Effects of Water-Soluble Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides on the Immune Functions of Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer

Authors: Yihuai Gao, Wenbo Tang, Xihu Dai, He Gao, Guoliang Chen, Jinxian Ye, Eli Chan, Hwee Ling Koh, Xiaotian Li, and Shufeng Zhou

Journal: Journal of Medicinal Food

Study Design:

• Intervention: 5.4 g/day of water-soluble Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (Ganopoly)
• Participants: 36 patients with advanced lung cancer
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Outcome Measures:
  • Mitogenic reactivity to phytohemagglutinin (PHA)
  • Counts of CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD56 cells
  • Plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and interferon (IFN)-\u03b3
  • NK activity

Summary: This study investigated the effects of Ganopoly, a water-soluble extract of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides, on immune function in patients with advanced lung cancer. The results showed that Ganopoly treatment did not significantly alter the average immune responses in the overall group of patients. However, there was significant variability in individual responses, with some patients showing enhanced immune function after treatment. The changes in IL-1 levels were correlated with changes in IL-6, IFN-\u03b3, CD3, CD8, and NK activity, while IL-2 changes were correlated with IL-6, CD8, and NK activity. These findings suggest that Ganopoly may have immunomodulatory effects in certain subgroups of lung cancer patients, but further research is needed to identify these subgroups and optimize treatment strategies.