Society for Integrative Oncology

Genotypes May Predict Response to Acupuncture for Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer OBJECTIVE: Because hot flashes are a common symptom experienced by women with breast cancer, we sought to explore genetic predictors associated with response to acupuncture for the treatment of hot flashes. METHODS: Using data from our completed randomized controlled trial (http://ow.ly/uat050C4hP0 identifier: NCT01005108) on hot flashes among breast cancer survivors who provided biomarke...r collection (N = 108), we extracted and assayed DNA for single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes involved in neurotransmission, thermoregulation, and inflammation (ADORA1, COMT, TCL1A, and TRPV1). For our primary outcome we classified individuals with a 50% or more reduction in their hot flash composite score at the end of treatment as responders. We used Fisher exact test to identify individual and combined single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with treatment response. RESULTS: Among women (N = 57) who received acupuncture treatment (electro or sham), we found that women who were carriers of at least one of these six genotypes (ADORA1 rs41264025-GA or rs16851029-GG or rs12744240-GT, COMT rs6269-GA, TCL1A rs2369049-GG, and TRPV1 rs8065080-TT) were more likely to respond to acupuncture for hot flashes than noncarriers (70.3% vs 37.5%, P = 0.035). These six genotypes were not associated with response in women (N = 51) who received pharmacological hot flash treatment (gabapentin or placebo pill; 37.5% vs 37.5%, P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory, proof of concept study, we identified six genotypes that may predict response to acupuncture for hot flashes in breast cancer survivors. If confirmed by future studies, these findings may inform the development of personalized acupuncture for managing hot flashes. http://ow.ly/92q550C4hOZ See more

Practical Integrative Oncology Training SIO Board member, Dr. Eran Ben-Arye, and colleagues provide practical training for manual and movement therapies in palliative and support care for cancer patients. Patient-centered care training included practical quality of life skills and use of nonverbal communication skills. This training supports the delivery of mindful touch, hands-on, manual therapies for improvement in patient quality of life. #massagetherapy #palliativecare #integrativeoncology #QOL #MedTwitter https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32795608/

Supportive Care Use in Lyon, France, Palliative Care Centers PURPOSE: Palliative care for cancer deals with physical, psychosocial, and spiritual issues faced by cancer patients, their families, communities, and healthcare providers. Research on complementary medicine (CM) use in France is limited despite high rates of reported CM use in other countries including by palliative patients. This study describes the use of CM by individuals receiving palliative care in... Lyon, France. DESIGN: This study employed an observational cross-sectional survey design. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: The study was conducted in three palliative care centers in Lyon, France; two tertiary hospitals and one palliative care unit (3 sites). Inpatients and outpatients visiting the palliative care clinic with a primary diagnosis of cancer at each study site were invited to participate. RESULTS: Of 138 eligible patients, 100 completed the survey (RR 72.4%). The majority (90.7%) reported using CM in the previous 6 months or since their primary cancer diagnosis. Participant CM use was either the same (20.7%) or increased since their primary cancer diagnosis (33.7%). Average out-of-pocket expenses associated with CM use in the previous 6 months or since diagnosis were 157.40 (SD 330.15). The most common CM health professional visited was an aromatherapist (72.7%), a Coupeurs de feu (38.6%), osteopath (28.6%) and naturopath (15.3%). The most common CM used were aromatherapy oils (33.7%), homeopathy (30.0%), and vitamins (29.4%). CONCLUSION: This second survey on CM use in France; is the first conducted in palliative care centers. Results show people with cancer in Lyon, France, have a very high prevalence of CM utilization. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-020-05296-1 See more

Mindfulness in Cancer: Time to Move Research Forward In this Japanese randomized controlled study, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for psychological distress was superior to wait list control at 4 week follow up with a significantly improved primary endpoint: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). SIO President-Elect and foundational mindfulness researcher Dr. Linda Carlson adds, Just like many previous studies before it. It is time for mindfulness research to move beyond waitlist controls and compare mindfulness-based interventions with other effective therapies. #PsyOnc #mindfulness #integrativeoncology https://www.jpsmjournal.com//S0885-3924(20)30103-2/abstract

Spiritual Wellness in Cancer In this mixed methods online survey, 86% of participants had strong spiritual/religious beliefs and most had lower overall spiritual well-being versus healthy controls. 23% wanted their health care team to address the topic of religion/spirituality but majority would rather discuss with a family member or friend (48%) suggesting some real cultural barriers in this country for evidence-based spirituality. http://ow.ly/oC8E50C4fnE

