Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 29, 2025
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
From a Medicinal Mushroom Blend a Direct Anticancer Effect on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Preclinical Study on
Elisa Roda1,2, Fabrizio De Luca1, Carlo Alessandro Locatelli2
1Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Abstract:
Bioactive metabolites isolated from medicinal mushrooms (MM) used as supportive treatment in conventional oncology have recently gained interest. Acting as anticancer agents, they interfere with tumor cells and microenvironment (TME), disturbing cancer development/progression. Nonetheless, their action mechanisms still need to be elucidated. Recently, using a 4T1 triple-negative mouse BC model, we demonstrated that supplementation with Micotherapy U-Care, a MM blend, produced a striking reduction of lung metastases density/number, paralleled by decreased inflammation and oxidative stress both in TME and metastases, together with QoL amelioration. We hypothesized that these effects could be due to either a direct anticancer effect and/or to a secondary/indirect impact of Micotherapy U-Care on systemic inflammation/immunomodulation. To address this question, we presently focused on apoptosis/proliferation, investigating specific molecules, i.e., PARP1, p53, BAX, Bcl2, and PCNA, whose critical role in BC is well recognized. We revealed that Micotherapy U-Care is effective to influence balance between cell death and proliferation, which appeared strictly interconnected and inversely related (p53/Bax vs. Bcl2/PARP1/PCNA expression trends). MM blend displayed a direct effect, with different efficacy extent on cancer cells and TME, forcing tumor cells to apoptosis. Yet again, this study supports the potential of MM extracts, as adjuvant supplement in the TNBC management.
Insights
Medicinal mushroom (MM) blends like Micotherapy U-Care directly induce apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. This MM blend shows potential as an adjuvant therapy, reducing tumor progression and improving quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Medicinal mushrooms (MM) are explored for supportive cancer care due to bioactive metabolites.
- Their anticancer mechanisms, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), require further elucidation.
- Previous studies showed a MM blend reduced lung metastases, inflammation, and oxidative stress in a TNBC model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct anticancer effects of a medicinal mushroom (MM) blend, Micotherapy U-Care, on apoptosis and proliferation in a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) model.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed anti-cancer effects, focusing on key proteins involved in cell death and proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 4T1 triple-negative mouse breast cancer (BC) model.
- Supplemented with Micotherapy U-Care, a blend of medicinal mushrooms (MM).
- Analyzed the expression of apoptosis/proliferation markers: PARP1, p53, BAX, Bcl2, and PCNA.
Main Results:
- Micotherapy U-Care significantly influenced the balance between apoptosis and proliferation in cancer cells.
- Expression trends indicated an inverse relationship between pro-apoptotic (p53, Bax) and anti-apoptotic/proliferation (Bcl2, PARP1, PCNA) markers.
- The MM blend demonstrated a direct effect, inducing apoptosis in tumor cells and impacting the tumor microenvironment (TME).
Conclusions:
- Medicinal mushroom (MM) blends, such as Micotherapy U-Care, exert direct anticancer effects by promoting apoptosis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.
- These findings support the potential of MM extracts as an adjuvant therapy for TNBC management.
- The study highlights the role of MM in modulating key molecular pathways involved in cancer cell death and proliferation.
