research advances in the mechanism of acupuncture in regulating tumor immunosuppression]

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2020 Sep 25;45(9):767-70. doi: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.190955.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

As a characteristic therapy in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture has shown potential advantages in anti-tumor therapy, and one of the therapeutic effects of acupuncture is to improve the immunosuppressive conditions in patients with tumor. Based on the immunoregulatory effect of acupuncture, this article summarized the mechanism of acupuncture in regulating tumor immune status from the following aspects: stimulating the activation of natural killer cells, increasing the number of CD8+ T cells, and adjusting the balance between T helper 1 cells and T helper 2 cells and between regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells. With reference to existing evidence, we believe that acupuncture can regulate the body's immunosuppressive conditions through a variety of targets, but further clinical and basic studies are needed to clarify its regulatory effect on tumor immune microenvironment and related mechanism of action.

针灸作为中医特色疗法,在抗肿瘤治疗中已显示出潜在优势。其中,针灸的治疗作用之一体现在改善肿瘤患者免疫抑制状态。本文基于针灸免疫调节作用,从刺激自然杀伤细胞(NK)的活化、增加CD8+T细胞数量、调节辅助性T细胞1(Th1)与辅助性T细胞2(Th2)、调节性T细胞(Treg)与辅助性T细胞17(Th17)的平衡等方面总结针灸调节肿瘤免疫状态的效应机制。现有证据表明针灸能够通过多种靶点调节机体免疫抑制状态,但对肿瘤免疫微环境的调节作用及机制,亟需临床和基础研究进一步阐明。.

Keywords: Acupuncture-moxibustion; Mechanism; Natural killer cell; T cell; Tumor immunity.

MeSH terms

  • Acupuncture Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural
  • Medicine, Chinese Traditional