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Novel Medicinal Mushroom Blend as a Promising Supplement in Integrative Oncology: A Multi-Tiered Study Using 4T1 Triple-Negative Mouse Breast Cancer Model

Summary

This research investigated how a blend of medicinal mushrooms could help fight aggressive breast cancer. The study found that mice given the mushroom supplement had significantly fewer cancer spread to their lungs and showed better overall health compared to untreated mice. The mushroom blend worked by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides a potential natural supplement option for cancer patients to use alongside conventional treatments – Could help reduce side effects and improve quality of life during cancer treatment – Demonstrates how natural medicines can be scientifically validated for medical use – Opens new possibilities for developing safer cancer therapies with fewer side effects – Suggests mushroom supplements may help prevent cancer spread in high-risk patients

Background

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, impacting 2.1 million women each year and causing the greatest number of cancer-related deaths. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents 10-20% of all breast cancers and is the most difficult to treat due to its unresponsiveness to current targeted therapies. Medicinal mushrooms have shown promise as anti-cancer agents but their precise impacts on metastatic breast cancer remain to be clarified.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of a novel medicinal mushroom blend supplement called Micotherapy U-care, consisting of Agaricus blazei, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and Lentinula edodes, in a 4T1 triple-negative mouse breast cancer model. The study aimed to assess its impact on tumor progression, metastasis, inflammation markers, and quality of life.

Results

Micotherapy U-care supplementation dramatically reduced pulmonary metastases density by approximately 50% compared to untreated animals. The treatment decreased fibrotic response and reduced expression of inflammatory markers IL-6, NOS2, and COX2. The supplement improved quality of life measures in treated mice compared to untreated controls. The study found decreased inflammatory pathway activation and improved antioxidant status in treated animals.

Conclusion

The medicinal mushroom blend demonstrated significant potential as an adjuvant therapy for triple-negative breast cancer by reducing metastasis, decreasing inflammation markers, and improving quality of life measures. The findings support the use of Micotherapy U-care as a complementary treatment in integrative oncology to potentially improve patient outcomes and reduce adverse effects of conventional cancer treatments.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Preclinical Animal Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms21103479
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