In their review, Shi and colleagues highlighted causes of cancer pain associated with tumors and treatment, in addition to complications that can arise from such pain. According to the researchers, CPM strategies can vary, potentially involving such options as drug therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, nerve blocks, psychological interventions, physiotherapy, or TCM-based approaches. 

Some CPM strategies may carry adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal effects, respiratory depression, drowsiness, addiction risk, and others. Additionally, certain approaches can create a financial burden for patients, and patients may not know how best to control cancer-related pain. 

“Therefore, finding ways to effectively manage cancer pain, reduce adverse effects, and minimize drug-related costs remains a significant clinical challenge,” Shi and colleagues wrote in their review. 

Acupoint therapies, according to the researchers, can include such techniques as acupuncture, moxibustion, acupoint injection, and others. In reviewing literature from PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for research articles published from 2004 to 2025, Shi and colleagues identified studies evaluating advances in acupoint therapy for CPM.

One meta-analysis reportedly found that acupuncture reduces cancer-related pain, in addition to being associated with other benefits, while another meta-analysis reportedly found acupuncture to alleviate chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and pain. Additional studies suggested acupuncture could improve sleep quality or reduce pain associated with prostatectomy, and laser acupuncture could reduce postoperative neuropathic pain associated with breast cancer, in addition to other findings.

Shi and colleagues also explored mechanisms by which acupoint therapies could potentially improve cancer pain. Some studies they described indicated that acupuncture may have impacts on certain metabolic pathways, inflammatory processes, neuroendocrine regulation, or other processes. Research has suggested that moxibustion, they explained, may be linked to reductions in mast cells and other possible changes. They also noted this approach risks certain effects such as fainting, burns, or respiratory complications.

“[F]inding ways to effectively manage cancer pain, reduce adverse effects, and minimize drug-related costs remains a significant clinical challenge.”

Shi and colleagues also identified technological advancements that may assist with the delivery of CPM. For example, artificial intelligence could potentially assist with screening active ingredients and helping to design a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan, while robotics may aid in delivering acupuncture. Virtual reality could potentially help in enabling relaxation and pain perception. Laser and ultrasonic acupuncture strategies may also aid in delivery of acupuncture, and microneedles have been under investigation for delivery of analgesic agents.

Shi and colleagues considered acupoint therapy to provide valuable options in CPM. Some challenges they identified include a need for standardized protocols, limited data on long-term outcomes, and others. “With continued research and development, TCM acupoint therapy is expected to play an even greater role in CPM in the future,” they wrote in their report.