Maitake mushroom extract in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): a phase II study

Abstract

BackgroundMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis with dysplastic bone marrow leading to peripheral cytopenia, risk of infection, and progression to acute myelogenous leukemia. Maitake mushroom beta-glucan, a dietary supplement, stimulates hematopoietic progenitor cell differentiation, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor production, and recovery of peripheral blood leukocytes after bone marrow injury. This phase II trial examined the effects of Maitake on innate immune function in MDS.MethodsMyelodysplastic syndromes patients with International Prognostic Scoring System Low- and Intermediate-1-risk disease received oral Maitake extract at 3 mg/kg twice daily for 12 weeks. Primary endpoints included neutrophil count and function tested as endogenous or stimulated neutrophil production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by flow cytometry compared with age-matched healthy controls (HC). ROS activators were Escherichiacoli, phorbol ester, and the bacterial peptide N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). Complete blood counts, chemistry panels, iron studies, and monocyte function were evaluated.ResultsOf 21 patients enrolled, 18 completed the study and were evaluable. Maitake increased endogenous (basal) neutrophil (p = 0.005) and monocyte function (p = 0.021). Pre-treatment monocyte response to E. coli was reduced in MDS patients compared with HC (p = 0.002) and increased (p = 0.0004) after treatment. fMLP-stimulated ROS production response also increased (p = 0.03). Asymptomatic eosinophilia occurred in 4 patients (p = 0.014). Other changes in albumin, hemoglobin, and total protein were not clinically relevant.ConclusionsMaitake was well tolerated. Enhanced in vitro neutrophil and monocyte function following treatment demonstrate that Maitake has beneficial immunomodulatory potential in MDS. Further study is warranted.

Antitumor activity of orally administered maitake α-glucan by stimulating antitumor immune response in murine tumor

“…Especially, polysaccharides isolated from natural sources are used for clinical trial and therapy in cancer patients [22–24]. Recently, some α-glucans consisting of highly α-(1→6)-branched α-(1→4)-glucan, glycogen-like structures, have been reported to possess immunomodulatory activity [25–27].…”

A Novel Glucan-Sulforaphane Combination Stimulates Immune Response to Influenza in Mouse Model

“…This combination consisted of maitake-derived glucans, previously shown to significantly stimulate antiinfectious immunity (Kodama et al, 2001) and evaluated in clinical trials (Wesa et al, 2014) and sulforaphane with known anti-infectious and anti-viral effects (Chang et al, 2015;Schachtele et al, 2012) including suppression of inflammation via Nrf2-dependent pathway . As both components have anti-infectious effect, we hypothesized that this mixture might have complementary effects.…”

Berries and their components on the prevention of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): A review on human clinical trials

“…In a Phase II study, maitake mushroom extract was well received and "enhanced in vitro neutrophil and monocyte function following treatment demonstrated that Maitake has beneficial immunomodulatory potential in MDS" [13]. The maitake mushroom treatment suggested "that G-CSF induction in bone marrow leads to HPC maturation and release of more functionally competent cells .…”