Dysphagia is a common side effect following chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). It occurs in up to 50% of patients post CRT and results in poor general health and poor quality of life (QOL). There is growing evidence that acupuncture may be a safe and cost-effective adjunctive therapy to improve swallowing function and QOL in HNC patients. However, rigorous studies are few. This proposed K01 will provide the necessary training, skills, and experience for Dr. Weidong Lu, an acupuncturist with a strong background in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and some experience in acupuncture trials in oncology, to conduct clinical research regarding the effect of acupuncture on dysphagia following CRT in HNC patients. His long-term goal is to become an established independent investigator in the field of CAM research, specifically, to specialize in the conduct of sound clinical trials that evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture as an adjunctive or integrative therapy for oncology-related conditions and symptoms. Immediate goals toward this end are, through a rigorous program of didactic training and research, to: 1) enhance his understanding and skills related to clinical trial design and conduct; 2) strengthen his statistical and analytic skills, including those related to meta-analysis, outcomes research, survival analysis and biomarkers in oncology; and 3) improve his substantive knowledge of clinical oncology, especially of HNC. The candidate has assembled a strong committee of mentors with extensive expertise in each of these disciplines, who will guide his activities and progress throughout the award period. The training program will include regular meetings with sponsors, coupled with participation in selected courses, tutorials, seminars, professional meetings and research practice. Dr. Lu will conduct two pilot studies that will comprise the focus of his K01 award and the basis for at least one subsequent R01 grant application to be submitted within the award period. Using a randomized trial design, Dr. Lu will investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a 12-week acupuncture program on dysphagia in post CRT HNC patients, as well as explore the mechanism of acupuncture's effects in a subgroup of patients. The proposed studies will yield important information on the potential utility of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for improving dysphagia and QOL in HNC patients. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01AT004415-01
Application #
7357690
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1-LD (17))
Program Officer
Sorkin, Barbara C
Project Start
2007-09-30
Project End
2012-09-29
Budget Start
2007-09-30
Budget End
2008-09-29
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$128,069
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
047006379
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Lu, Weidong; Wayne, Peter M; Davis, Roger B et al. (2016) Acupuncture for Chemoradiation Therapy-Related Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial. Oncologist 21:1522-1529
Lu, Weidong; Rosenthal, David S (2013) Acupuncture for cancer pain and related symptoms. Curr Pain Headache Rep 17:321
Lu, Weidong; Wayne, Peter M; Davis, Roger B et al. (2012) Acupuncture for dysphagia after chemoradiation in head and neck cancer: rationale and design of a randomized, sham-controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 33:700-11
Lu, Weidong; Posner, Marshall R; Wayne, Peter et al. (2010) Acupuncture for dysphagia after chemoradiation therapy in head and neck cancer: a case series report. Integr Cancer Ther 9:284-90
Lu, Weidong; Rosenthal, David S (2010) Recent advances in oncology acupuncture and safety considerations in practice. Curr Treat Options Oncol 11:141-6
Harikumar, Kuzhuvelil B; Kuttan, Girija; Kuttan, Ramadasan (2009) Inhibition of viral carcinogenesis by Phyllanthus amarus. Integr Cancer Ther 8:254-60
Nidich, Sanford I; Fields, Jeremy Z; Rainforth, Maxwell V et al. (2009) A randomized controlled trial of the effects of transcendental meditation on quality of life in older breast cancer patients. Integr Cancer Ther 8:228-34
Shord, Stacy S; Shah, Kanan; Lukose, Alvina (2009) Drug-botanical interactions: a review of the laboratory, animal, and human data for 8 common botanicals. Integr Cancer Ther 8:208-27
Lu, Weidong; Ott, Mary Jane; Kennedy, Stacy et al. (2009) Integrative Tumor Board: a case report and discussion from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Integr Cancer Ther 8:235-41
Lu, Weidong; Dean-Clower, Elizabeth; Doherty-Gilman, Anne et al. (2008) The value of acupuncture in cancer care. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 22:631-48, viii