Exploring the Anticancer Potential of Coriolus versicolor in Breast Cancer: A Review

Author: mycolabadmin
10/1/2025
View Source

Summary

Coriolus versicolor, also known as turkey tail mushroom, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Recent scientific research shows it may help fight breast cancer through multiple mechanisms: killing cancer cells directly through programmed cell death pathways, breaking down the estrogen that fuels some breast cancers, preventing cancer spread, and boosting the immune system. While early studies are promising and one clinical trial showed good safety and immune benefits, larger studies are needed before this mushroom can be recommended as an official cancer treatment.

Background

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally with 2.3 million cases diagnosed annually. Despite advances in standard oncologic therapies, there is growing interest in supportive interventions that enhance treatment efficacy and reduce adverse effects. Medicinal mushrooms, particularly Coriolus versicolor, have been used in traditional medicine for over 2000 years with emerging scientific evidence for anticancer properties.

Objective

This review critically evaluates preclinical and clinical data on Coriolus versicolor and its bioactive compounds—primarily polysaccharide-K, polysaccharopeptide, and laccase—as potential adjuvants in breast cancer therapy. The review aims to summarize current knowledge on therapeutic potential and identify molecular mechanisms by which mushroom components exert anticancer effects.

Results

Eleven studies demonstrated consistent antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, necroptotic, anti-invasive, and immunomodulatory effects across various breast cancer subtypes including triple-negative breast cancer. Molecular mechanisms involved apoptosis via p53 upregulation, necroptosis via RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL pathway, estrogen degradation by laccase, MMP-9 inhibition, and tumor microenvironment modulation. One phase I clinical trial reported good tolerability and immunological benefits in post-chemotherapy patients.

Conclusion

Coriolus versicolor demonstrates promising potential as a safe, natural adjunct to conventional breast cancer therapy through multiple mechanisms including apoptosis induction, necroptosis activation, and immunomodulation. However, standardized preparations, comprehensive pharmacokinetic data, and larger placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm efficacy and enable clinical implementation in integrative breast cancer management strategies.

Published in:Current Issues in Molecular Biology,
Study Type:Review,
Source: 41150756