title: Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) Use as Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Poor Liver Function or Who Are Unfit for Standard Therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The majority of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are inoperable and results with conventional chemotherapy are dismal. Many end up with no treatment options and resort to alternative medicine. The authors report the use of Coriolus versicolor (CV) in advanced HCC patients with poor liver function or who were unfit to receive standard therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen eligible cases were randomized 2:1 to either CV or placebo. The primary endpoint was the median time to progression (TTP) between both arms. Secondary endpoints include evaluating response rates, toxicity, quality of life (QOL), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Further correlative studies were performed looking at the effect of CV on the immune system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median treatment duration was 1.5 cycles and 3 cycles on the placebo and CV arm, respectively. Median TTP was 2.5 (1.4-5.3) months compared to 4.2 (0.4-4.2) months in the CV and placebo arm, respectively, hazard ratio (HR) 0.70 (0.16-3.05 p = 0.634). Median PFS was 2.5 (1.4-5.3) months in the CV and 1.1 (0.4-4.2) months in the placebo arm, HR 0.42 (0.13-1.34, p = 0.144). Median OS was 6.5 (3.3-24.1) and 2.2 (0.8-23.3) months, respectively, HR 0.35 (0.10-1.25, p = 0.105). Social and emotional functioning scores were higher in the CV group compared to placebo group on treatment. CV subjects had less appetite loss and pain symptoms compared to placebo subjects during treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no difference in TTP with use of CV compared to placebo. CV subjects generally had better QOL on treatment compared to placebo subjects. The utility of this supplement in patients whose primary treatment goal is palliation should be further explored.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore , Singapore, Singapore .
authors.forename: Wen Yee
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chay
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore , Singapore, Singapore .
authors.forename: Chee Kian
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Tham
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore , Singapore, Singapore .
authors.forename: Han Chong
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Toh
authors.affiliation: 2 Novena Cancer Centre , Singapore, Singapore .
authors.forename: Hwee Yong
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Singapore General Hospital , Singapore, Singapore .
authors.forename: Chee Kiat
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Clinical Trials and Epidemiology, National Cancer Centre Singapore , Singapore .
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore , Singapore, Singapore .
authors.forename: Who-Whong
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore , Singapore, Singapore .
authors.forename: Su-Pin
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Choo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001487:Basidiomycota; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products
keywords: Coriolus versicolor; hepatocellular carcinoma; medicinal mushrooms; polysaccharides; quality of life; yunzhi