World Journal of Acupuncture - Moxibustion · Published 2026-06-01 · DOI 10.1016/j.wjam.2026.06.005
Qin-hong ZHANG, Jin-huan YUE, Dong-hong HUANG, Bo CHEN, Yi-ming LI, Xian-qi ZHAO, Wei-ran CHEN, Hui-Ze YANG, David M. ZHENG, Tian-cheng XU, Guan-hu YANG
Objective: The value of acupuncture for the treatment of cancer-related symptom clusters (CRSCs) is widely recognized. The key features of its therapeutic effect on CRSCs are its holistic regulation and multitarget mode of action. Unlike pharmacological interventions that target a single symptom, acupuncture exerts broad biological effects through the neuroimmune regulatory network, involving the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine release, activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, restoration of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis homeostasis, and modulation of neurotransmitter and immune cell balance. Methods: This review systematically elaborates on the neuroimmune mechanisms underlying acupuncture intervention in CRSCs, focusing on inflammatory signaling, autonomic regulation, and central symptom-processing networks. Through a systematic literature review, we found that acupuncture has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating cancer-related fatigue, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Results: The mechanisms of action include systemic immunomodulation and symptom-specific pathways, such as the inhibition of spinal glial cell activation, regulation of CC motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)/ CC chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2)-mediated macrophage activity, promotion of intraepidermal nerve fiber regeneration, and Neiguan (PC6)-stimulated modulation of vagus–brainstem integration. Conclusion: The neuroimmune mechanisms by which acupuncture regulates CRSCs bridge traditional acupuncture theory and modern neuroimmunology, lay the foundation for individualized treatment strategies, and provide new perspectives for the management of CRSCs.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
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ZHANG, Q., YUE, J., HUANG, D., et al. (2026). Neuroimmune mechanism of acupuncture in regulating cancer-related symptom clusters: A research progress. World Journal of Acupuncture - Moxibustion. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wjam.2026.06.005