Electroacupuncture with Standard Antiemetic Treatment for Chemotherapy-Related Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Breast Cancer Patients

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of electroacupuncture combined with standard quadruple antiemetic therapy on chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal symptom clusters, including nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and dry mouth, in patients with breast cancer. This phase 3, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trial aims to clarify the regulatory mechanisms of electroacupuncture through clinical research, multi-omics analyses, and genomic studies to support optimized treatment strategies for managing these symptoms. Participants receive either true electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture alongside a standard antiemetic regimen consisting of olanzapine, dexamethasone, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, and an NK-1 receptor antagonist. Electroacupuncture is applied at four specific points with continuous electrical stimulation before chemotherapy on day 1 and daily for three more days. The control group receives sham acupuncture with superficial needle insertion and inactive electrical stimulation on the same schedule. Throughout days 1 to 5 of each chemotherapy cycle, researchers monitor gastrointestinal symptoms, collect weight, performance status, quality of life questionnaires, medication use, adverse events, and laboratory tests. Blood samples are preserved every two cycles. The main outcome is the incidence of gastrointestinal symptom clusters within 120 hours after chemotherapy, along with secondary measures including symptom improvements and quality of life, with systematic safety evaluations continuing through the study duration.

Electroacupuncture for Chemotherapy-Induced GI Symptom Clusters in Breast Cancer