Can Acupuncture Control Cancer Cell Growth?
On
December 2, 2013, University of Minnesota professor Dr. Alvin J. Beitz
presented his newly published research “The effect of electroacupuncture on
osteosarcoma tumor growth and metastasis: analysis of different treatment
regimens” to the students and faculty of American Academy of Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine in Roseville. Dr. Beitz also presented some basic
neuroscience on acupuncture and acupuncture analgesia.
Osteosarcoma
is the most common malignant bone tumor found in children and adolescents, and
is associated with many cancer-related complications including pain and
metastasis. Cancer patients have found that complementary and alternative
medicine approaches can successfully address cancer pain, fatigue, and the side
effects of chemotherapy. However, little is known about the effect of
acupuncture treatment on cancer itself, in terms of tumor growth and
metastasis.
Dr.
Alvin Beitz is the Department Chair of the University
of Minnesota’s Veterinary and Biomedical Science and
professor of anatomy and neuroscience. Recently, his laboratory conducted a
study which evaluated the effects of six different electroacupuncture
(EA) regimens on osteosarcoma tumor growth and metastasis in both male and
female mice. The most significant positive effects were observed when EA was
applied to the ST-36 acupoint twice weekly (EA-2X/3) beginning at
postimplantation day 3 (PID 3), which produced robust reductions in tumor
growth. Conversely, when EA was applied twice weekly (EA-2X/7), starting at PID
7, there was a significant increase in tumor growth. EA-2X/3 treatment also produced
a marked reduction in pulmonary metastasis, thus providing evidence for EA’s
potential anti-metastatic capabilities. Dr. Beitz’s research interest also
includes mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s anti-inflammatory and
antinociceptive effects.
To read Dr. Beitz's paper, click the following link:
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