Dietary administration of mushroom mycelium extracts in patients with early stage prostate cancers managed expectantly: a phase II study

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2010 Oct;40(10):967-72. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyq081. Epub 2010 Jun 3.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements in patients with early stage prostate cancers who are managed expectantly.

Methods: Seventy-four patients with early prostate cancer, who were treated with expectant management, enrolled in the study. A mushroom mycelium extract was given at a dose of 4.5 g/day for 6 months. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients in which the prostate specific antigen level decreased by 50% or more following treatment. The adverse events, change of prostate specific antigen value and quality of life were also evaluated.

Results: In only one of 74 patients (1.4%), the prostate specific antigen value decreased more than 50%. Grade 2 diarrhea and grade 1 itching were observed in one patient, and patient ingestion compliance was maintained near 100%. The alternation of prostate specific antigen values was stable before and after treatment. In subjects with strong anxiety prior to supplement ingestion, these feelings were significantly alleviated (state anxiety, P = 0.0018; trait anxiety, P = 0.0099).

Conclusions: In this phase II study of early prostate cancer patients who were managed expectantly, a mushroom mycelium extract was an ineffective treatment for reducing 50% or more the patient prostate specific antigen values.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agaricales / chemistry*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Diarrhea / chemically induced
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycelium / chemistry*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Polysaccharides / administration & dosage
  • Polysaccharides / adverse effects
  • Polysaccharides / therapeutic use*
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / analysis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Quality of Life
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Polysaccharides
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen
  • Active Hexose Correlated Compound