Cloud mushroom

Related Terms

A beta-1,4-glucan, basidiomycetes, basidiomycotinae, biological response modifier, Boletus versicolor, BRM, cloud mushroom, Coriolus versicolor, Kawaratake, Kayken Caps?, Krestin?, Polyporaceae, Polyporus versicolor, polysaccharide K, polysaccharide Kureha, Polystictus versicolor, protein-bound B-glucan, proteoglycans, PSP, Saru-no-koshikake, strain CM-101, turkey tail mushroom, Trametes versicolor, yun zhi.

Background

Protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since the Ming Dynasty of China.
In the 1980s, the Japanese government approved the use of PSK for treating several types of cancers. By 1984, it ranked 19th on the list of the world's most commercially successful drugs with annual sales of $255 million.
PSK is obtained from cultured mycelia of the Coriolus versicolor, a mushroom thought to have antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor properties.
PSK extracts are available for clinical use in Japan, where it is widely used for cancer immunochemotherapy. In Japan, PSK is currently used as a cancer treatment, in conjunction with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. Its active ingredient can be administered as a tea or in oral capsule form. In the United States, a similar product is labeled simply Coriolus versicolor extract. Coriolus versicolor is available in limited supply in U.S. markets. In Japan, PSK is currently the best-selling cancer medicine.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


PSK in addition to chemotherapy and surgery has been associated with increased disease-free survival rate for patients with colorectal cancer in various clinical trials as opposed to these pharmaceutical drugs alone. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm these results along with optimal dosing regimens and optimal pharmaceutical combinations. PSK does not seem to affect the cure rate of colon cancer.

C


PSK in addition to chemotherapy and surgery has been associated with increased disease-free survival rate for patients with colorectal cancer in various clinical trials as opposed to these pharmaceutical drugs alone. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm these results along with optimal dosing regimens and optimal pharmaceutical combinations. PSK does not seem to affect the cure rate of colon cancer.

C


A small number of clinical trials have examined the ability of PSK, in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiation, to increase survival time in esophageal cancer. Further well-designed trials are needed to fully understand PSK's potential therapeutic role in esophageal cancer.

 C


A small number of clinical trials have examined the ability of PSK, in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiation, to increase survival time in esophageal cancer. Further well-designed trials are needed to fully understand PSK's potential therapeutic role in esophageal cancer.

 C


Several clinical trials or case studies have investigated the use of PSK in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of gastric cancer. Results from many of the clinical trials show that PSK administered along with chemotherapy is associated with increased 2-5 year survival rates. However, some trials found no significant effect on survival over this same period of time. No significant increase in survival has been shown in long-term (greater than five years) studies.

C


Several clinical trials or case studies have investigated the use of PSK in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of gastric cancer. Results from many of the clinical trials show that PSK administered along with chemotherapy is associated with increased 2-5 year survival rates. However, some trials found no significant effect on survival over this same period of time. No significant increase in survival has been shown in long-term (greater than five years) studies.

C


One preliminary human trial in patients with acute leukemia suggests that adjunct PSK therapy may prolong duration of remission and survival time. In a second study in patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, no significant increases in survival were found. Well-designed clinical trials are required in order to determine if PSK therapy may in fact prolong remission and increase survival time in individuals with acute leukemia.

 C


One preliminary human trial in patients with acute leukemia suggests that adjunct PSK therapy may prolong duration of remission and survival time. In a second study in patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, no significant increases in survival were found. Well-designed clinical trials are required in order to determine if PSK therapy may in fact prolong remission and increase survival time in individuals with acute leukemia.

 C


Study results of PSK as an adjunct therapy for liver cancer yield mixed results. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine the role of PSK on survival time and remission in individuals with liver cancer.

 C


Study results of PSK as an adjunct therapy for liver cancer yield mixed results. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine the role of PSK on survival time and remission in individuals with liver cancer.

 C


PSK has been studied as an adjuvant therapy in lung cancer patients. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.

 C


PSK has been studied as an adjuvant therapy in lung cancer patients. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn.

 C


In preliminary human studies, PSK, used as adjuvant treatment to radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, has been shown to increase the five-year survival rate following treatment. Well-designed clinical trials, with larger patient numbers, are needed to confirm these results.

 C


In preliminary human studies, PSK, used as adjuvant treatment to radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, has been shown to increase the five-year survival rate following treatment. Well-designed clinical trials, with larger patient numbers, are needed to confirm these results.

 C


The available evidence does not support the use of PSK, in conjunction with hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery, to increase survival rates in breast cancer patients.

D


The available evidence does not support the use of PSK, in conjunction with hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery, to increase survival rates in breast cancer patients.

D
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (over 18 years old)
Safety and efficacy has not been proven for any dose. When taken by mouth, 3 grams of PSK has been used daily or every other day, either alone or with conventional therapy. 1 gram, three times daily of PSK for one month, has been used for the treatment of a tumor. PSK has also been administered at a dose of 2-3 grams/meter2 daily in three divided doses for one month.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Liver function impairment and toxicity has been reported. Caution is advised when taking PSK with other agents that are broken down by the liver due to increased risk of side effects.
Antiangiogenic properties (inhibition new blood vessel growth) have been proposed. In theory, there could be an additive effect when PSK is taken in conjugation with other known antiangiogenic agents, such as leflunomide.
Thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet count) has been reported. Theoretically, this could increase the risk of bleeding. Leukopenia and albuminuria were also observed in two clinical trials. It should be noted that patients also received chemotherapy in addition to PSK in these trials. These effects may be attributed to either PSK or chemotherapy.
Numerous animal and human studies have demonstrated that PSK may improve survival time in patients with lung cancer, gastric cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, and leukemia when used in conjunction with chemotherapy. This may be a positive interaction, although additional study is needed to confirm this finding.
PSK in immunochemotherapy has been used in combination with hormone therapy to treat pancreatic cancer; therefore, additive effects are possible.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Chung CH, Go P, Chang KH. PSK immunotherapy in cancer patients--a preliminary report. Zhonghua Min Guo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi 1987;20(3):210-216.
Fisher M, Yang LX. Anticancer effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide-K (PSK): implications of cancer immunotherapy. Anticancer Res 2002;22(3):1737-1754.
Hattori T, Nakajima T, Nakazato H, et al. Postoperative adjuvant immunochemotherapy with mitomycin C, tegafur, PSK and/or OK-432 for gastric cancer, with special reference to the change in stimulation index after gastrectomy. Jpn J Surg 1990;20(2):127-136.
Ito K, Nakazato H, Koike A, et al. Long-term effect of 5-fluorouracil enhanced by intermittent administration of polysaccharide K after curative resection of colon cancer. A randomized controlled trial for 7-year follow-up. Int J Colorectal Dis 2004;19(2):157-164.
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Kono K, Kawaguchi Y, Mizukami Y, et al. Protein-bound polysaccharide K partially prevents apoptosis of circulating T cells induced by anti-cancer drug S-1 in patients with gastric cancer. Oncology 2008;74(3-4):143-149.
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Shibata M, Nezu T, Kanou H, et al. Immunomodulatory effects of low dose cis-Diaminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin) combined with UFT and PSK in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Cancer Invest 2002;20(2):166-173.
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