Cancer
Mushroom compound boosts efficacy of breast cancer drugs
By David Liu, Ph. D.
Feb 24, 2008 - 6:53:56 PM

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SUNDAY FEB 24, 2008 (Foodconsumer.org) -- A compound found in Chinese medicinal mushroom Coriolus versicolor may help enhance efficacy of certain breast cancer drugs, according to a new Chinese study published in the March 2008 issue of International Journal of Oncology.

The researchers from the University of Hong Kong found treatment with the polysaccharopeptide (PSP) enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin (Doxo), etoposide (VP-16) but not cytarabine (Ara-C).

Earlier the researchers have found this compound was able to enhance the cytotoxicity of certain S-phase targeted-drugs on human leukemic HL-60 cells via some cell-cycle and apoptotic-dependent pathways.

In the current study, breast cancer cells treated with the PSP had a longer DNA synthesis time, suggesting that the compound boosted the apoptotic effect of Doxo and VP-16 via creating an S-phase trap in the human breast cancer cell line ZR-75-30.

Wan JM and colleagues conclude in their study report "the anticancer potentials of PSP is not limited to leukemia but may also be used as an adjuvant therapy for breast cancers."