FDA Approves Bastyr Turkey Tail Mushroom Clinical Trial for Cancer Patients

The research teams at Bastyr University are studying the efficacy of medicinal mushrooms and cancer.  Recently, the FDA has approved a plan to begin clinical trials in 2013 for prostate cancer and the use of medicinal mushrooms.  See more information on this very exciting research @ Bastyr University

Torkelson et al (2012) published research in a phase 1 clinical trial of Trametes versicolor, also known as Turkey Tail, in women with Breast Cancer. The findings of the study suggest that  Tramets versicolor may improve the immune status in immunocompromised breast cancer patients following chemotherapy and radiation.  See the entire article @ Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Trametes versicolor in women with Breast Cancer

How Aging Influences Immunity

Adaptive immunity declines as we age, and our innate immunity increases in activity.  One example includes thymic involution altering the population of T cells.  While innate immunity activity increases, there is a subsequent rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines resulting in a pro-inflammatory phenotype. The ancient signaling pathway found in both insects and vertebrates is the NF-kB system, which regulates our innate immune system.  The NF-kB pathway organizes intracellular immune responses, thus controlling the aging process, and age-related diseases.

Salminen et al (2008) review the role of innate immunity signaling in this journal article. 

View the abstract @  Activation of innate immunity system during aging: NF-kB signaling is the molecular culprit of inflamm-aging

Salminen, A., Huuskonen, J., Ojala, J., Kauppinen, A., Kaarniranta, K. & Suuronen, T., 2008, Activation of innate immunity system during aging: NF-kB signaling is the molecular culprit of inflamm-aging, Ageing research reviews, 7(2), pp. 83-105

Antioxidants & Cancer Treatment

Simone Protective Cancer Institute investigated all evidence concerning antioxidant and other nutrients used concurrently with chemotherapy and radiation in national databases (MEDLINE & CANCERLIT).  The research reviewed 280 peer-reviewed in vitro and in vivo studies, including 50 human studies, between 1970 and 2003. 5,081 of these patients were given nutrients and showed no interference with cancer therapy. In 15 human studies which included 3,738 patients taking non-prescription antioxidants and other nutrients had an increased survival.

View the abstract @ PUBMED

Simone CB 2nd, Simone NL, Simone V, Simone CB.  Antioxidants and other nutrients do not interfere with chemotherapy or radiation therapy and can increase kill and increase survival, part 1 Altern Ther Health Med. 2007 Jan-Feb;13(1):22-8. Review. 

PMID:

 

17283738

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Gynecology & Curcumin

A novel curcumin treatment in gynecology is discussed in the study by Debata et al (2012).  HPV infection is the main underlying etiology for cervical cancer, which is the leading cause of death in women worldwide.  The project tests a curcumin therapy for the treatment of cervical cancer.  Results indicate that curcumin upregulates p53 in cancer cells, and selectively induces anti-cancer effects on cancer cell lines.  In vitro and in vivo mouse models show that the curcumin treatment does not affect non-cancerous cells.

Data indicates that the use of curcumin may be an effective anti-cancer and anti-viral agent.


Debata PR, et al, A novel curcumin-based vaginal cream Vacurin selectively eliminates apposed human cervical cancer cells, Gynecol Oncol (2012),  A Novel Treament, Vacurin