Can maitake MD-fraction aid cancer patients?
Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) MD-fraction containing beta-1,6 glucan with beta-1,3 branched chains has previously exhibited strong anticancer activity by increasing immune-competent cell activity.1,2 In this non-random case series, a combination of MD-fraction and whole maitake powder was investigated to determine its effectiveness for 22- to 57-year-old cancer patients in stages II-IV. Cancer regression or significant symptom improvement was observed in 58.3 percent of liver cancer patients, 68.8 percent of breast cancer patients, and 62.5 percent of lung cancer patients. The trial found a less than 10-20 percent improvement for leukemia, stomach cancer, and brain cancer patients. Furthermore, when maitake was taken in addition to chemotherapy, immune-competent cell activities were enhanced 1.2-1.4 times, compared with chemotherapy alone. Animal studies have supported the use of maitake MD-fraction for cancer.
Department of Microbial Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Kobe, Japan.
Noriko
N
Kodama
Kiyoshi
K
Komuta
Hiroaki
H
Nanba
D000328:Adult; D000363:Agaricales; D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000188:drug therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005936:Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D047071:beta-Glucans
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D005936:Glucans; D047071:beta-Glucans; C048444:grifolan