title: Application of DNA from mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus for cancer biotherapy: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In present work, the attempt to study immunomodulatory activity and biotherapeutical potential of DNA isolated from the fruit body of P. ostreatus was made.
  
  
  METHODS
  The efficacy of biotherapeutic application of mushroom DNA was evaluated on the BALB/c mice with subcutaneously transplanted Ehrlich carcinoma. The effect of Pleurotus ostreatus DNA on NK activity was studied in vitro using nonspecific cytotoxicity assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Application of mushroom DNA resulted in augmentation of NK cytotoxic activity in vitro and significant increase of the life span of mice with solid Ehrlich carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed effects of P. ostreatus DNA administration can be probably explained by the presence of immunostimulatory unmethylated CpG motifs in DNA.
authors.affiliation: R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv 03022, Ukraine. sergeyolishevsky@yahoo.com
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shlyakhovenko
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kosak
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Olishevsky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000628:therapy*; D018899:CpG Islands / Q000276:immunology; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020076:Pleurotus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004271:DNA, Fungal