Cancer

Derived from the cap and stem of the mushroom, Reishi mushroom is used as an immune stimulant by patients with HIV or cancer. The active constituents are thought to include both beta-glucan polysaccharides and triterpenes (1). Extracts of Reishi can stimulate macrophages and alter the levels of TNF and interleukins (2) (3) (4) (5). Reishi also inhibited platelet aggregation (11) (12) and improved lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men (9) (10). Studies done in rats have shown that Reishi extract may alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea (13). In clinical studies, Reishi increased plasma antioxidant capacity (6) (7)and enhanced immune responses in advance-stage cancer patients (8).

Derived from the cap and stem of the mushroom. The active constituent is thought to be a beta-glucan polysaccharide. The whole mushroom is used primarily as a dietary element, but extracts and supplements are sold as immune stimulants for patients with HIV or cancer. While no adverse effects have been reported, some studies reveal a hypoglycemic effect following administration of maitake extract (9) (12). Maitake was shown to enhance bone marrow colony formation, reduce doxorubicin toxicity in vitro (11), and to inhibit tumor metastasis

Shiitake mushroom, native to East Asia, is cultivated worldwide for its purported health benefits. The fresh and dried forms of the mushroom are commonly used in East Asian cooking. It is also valued as an anticancer agent. Lentinan (1,3 Beta-D-glucan), a polysaccharide isolated from Shiitake, has been well studied and is thought responsible for its beneficial effects. It was shown to have anticancer effects in colon cancer cells (1), which may be due to its ability to suppress cytochrome P450 1A enzymes that are known to metabolize pro-carcinogens to active forms

In 1994, I was introduced to PSK, and all-natural, high-quality extract product from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor. A neighbor introduced me to a local mycologist who enthusiastically told me about this remarkable product being used in Japan for the treatment of cancer.

In vitro and in vivo immunomodulating and immunorestorative effects of Astragalus membranaceus. Cho WC, Leung KN. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Aug 15;113(1):132-41. Epub 2007 May 31. PMID: 17611061 doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.05.020    

If you're from Japan, you're probably wondering why I've listed PSK under alternative therapies. In Japan, PSK is an approved anti-cancer drug with 20 years of research behind it. PSK sales in Japan account for hundreds of millions dollars worth of sales each year. But in the US, PSK is little known, is not used by mainstream doctors, and until recently nothing like it was readily available. Now a nutritional supplement designed to be identical to PSK is available in the US, but very few mainstream doctors, and actually not many alternative practitioners are aware of it. So in the US, PSK has the status of a little known nutritional supplement or alternative therapy. Which is too bad in light of its proven benefits, easy administration, and lack of toxicity. Before I start sounding too much more like an advertisement, let me confess. I really am excited about it, but I have no financial interest in it; I'm not selling it.

[Clinical study on effect of Astragalus in efficacy enhancing and toxicity reducing of chemotherapy in patients of malignant tumor] Duan P, Wang ZM. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Jul;22(7):515-7. Chinese. PMID: 12592686

Traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus reverses predominance of Th2 cytokines and their up-stream transcript factors in lung cancer patients. Wei H, Sun R, Xiao W, Feng J, Zhen C, Xu X, Tian Z. Oncol Rep. 2003 Sep-Oct;10(5):1507-12. PMID: 12883732

In vitro and in vivo anti-tumor effects of Astragalus membranaceus. Cho WC, Leung KN. Cancer Lett. 2007 Jul 8;252(1):43-54. Epub 2007 Jan 16. PMID: 17223259 doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2006.12.001

ScienceDaily (Apr. 10, 2009) - New research from Trinity College Dublin published in this month's Annals of Surgery points to a potentially significant advance in the treatment of patients undergoing major cancer surgery. The study was carried out by the oesophageal research group at Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital. A randomised controlled trial showed omega-3 fatty acids given as part of an oral nutritional supplement resulted in the preservation of muscle mass in patients undergoing surgery for oesopahageal cancer, a procedure normally associated with significant weight loss and quality of life issues.

2: Selenium and the immune response: 2. Enhancement of murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell cytotoxicity in vivo. Petrie HT, Klassen LW, Klassen PS, O'Dell JR, Kay HD. J Leukoc Biol. 1989 Mar;45(3):215-20. PMID: 2564412

Selenium and immunocompetence in patients with head and neck cancer. Kiremidjian-Schumacher L, Roy M, Glickman R, Schneider K, Rothstein S, Cooper J, Hochster H, Kim M, Newman R. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2000 Feb;73(2):97-111. PMID: 11049203 DOI: 10.1385/BTER:73:2:97

Combination immunotherapy of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a phase 2 trial. Barrera JL, Verastegui E, Meneses A, Zinser J, de la Garza J, Hadden JW. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000 Mar;126(3):345-51. PMID: 10722007

Ginger inhibits cell growth and modulates angiogenic factors in ovarian cancer cells. Rhode J, Fogoros S, Zick S, Wahl H, Griffith KA, Huang J, Liu JR. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2007 Dec 20;7:44. PMID: 18096028 doi:10.1186/1472-6882-7-44

The April issue of the journal Cancer Prevention Research published the results of a trial conducted by scientists at Tokyo University of Science, the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and Johns Hopkins University which determined that the isothiocyanate sulforaphane, a compound that occurs in high amounts in broccoli and its sprouts, helps suppress infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers and many cases of stomach cancer. The trial is the first to demonstrate an effect for broccoli against H. pylori in humans.

Docosahexaenoic acid suppresses arachidonic acid-induced proliferation of LS-174T human colon carcinoma cells. Habbel P, Weylandt KH, Lichopoj K, Nowak J, Purschke M, Wang JD, He CW, Baumgart DC, Kang JX. World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar 7;15(9):1079-84. PMID: 19266600

Vitamin D and intervention trials in prostate cancer: from theory to therapy. Schwartz GG. Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Feb;19(2):96-102. Epub 2008 Jul 10. PMID: 18619854 doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2008.03.007 This suggests that whereas vitamin D (e.g., cholecalciferol) might prevent prostate cancer, existing prostate tumors likely would require treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D and/or its analogs. The major obstacle to the use of 1,25(OH)(2)D in patients therapeutically is the risk of hypercalcemia. Several maneuvers to reduce this risk, including pulse dosing and the use of less calcemic 1,25(OH)(2)D analogs, have been explored in Phase I-III clinical trials. Once merely a promise, vitamin D-based therapies for prostate cancer may soon be medical practice.

CYP17 blockade by abiraterone: further evidence for frequent continued hormone-dependence in castration-resistant prostate cancer. Ang JE, Olmos D, de Bono JS. Br J Cancer. 2009 Mar 10;100(5):671-5. Epub 2009 Feb 17. PMID: 19223900 doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6604904

Phase I clinical trial of a selective inhibitor of CYP17, abiraterone acetate, confirms that castration-resistant prostate cancer commonly remains hormone driven. Attard G, Reid AH, Yap TA, Raynaud F, Dowsett M, Settatree S, Barrett M, Parker C, Martins V, Folkerd E, Clark J, Cooper CS, Kaye SB, Dearnaley D, Lee G, de Bono JS. J Clin Oncol. 2008 Oct 1;26(28):4563-71. Epub 2008 Jul 21. PMID: 18645193 DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2007.15.9749

Ecological Studies Of Ultraviolet B, Vitamin D And Cancer Since 2000. Grant WB, Mohr SB. Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Mar 6. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 19269856 doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2008.12.014