Nanotech Acupuncture Needles For Cancer Treatment

Researchers in South Korea have demonstrated that acupuncture needles with microscopic holes can reduce tumor size in rats.

AsianScientist (Nov. 8, 2017) – Scientists at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) have used nanotechnology-enhanced acupuncture needles to treat cancer. Their findings have been published in Scientific Reports.

In oriental medicine, treatment using acupuncture needles has been commonly practiced for thousands of years for treating musculoskeletal disorders, pain relief and addiction relief. Recently, acupuncture has emerged as a promising treatment for brain diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, nausea and vomiting, and studies are underway to use acupuncture to treat more severe diseases such as cancer.

In this study, a team of researchers led by Professor In Su-Il of DGIST developed nanoporous needles with microscopic holes on the surface of the needles, ranging from nanometer to micrometers. The needles were created relatively simply using electrochemical nanotechnology. By increasing the surface area of the needle by a factor of ten, the nanoporous needles doubled the electrophysiological signal generated by needle stimulus.

In rats that were chemically induced to develop colorectal cancers, those receiving periodic acupuncture treatment with nanoporous needles had a much lower incidence of abnormal vascular clusters, which are a precursor to colorectal cancer in the initiation stage, than those in the control group.

In addition, the research team found that the expression level of β-catenin, an indicator of maturation of colorectal cancer, was reduced in rats treated with nanoporous needles for prolonged periods of time.

“This research, which combines nanotechnology and oriental medicine technology, is a scientific study that shows the possibility of using acupuncture as a method to treat severe diseases such as cancer,” said In. “I want to develop a new medical market by conducting a follow-up convergence study that identifies the potential benefits and efficacy of acupuncture.”



The article can be found at: Lee et al. (2017) Enhanced Therapeutic Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using Surface-Modified Nanoporous Acupuncture Needles.

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Source: Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology; Photo: Shutterstock.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

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