Efficacy of Oral Administration of Lentinula eododes Mycelia Extract for Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Postoperative Hormone Therapy

Extract of Lentinula edodes mycelia (LEM) is currently utilized as an oral biological response modifier (BRM)medicine for cancer patients. However, its effectiveness for breast cancer patients with postoperative adjuvanthormone therapy has not yet been scientifically verified. In this study, we investigated the influence of LEM onthe quality of life (QOL) and immune response in breast cancer patients undergoing postoperative adjuvanthormone therapy. Twenty patients were studied in total. They received only hormone therapy in the first 4 weeksfollowed by hormone therapy and LEM during the next 8 weeks. Laboratory tests, QOL score and peripheralblood cytokine production levels were evaluated during the study period. No changes in QOL or cytokines werenoted after the first 4 weeks. In contrast, during the following combined therapy period, improvements werenoted in QOL and cytokine levels. Although a future large-scale investigation is necessary to confirm these results,these data suggest that the concomitant use of LEM with postoperative adjuvant hormone therapy improvesthe QOL and immune function of patients.