World Looks to Nanoporous Acupuncture as Potential Treatment for Colorectal Cancer

Nanoporous acupuncture is a product of Korean Medicine R&D, and it has become a hot point of interest among researchers across the world.

After the study, “Enhances Therapeutic Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Using Surface-Modified Nanoporous Acupuncture Needles” was published in the high-impact international journal Scientific Reports last October, the Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that it recorded 1,202 readings. Additionally, the research was the only from Korean acupuncture studies to be included on the Scientific Report “TOP 100 in Oncology” list.

Nanoporous acupuncture utilizes needles that have fine holes ranging from nanometers (㎚) to micrometers (㎛) on the surface, through which electrochemical nanotechnology is applied. This technology was developed by the Professor In, Su-il Research Team at the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) with MoHW’s support for the project entitled the Development of High-Efficiency Nanotech Acupuncture through Nano/Korean Medicine Convergence Technology Project.

The research results showed that the mice that were routinely administered nanoporous acupuncture exhibited significantly reduced expressions of abnormal vascular structures and beta-catenin, two predisposing factors of colorectal cancer. It was also discovered that the mice that were given nanoporous acupuncture also exhibited slower rates of colorectal cancer cell growth.

A representative of the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated, “This nanoporous acupuncture research has augmented an ancient technique with high-tech nanotechnology, and the results are internationally recognized for academic merit within the cancer treatment industry.” The representative also announced, “In the future, we plan to prove the effectiveness of Korean Medicine through convergence research and Korean medicine research for the treatment of other currently incurable diseases.

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