Immunomodulation with β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus in Patients with Endocrine-Dependent Breast Cancer

Authors:
Jan Spacek, Michal Vocka, Eva Zavadova, Bohuslav Konopasek, Lubos Petruzelka

Journal:
Immunotherapy, 2021
DOI: 10.2217/imt-2021-0069

Study Design

Multicenter, nonrandomized observational study with control and intervention groups over a 15-month treatment period.

Participants

195 women with endocrine-dependent breast cancer (clinical stage I–II) in remission. Of these, 49 received pleuran and 146 were untreated controls.

Intervention

Oral administration of pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) using a dose-cycling regimen over 15 months: initial 3 months at 700 mg/day, then cycles of 100, 700, 200, and 700 mg/day. Immune parameters were measured throughout.

Outcome Measures

• CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ lymphocyte counts
• Natural killer (NK) cell count
• IgA concentration
• Liver and kidney function
• Clinical tolerability and adverse events

Summary

This clinical study evaluated whether long-term supplementation with pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus) supports immune rehabilitation in breast cancer patients in remission. Over 15 months, the pleuran group showed significant increases in CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ lymphocytes, as well as a significant rise in IgA levels. NK cell counts also improved modestly. These immune markers declined or remained unchanged in the control group. No liver, kidney, or autoimmune function disturbances were observed. The study suggests pleuran may help restore antitumor immune function and could serve as supportive therapy in endocrine-dependent breast cancer survivors.