Every year there is an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with cancer. Malignant tumors are the main cause of death in some populations. People diagnosed with cancer want to do everything to combat the disease, control the symptoms and cope with the side effects of radiation or chemotherapy. Many are turning to complementary and alternative medicine. Extract of G. lucidum (Reishi mushroom) is a drug that is widely used in the practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is usually recommended as an additional support of the immune system in the treatment of cancer. Recent laboratory studies and preclinical tests of G. lucidum have shown promising results for its antitumor action. However, clinical evidence of its effectiveness is scarce, and a systematic review is needed to provide holistic information for consumers of health care assistance.
Our review identified, and then included, five relevant randomized controlled trials. A total of 373 people were analyzed. A meta-analysis was performed to combine available data from individual studies. Our results found that patients who received G. lucidum extract as part of an antitumor therapy regimen were 1.27 times more likely to respond to chemotherapy or radiation therapy than those who did not. However, these data could not demonstrate a significant effect on tumor size reduction when the extract was used in monotherapy. Moreover, G. lucidum can stimulate immune functions in its host by significantly increasing the percentage of CD3, CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. However, the activity of natural killer cells - (NK) cells, which, as suggested, is an indicator of its own defense against tumor cells, was slightly increased. It was found that patients of the G. lucidum group had a relatively better quality of life after treatment than patients of the control group. Several cases of minor side effects of G. lucidum treatment have been reported, including nausea and insomnia.
There are limitations to the results of this systematic review. First, most of the included studies were small and raised concerns about the methodological quality of individual tests. Secondly, all participants in the individual tests were recruited from the population of China. Based on the combination of these factors, the reliability and applicability of these results are reduced to a significant extent.
Our review identified, and then included, five relevant randomized controlled trials. A total of 373 people were analyzed. A meta-analysis was performed to combine available data from individual studies. Our results found that patients who received G. lucidum extract as part of an antitumor therapy regimen were 1.27 times more likely to respond to chemotherapy or radiation therapy than those who did not. However, these data could not demonstrate a significant effect on tumor size reduction when the extract was used in monotherapy. Moreover, G. lucidum can stimulate immune functions in its host by significantly increasing the percentage of CD3, CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. However, the activity of natural killer cells - (NK) cells, which, as suggested, is an indicator of its own defense against tumor cells, was slightly increased. It was found that patients of the G. lucidum group had a relatively better quality of life after treatment than patients of the control group. Several cases of minor side effects of G. lucidum treatment have been reported, including nausea and insomnia.
There are limitations to the results of this systematic review. First, most of the included studies were small and raised concerns about the methodological quality of individual tests. Secondly, all participants in the individual tests were recruited from the population of China. Based on the combination of these factors, the reliability and applicability of these results are reduced to a significant extent.
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