Global Research Trends in Acupuncture for Cancer

Global Research Trends in Acupuncture for Cancer

Recent bibliometric analyses have mapped out the evolution of acupuncture research in oncology over the past two decades. One such study analyzed 2,117 documents from the Web of Science Core Collection spanning 2004 to 2024. The results indicate that the publication output in the area has passed through three distinct phases:

1. 2004–2008: Early research focused on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), with only a modest number of publications centered on symptom relief such as nausea, vomiting, and pain.
2. 2009–2017: As interest grew, the application of acupuncture expanded to address issues such as cancer-related fatigue, hot flashes, and menopausal symptoms—especially for breast cancer patients whose quality of life can be significantly compromised during treatment.
3. 2018–2024: Recent studies have increasingly concentrated on acupuncture’s role in managing cancer pain, inflammation, insomnia, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Keywords such as “sleep,” “radiation induced xerostomia,” “recovery,” and “induced peripheral neuropathy” have emerged as new research hotspots.

Moreover, the bibliometric analysis revealed that breast cancer is the most common cancer type studied in the context of acupuncture. Researchers from China and the United States have contributed the highest volumes of publications. For instance, China has produced over 800 publications while the United States follows closely with nearly 600 articles. Collaborative networks illustrate that Chinese institutions actively partner with research centers in the United States, Australia, South Korea, and Europe. These findings signal both the growing global interest and the geographic concentration of expertise in using acupuncture as an adjunct in cancer care.

Top Institutions and Journals

An analysis of institutional output highlights several prominent centers contributing to this field. For example, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, with a high H-index value, stands out not only for its research output but also for its citation impact. The table below summarizes the top 10 institutions according to a recent bibliometric study:

Similarly, journals such as Integrative Cancer Therapies and Supportive Care in Cancer have published a high volume of articles and are leading sources within this discipline. Their high H-index values and citation counts further reinforce the role of these specialized journals in disseminating novel findings on acupuncture in oncology.

Complementary Approaches in Cancer Symptom Management

Acupuncture’s clinical effectiveness lies in its ability to modulate various biological pathways without the toxic side effects commonly associated with conventional treatments. In cancer care, it is primarily employed to relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Moreover, acupuncture has been investigated for its potential to alleviate chemotherapy-induced side effects as well as radiotherapy complications including xerostomia (dry mouth).

Several mechanistic studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can:

• Activate peripheral nerves that transmit sensory information to the brain, thereby modulating the autonomic nervous system.
• Enhance immune responses through the upregulation of cytokines such as interleukin-2, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α.
• Improve local blood circulation and promote the repair of damaged tissues.

By addressing these pathways, acupuncture not only improves immediate symptom control but may also contribute to the overall enhancement of patients’ quality of life—a particularly important objective in integrative oncology.

Advances in Precision Oncology: Molecular Therapies and Radiotherapy

While acupuncture is gaining ground as a supportive therapy, advances in precision oncology continue to reshape cancer treatment. For example, targeted therapies such as RET inhibitors have provided new hope for certain malignancies. However, mechanisms of resistance to RET-directed therapies remain a major challenge. In a comprehensive review, researchers discussed both on-target mechanisms—such as mutations in the RET kinase domain at the solvent front (e.g., G810S/C/R) and hinge region (e.g., Y806C, especially in cis with V804M)—and off-target bypass mechanisms (including amplifications or activating mutations in KRAS, MET, or FGFR1) that contribute to treatment failure. Such molecular resistance underscores the need for next-generation inhibitors and combination strategies to prolong therapeutic effectiveness (Clifton-Bligh, 2025).

Parallel advances in radiotherapy have seen the development of innovative techniques such as noncoplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Recent studies have compared conventional coplanar VMAT with noncoplanar techniques that employ dynamic swing arc (DSA) planning. For instance, a recent dosimetric study demonstrated that DSA plans using a novel O-ring gantry (OXRAY) were able to significantly reduce radiation doses to organs at risk—such as the parotid glands and oral cavity—while maintaining target coverage in head and neck cancer patients. Although DSA plans may slightly prolong treatment delivery times, the potential benefits in minimizing side effects like xerostomia are crucial for improving post-treatment quality of life (Dosimetric Comparison of Noncoplanar VMAT…, 2024).

Socio-Demographic Disparities in Cancer Burden

Beyond treatment innovations, research has also revealed important socio-demographic disparities in cancer incidence and outcomes. A recent study evaluating global trends in lip and oral cavity neoplasms from 1990 to 2021 reported significant differences between countries grouped by their Socio-Demographic Index (SDI). According to this analysis, while countries with high SDI tend to report higher incidence rates—possibly due to better detection and screening—mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are higher in low and middle SDI regions. This disparity underscores the need for enhanced public health strategies to improve early diagnosis, access to care, and treatment quality in resource-limited settings (Ghanem et al., 2025).

The study used extensive global datasets to compare age-standardized incidence, mortality, and DALYs across five SDI categories. The analysis revealed that incidence gradually increases with socio-demographic development; however, effective screening and treatment in high SDI areas result in lower mortality rates. The following simplified table summarizes key findings:

These findings illustrate the complex interplay between socio-economic factors, healthcare infrastructure, and cancer outcomes.

