Cancer

Cancer is usually associated to the organs it affects; lung cancer, prostate cancer, skin cancer etc. In technical definition, its main effect is directed to tiny microscopic part of our body, the cell. Each group of cell in the body has a specific role and performs certain jobs depending on the organ it belong. It replicates on number of times and in a controlled manner until it reaches its full potential wherein it programs itself to destruct and die. Cancer cells develop when it deviates from this normal process. In cancer cells, the tumor grows in uncontrolled manner that it develops into an abnormal size and numbers. It function outside its scope of work and is usually competing for nutrients with the normal cells. Worst of all, it refuses to die, become aggressive with neighboring cells structures and interfering with the normal function of the body.

Since reliable statistics in cancer became available, its incidence had been increasing continuously. While prevention and early detection is still the key in the battle against cancer, new therapies are urgently needed. Newer cure proves to have dramatic effect on the mortality in this disease.

Ganoderma lucidum is widely used in treating cancer. Pharmacological and clinical studies confirmed its anti-tumor effect. Unlike chemotherapeutic drugs though, its actions does not involve direct annihilation of the tumor cells nor setting the tumor to its scheduled cell death or apoptosis. Two mechanisms of anti-tumor activity of Ganoderma stands out, its immunomodulatory activity as well as its angiogenesis inhibition property.

Ganoderma’s polysaccharides is the chief ingredients on its immunomodulatory action. Polysaccharides enhance the maturation an functioning of dendritic cells, increase the activities of macrophages, the natural killer cells (NK) and cytotoxic T cell, modulate the humoral and cellular immunity and promote the secretion of anti-tumor cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon (IFN). These actions of the Ganoderma collectively stimulate the immune system to fight and prevent tumor activity in the body.

Another important anti-tumor activity of the Ganoderma is its action in preventing tumor angiogenesis. In tumor growth, angiogenesisis is the formation of new blood vessels or capillaries connecting the main blood vessels and the tumor. Through the use of new capillaries, tumor can gain adequate amount of nutrients to promote its growth and metastasis. In many clinical studies regarding Ganoderma’s polysaccharides, in vivo studies confirmed its anti-angiogenesis property as it directly inhibit the proliferation of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). This activity prevents the promotion of angiogenesis in cancer cells, limiting its blood supply and will result to depletion of to its nutrient source. Further inhibition of nutrients to the tumor cells will further cause to its growth retardation.

Ganoderma’s polysaccharides (Gl-PS) have a good effect in reversing multi drug resistance (MDR) activity of the cancer cell. MDR is one of the causes why most of the chemotherapies fail; cancer cells develop resistance to many chemotherapeutic drugs. In most cases, during the initial sessions of chemotherapy, chemo drugs will be quite valuable in combating cancer cells but they soon loses their efficacy once cancer cells develops resistance to these drugs in succeeding treatments. MDR-associated protein (MRP) acts as pumps to remove toxic drugs from tumor cells preventing cell death in cancer cells. In one study using the adriamycin-resistant leukemic cell line K562/ADM, it showed that Gl-PS significantly reversed the tumor resistance to adriamycin treatment. It down regulates the expression of MRP thereby promotes cell death. This mechanism of Ganoderma put stamp on its claim in synergistic activity with the chemotherapeutic drugs.

Completing Ganoderma’s potent effect in cancer therapies is its anti-radiation effect. Many studies confirmed its action against lowering dreaded side effects in chemotherapy using radiation. More specifically, it reduces gastro-intestinal effect of these therapies as well as increases the potency of many common therapeutic drugs such as cyclophosphamide, fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cisplatin and Ara-C.

To learn more about Ganoderma in the Philippines and its therapeutic effects, please read Ganoderma lucidum therapeutic effects > Bronchitis