ABSTRACT: Objectives: Ganoderma lucidum (GL) is one of the most commonly used Chinese herbs in the oriental community, with more than 30% of pediatric cancer patients taking GL. The immunomodulating and anticancer effects exerted by GL extracts have been demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies. There was, however, no comparison between the immunomodulating effects of GL mycelium extract (GL-M) and spore extracts on human immune cells. Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells and their role in DC-based tumor vaccine has been well defined. The possibility of GL as natural adjuvant for human DCs remains unknown.
Chan, W. K., Lam, D. T. W., Law, H. K. W., Wong, W. T., Koo, M. W. L., Lau, A. S. Y, Lau, Y. L., Chan, G. C.-F. 2005. “Ganoderma lucidum mycelium and spore extracts as natural adjuvants for immunotherapy.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 11(6):1047–1057.