Review Article

Potential of Mushroom Compounds as Immunomodulators in Cancer Immunotherapy: A Review

Table 2

Summary of studies on the mechanism of action of mushrooms compounds.

Mushroom Biological activityStudyReference

Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM)Secretion of IL-8, TNF-α, and NO production by macrophages, inhibition of cancer cell growth, upregulation of expression and secretion of anticancer gene and cytokines IL-23, IL-12, IL-1, MCP-1, G-CSF, and TNF-α, apoptosis, and NK activationIn vitro[25, 27, 3640]
Suppress tumor growth and inhibit angiogenesis, stimulate cytokine and leukocyte growth factors production, amelioration of skewed Th1/Th2 balanceIn vivo[26]

Agaricus bisporusInduce apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, stimulate TNF-α production by BMMIn vitro[27]

Ganoderma lucidumCytotoxic to cancer cells, inhibit cancer cell growth, stimulate T cells, upregulate expression and secretion of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFNγ, suppress cell motility and angiogenesis, inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis, downregulate cyclins A and B and upregulate p21 and p27, arrest cell cycleIn vitro[4, 14, 29, 4144]

Ganoderma tsugaeInhibit cancer cell growth, downregulate cyclins A and B and upregulate p21 and p27, arrest cell cycleIn vitro[29]

Grifola frondosaActivate macrophages, stimulate production of IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8, stimulate leukocytesIn vitro[4547]

Sparassis crispaAugment immune system, enhance IL-8 synthesis, activate leukocytesIn vitro[31]
Stimulate splenocytes to secrete cytokinesIn vivo[48]

Pleurotus tuber-regiumStimulate proliferation of NK cells, macrophages, and T cellsIn vitro[3234]
Maturation of lymphocytes, NK cells, and macrophages, increase weight and size of spleenIn vivo[3234]

Polyporus rhinocerosStimulate proliferation of NK cells, macrophages, and T cellsIn vitro[3234]

Schizophyllum communeProlong life of head/neck/cervical cancer patientsClinical[30]

Trametes robiniophilaApoptosis, antiangiogenesis, antimetastasis, drug resistance reversal, activation of immune systemclinical[35]
Apoptosis, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and Cell damageIn vitro [22]

Coriolus versicolorInvoke secretion of cytokines IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and TNFIn vitro[49]
Improve survival of stomach cancer patientsClinical[50]

Coprinus comatusInhibit cancer cell proliferationIn vitro[51]

Pseudallescheria boydiiStimulate secretion of IL-12 and TNFαIn vivo[52]

Coprinellus sp.Inhibit cancer cell proliferationIn vitro[51]

Lentinula edodesStimulate secretion of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and TNF, cytotoxic and cytostatic to breast cancer cells, inhibit proliferation cancer cells, inhibit DNA synthesisIn vitro[49, 5355]

Flammulina velutipesInhibit cancer cell proliferationIn vitro[51]