Category Archives: Immunotherapy

Cancer, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Medical Studies

Treatment of cancer with mushroom products.

JA Monro.

Breakspear Hospital, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, United Kingdom. jmonro@breakspearmedical.com

Cancer has been attributed to 3 causes: pollution, infection, and poor nutrition. Conventional treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The author proposes that immunotherapy also be considered. Among other environmental influences, dietary deficiencies and carcinogenic viral infections must be investigated and treated wherever possible. It has been suggested that mushrooms, in particular, have a structure that is immunomodulatory because it resembles the proteoglycan structure in the human extracellular matrix, and both are metabolically active. Inasmuch as mitochondria have a bacterial origin, proteoglycans may have a mushroom origin. The author describes a study which shows that natural killer cells can double in number with 8 wk of treatment with Coriolus versicolor. Also described is an epidemiological survey of cancer deaths among Flammulina velutipes farmers in Japan, which found that the mushroom farmers had lower rates of cancer deaths than controls who were not involved in mushroom farming?

(Click here for detail)

Immunotherapy, in vitro, Medical Studies, PSK

[Restoration of depressed immune responses by PSK in C3H/He mice bearing the syngeneic X5563 tumor]

[Article in Japanese]

Matsunaga K, Morita I, Oguchi Y, Fujii T, Yoshikumi C, Nomoto K.

Abstract

PSK is a protein-bound polysaccharide prepared from cultured mycelium of Coriolus versicolor. The effects of PSK on immunologic responsiveness were investigated in C3H/He mice bearing syngeneic X5563 tumor. The results were as follows. elayed foot pad reaction and antibody-forming capacity to sheep erythrocytes were depressed in tumor bearing mice, and such depression was prevented by oral or intraperitoneal administration of PSK. In vitro cytotoxic activity of splenic lymphocytes against the tumor was augmented by PSK administration. Antitumor effect was augmented by combination of PSK and X-irradiation. Delayed foot pad reaction to sheep erythrocytes was suppressed in normal C3H/He mice given immunosuppressive substance obtained from tumor-bearing mice, and the depressed reaction recovered to the normal level following PSK administration. These results show that PSK is effective in the syngeneic murine tumor system.

PMID: 3789756 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3789756

Immunotherapy, Medical Studies, PSK

Restoration of immune responsiveness by a biological response modifier, PSK, in aged mice bearing syngeneic transplantable tumor.

Matsunaga K, Morita I, Oguchi Y, Fujii T, Yoshikumi C, Nomoto K.

Biomedical Research Laboratories, Kureha Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan.

Abstract

PSK (Krestin) is a protein-bound polysaccharide isolated from cultured mycelia of Coriolus versicolor in basidiomycetes. PSK is a biological response modifier which possesses unique characteristics. We investigated the effects of PSK on the immune response of aged C57BL/6 mice bearing a syngeneic transplantable tumor adenocarcinoma 755. (a) In C57BL/6 mice, the delayed foot pad reaction against sheep erythrocytes and resistance to syngeneic tumor challenge reached a peak when the mice were at 30 weeks of age, and decreased at 50-60 weeks of age. The serum of normal mice exerts a modifying effect on blastogenesis of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin. The positive effect reached a peak at 30 weeks of age, and thereafter declined with age. (b) When adenocarcinoma 755 was inoculated to C57BL/6 mice at 10-, 30- and 60-weeks of age, immune responses were depressed in 10-week-old and 60-week-old mice. PSK prevented such depression. However, in 30-week-old mice, tumor-induced suppression was slight, and administration of PSK to them increased proportion of mice which did not develop a tumor. (c) In 60-week-old tumor-bearing mice, the antitumor effects was increased with a combination of PSK and adoptive transfer of spleen cells from 10-week-old normal mice. The immune responses of mice, which change with the progress of age, are depressed by tumor burden. The administration of PSK to aged mice is effective to restore immune responses from tumor-induced suppression.

PMID: 3430562 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3430562

Immunotherapy, Medical Studies, PSP

Immunomodulatory and antitumor activities of a polysaccharide-peptide complex from a mycelial culture of Tricholoma sp., a local edible mushroom.

Wang HX, Liu WK, Ng TB, Ooi VE, Chang ST.

Department of Biology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin.

Abstract

A polysaccharide-peptide complex (PSPC) with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities was obtained from a submerged mycelial culture of Tricholoma sp., a local edible mushroom. The polysaccharide-peptide complex exhibited a molecular weight of 17 K in gel filtration and a single band after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was characterized by non-adsorption on both DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B and CM-cellulose. It could activate the macrophages, stimulate the proliferation of T-cells, and inhibit the growth of sarcoma 180 in mice. It possessed more potent immunomodulatory and antitumor activities than Coriolus versicolor polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and deserves to be studied as a potential agent for immunomodulation and cancer therapy.

PMID: 7596231 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7596231

Immunotherapy, Medical Studies, PSP

Effects of Coriolus versicolor polysaccharides peptides on electric activity of mediobasal hypothalamus and on immune function in rats.

