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beta-glucan A polysaccharide isolated from the cell walls of bacteria, plants, and fungi with immunostimulant and antineoplastic activities. In a solubilized form, beta-glucan binds to a lectin site within complement receptor 3 (CR3) on leukocytes, priming the receptor to trigger cytotoxic degranulation of leukocytes when leukocyte CR3 binds to complement 3 (iC3b)-coated tumors. Thus, the attachment of beta-glucan to CR3 of circulating leukocytes simulates leukocytes to kill iC3b-coated tumor cells in the same way as they kill iC3b-coated yeast. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)

Coriolus versicolor is a mushroom of the Basidiomycetes class. It was used initially in Traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic, but recent studies suggest that it has immunostimulant and anti-tumor properties. Polysaccharide-K (PSK), a proprietary product derived from Coriolus, was developed for cancer treatment in Japan. When used as an adjuvant, PSK appears to improve survival rates in patients with gastric (1) (2) and colorectal (3) (4) (5) cancers. Other Coriolus extracts, such as polysaccharide-peptide (PSP) and VPS, are available as dietary supplements. When used in conjunction with chemotherapy, PSP may benefit patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (7). Other clinical studies using Coriolus extract alone or in combination with other botanicals also suggest positive immunomodulatory effects (8) (9). However, studies on breast cancer (10), hepatocellular carcinoma (11), and leukemia (12) produced mixed results. A hot water extract of Coriolus, VPS, was found to enhance development of large intestinal tumors in mice (21). Coriolus extracts are generally well tolerated but minor adverse effects have been reported. Many over-the-counter Coriolus products are not standardized, making it difficult to compare potency between brands. It is also unclear if PSK, PSP and other Coriolus extracts have comparable effects.

Inhibition of suppressor T lymphocytes (Ts) by cimetidine. Sahasrabudhe DM, McCune CS, O'Donnell RW, Henshaw EC. J Immunol. 1987 May 1;138(9):2760-3. PMID: 2952721 Cyclophosphamide (CY) is the most extensively studied inhibitor of suppressor T lymphocyte (Ts) function. However, repeated administration of CY can abrogate sensitization. Therefore, we were interested in identifying noncytotoxic inhibitors of Ts function as adjuncts in the immunotherapy of Ts-inducing murine tumors. The effect of cimetidine (a histamine type 2 receptor antagonist) and diphenhydramine (a histamine type 1 receptor antagonist) on the Ts mediating tolerance to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene was studied. We report our data regarding the specific inhibition of Ts by cimetidine.

Cancer immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines, are novel investigational cancer therapies. In contrast to chemotherapy and radiotherapy regimens that are often associated with severe side effects, cancer immunotherapy stimulates the body's immune system and natural resistance to cancer, thus offering a gentler means of cancer treatment that is less damaging to the rest of the body. Surgery is generally (but not always) performed, prior to immunotherapy, to remove most of the tumor (Hanna MG, Jr. et al 2001; Jocham D et al 2004). Vaccination or immunotherapy prompts the immune system to kill residual cancer cells that persist after surgery and could result in the cancer recurring.

Mushrooms have traditionally been valued in Asia for their nutritional and medicinal qualities. The Coriolus versicolor or "Turkey Tail" mushroom has been investigated in numerous laboratory, animal and human clinical studies. Most of these studies have demonstrated that it does appear to have significant antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor properties when used as a supplement to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Human trials have included randomization, a process that decreases bias, but only one has used blinding, which would make them even more protected against biases.

Coriolus versicolor extracts: relevance in cancer management M. Szeto, BSC RD Curr Oncol. 2008 April; 15(2): 79.

Astragalus root is used in traditional medicine for its immunestimulating properties. Chinese studies suggest that astragalus, when used with angelica, has renal protective effects (6). In addition, astragalus decreases the proteinuria associated with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (7) as well as possesses natriuretic action (8). Astragalus may also suppress airway hyperreactivity associated with allergic asthma in vivo (9). An herbal formula using astragalus as a major ingredient has been shown to reduce fatigue in athletes (10). Furthermore, astragalus increases M-cholinergic receptor density in senile rats (11), which suggests that it may have a role in combating senility.