Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2026
Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
Published on: July 25, 2020
Application of DNA from mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus for cancer biotherapy: a pilot study
V Shlyakhovenko1, V Kosak, S Olishevsky
1R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv 03022, Ukraine. sergeyolishevsky@yahoo.com
Aim:
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.
Conclusion:
The observed effects of P. ostreatus DNA administration can be probably explained by the presence of immunostimulatory unmethylated CpG motifs in DNA.
Insights
DNA from P. ostreatus mushrooms enhances natural killer (NK) cell activity and extends the lifespan of mice with cancer. This suggests potential immunostimulatory properties for therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The fruit body of P. ostreatus, a widely consumed mushroom, contains DNA with potential biological activities.
- Investigating the immunomodulatory and biotherapeutic potential of mushroom-derived DNA is a novel area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of DNA isolated from P. ostreatus fruit bodies.
- To assess the biotherapeutic potential of P. ostreatus DNA in a murine cancer model.
Main Methods:
- DNA was isolated from P. ostreatus fruit bodies.
- The efficacy of DNA was tested on BALB/c mice bearing Ehrlich carcinoma.
- In vitro studies assessed the effect of DNA on natural killer (NK) cell activity using a nonspecific cytotoxicity assay.
Main Results:
- P. ostreatus DNA significantly increased NK cell cytotoxic activity in vitro.
- Administration of mushroom DNA led to a significant increase in the lifespan of mice with solid Ehrlich carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that P. ostreatus DNA possesses immunomodulatory and anti-cancer properties.
- The immunostimulatory effects are likely due to the presence of unmethylated CpG motifs within the DNA, which are known to activate immune responses.
