Acupuncture for Vasomotor Symptoms in Hormone-Sensitive Cancer Patients: A Narrative Review (Atena Editora)

Abstract

-Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), including hot flashes and night sweats, significantly impact the quality of life in patients with hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. Conventional hormone-suppressive therapies frequently exacerbate these symptoms, posing a clinical challenge, especially for patients contraindicated for hormone replacement. Acupuncture, a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has emerged as a potential integrative treatment option for managing VMS with a favorable safety profile. This narrative literature review synthesizes current evidence on the efficacy, safety, and proposed mechanisms of acupuncture in alleviating VMS among cancer patients. The review highlights the predominance of research in female populations and identifies a critical gap concerning male patients, despite the high prevalence of VMS in men undergoing androgen deprivation therapy. Mechanistic insights include modulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and β-endorphins, as well as regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Limitations of existing studies, including heterogeneity in acupuncture protocols and outcome measures, are discussed. Further high-quality, standardized clinical trials, particularly focusing on male patients, are warranted to establish acupuncture as a validated supportive therapy for VMS in oncology.