Clinical Verification

Study 2

15 female breast cancer patients (advanced stage) were treated with a D-fraction of Beta Glucan extracted from Grifola Frondosa as well as tablets of the same mushroom alongside chemotherapeutic treatment. 66.7% of them exhibited a significant reduction in tumour size and vomiting. There was also improvement in plasmatic tests and an increase in appetite.

Study 3

56 advanced stage cancer patients (12 gastric, 19 hepatic, 11 colorectal, 8 lung, 6 nasopharyngeal cancer) were divided into 2 groups of treatment. Group Experimental (n=30) and Group Placebo (n=26). Group Experimental was treated with tablets of polysaccharides extracted from 6 different mushrooms – 3 times daily, 4 tablets each time (6g/day). Group Placebo was given Poliactin-A – 3 times daily, 1 tablet each time (30mg/day). Both treatments began 7 days before chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Results demonstrated that polysaccharides inhibit protein synthesis of cancer cells, alleviate toxic reactions caused by anti-cancer drugs, improve immunity and secretion of IgA, as well as stimulate macrophages and monocytes action.

Study 4

8 different cancer patients (stage 2-4) aged 43-74 years old consumed 100mg D-fraction of the polysaccharide extracted from Grifola Frondosa(Grifolan) orally, and on a daily basis for 34 months. Examination proved that the posterior activity of natural killer cells in all patients increased significantly (1.2-2.7 times) when treated with Grifolan. The authors concluded the importance of D-fraction as a Biological Response Modifier, as it helped stimulate the natural killer cells through the secretion of IL-12 by macrophages.

Study 5

In a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial, 22 patients were divided into 2 groups: Group Agaricus Sylvaticus (Beta Glucan 1-3,1-6- based polysaccharides), n=11, supplemented orally, twice daily (4.08 mg/kg/dia) for 3 months and Group Placebo, n=11. The Agaricus Sylvaticus group experienced normalised bowel movements and only 9% experienced no alteration of bowel functions. This proved that Agaricus Sylvaticus helps improve gastrointestinal function and reducing the adverse effects of chemotherapy.

Study 6

33 patients with gastric carcinoma were treated with 2 mg Lentinen (Beta Glucan 1-3,1-6-based polysaccharides) for 6 months after gastrectomy (4 times daily, in 2 or 4 week-intervals). 70% of the patients experienced a 50% increase in IL-1 basal production by macrophages. The result was even more significant in patients who took the 4 weeks dosage compared to 2 weeks.

Study 7

A randomised double-blind placebo controlled trial was conducted with 82 gastric carcinoma patients for a period of 2 months. The control group underwent chemotherapy only, while the experimental group underwent chemotherapy supplemented by 3g/daily of polysaccharides extracted from Coriolus Versicolor (Beta Glucan 1-3,1-6-based). A significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed in natural killer cell activity, as well as in IL-2 and CD4/CD88 levels, as compared to the control group.

The aforementioned studies are abstracted from a series of clinical studies from “ The immunomodulator role of Beta-D-glucans as co-adjuvant for cancer therapy” Rev Bras Nutr Clin 2006 21(2)163-8)