Moxibustion Enhances Chemotherapy of Breast Cancer by Affecting Tumor Microenvironment

• Main Authors: Xue N, Fu X, Zhu Y, Da N, Zhang J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-09-01
• Series: Cancer Management and Research
• Subjects: moxibustion; breast cancer; pd-l1; chemotherapy; tumor microenvironment
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/moxibustion-enhances-chemotherapy-of-breast-cancer-by-affecting-tumor--peer-reviewed-article-CMAR

Ning Xue,1,2 Xingli Fu,3 Yin Zhu,4 Nili Da,2 Jianbin Zhang1 1Department of Acupuncture, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210017, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Acupuncture, Jurong Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212400, People’s Republic of China; 3Jiangsu University Health Science Center, Zhenjiang 212001, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Oncology, Jurong Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212400, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jianbin Zhang Email [e-mail]: Chemotherapeutic drugs often cause obvious toxicity and side effects. Moxibustion can improve the immunity of cancer patients, enhance cellular immunity, and reduce the toxicity and adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In this study, the efficacy of moxibustion combined with paclitaxel on breast cancer was evaluated.Methods: A breast cancer mouse model was established. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to analyze tumor necrosis in mouse tumors. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and qPCR were used to detect the expression of CD34, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA), programmed death-1 (PD-1), and programmed death-1 ligand (PD-L1) in tumor tissues.Results: Moxibustion combined with paclitaxel significantly inhibited weight loss in breast cancer-burdened mice and increased the survival rate. Moxibustion combined with paclitaxel increased the number of white blood cells, thymus index, and spleen index, and enhanced immune function by upregulating interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 and downregulating interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β 1. Notably, moxibustion combined with paclitaxel inhibited the angiogenesis of tumors through the downregulation of CD34, HIF-1α, and VEGFA, and overcame the immunosuppressive microenvironment by inhibiting the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.Conclusion: Moxibustion improves the body’s immune function and enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy by overcoming the immunosuppressive microenvironment.Keywords: moxibustion, breast cancer, PD-L1, chemotherapy, tumor microenvironment