Yu GD, Yin QZ, Hu YM, Yin ZW, Gu ZL, Qian ZN, Qian ZM.

Laboratory of Neurobiology, Suzhou Medical College, China.

Abstract

AIM: The nervous mechanism of the immune potentiating effect of Coriolus versicolor polysaccharides peptides (PSP) was studied in Wistar rats.

METHODS: The unit discharge of the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) neurons was recorded extracellularly and the lymphocyte proliferation was measured.

RESULTS: PSP 1 g.kg-1 ig for 5 d increased the T-lymphocytes and promoted T-lymphocyte proliferation in spleen and peripheral blood. This promoting effect of PSP was blocked by MBH lesion. PSP increased the discharge frequency of MBH neurons, but no increase in discharge frequency was observed after treatment of PSP plus immune inhibitor, cyclosporin A.

CONCLUSION: MBH is involved in the immune-potentiating effect of PSP.

PMID: 9812756 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9812756

Cancer, Immunotherapy, Medical Studies, PSK, PSP

Immunomodulation and anti-cancer activity of polysaccharide-protein complexes.

Ooi VE, Liu F.

Department of Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.

Abstract

In the last three decades, numerous polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes have been isolated from mushrooms and used as a source of therapeutic agents. The most promising biopharmacological activities of these biopolymers are their immunomodulation and anti-cancer effects. They are mainly present as glucans with different types of glycosidic linkages such as (1–>3), (1–>6)-beta-glucans and (1–>3)-alpha-glucans, and as true herteroglycans, while others mostly bind to protein residues as polysaccharide-protein complexes. Three antitumor mushroom polysaccharides, i.e. lentinan, schizophyllan and protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK, Krestin), isolated respectively, from Lentinus edodes, Schizophyllum commune and Coriolus versicolor, have become large market items in Japan. Lentinan and schizophyllan are pure beta-glucans, whereas PSK is a protein-bound beta-glucan. A polysaccharide peptide (PSP), isolated from a strain of Coriolus versicolor in China, has also been widely used as an anti-cancer and immunomodulatory agent. Although the mechansim of their antitumor action is still not completely clear, these polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes are suggested to enhance cell-mediated immune responses in vivo and in vitro and act as biological response modifiers. Potentiation of the host defense system may result in the activation of many kinds of immune cells that are vitally important for the maintenance of homeostasis. Polysaccharides or polysaccharide-protein complexes are considered as multi-cytokine inducers that are able to induce gene expression of vaious immunomodulatory cytokines and cytokine receptors. Some interesting studies focus on investigation of the relationship between their structure and antitumor activity, elucidation of their antitumor mechanism at the molecular level, and improvement of their various biological activities by chemical modifications.

PMID: 10702635 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10702635

Autoimmune Disease, Immunotherapy, News, Preventative

Dr. Mark Flannery Joins inLife LLC’s Board as Medical Advisor

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Irvine, California inLife, LLC distributors of science-based Health & Wellness products, today announced Dr. Mark Flannery joins inLife’s Board as Medical Advisor. Dr. Flannery, who specializes in the treatment of autoimmune disorders and chronic illness using advanced nutritional therapies is a Diplomate of the College of Clinical Nutrition, a Diplomate of the Chiropractic Board of Clinical Nutrition, and a Certified Nutrition Specialist by the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists, today joins inLife to bring awareness and enlightenment to the public of inLife’s new immunological nutritional supplement, inForce Immune Builder.

Dr. Flannery who assists his patients in achieving their optimal health by focusing on correcting the imbalances in their physiology says, “After much research and analization of inLife inForce Immune Builder’s main ingredient Coriolus versicolor, I am very proud to be part of a company that is on the verge of helping many, many people realize their true health potential. In reviewing the research and viewing many of the testimonials so far submitted to inLife I am convinced that inForce Immune Builder should be part of everyone’s daily nutritional routine.” Dr. Flannery will also soon be seen interviewed by Cristina Ferrare on inLife’s soon-to-be-viewed national infomercial about the science behind inForce Immune Builder.

About Coriolus Versicolor

The Coriolus Versicolor mushroom is one of the most widely studied supplements for its immune building properties. Worldwide, there have been over 400 animal and human studies on Coriolus versicolor with over a dozen placebo-based human trials conducted in the west. Traditionally, the Coriolus versicolor mushroom (known as Yun-zhi or cloud mushroom in China) has been used in China for several thousand years because of its immune boosting capabilities. In the 1980s, Dr. Yang conducted further studies and was able to isolate a much more potent strain using a different, alcohol-based extraction process. The result was Polysaccharopeptide or PSP. In the United States, top-ranked hospital and research institutes have reported that Coriolus versicolor helps boost the body’s immune systems with limited side effects and safety of daily oral doses for extended periods of time. In addition, Coriolus versicolor and its potential positive effects has been studied very closely by M.D. Anderson, University of Texas, Loma Linda University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School) , The University of San Diego, Sloan-Kettering Center (New York), and Bastyr University (Kenmore, Washington) just to name a few.

