Fungus Found to Slow Progression of Prostate Cancer

Researchers at the University of Haifa, Israel, discovered in a recent study that compounds found in a common fungus, Ganoderma lucidum, have the capability of slowing down the progression of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is very common among males in the Western World. The fungus interrupts the activity of androgen receptors and thereby the production of cancer cells. This discovery might open up new avenues for the development of anti-prostate cancer drugs.

For almost half a century, scientists across the world have tapped fungi as having a wealth of medicinal properties. There has been research in using fungi for the fight against a great variety of diseases, namely cancer. Fungi offer a multitude of options to battle cancer. Yet, most of the research looked at the fungi's interaction with the human immune system. Researchers mostly sought out ways to boost the immune system through high-molecular-weight polysaccharides, which can have an effect on cancer cells from the outside by interacting with certain cell membrane receptors.

This new study conducted by scientists at the University of Haifa focused on the fungi's capability to battle cancer from within the cancerous cells. They looked at low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites. These metabolites can enter the cancerous cells and have an effect directly inside the cell itself. The interaction with the cell takes place at a molecular level.

According to the scientists, androgen receptors are the prime facilitators of prostate cancer. This is especially true in the beginning of prostate cancer development in the human body. Traditional prostate cancer drug treatment focuses on androgen receptor reduction or a reduction in the androgen receptor function.

For the purposes of their study, the scientists examined at first 201 organic extracts from 68 different types of fungi. The creation of these extracts was achieved through ether, ethyl acetate, and ethanol solvents. Through this method the scientists were able to extract molecules from the fungi, which were tiny enough to penetrate the cancer cells.

After this first stage of the study, the scientists determined that eleven of the 201 extracts had the capability to interfere with androgen receptor activity. They were able to observe a forty percent reduction in the level of androgen receptor activity. Furthermore, the scientists determined a capability of stopping cancer cell growth in fourteen of 169 fungi extract studied for that particular purpose.

Through this study the scientists discovered that the most effective fungi extract in regards to disrupting androgen receptor activity and suppression of cancer cell growth came from the common fungus Ganoderma lucidum. The scientists believe that their discovery could be the basis of developing successful anti-prostate cancer drugs.