Medical Case Reports

The Modulatory Effects of Acupuncture and Herbal Formula on White Blood Cell Hematopoiesis in A Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patient: A Case Report

Background: Chemotherapy is critical to Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) patients due to the negative response to hormonal and target therapy. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is one of the major side effects that prematurely discontinue or terminate cancer treatment. Reports indicate that the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is widely used to raise the white blood cell count and is associated with neo-carcinogenesis despite pre-existing cancer.

Objectives: This report aims to examine the modulatory effect of acupuncture and herbal formula on endogenous white blood cell hematopoiesis in a TNBC patient during chemotherapy.

Materials and Findings: A 52-year-old female diagnosed with TNBC was managed with acupuncture and herbal formula alongside conventional chemotherapy. Acupuncture (twice/week, 40 min/session), daily herbal decoctions, and magnets on HT 5 and PC 6 at a designated time in a day were introduced two weeks before administering Taxotere. The white blood cell count was monitored one week after the chemotherapy and re-checked the day before the next Taxotere injection. The liver and renal functions, hemoglobin, and body weight were recorded. Totally four courses of acupuncture/formula interventions were carried out. White blood cell count rose to normal before each Taxotere administration. The considerable increment disproportionates the chemotherapeutic agent’s cumulative toxicity to the liver and kidney functions, while body weight and hemoglobin level remain relatively stable during the course.

Conclusions: White blood cell production can be modulated by regulating sympathetic activities in a TNBC patient. The finding implies that autonomic dysfunctions and immune-associated disorders may benefit from the protocol.

Author(s): Eric Mengchen Hao

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