Immunomodulation with beta-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus in patients with endocrine-dependent breast cancer

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effect of pleuran (β-glucan from Pleurotus ostreatus ) administration on the immune profile of patients with endocrine-dependent breast cancer (clinical stages I-II) in clinical and imaging remission. Methodology: Antitumor cellular immunity (CD19 + , CD3 + , CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes and natural killer cells) of 195 patients (49 in the pleuran group and 146 in the control group) was measured by flow cytometry. Results: We observed a significant increase in the absolute number of CD3 + , CD19 + , CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes in the pleuran group compared with the control group. Conclusion: Our results suggest potential benefit of continuous pleuran administration on immune rehabilitation of cellular antitumor immunity and better prognosis in breast cancer patients in remission.