Mushrooms and Cancer: Mushroom as Possible Adjuvant Treatment Agent

Abstract

Mushroom is used in conventional treatment of cancer patients for many years. In recent years, numerous studies present growing evidence that some species of mushroom have particularly beneficial effects on cancer. Anticancer effects of mushrooms are attributed especially to their immunomodulatory properties. Polysaccharides are the components providing this feature of mushroom. In particular, β-D-glucan has been reported to gain more importance as a polysaccharide. In this article, in addition to in vitro, in vivo and crosssectional studies that demonstrate beneficial effects of mushroom on cancer, intervention studies on mushroom consumption were reviewed and the use of mushroom as an adjuvant therapy in cancer patients is discussed.