SIO President Summarizes Research in ASCO Post SIO President Dr. Ting Bao summarizes her group’s research is the August 28, 2020 ASCO Post. Cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) were randomizes to one of three study arms: acupuncture, sham acupuncture, and duloxetine. CIPN is characterized by burning, prickling, and enhanced sensitivity to pain, and represents a significant side effect of chemotherapy. Results showed acupuncture is more effective than the leading drug, duloxetine, and that real acupuncture is better than sham or usual care. Improvement in symptoms was maintained at 12-week follow up. #acupuncture #CIPN #integrativeoncology @MSK_Integrative @ASCOPost @SIOPresident https://ascopost.com//acupuncture-vs-sham-procedure-and-us

NCI’s 2022 Annual Plan and Budget The National Cancer Institute announces its Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Plan and Budget Proposal, which provides an assessment of the challenges and opportunities before the cancer research community and shares the impact of the NCI-supported research on people’s lives through patient and researcher stories. One area of commitment is Obesity and Cancer, which represents a growing public health concern. From NCI: Here are some other themes and m...essages you’ll see throughout NCI’s plan: Basic research is essential for more progress against all types of cancer. Discoveries in the lab are the essential first step in the translation of new tools & treatments for patients. Understanding the fundamental aspects of cancer can benefit many cancer types. Accomplishments set the stage for what is possible. NCI builds on these as underpinnings for future research focused on answering key questions to make progress. Cancer survivorship and other trends are encouraging, though there is much work to do. Robust and sustained funding will help to continue progress in decreased incidence & mortality. #NCIFuture #cancerresearch #obesity #cancer #healthdisparities https://www.cancer.gov//annual-/scientific-topics/obesity See more

We are excited to announce that Integrative Oncology will be working with American Society of Clinical Oncology to develop and release three evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for integrative therapies in oncology care in 2021 on cancer-related pain management, fatigue in cancer survivors, and care of anxiety and depressive symptoms. #integrativeoncology #cancercare http://ow.ly/k9gu50C4dPj

MSK Integrative Medicine Service, in partnership with the Society for Acupuncture Research, will host a live virtual symposium November 6-7, 2020, entitled, Oncology Acupuncture: From Neuroscience to Patient Wellbeing. Speakers include SIO President, Dr. Ting Bao, Past Presidents Dr. Jun Mao and Dr. Suzanna Zick, and Board members Dr. Claudia Witt and Dr. Sheila Garland. Presenters also include SIO Patient Advocate Committee Co-Chairs, who lend their perspectives to the clinical research process. A special patient advocate registration rate of $25 is being offered. @SIOPresident @MSK_Integrative @SAR_acuresearch @JunMaoMD @smzick @SNGarlandPhD #acupuncture #integrativeoncology #integrativemedicine #cancerresearch #patientadvocates http://ow.ly/a8BG50C38rr

SIO thanks everyone who attended #SIO2020Virtual Conference last week. We had a great turnout and some really wonderful conversations. Here's what one attendee had to say: "Such great connections and a real sense of community, even though it was virtual!" @Integrativeonc #COVID

Make sure to mark your calendars for this important workshop! "The purpose of this workshop is to provide physicians and other healthcare professionals who want to create their own IM center with information from our experience in building ours. In this setting, we provide attendees with skills for a better understanding of the process for setting up a successful IM center. Through interactive discussions we will also exchange ideas on how our model can be adapted to the at...tendees particular needs." Persented by Dr. Lorenzo Cohen and Dr. Gabriel Lopez Nov. 5-6, 2020 $250.00 registration fee Contact: Veronica Reyes- [email protected] #integrativeoncoogy #Cancer #integrativemedicine #VirtuaWorkshop #IntOnc

Dr. Sheila Garland will be a presenter at #SIO2020Virtual conference, which begins tomorrow! Haven't registered? There's still time! [email protected]/register - Contact [email protected] for more details. #IntegrativeOncology #Cancer https://youtu.be/suTEX-wcKI0

@Integrativeonc wants to thank our #SIO2020Virtual Conference exhibitor, @ImmunomedicsInc for their support of this year's conference! #IntegrativeOncology #ComplementaryTreatments #PatientAdvocacy #Cancer