Pooled analysis of randomized trials of acupuncture for hot flashes in patients receiving endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

Hot flashes are a common side effect in patients receiving endocrine therapy for HR-positive breast cancer. A pooled analysis of individual patient data from three randomized trials in the United States (n=78), China (n=40), and South Korea (n=40) investigated efficacy of acupuncture in these patients. Participants were randomized to immediate acupuncture (IA) or delayed acupuncture control (DAC). Compared to DAC partipants, the IA participants had statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in hot flashes (p<0.003) , endocrine symptoms (p=0.0003), and breast cancer-specific quality of life (p=0.0005).