White Button Mushrooms May Help the Body Fight Cancer
Recent research shows that soluble fibers in mushroom have immune-boosting properties that may help prevent or delay the progression of prostate cancer.The everyday food we eat may help us fight cancer.According to recent research, supplements made from white button mushroom extracts may slow cancer progression in prostate cancer patients.Researchers found that the mushroom supplements significantly reduced cells that hamper the body’s cancer-fighting response. These cells are elevated in men with prostate cancer and are associated with poorer prognosis. The supplements also activated tumor-fighting immune cells, such as T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells.“Using natural, food-based interventions could be a helpful way to slow down or even stop cancer from getting worse,” corresponding study author Shiuan Chen, a professor and chair of the Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular Medicine at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, told The Epoch Times via email.“Our study is an example of integrative oncology, a whole-person supportive care approach,” Chen said. The approach combines conventional and evidence-based complementary treatments like natural products and mind-body practices.White Button Mushroom’s Anti-Cancer MechanismIn the study, published in Clinical and Translational Medicine in October, researchers from City of Hope, a leading cancer research and treatment organization with centers across Southern California, Atlanta, Chicago, and Phoenix, investigated how dietary compounds in white button mushrooms interact with the immune system to slow tumor growth. The research was conducted in animals and humans.Prostate cancer is an immunologically “cold” tumor, meaning it lacks immune cell activity and responds poorly to immunotherapies. Its progression is often linked to myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), immune cells that block the body’s ability to attack tumors.Related StoriesIn 2015, the researchers tested the effects of mushroom extract in a phase 1 trial, which is the first stage of testing a new drug. Thirty-six patients were given 4 to 14 grams of mushroom extract tablets daily for three months. Thirteen patients had an 11 percent decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), while four experienced a 65 percent to 94 percent decrease in MDSCs in the blood.PSA is an indication of prostate cancer growth. Therefore, a decline in PSA levels shows that the mushroom slowed tumor growth. A decrease in MDSC in the blood also suggests an enhanced immune response.Mice treated with mushroom extract either before or after tumor development also experienced significantly delayed tumor growth, shrinkage, and more prolonged survival than untreated mice.The mushroom doesn’t kill cancer cells directly. Instead, it works by enhancing the immune system. In one experiment involving immunodeficient mice lacking key immune cells, neither the mushroom extract nor beta-glucan (a type of fiber found in mushrooms known for its immune-modulating activity) in shiitake mushrooms slowed tumor growth.Therefore, the mushroom extracts likely improve cancer survival by working on the immune system rather than acting directly on the cancer cells.Researchers believe the white button mushroom’s beta-glucan content is responsible for its immune-boosting activity. While mushrooms, in general, are known to be high in beta-glucans, content varies across species.Boosting Immunity in MiceThe white button mushroom extract reduced the number and activity of MDSCs within the tumors and bloodstreams of the mice.The extract also encouraged the growth and multiplication of cancer-fighting T-cells in the mice. T-cells infiltrate tumors to kill cancer cells. MDSCs can suppress T-cell growth and division, but the mushroom extract countered this effect.Furthermore, the extract boosted the activity of cancer-fighting cells like CD8+ T-cells and NK cells while reducing the activity of pro-cancer genes in immune cells.Treating mice with the mushroom extract also decreased neutrophils, often associated with pro-tumor inflammation, and increased lymphocyte counts, indicating a more robust anti-tumor immune response.Anti-Cancer Effects in HumansBuilding on the insights gained from mice experiments and the phase 1 clinical trial, the researchers evaluated the effects of mushroom supplements among prostate cancer patients. After three months of supplementation, blood samples showed reduced circulating MDSCs and increased activation of T-cells and NK cells, suggesting a more potent immune response.Co-author Dr. Xiaoqiang Wang, a City of Hope staff scientist with a doctorate in molecular medicine, said they also need to research other types of mushrooms. “We are not sure if other types of mushrooms would provide the same specific benefits as white button mushrooms for prostate cancer. More studies are needed to understand how different mushrooms affect health.”The researchers did not specify the exact amount of white button mushrooms a
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Recent research shows that soluble fibers in mushroom have immune-boosting properties that may help prevent or delay the progression of prostate cancer.
