Bioactive mushroom polysaccharides as antitumor: an overview

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Mycology
• Oncology

Background:

• Immunotherapies are increasingly vital for cancer treatment, aiming to bolster the host's immune system (including IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE, and macrophages) to combat neoplastic cells.
• Mushrooms have a long history of medicinal use, recognized for potent bioactive compounds like chizophyllan, lentinan, grifolan, polysaccharide-peptide complex (PSP), and polysaccharide-protein complex (PSK).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of mushroom-derived compounds as immunotherapeutic agents against cancer.
• To investigate the mechanisms by which mushroom polysaccharides exert antitumor effects and prevent oncogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on mushroom bioactive compounds and their immunomodulatory effects.
• Analysis of studies detailing the antitumor activities, including direct effects on metastasis and induction of host immune responses.

Main Results:

• Mushroom compounds like chizophyllan, lentinan, grifolan, PSP, and PSK demonstrate significant medicinal properties against malignancy.
• Mushroom polysaccharides exhibit antitumor effects by inhibiting tumor metastasis and stimulating the host's immune response.
• These polysaccharides show efficacy in cancer treatment through their unique modes of action.

Conclusions:

• Mushroom polysaccharides represent a promising avenue for future cancer therapies due to their efficacy and immunomodulatory properties.
• Despite existing challenges, mushroom-derived compounds herald a new era of safer and more effective cancer treatments.