The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회지)

The Society of Internal Korean Medicine (대한한방내과학회)
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3 Cases of Cancer Patients Whose Natural Killer Cell Activity Improved with Traditional Korean Medicine Treatment: A Case Series

한방치료 후 NK세포 활성도의 호전을 보인 암환자 증례보고 3례

  • Park, Chan-ran (Dept. of Hepatology & Hematology, Graduated School of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Kim, Eun-ji (Dept. of Hepatology & Hematology, Graduated School of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Son, Chang-gue (Dept. of Hepatology & Hematology, Graduated School of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Cho, Jung-hyo (Dept. of Hepatology & Hematology, Graduated School of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Lee, Nam-hun (Dept. of Hepatology & Hematology, Graduated School of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University)
  • 박찬란 (대전대학교 대학원 한의학과 간계내과학교실) ;
  • 김은지 (대전대학교 대학원 한의학과 간계내과학교실) ;
  • 손창규 (대전대학교 대학원 한의학과 간계내과학교실) ;
  • 조정효 (대전대학교 대학원 한의학과 간계내과학교실) ;
  • 이남헌 (대전대학교 대학원 한의학과 간계내과학교실)
  • Received : 2021.05.25
  • Accepted : 2021.06.18
  • Published : 2021.06.30
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Abstract

Objectives: High natural killer cell activity (NKA) is associated with a clinically favorable status in patients with cancer. This study explores whether traditional Korean medicine (TKM) improves NKA in patients with cancer. Methods: We report three clinical cases involving patients with cancer who underwent NKA tests while they received TKM treatment, including acupuncture, moxibustion, wild ginseng pharmacopuncture, and Korean herbal medicines. We analyzed the treatment process and NKA test results of each patient. Results: The NKA of all three patients presented with an increasing tendency during the treatment process. Patient 1, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, received inpatient treatment 3 times between September 16, 2017 and February 27, 2019. The NKA increased from 7.2 pg/mL to 571.7 pg/mL. Patient 2, who had thyroid cancer, was hospitalized 4 times between July 23, 2019 and August 27, 2020. The NKA improved from 317.4 pg/mL to 2000 pg/mL. Patient 3, who had liver cancer, received inpatient treatment 4 times between May 27, 2016 and January 10, 2017. The NKA increased from 22.2 pg/mL to 459.5 pg/mL. The chief complaints of these patients also were alleviated. Conclusions: TKM may be an effective treatment for accelerating NKA. Further research is needed to establish evidence that TKM stimulates NKA.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

이 연구는 대한민국 정부(과학기술정보통신부)의 재원으로 한국연구재단의 지원을 받아 수행된 연구임(NRF-2020R1F1A1069711).

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