The everyday food we eat may help us fight cancer.
According to recent research, supplements made from white button mushroom extracts may slow cancer progression in prostate cancer patients.
Researchers found that the mushroom supplements significantly reduced cells that hamper the body’s cancer-fighting response. These cells are elevated in men with prostate cancer and are associated with poorer prognosis. The supplements also activated tumor-fighting immune cells, such as T-cells and natural killer (NK) cells.
“Using natural, food-based interventions could be a helpful way to slow down or even stop cancer from getting worse,” corresponding study author Shiuan Chen, a professor and chair of the Department of Cancer Biology and Molecular Medicine at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, told The Epoch Times via email.
White Button Mushroom’s Anti-Cancer Mechanism
In the study, published in Clinical and Translational Medicine in October, researchers from City of Hope, a leading cancer research and treatment organization with centers across Southern California, Atlanta, Chicago, and Phoenix, investigated how dietary compounds in white button mushrooms interact with the immune system to slow tumor growth. The research was conducted in animals and humans.Prostate cancer is an immunologically “cold” tumor, meaning it lacks immune cell activity and responds poorly to immunotherapies. Its progression is often linked to myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), immune cells that block the body’s ability to attack tumors.
PSA is an indication of prostate cancer growth. Therefore, a decline in PSA levels shows that the mushroom slowed tumor growth. A decrease in MDSC in the blood also suggests an enhanced immune response.
Mice treated with mushroom extract either before or after tumor development also experienced significantly delayed tumor growth, shrinkage, and more prolonged survival than untreated mice.
The mushroom doesn’t kill cancer cells directly. Instead, it works by enhancing the immune system. In one experiment involving immunodeficient mice lacking key immune cells, neither the mushroom extract nor beta-glucan (a type of fiber found in mushrooms known for its immune-modulating activity) in shiitake mushrooms slowed tumor growth.
Therefore, the mushroom extracts likely improve cancer survival by working on the immune system rather than acting directly on the cancer cells.
Researchers believe the white button mushroom’s beta-glucan content is responsible for its immune-boosting activity. While mushrooms, in general, are known to be high in beta-glucans, content varies across species.
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Boosting Immunity in Mice
The white button mushroom extract reduced the number and activity of MDSCs within the tumors and bloodstreams of the mice.The extract also encouraged the growth and multiplication of cancer-fighting T-cells in the mice. T-cells infiltrate tumors to kill cancer cells. MDSCs can suppress T-cell growth and division, but the mushroom extract countered this effect.
Furthermore, the extract boosted the activity of cancer-fighting cells like CD8+ T-cells and NK cells while reducing the activity of pro-cancer genes in immune cells.
Treating mice with the mushroom extract also decreased neutrophils, often associated with pro-tumor inflammation, and increased lymphocyte counts, indicating a more robust anti-tumor immune response.
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Anti-Cancer Effects in Humans
Building on the insights gained from mice experiments and the phase 1 clinical trial, the researchers evaluated the effects of mushroom supplements among prostate cancer patients. After three months of supplementation, blood samples showed reduced circulating MDSCs and increased activation of T-cells and NK cells, suggesting a more potent immune response.Co-author Dr. Xiaoqiang Wang, a City of Hope staff scientist with a doctorate in molecular medicine, said they also need to research other types of mushrooms. “We are not sure if other types of mushrooms would provide the same specific benefits as white button mushrooms for prostate cancer. More studies are needed to understand how different mushrooms affect health.”
The researchers did not specify the exact amount of white button mushrooms a person should consume to gain these anti-cancer effects but encouraged including a variety of mushrooms as part of a healthy diet. They also advised consulting a doctor before starting any dietary supplements.
In addition to its effects on prostate cancer, the experimental supplement may have potential benefits for other cancers due to its immune-boosting properties. Mice given the extract alongside immunotherapy had slower tumor growth than mice treated with immunotherapy alone.
“We are also running a prevention trial using white button mushroom for breast cancer, but we need more evidence to confirm its effectiveness. Studies using animal models indicate that white button mushroom could enhance immunotherapy, making mushroom-based treatments a promising addition to future cancer therapies,” Chen said.
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