[Antitumor effects of intratumoral injection of Basidiomycetes preparations]

Takusaburo Ebina1

  • 1Division of Immunology, Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute.

Insights

Certain Basidiomycetes mushroom extracts, like PSK, Matsumax, and Agaricus, show significant antitumor effects by activating immune responses. These biological response modifiers (BRMs) demonstrate potential in preventing tumor growth and metastasis.

Area of Science:

  • * Mycology
  • * Immunology
  • * Pharmacology

Background:

  • * Basidiomycetes fungi produce bioactive compounds with potential medicinal properties.
  • * Biological Response Modifiers (BRMs) from mushrooms can modulate the immune system.
  • * The
  • double grafted tumor system
  • mouse model is used to study anti-tumor effects, including metastasis prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To analyze the anti-tumor effects of various Basidiomycetes preparations.
  • * To investigate the efficacy of these preparations in preventing tumor metastasis.
  • * To explore the relationship between BRM administration and immune activation, specifically macrophage activation and Immunosuppressive Acidic Protein (IAP) production.

Main Methods:

  • * Evaluation of Basidiomycetes preparations including PSK, Matsumax, Agaricus, Himematsutake, and Lentinan in a double grafted tumor system mouse model.
  • * Analysis of tumor growth, metastasis inhibition, and survival rates.
  • * Measurement of Immunosuppressive Acidic Protein (IAP) levels as an indicator of macrophage activation.

Main Results:

  • * PSK (from *Coliolus versicolor*) demonstrated complete cure of primary and metastatic tumors.
  • * Matsumax and Agaricus preparation (from *Tricholoma matsutake* and *Agaricus blazei*, respectively) cured primary tumors and inhibited metastasis.
  • * Himematsutake preparation (from *Agaricus blazei*) inhibited primary tumor growth, while Lentinan (from *Lentinus edodes*) showed no significant effect on primary or metastatic tumors.
  • * PSK, Matsumax, Agaricus, and Himematsutake preparations induced IAP production, indicating macrophage activation, whereas Lentinan did not.

Conclusions:

  • * Several Basidiomycetes preparations exhibit potent anti-tumor and anti-metastatic properties.
  • * The anti-tumor efficacy of these BRMs is linked to the activation of anti-tumor immunological cascade reactions, particularly macrophage activation.
  • * Different Basidiomycetes extracts possess varying degrees of anti-tumor activity and mechanisms of action.

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