Potential Benefits of Ling Zhi or Reishi Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) to Breast Cancer Patients

Authors: Alice W. Chen and John Seleen

Journal: International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms

Study Design:

• Intervention: Triterpene-enriched polysaccharide extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi Gano 161)
• Participants: One stage IIIa breast cancer patient (case study)
• Duration: Not specified
• Outcome Measures:
  • Tumor response
  • Side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
  • Quality of life

Summary: This case study reports on the potential benefits of a triterpene-enriched polysaccharide extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi Gano 161) in a breast cancer patient undergoing standard cancer treatments. According to the authors, the patient experienced effective tumor shrinkage, minimal side effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and improved quality of life compared to patients who only received conventional cancer treatments. The study also discusses the potential molecular mechanism of G. lucidum’s antitumor activity, which appears to be based on the inhibition of the nuclear transcription factor NF-κB. However, as this is a single case study, further research is needed to confirm these findings and determine the effectiveness of G. lucidum in a larger population of breast cancer patients.