American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dean Presents New Research on HPV-Related Cancer Treatment at World Conference
Dr. Carla Wilson of ACTCM recently revealed cutting-edge research in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the 10th Congress of World Medicine in San Francisco and received a New Investigator Award for this research at this year’s International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology.
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) Doctoral Program Director Dr. Carla Wilson recently presented groundbreaking research in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the 10th Congress of World Medicine held in San Francisco last month. In October, Dr. Wilson also won a New Investigator Award for this research at the 10th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology in Vancouver.
The research was focused on an integrative approach to treating HPV-related cancer. The main goal of the clinical trials, held at the University of California at San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, was to compare the effects of a Chinese topical herbal medicine cream to a placebo cream in the treatment of precancerous anal lesions caused by HPV in order to prevent their progression to anal cancer.
“HPV-related cancer is a growing health concern for immunocompromised people, typically those with HIV,” said Dr. Wilson. “Prior to the development of this cancer, a person develops a condition known as a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Treatment of the HSIL can prevent the progression to cancer, but the current treatments are highly invasive and expensive. A new, noninvasive alternative could have a very high impact on the prevention of anal cancer.”
Applying an innovative mixed methods approach not typically used in traditional university research settings, researchers were able to use both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to produce the most revealing results possible.
Preliminary qualitative data gathered shows that 80% of study participants reported an increase in understanding of self-care and 76% of participants in this double-blind study indicated they would continue to apply the herbal cream if given the opportunity.
The data also reveals modification of harmful habits, changes in lifestyle, and increased confidence in considering alternative approaches to cancer care.
This study represents a major therapeutic advancement in the prevention of HPV-related cancers through the treatment of anal HSIL, cervical HSIL and vulvar HSIL, as well as the treatment of early-stage cancer, without the costly and invasive method of surgery and other ablative therapies.
“While this is exploratory research, these outcomes lend credibility to the Chinese medicine paradigm of Whole Systems Research,” said Dr. Wilson. “Investigating anal cancer treatment through translational research and applying the lens of Chinese medicine is a forward-thinking and unique approach that holds promise for future mixed methods research.”
Such positive findings may serve as a breakthrough for application to other types of epithelial cancers, and could guide other researchers to consider the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods as an integrative cancer study model in the future.
Results from the quantitative portion of this study, as well as biomarkers, have not yet been released.
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About American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ACTCM) has provided affordable, quality health care to the public and trained professionals in acupuncture, massage and Chinese medicine since 1980. In addition to its graduate curriculum, ACTCM offers continuing education, public education, community outreach and clinical services in acupuncture and herbal medicine. ACTCM has been the recipient of many awards for its curriculum, faculty and clinic, and has been voted “Best of the Bay” by both the San Francisco Weekly and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. ACTCM is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.