A very interesting read!!! Part 1 of 2

OBSERVATIONAL NON-CONTROLLED STUDY OF THE USE OF CORIOLUS VERSICOLOR SUPPLEMENTATION IN 30 CANCER PATIENTS-Dr. Julian Kenyon (MD, MB ChB)

PSP, a polysaccharopeptide obtained from cultivated mycelia of the mushroom Coriolus versicolor, is a biological response modifier capable of howing diverse biological activities. It is a chemically homogenous substance possessing a molecular weight of approximately 100 kilodaltons. PSP is composed of 90% polysaccharides and 10% peptides. In addition to glucose, its polysaccharide constituents consist of five other sugars including arabinose, galactose, mannose, rhannose and xylose. The polypeptide constituents contain more than twenty different amino acids, notably aspartic and glutamic acids. PSP exhibits immunomodulatory and anti-tumour activities with low cytotoxicity. It has been used in Asia, particularly in China, as an adjuvant in the clinical treatment of cancer to boost the immunological
status of patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In addition, PSP exhibits analgesic, anti-viral and hepato-protective effects. Cancer is the result of changes in key regulatory genes which control cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. Cancer development is a multi step complex process in which normal cells gradually progress to malignancy. Both the activation of the oncogenes and the inactivity of the tumour suppresser genes are critical steps in tumour initiation and progression. The failure of cancer cells to undergo programmed cell death, known as apoptosis, is a critical factor in the development of tumours. The immune response mounted by the body is of major importance in preventing this process happening, or if it has happened, moving it towards the direction of normal apoptosis. (Rudin C M & Thompson C B 1997).

Dr. Kenyon is the founder of the Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine, London and Twyford (near Winchester) / ( www.doveclinic.com ) The activity of the immune system is firstly non-specific, mediated by natural killer cells, and secondly tumour antigen specific by mounting a cell mediated

2. Immune response known as a thymic helper cell one (TH1) response. Most commonly cancer patients mount a marked thymic helper cell two (humoral immunity), a so-called TH2 response which involves production of large quantities of antibodies (Kenyon 2001 Gotos et al 1999). TH1 cells produce one set of cytokines whilst another set of cells, the TH2 cells, produce another set of cytokines. The cytokines produced by the two cell groups both influence the anti-cancer defence mechanism in a different way. Amongst the cytokines produced by the TH1 cells there is Tumour Necrosis Factor Beta which is known for it’s ability to destroy cancer cells. However, if the TH1 response is suppressed, Tumour Necrosis Factor Beta can be produced by natural killer cells. An effective anti-tumour response is a cell mediated TH1 immune response. If the TH2 humoral response is
excessively activated then a set of cytokines, amongst which is Interleukin 5, will be produced and these can negatively affect the anti-cancer defence mechanism either directly, or indirectly. A recent study has shown that medium and high cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (mediated by TH1 lymphocytes and also natural killer cells in a non-specific way), is associated with reduced cancer risk. Whereas low activity is associated with increased cancer risk, suggesting a role for natural immunological host defence mechanisms against cancer (Kazue Imai et al 2000). Telomerase is a ribonucleo protein polymerase and is an enzyme whose function is to maintain the essential genetic element of telomeres, the eukaryotic ends of chromosomes. Telomerase activity becomes suppressed in the ageing process, but activation of telomerase is regarded as essential to
most cancers. This means that there is a specific association of human telomerase activity with cancer and usually it is high in cancer patients. There is clinical evidence to show that patients’ who have tumours that do not display telomerase activity are likely to eliminate the cancer, quite often spontaneously. It is considered that the repression of telomerase activity
3.
could be one of the mechanisms for cancer regression (Shay J W & Wright W E 1998). Several medicinal mushrooms are available for medical use at the present time. More than 50 mushroom species exhibit anti-cancer activity in-vitro, or in animal models, and of these, 6 have been investigated in human cancers. All are non-toxic and very well tolerated. Two proteoglycans from Corioulus versicolor-PSK (Polysachharide/K) and PSP (Polysachharide-peptide) – have demonstrated the most promise. Both have been subject to Phase II and Phase III trials in China, and PSP significantly extended 5 years survival in oesophageal cancer. PSP also significantly improved quality of life, provided substantial pain relief and enhanced immune status in 70-97% of patients with cancers of the stomach, oesophagus, lung, ovary and cervix. PSK and PSP boosted immune cell production, ameliorated chemotherapy symptoms,
and enhanced tumour infiltration by dendritic and cytotoxic T-cells. They have extremely high tolerability, proven benefits to survival and quality of life, and their compatibility to chemotherapy and radiation therapy makes them well suited for cancer management regimens (Kidd, P.M. “The use of mushroom glucans and proteoglycans in cancer treatment”. P.M. Altern MedRed 2000: 5 (1): 4-27).

Here’s an interesting study re prostate cancer and Coriolus Versicolor from New York Medical College

Cell growth and gene modulatory activities of Yunzhi (Windsor Wunxi) from mushroom Trametes versicolor in androgen-dependent and androgen-insensitive human prostate cancer cells.

TC Hsieh, JM Wu.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.

The incidence of prostate cancer varies greatly throughout the world; it is highest in African-Americans and lowest in the Asian populations of China, India, and Japan. Geographical differences in both prevalence of latent prostate cancer and mortality have been postulated to be influenced by diverse tumor-promoting and protective factors, both environmental and dietary.

Prostate cancer is a tumor with an extremely long latency; the pattern of prostate tumorigenesis, in terms of the display and sequence of appearance of particular molecular or biochemical features, or morphological changes, characterizing different stages of the carcinogenic process, is expected to be heterogeneous. Some insights into tumor heterogeneity and progression can be obtained from studies using cell lines, particularly those derived from different anatomical sites.

