Cancer when used with chemotherapy. Taking polysaccharide krestin (PSK), a substance found in coriolus mushroom, may improve some cancer patients’ response to chemotherapy. PSK has been used in Japan for several decades for breast cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, hepatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer. Results have varied.
PSP has been shown to manifest immunomodulatory and anticancer properties in both pre-clinical experiments and clinical trials. It has been
shown to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and has been used as an adjunct medical modality to conventional cancer treatment. Experiments suggest that PSP can boost the immune system and alleviate the symptoms of chemotherapy.[…]
Polysaccharide-peptide (PSP) is a protein bound polysaccharide isolated from the COV-1 strain of Yunzhi (Coriolous versicolor mushroom) and made from modern alcohol extraction techniques. Each capsule contains 0.34 grams of PSP. Experimental in-vitro and in-vivo studies have shown PSP inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells including P338 leukemia cells, S 180 cells, Ehrlich ascites, and stomach and lung cancer cells. It also inhibits the growth of some tumors such as the lymphatic tumor of human skin tissue cells. In addition, PSP affects the immune system of mice by stimulating the production of ?\interferons, increasing the phagocytic index and metabolic rate of the reticuloendothilial system and by raising the HC 50 (median hemolytic dose), IgG and PFC (plaque forming cell) values. Human in-vivo experiments have also shown PSP can modulate the immune system by helping to prevent and partly eliminate the side effects of radiation and chemotherapeutic agents used by cancer patients. […]
Polysaccharide-K (polysaccharide-Kureha; PSK), also known as krestin, is a unique protein-bound polysaccharide, which
has been used as a chemoimmunotherapy agent in the treatment of cancer in Asia for over 30 years. PSK and
Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) are both protein-bound polysaccharides which are derived from the CM-101 and COV-1 strains
of the fungus Coriolus versicolor by Japanese and Chinese researchers, respectively. Both polysaccharide preparations
have documented anticancer activity in vitro, in vivo and in human clinical trials, though PSK has been researched longer
and has therefore undergone more thorough laboratory, animal and clinical testing. Several randomized clinical trials have
demonstrated that PSK has great potential as an adjuvant cancer therapy agent, with positive results seen in the adjuvant
treatment of gastric, esophageal, colorectal, breast and lung cancers. These studies have suggested the efficacy of PSK as
an immunotherapy or biological response modifier (BRM). BRMs potentially have the ability to improve the “host versus
tumor response,” thereby increasing the ability of the host to defend itself from tumor progression. The mechanisms of
biological response modification by PSK have yet to be clearly and completely elucidated. Some studies suggest that PSK
may act to increase leukocyte activation and response through up-regulation of key cytokines. Indeed, natural killer (NK)
and lymphocyte-activated killer (LAK) cell activation has been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro, and recent genetic studies
reveal increased expression of key immune cytokines in response to treatment with PSK. An antimetastatic action of PSK
has also been demonstrated and is perhaps attributed to its potential to inhibit metalloproteinases and other enzymes
involved in metastatic activity. PSK has also been shown to cause differentiation of leukemic cells in vitro, and this effect
has been attributed to induction of differentiation cytokines. PSK has further been shown to have antioxidant capacity which
may allow it to play a role as a normal tissue chemo- and radio-protector when used in combination with adjuvant or
definitive chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer, while it may also enable it to defend the host from
oxidative stress. Interestingly, studies have also shown that PSK may actually inhibit carcinogenesis by inhibiting the action
of various carcinogens on vulnerable cell lines. This action of PSK may play a role in preventing second primary tumors
when an inducing agent, such as tobacco or asbestos, is suspected and may also prevent second malignancies due to the
carcinogenic effects of radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Another very important aspect of chemoimmunotherapy,
in general is that it may be used on debilitated patients such as those with AIDS and the elderly who might otherwise be
denied potentially helpful adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy. Further determination of the mechanisms of these anti-cancer,
immunostimulating and biological response modifying effects of PSK as well as of other protein-bound polysaccharides is
certainly warranted. Indeed, with modern cellular and molecular biology techniques, a better understanding of the specific
Molecular effects of PSK on tumor cells as well as leukocytes may be determined. Much of the research that has been done
on PSK is outlined in this paper and may serve as a foundation toward determining the mechanisms of action of this and
other protein-bound polysaccharides in the treatment of cancer. This information may open new doors in the development
of novel strategies for the treatment of malignancies using adjuvant immunotherapy in combination with surgery,
chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.[…]
Five cases of chronic gastrites and three cases of chronic active hepatitis showed remarkable improvement in symptoms and liver function test. HBsAg declined in two of three hepatitis patients.
So far no adverse drug reaction has been observed, there were no impairment of liver and renal functions after the long term administration of PSP even up to years.[…]
Results of subset analyses suggested a benefit from TAM in
postmenopausal patients with ER-positive and Stage IIA T2N1 cancer and a benefit from PSK in patients with
node-negative, ER-negative, and Stage IIA T2N1 cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year results of the current trial showed a
survival advantage by the addition of TAM to chemotherapy in patients with ER-positive and Stage IIIA T3N0 cancer.[…]
I had to go through chemotherapy in my early 30?s for breast cancer – if I had it to do over again I would only take the InForce and nothing else – in fact, if (God Forbid) I ever have the cancer again I will refuse taking horrible chemo and only take the InForce!! I totally believe in the InLife InForce Products and know that I am going to help people be saved from many auto-immune deficiency diseases!!…
Data on Krestin suggest that this family of drugs when used in combination with radiotherapy, there might be an increase of the biological effects of radiation. To do a pilot study on such a possibility, the authors have treated 41 moderate to advanced cases of esophageal carcinoma with a combination of PSP and radiotherapy.[…]
Clinical observation on alleviating chemotherapy side effects of psp in treating gastric careinoma[…]
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Discomfort and fatigue are usually arisen from anticancer therapy such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or combination therapy, because of the suppressed immunological functions. Yunzhi (Coriolus versicolor) can modulate various immunological functions in vitro, in vivo, and in human clinical trials. Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) has been shown to benefit the circulatory system by its vasodilating and anti-dementia activity. The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of Yunzhi-Danshen capsules in post-treatment breast cancer patients. Eighty-two patients with breast cancer were recruited to take Yunzhi [50 mg/kg body weight, 100% polysaccharopeptide (PSP)] and Danshen (20 mg/kg body weight) capsules every day for a total of 6 months. EDTA blood samples were collected every 2 months for the investigation of immunological functions. Flow cytometry was used to assess the percentages and absolute counts of human lymphocyte subsets in whole blood. Plasma level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results showed that the absolute counts of T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+), the ratio of T-helper (CD4+)/T suppressor and cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+), and the percentage and the absolute counts of B-lymphocytes were significantly elevated in patients with breast cancer after taking Yunzhi-Danshen capsules, while plasma slL-2R concentration was significantly decreased (all p < 0.05). Therefore, the regular oral consumption of Yunzhi-Danshen capsules could be beneficial for promoting immunological function in post-treatment of breast cancer patients.[…]