Rare Cancers and Diagnostic Challenges

In addition to conventional cancers, rare and aggressive malignancies pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Pulmonary Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma is one such rare tumor characterized by rearrangements of the NUTM1 gene. Patients with pulmonary NUT carcinoma typically present with centrally located lung masses, mediastinal invasion, and rapid progression, resulting in an overall poor prognosis. Diagnosis requires a combination of histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemistry (IHC) using NUT-specific monoclonal antibodies, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and molecular techniques such as RNA sequencing to detect fusion partners like BRD3-NUTM1 (Qu et al., 2025).

Another diagnostic challenge in oncology involves determining the origin of metastatic lesions. For example, the evaluation of breast-specific markers in metastatic breast cancer is crucial when differential diagnosis is complicated by subtype changes over time. Traditional markers such as GATA3, mammaglobin (MMG), and newer markers like TRPS1 and SOX10 have been investigated in metastatic samples. Findings indicate that GATA3 is highly sensitive in hormone receptor–positive metastases, whereas TRPS1 and SOX10 are advantageous in triple-negative cases. Such approaches help refine diagnosis and tailor treatment strategies even when the biological subtype appears to change during disease progression.

Future Directions in Acupuncture Research for Cancer

The bibliometric analysis of acupuncture in oncology has identified several research hotspots that are expected to shape the future of this field:

• Sleep and Insomnia: Given the high prevalence of sleep disturbances among cancer patients, emerging research is focusing on how acupuncture can improve sleep quality and alleviate insomnia.
• Radiation-Induced Xerostomia: As a common and debilitating side effect of head and neck cancer radiotherapy, developing acupuncture protocols to reduce xerostomia remains a priority.
• Recovery Post-Treatment: Acupuncture is increasingly being studied for its potential role in enhancing recovery after surgery or chemotherapy, including its effects on gastrointestinal function.
• Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: With no highly effective pharmacological interventions available for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, acupuncture’s neuroprotective and pain-relieving properties are garnering attention.

These trends suggest that future clinical studies will likely adopt rigorous methodologies—such as randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews—to establish evidence-based protocols. Researchers are also expected to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s effects, thereby integrating traditional practices with modern biomedical insights.

Conclusion

Acupuncture for cancer is a rapidly evolving field that lies at the intersection of traditional practices and modern clinical science. Bibliometric analyses indicate a steady increase in research output over the past 20 years, with emerging hotspots in symptom management, particularly for breast cancer. Complementary to advancements in precision oncology and radiotherapy, acupuncture provides a non-toxic option for improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Meanwhile, global research highlights critical issues such as socio-demographic disparities and the persistent challenges posed by rare malignancies like pulmonary NUT carcinoma. Collaborative efforts across institutions and disciplines will be essential in translating these findings into optimized integrative treatments for cancer care.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What role does acupuncture play in cancer care?
Acupuncture is primarily used as a supportive therapy to alleviate cancer-related symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and even radiotherapy-induced xerostomiIt can help improve patients’ quality of life during and following conventional cancer treatments.

Which research trends are emerging in the field of acupuncture for cancer?
Current research hotspots include the management of sleep disorders and insomnia, the alleviation of radiation-induced xerostomia, improved recovery post-surgery or chemotherapy, and the treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. These trends are derived from bibliometric analyses of publications over the past two decades.

How do socio-demographic factors influence cancer outcomes related to acupuncture research?
Studies have shown that while incidence rates may be higher in high socio-demographic index (SDI) countries due to better screening, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are often higher in low and middle SDI regions because of limited access to advanced treatments and early diagnosis. This disparity underlines the importance of integrative approaches, such as acupuncture, to improve symptom management where resources are scarce.

What are the future directions for acupuncture in oncology?
Future research will likely focus on refining acupuncture techniques for managing specific side effects, such as sleep disturbances, xerostomia, and peripheral neuropathy. High-quality clinical trials and mechanistic studies are expected to validate acupuncture’s efficacy, leading to its broader integration in personalized cancer care.

References

1. Clifton-Bligh, R. J. (2025). Mechanisms of resistance to RET-directed therapies. Endocrine-Related Cancer. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11798414/

2. Ghanem, A. S., Tóth, Á., & Nagy, A. C. (2025). Socio-demographic disparities in global trends of lip and oral cavity neoplasms from 1990 to 2021. Scientific Reports. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88684-z

3. Dosimetric Comparison of Noncoplanar VMAT Without Rotating the Patient Couch Versus Conventional Coplanar/Noncoplanar VMAT for Head and Neck Cancer: First Report of Dynamic Swing Arc. (2024). Advances in Radiation Oncology. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adro.2024.101706

4. Qu, J., Chen, Z., Zhu, Y., Huang, J., Shen, Q. (2025). Pulmonary Nuclear protein in Testis (NUT) carcinoma: clinical, molecular characteristics, and treatment strategies. BMC Cancer. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-13593-3

5. Evaluation of breast‐specific marker expression in metastatic breast cancers: Correlation with subtype switch. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11791740/

6. Ji, Z., Niu, H., He, A., Li, K., Jia, J., & Zhang, M. (2025). Research Hotspots and Trends in Acupuncture for Cancer: A bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2024. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.2147/JMDH.S494138