Weidong Lu’s publications

Research in
clinical practice.

Good clinical questions include how to coordinate care, what matters to patients, and where evidence remains uncertain.

These are Weidong Lu’s publications. For an introduction to traditional concepts and research by other teams, watch the short video lessons.

From evidence to thoughtful care

A clinical review and two reports from the same early pilot trial.

01 / 32026 · JCO oncology practice

Chinese brush calligraphy: 护 — Hù · CareThoughtful coordination at the center of supportive care.

First author · Clinical review

Bringing research safely into cancer care

This 2026 review brings together evidence and practical considerations for using acupuncture in cancer care. It addresses symptom-focused referrals, safety assessment, communication between clinicians, and the practical work of building a service within an oncology program.

What might this mean for me?

The reason for a referral matters. Evidence for acupuncture differs from one symptom to another.
Cancer treatment, blood tests, surgeries, and implanted devices can affect how acupuncture is planned.
Coordinating with the oncology team and tracking your symptoms help make care more responsive to your needs.

What is still uncertain?A practical review of existing evidence and experience, not a new trial or a promise of benefit for an individual patient.

Paper details & sources

Acupuncture in Cancer Care: Evidence, Safety, and Implementation in Oncology Practice.

Weidong Lu, Eunbin Kwag, Irene Martyniuk, Ting Bao

JCO oncology practice · 2026
PMID 42407001 · DOI 10.1200/OP-26-00334

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02 / 32012 · Medical acupuncture

Chinese brush calligraphy: 生 — Shēng · LifeMaking room for the lived experience of cancer treatment.

First author · Pilot trial · secondary analysis

Looking beyond treatment to quality of life

This analysis explored quality of life during ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Of 21 participants, 15 completed the study. After accounting for starting differences between groups, social functioning was the only measured area with a statistically significant advantage for active acupuncture over sham.

What might this mean for me?

Quality of life includes social activities and everyday participation, as well as physical symptoms.
Early findings can help researchers decide what to study next, even when they cannot yet guide treatment with confidence.
This study does not establish reliable benefits for pain, sleep, or overall quality of life during ovarian cancer chemotherapy.

What is still uncertain?A very small secondary analysis with incomplete follow-up. It used the same pilot trial as the blood-count paper on this page, not an independent group of patients.

Paper details & sources

The Feasibility and Effects of Acupuncture on Quality of Life Scores During Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: Results from a Pilot, Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial.

Weidong Lu, Ursula A Matulonis, Julie E Dunn, Hang Lee, Anne Doherty-Gilman, Elizabeth Dean-Clower, Annekathryn Goodman, Roger B Davis, Julie Buring, Peter Wayne, David S Rosenthal, Richard T Penson

Medical acupuncture · 2012
PMID 24761165 · DOI 10.1089/acu.2012.0904

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03 / 32009 · Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)

Chinese brush calligraphy: 衡 — Héng · Weighing evidenceWeighing an early signal against what remains unknown.

First author · Sham-controlled pilot trial

What an early blood-count study can tell us

This pilot followed 21 women receiving ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Some white-blood-cell measures favored acupuncture, but key measures of infection-fighting cells called neutrophils did not differ significantly. The findings raised a research question; they did not establish protection against infection.

What might this mean for me?

Different blood-count measures can give different answers. One positive finding is not the whole picture.
The study does not support using acupuncture to prevent infections or replace prescribed treatment for low blood counts.
Blood counts remain part of oncology monitoring and can also affect whether acupuncture is appropriate.

What is still uncertain?Only 21 participants, several outcomes, and one chemotherapy cycle studied. This is the same pilot as the quality-of-life analysis on this page.

Paper details & sources

Acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with gynecologic malignancies: a pilot randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial.

Weidong Lu, Ursula A Matulonis, Anne Doherty-Gilman, Hang Lee, Elizabeth Dean-Clower, Andrew Rosulek, Carolyn Gibson, Annekathryn Goodman, Roger B Davis, Julie E Buring, Peter M Wayne, David S Rosenthal, Richard T Penson

Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) · 2009
PMID 19552597 · DOI 10.1089/acm.2008.0589

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How acupuncture worksFive short videos, from traditional ideas to modern science.Featured researchExplore hot flashes, nerve symptoms, and swallowing research.Publication libraryBrowse the full collection of 39 verified publications.

Care begins with you.

Research helps inform the conversation. Your care plan starts with your symptoms, treatment history, and priorities.

Discuss your care

Acupuncture is supportive care. It does not replace cancer treatment or other necessary medical care.

Research inclinical practice.

From evidence to thoughtful care

Bringing research safely into cancer care

What might this mean for me?

Looking beyond treatment to quality of life

What might this mean for me?

What an early blood-count study can tell us

What might this mean for me?

Continue exploring

Care begins with you.

Research in
clinical practice.