Cancer
Mushroom extract stops growth of breast cancer cells
By Ben Wasserman
Apr 16, 2008 - 8:34:57 AM

WEDNESDAY April 16, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Extracts from a mushroom used for centuries in Eastern Asian medicine may help stop breast cancer growth, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Cancer.

The laboratory study showed an extract from Phellinus linteus significantly inhibited cell growth in breast cancer cell cultures and possibly by blocking an enzyme called AKT.

In humans, AKT is involved in controlling signals that lead to cell growth. It can block apoptosis and promote cell survival, a risk factor for many types of cancer.

The mushroom Phellinus linteus also known as son gen in Chinese medicine, sang-hwang in Korean and meshimakobu in Japanese has early been found to have anticancer properties against skin, lung and prostate cancer cells.

One study also published in August 1, 2006 in the British Journal of Cancer suggested the mushroom extract together with chemotherapy may be used to treat prostate cancer.  

The study was conducted by Dr Chang-Yan Chen and colleagues at the Boston University School of Medicine.

In the current study, Dr Daniel Sliva of the Methodist Research Institute in Indianapolis and colleagues found the mushroom extract reduced proliferation of cancer cells, suppressed their aggressive behavior and blocked formation of new tumor-feeding blood vessels.