Zusanli (ST36) Electroacupuncture Treatment for Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
This is not medical advice. AI-assisted translation — inaccuracies may occur. Always verify the original and consult your oncologist before taking any steps.
About the trial
This study aims to investigate the potential synergistic effects of acupuncture combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy. Over the past decade, significant progress in cancer immunotherapy has been driven by breakthroughs in understanding immune checkpoint molecules; however, monotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors still faces challenges due to low response rates. As a traditional Chinese medical intervention, acupuncture modulates neuro-immune pathways to achieve remote regulation of organ functions, with particular anti-tumor potential observed at the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint-a site located 2 cm below the knee that can be stimulated via electroacupuncture (EA) to improve gastrointestinal function and alleviate inflammation. Preclinical evidence demonstrates that EA suppresses tumor growth in breast cancer models, reduces levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and TNF-α, enhances anti-tumor activity of CD8+ T cells and NK cells, and decreases accumulation of immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Animal studies show that ST36 EA increases key immunomodulatory factors like serum IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-17, thereby potentiating the efficacy of anti-tumor drugs. Guided by the traditional TCM principle of "reinforcing healthy qi to consolidate the body's resistance," modern clinical applications of EA combined with specific acupoint regimens (e.g., ST36, Sanyinjiao) have effectively alleviated cancer-related pain, chemotherapy-induced side effects, and fatigue. This study will evaluate the safety and immunosensitization effects of ST36 EA combined with PD-1 inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer patients, employing 1 mA electroacupuncture for 3 consecutive days to activate immune responses. By leveraging acupuncture-induced immune remodeling, this approach aims to provide a novel integrative medicine strategy to overcome resistance to immunotherapy.
Original English text from ClinicalTrials.gov
Who can (and can't) join
✓ Qualifies
- •Wiek od 18 do 80 lat
- •Potwierdzony nowotwór płuca (rak płuca niesiarkomorowy) leczony immunoterapią
- •Chemioterapia plus immunoterapia jako standardowe leczenie przedoperacyjne
- •Ogólny stan zdrowia pozwalający na leczenie (ECOG 0-2)
- •Spodziewana długość życia ponad 3 miesiące
- •Widoczny guz powyżej 10 mm na badaniu CT
- •Prawidłowa praca nerek, wątroby i serca potwierdzona badaniami krwi
- •Zgoda pacjenta i rodziny na udział w badaniu
✗ Disqualifies
- •Ciąża
- •Przeszczep narządu
- •Niekontrolowana cukrzyca lub poważne zaburzenia serca, mózgu lub psychiki
- •Poważne niedożywienie
- •Rozrusznik serca
- •Zaburzenia krwawienia
- •Historia ciężkich alergii lub anafilaksji
- •Infekcje skóry w miejscach gdzie będzie akupunktura
Simplified criteria — AI translation
Trial details
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
- Maximum age
- 80 Years
- Last updated (source)
- September 2, 2026
- Sex
- No restrictions
Therapies / drugs in trial
Locations (1)
West China Hospital
Chengdu, China
Trial contact
Contact information from ClinicalTrials.gov. Contact in English.
Share this trial
Data from ClinicalTrials.gov. AI-assisted translation, last sync: 9/3/2026.
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