Americans, Chinese Establish International Center
Western medical professionals, as a whole, have been slow to embrace the practices of traditional Chinese medicine. A new international scientific partnership, however, could now mark a significant step toward greater acceptance of Eastern medical care.
The venture involves researchers at M. D. Anderson and the Cancer Hospital, Fudan University (CHFU) in Shanghai, China. A $263,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will establish the International Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cancer, which will investigate the benefits of some traditional Chinese medicine for cancer patients.
During the two-year pilot study, funded by the NCI's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the center will investigate three aspects of traditional Chinese medicine:
* Herbal and natural treatments that target the disease and cancer- and treatment-related symptoms
* Acupuncture for dealing with some side effects of cancer treatment
* Bio-behavioral effects of qigong and other mind/body-based interventions
Global milestone
This is the first NCI grant to support the development of an international partnership to study the use of traditional Chinese medicine for cancer treatment. The multidisciplinary team includes researchers from both institutions.
The scientists come from the following disciplines:
* Integrative medicine
* Traditional Chinese medicine
* Radiation oncology
* Anesthesiology
* Experimental therapeutics
* Cancer biology
* Surgery
* Palliative care and rehabilitation medicine
* Epidemiology
* Medical oncology
* Behavioral science
As a part of the agreement entered into by M. D. Anderson and CHFU, the institutions will collaborate on a range of clinical, educational and cancer research efforts.
"We recognize that innovation and collaboration are key to success in the fight against cancer," says M. D. Anderson President John Mendelsohn, M.D. "Traditional Chinese medicine has a remarkable history.
By applying Western scientific methodology, we hope this pilot study will help open the doors to important discoveries that will result in better treatment and quality of life for cancer patients worldwide."
In addition to collaborating on a study of traditional Chinese medicine, both institutions plan to work together in areas of translational and population research, as well as in increasing the educational exchange among faculty.
"There is much that cancer experts in China and the United States can learn from each other," says Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., chief of the section of integrative medicine at M. D. Anderson and principal investigator on the study. "We hope open communication and a free exchange of scientific ideas will allow Western practitioners to learn about concepts of traditional medicine and expose Chinese practitioners to our approach to clinical research."
Broadening horizons
Interest in complementary and alternative therapies in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Mental exercises like relaxation and meditation, physical activities such as yoga and dance, or the use of herbal supplements and vitamins are more accepted today for maintaining good health. Before beginning any new regimen, cancer patients need to know how these therapies interact with or complement treatment prescribed by their doctors.
Dr. Lorenzo Cohen"Many patients begin some form of complementary therapy without the consent or knowledge of their doctors," Cohen says, "but it's important that a therapy complement, not impede, other treatments that their doctors prescribe. With more research and better information about these therapies, physicians and patients can evaluate these options thoroughly and know with more certainty which options are appropriate for their care."
In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners attempt to maintain health by restoring the balance and flow of energy in the body - addressing symptoms as they relate to an imbalance of energy instead of treating a particular disease or medical condition. It is a practice dating back more than 5,000 years. However, many of these therapies have not been clinically tested using Western methods of clinical research.
At the same time, some important chemotherapy agents used in conventional Western medicine have been derived from products used in traditional Chinese medicine. More work needs to be done to investigate and document these agents before researchers can understand the role they may play in fighting and treating cancer.
"We hope to plant a seed that will expand our collaboration on evidence-based research of complementary therapies to treat cancer and cancer-related symptoms," Cohen says.
Western medical professionals, as a whole, have been slow to embrace the practices of traditional Chinese medicine. A new international scientific partnership, however, could now mark a significant step toward greater acceptance of Eastern medical care.
The venture involves researchers at M. D. Anderson and the Cancer Hospital, Fudan University (CHFU) in Shanghai, China. A $263,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) will establish the International Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cancer, which will investigate the benefits of some traditional Chinese medicine for cancer patients.
During the two-year pilot study, funded by the NCI's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the center will investigate three aspects of traditional Chinese medicine:
* Herbal and natural treatments that target the disease and cancer- and treatment-related symptoms
* Acupuncture for dealing with some side effects of cancer treatment
* Bio-behavioral effects of qigong and other mind/body-based interventions
Global milestone
This is the first NCI grant to support the development of an international partnership to study the use of traditional Chinese medicine for cancer treatment. The multidisciplinary team includes researchers from both institutions.
The scientists come from the following disciplines:
* Integrative medicine
* Traditional Chinese medicine
* Radiation oncology
* Anesthesiology
* Experimental therapeutics
* Cancer biology
* Surgery
* Palliative care and rehabilitation medicine
* Epidemiology
* Medical oncology
* Behavioral science
As a part of the agreement entered into by M. D. Anderson and CHFU, the institutions will collaborate on a range of clinical, educational and cancer research efforts.
"We recognize that innovation and collaboration are key to success in the fight against cancer," says M. D. Anderson President John Mendelsohn, M.D. "Traditional Chinese medicine has a remarkable history.
By applying Western scientific methodology, we hope this pilot study will help open the doors to important discoveries that will result in better treatment and quality of life for cancer patients worldwide."
In addition to collaborating on a study of traditional Chinese medicine, both institutions plan to work together in areas of translational and population research, as well as in increasing the educational exchange among faculty.
"There is much that cancer experts in China and the United States can learn from each other," says Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., chief of the section of integrative medicine at M. D. Anderson and principal investigator on the study. "We hope open communication and a free exchange of scientific ideas will allow Western practitioners to learn about concepts of traditional medicine and expose Chinese practitioners to our approach to clinical research."
Broadening horizons
Interest in complementary and alternative therapies in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years. Mental exercises like relaxation and meditation, physical activities such as yoga and dance, or the use of herbal supplements and vitamins are more accepted today for maintaining good health. Before beginning any new regimen, cancer patients need to know how these therapies interact with or complement treatment prescribed by their doctors.
Dr. Lorenzo Cohen"Many patients begin some form of complementary therapy without the consent or knowledge of their doctors," Cohen says, "but it's important that a therapy complement, not impede, other treatments that their doctors prescribe. With more research and better information about these therapies, physicians and patients can evaluate these options thoroughly and know with more certainty which options are appropriate for their care."
In traditional Chinese medicine, practitioners attempt to maintain health by restoring the balance and flow of energy in the body - addressing symptoms as they relate to an imbalance of energy instead of treating a particular disease or medical condition. It is a practice dating back more than 5,000 years. However, many of these therapies have not been clinically tested using Western methods of clinical research.
At the same time, some important chemotherapy agents used in conventional Western medicine have been derived from products used in traditional Chinese medicine. More work needs to be done to investigate and document these agents before researchers can understand the role they may play in fighting and treating cancer.
"We hope to plant a seed that will expand our collaboration on evidence-based research of complementary therapies to treat cancer and cancer-related symptoms," Cohen says.
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