Electroacupuncture combined with HDAC1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor CD8+ T cells for triple-negative breast cancer in mice

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its aggressive nature and poor prognosis, primarily due to limited treatment options stemming from immune evasion mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of peritumoral electroacupuncture (EA) in inhibiting tumor growth in T...

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Main Authors: Yehong Tian, Yinjie Ma, Xue Li, Gang Lu, Shixin Wang, Xiaowei Qiu, Xu Du
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1584722/full
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author Yehong Tian
Yinjie Ma
Xue Li
Gang Lu
Shixin Wang
Xiaowei Qiu
Xu Du
author_facet Yehong Tian
Yinjie Ma
Xue Li
Gang Lu
Shixin Wang
Xiaowei Qiu
Xu Du
author_sort Yehong Tian
collection DOAJ
description Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its aggressive nature and poor prognosis, primarily due to limited treatment options stemming from immune evasion mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of peritumoral electroacupuncture (EA) in inhibiting tumor growth in TNBC, particularly focusing on the immune mechanisms related to CD8+ T cell recruitment and the involvement of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) within the tumor microenvironment (TME). By constructing TNBC model in mice, we observed that EA not only inhibited tumor growth but also increased the presence of intratumoral CD8+ T cells and CCL5. Additionally, the expression of HDAC1 was found to down-regulate by EA. Remarkably, when EA was combined with the romidepsin (a class I HDAC inhibitor), a synergistic effect observed, leading to a greater increase in intratumoral CD8+ T cells compared to either treatment alone, resulting in a tumor inhibition rate of 60.03%. Importantly, EA did not worsen systemic inflammation, as serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines remained stable throughout the intervention. These findings indicate that peritumoral EA can effectively enhance anti-tumor immunity within the TME by down-regulating HDAC1. This research highlights the potential of combining non-invasive therapies like EA with pharmacological agent as a promising strategy for improving outcomes in the management of TNBC, warranting further exploration of its clinical applications.
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spelling doaj-art-46c9e778479b4ec3a3e110b027ccd5be2025-08-20T02:25:40ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-05-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15847221584722Electroacupuncture combined with HDAC1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor CD8+ T cells for triple-negative breast cancer in miceYehong Tian0Yinjie Ma1Xue Li2Gang Lu3Shixin Wang4Xiaowei Qiu5Xu Du6College of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, ChinaOncology Department, Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, ChinaDepartment of Encephalopathy Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Integrative Medicine Rescue and First Aid Hospital, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Acupuncture and Tuina, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, ChinaTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is known for its aggressive nature and poor prognosis, primarily due to limited treatment options stemming from immune evasion mechanisms. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of peritumoral electroacupuncture (EA) in inhibiting tumor growth in TNBC, particularly focusing on the immune mechanisms related to CD8+ T cell recruitment and the involvement of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) within the tumor microenvironment (TME). By constructing TNBC model in mice, we observed that EA not only inhibited tumor growth but also increased the presence of intratumoral CD8+ T cells and CCL5. Additionally, the expression of HDAC1 was found to down-regulate by EA. Remarkably, when EA was combined with the romidepsin (a class I HDAC inhibitor), a synergistic effect observed, leading to a greater increase in intratumoral CD8+ T cells compared to either treatment alone, resulting in a tumor inhibition rate of 60.03%. Importantly, EA did not worsen systemic inflammation, as serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines remained stable throughout the intervention. These findings indicate that peritumoral EA can effectively enhance anti-tumor immunity within the TME by down-regulating HDAC1. This research highlights the potential of combining non-invasive therapies like EA with pharmacological agent as a promising strategy for improving outcomes in the management of TNBC, warranting further exploration of its clinical applications.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1584722/fullelectroacupuncturetriple-negative breast cancerhistone deacetylase 1CCL5CD8+ T cellstumor microenvironment
spellingShingle Yehong Tian
Yinjie Ma
Xue Li
Gang Lu
Shixin Wang
Xiaowei Qiu
Xu Du
Electroacupuncture combined with HDAC1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor CD8+ T cells for triple-negative breast cancer in mice
Frontiers in Oncology
electroacupuncture
triple-negative breast cancer
histone deacetylase 1
CCL5
CD8+ T cells
tumor microenvironment
title Electroacupuncture combined with HDAC1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor CD8+ T cells for triple-negative breast cancer in mice
title_full Electroacupuncture combined with HDAC1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor CD8+ T cells for triple-negative breast cancer in mice
title_fullStr Electroacupuncture combined with HDAC1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor CD8+ T cells for triple-negative breast cancer in mice
title_full_unstemmed Electroacupuncture combined with HDAC1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor CD8+ T cells for triple-negative breast cancer in mice
title_short Electroacupuncture combined with HDAC1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor CD8+ T cells for triple-negative breast cancer in mice
title_sort electroacupuncture combined with hdac1 inhibitor suppress tumor growth via improving the recruitment of intratumor cd8 t cells for triple negative breast cancer in mice
topic electroacupuncture
triple-negative breast cancer
histone deacetylase 1
CCL5
CD8+ T cells
tumor microenvironment
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1584722/full
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