The present study aims to investigate whether hormone-responsive LNCaP and androgen-refractory JCA-1, PC-3, and DU-145 prostate cancer cells are responsive to Yunzhi (YZ), a proprietary dietary supplement prepared from extracts of Trametes versicolor, also known as Coriolus versicolor (a mushroom consumed by Chinese for its purported health benefits), and to elucidate its mechanism of action.

Ethanolic extracts (70%) of YZ significantly reduced LNCaP cell growth, down-regulated the levels of secreted PSA, but had less effects on the expression of intracellular PSA and did not affect levels of the androgen receptor. In androgen-unresponsive prostate cancer cells, YZ had a much less pronounced suppressive effect on proliferation of PC-3 and DU-145 cells, compared to LNCaP, and was inactive against JCA-1 cells.

Western blot analyses show that the expression of Rb, a key regulatory protein in G1/S transition, and PCNA, integrally involved in mammalian cell DNA replication, were significantly reduced by treatment with YZ in PC-3 and DU-145 cells, respectively.

In contradiction, none of these biochemical parameters were affected in JCA-1 cells under identical treatment conditions.

Further analysis shows that YZ increased the levels of signal transducer and activator family of transcription factors STAT 1 and STAT 3 in JCA-1 and not LNCaP cells. The greater sensitivity of LNCaP cells to this polysaccharopeptide raises the possibility that YZ may be considered as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of hormone responsive prostate cancer; additionally, it may have chemopreventive potential to restrict prostate tumorigenic progression from the hormone-dependent to the hormone-refractory state

(Source: http://www.yunzhi-psp.com/net_resources/res_papers/res2001-01.pdf)

Here’s what the University of California San Diego Medical Center has to say about Coriolus versicolor.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies For Cancer Patients
Coriolus Versicolor
This treatment modality is used in place of conventional therapies to treat cancer. Seek advice from a qualified physician before replacing standard cancer therapy with coriolus versicolor treatment.
What does coriolus versicolor treatment involve? Coriolus versicolor is a mushroom used in Asian cultures to treat cancer. Its active ingredient can be administered as a tea or in capsules.
How is coriolus versicolor thought to treat cancer? The coriolus versicolor mushroom has shown antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor properties, which have been attributed to a protein-bound polysaccharide called Polysaccharide K (PSK), also known as Krestin. In Japan, PSK is currently used as a cancer treatment, in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation.
What has been proven about the benefit of coriolus versicolor? Animal studies have reported that PSK prevents the induction of tumors by chemicals, radiation and other mutagens. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center performed an extensive human studies literature review of coriolus versicolor and found twenty-four studies relevant to cancer. After an in-depth review of the available literature, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center reported that PSK is a “promising candidate for chemoprevention due to the multiple effects on the malignant process, limited side effects and safety of daily oral doses for extended periods of time.”
(Source: http://cancer.ucsd.edu/outreach/PublicEducation/CAMs/coriolusversicolor.asp)

Here’s what the University of California San Diego Medical Center has to say about Coriolus versicolor.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies For Cancer Patients
Coriolus Versicolor
This treatment modality is used in place of conventional therapies to treat cancer. Seek advice from a qualified physician before replacing standard cancer therapy with coriolus versicolor treatment.
What does coriolus versicolor treatment involve? Coriolus versicolor is a mushroom used in Asian cultures to treat cancer. Its active ingredient can be administered as a tea or in capsules.
How is coriolus versicolor thought to treat cancer? The coriolus versicolor mushroom has shown antimicrobial, antiviral and antitumor properties, which have been attributed to a protein-bound polysaccharide called Polysaccharide K (PSK), also known as Krestin. In Japan, PSK is currently used as a cancer treatment, in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation.
What has been proven about the benefit of coriolus versicolor? Animal studies have reported that PSK prevents the induction of tumors by chemicals, radiation and other mutagens. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center performed an extensive human studies literature review of coriolus versicolor and found twenty-four studies relevant to cancer. After an in-depth review of the available literature, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center reported that PSK is a “promising candidate for chemoprevention due to the multiple effects on the malignant process, limited side effects and safety of daily oral doses for extended periods of time.”
(Source: http://cancer.ucsd.edu/outreach/PublicEducation/CAMs/coriolusversicolor.asp)

Extract of article about evidence v opinion.

A world-renowned specialist in the treatment of breast cancer has been publicly warning women that immune-boosting supplements increase the risk of breast cancer, citing as evidence the relatively low rate of breast cancer among women with AIDS and the fact that certain TH-2 related cytokines may enhance tumor progression. This type of warning ignores the large body of research that enhancement of natural killer cell activity or of TH-1 driven cellular immunity is of benefit for cancer treatment and prevention both. Extracts of the fungus Coriolus versicolor have been widely used and extensively researched in Asia as an aid to cancer chemotherapy, with benefits established in human clinical trials. (14-16) Coriolus extracts enhance TH-1 activity.

14. Fisher & Yang, Anticancer effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide-K (PSK): implications of cancer immunotherapy. Anticancer Res. 2002; 22: 1737-54.

15. Torisu et al, Significant prolongation of disease-free period gained by oral polysaccharide K (PSK) administration after curative surgical operation of colorectal cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 1990; 31: 261-68.

16. Tsang et al, Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide slows progression of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Respir Med. 2003; 97: 618-24.

Leo Galland, MD

Foundation for Integrated Medicine

(source www.mdheal.org)