Dynamic biomarkers indicate the immunological benefits provided by Ganoderma spore powder in post-operative breast and lung cancer patients

Clin Transl Oncol. 2021 Jul;23(7):1481-1490. doi: 10.1007/s12094-020-02547-9. Epub 2021 Jan 6.

Abstract

Background: T lymphocyte are a strong indicator of treatment immune response. This study was aimed to determine the utility of T lymphocyte subsets, cytokines and inflammatory biomarkers in predicting the immunological benefits of Ganoderma spore powder (G. lucidum) in post-operative patients with breast and lung cancer.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 120 breast and lung cancer patients with or without G. lucidum. T lymphocyte subsets with relative cytokines were detected using flow cytometry and PCR and assessed by Spearman correlation analysis. The relationships between albumin-to-globulin ratio (AGR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with G. lucidum treatment and prognosis were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods.

Results: The prevalence of CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + HLADR- types was higher in G. lucidum group compared to control, whilst CD4 + CD25 + Treg, CD3 + HLADR + cell types was lower. IL-12 levels were significantly higher during the treatment period which negatively impacted levels of IL-10. Other immunosuppressive factors such as COX2 and TGF-β1 had lower prevalence in treated patients. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between IL-10 and CD28. IL-2 was positively related to TGF-β1, whilst it was negatively related to CD3. Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that low AGR/high NLR was related to poor progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). A combination of high AGR and low NLR may predicted treatment benefits associated with PFS and OS.

Conclusions: Our findings show that T lymphocyte subsets combined with relevant cytokines and AGR/NLR inflammatory predictors may help to identify patients most likely to benefit from the immunological enhancements from G. lucidum treatment.

Keywords: Albumin-to-globulin ratio; Breast and lung cancer; Cytokines; Ganoderma spore powder; Neutrophil–to-lymphocyte ratio; T cell subsets.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Ganoderma*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Lymphocytes
  • Middle Aged
  • Neutrophils
  • Powders
  • Prospective Studies
  • Serum Albumin / analysis
  • Serum Globulins / analysis
  • Spores, Fungal*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Powders
  • Serum Albumin
  • Serum Globulins