inLife Immune Builder with PSP and PSK

inLife offers Coriolus versicolor as a Daily Dietary Supplement in capsule form to help maintain and stimulate the body’s immune system. Coriolus versicolor and its high-potency extracts, PSK and PSP are among the most widely studied supplements for their immune building properties. One would be hard-pressed to find another immune boosting product that has had more research completed or positive comments associated with it. The amount of worldwide comments and studies is compelling. InForce Immune Builder is a proprietary blend of both Polysaccharide-K (PSK) and Polysaccharopeptide (PSP). Both offer much needed immune building assistance and they can be taken on a daily basis. The products are bottled in the United States in an FDA registered bottling facility that is CGMP compliant (Current Good Manufacturing Practices).

About inLife, LLC

Founded in 2007, inLife has been very successful in bringing to market products that have efficacies that are soundly based on scientific research. inLife products are now available in the U.S. as well as the U.K, Canada and Spain. For more information on inForce Immune Builder and the company, please review www.myinlife.com. For further details on inForce, journalists may contact Thomas Kiklas directly at 949-648-2525.

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Founded in 2007, inLife has been very successful in bringing to market products that have efficacies that are soundly based on scientific research. For further details on inForce, journalists may contact Thomas Kiklas directly at 949-648-2525.

Click here to download this press release.

Immunotherapy, Medical Studies

Coriolus versicolor: a medicinal mushroom with promising immunotherapeutic values.

Chu KK, Ho SS, Chow AH.

School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT.

Abstract

Coriolus versicolor (CV) is a medicinal mushroom widely prescribed for the prophylaxis and treatment of cancer and infection in China. In recent years, it has been extensively demonstrated both preclinically and clinically that aqueous extracts obtained from CV display a wide array of biological activities, including stimulatory effects on different immune cells and inhibition of cancer growth. The growing popularity of aqueous CV extracts as an adjunct medical modality to conventional cancer therapies has generated substantial commercial interest in developing these extracts into consistent and efficacious oral proprietary products. While very limited information is available on the physical, chemical, and pharmacodynamic properties of the active principles present in these extracts, there has been sufficient scientific evidence to support the feasibility of developing at least some of these constituents into an evidence-based immunodulatory agent. In this article, the background, traditional usage, pharmacological activities, clinical effects, adverse reactions, active constituents, and regulatory aspects of CV are reviewed. Presented also in this review are the current uses and administration, potential drug interactions, and contraindication of aqueous extracts prepared from CV.

PMID: 12211223 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Cancer, Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Medical Studies

Treatment of cancer with mushroom products.

Monro JA.

Breakspear Hospital, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, United Kingdom. jmonro@breakspearmedical.com

Abstract

Cancer has been attributed to 3 causes: pollution, infection, and poor nutrition. Conventional treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. The author proposes that immunotherapy also be considered. Among other environmental influences, dietary deficiencies and carcinogenic viral infections must be investigated and treated wherever possible. It has been suggested that mushrooms, in particular, have a structure that is immunomodulatory because it resembles the proteoglycan structure in the human extracellular matrix, and both are metabolically active. Inasmuch as mitochondria have a bacterial origin, proteoglycans may have a mushroom origin. The author describes a study which shows that natural killer cells can double in number with 8 wk of treatment with Coriolus versicolor. Also described is an epidemiological survey of cancer deaths among Flammulina velutipes farmers in Japan, which found that the mushroom farmers had lower rates of cancer deaths than controls who were not involved in mushroom farming.

PMID: 15259434 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Immunotherapy, in vitro, Medical Studies, Tumor

Differential effect of Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) extract on cytokine production by murine lymphocytes in vitro.

Ho CY, Lau CB, Kim CF, Leung KN, Fung KP, Tse TF, Chan HH, Chow MS.

School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, China.

Abstract

Being one of the commonly used Chinese medicinal herbs, Coriolus versicolor (CV), also named as Yunzhi, was known to possess both anti-tumor and immunopotentiating activities. The present study aimed to investigate the in vitro immunomodulatory effect of a standardized ethanol-water extract prepared from CV on the proliferation of murine splenic lymphocytes using the MTT assay, and the production of six T helper (Th)-related cytokines using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The results showed that the CV extract significantly augmented the proliferation of murine splenic lymphocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner, maximally by 2.4-fold. Moreover, the production of two Th1-related cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-12, in culture supernatants from the CV extract-activated lymphocytes was prominently upregulated at 48 and 72 h. Positive correlations were found between the levels of these two cytokines and the MTT-based proliferative response. In contrast, the production of two other Th1-related cytokines, including interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-18, was significantly augmented only at 24 h, but not at 48 and 72 h. On the other hand, the levels of two Th2-related cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-6 were undetectable in the culture supernatants of lymphocytes treated with the CV extract. The CV extract was suggested to be a lymphocyte mitogen by differentially enhancing the production of Th1-related cytokines.

PMID: 15351324 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15351324