The Maitake mushroom, and in particular the Maitake D-fraction extract is believed by some to boost the immune system in ways that and can help to limit or reverse melanoma tumor growth (1). It is also said to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy (7) and other melanoma treatments to lower some side effects of anti-cancer drugs, such as hair loss, pain, and nausea. Maitake may be particularly effective in the treatment of melanoma because melanoma is one of the few cancers that has shown a response (i.e. shrinking tumors, or the stoppage of spreading) when certain elements of the immune system are boosted or better supported.
Maitake-D fraction is a part of the Maitake mushroom that was first isolated by Hiroaki Nanba, PhD, of Kobe Pharmaceutical University in Japan, and is believed to be the chemical in Maitake that is responsible for the anti-cancer and anti-melanoma effects.
The Maitake mushroom, and in particular the Maitake D-fraction extract is believed by some to boost the immune system in ways that and can help to limit or reverse melanoma tumor growth (1). It is also said to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy (7) and other melanoma treatments to lower some side effects of anti-cancer drugs, such as hair loss, pain, and nausea. Maitake may be particularly effective in the treatment of melanoma because melanoma is one of the few cancers that has shown a response (i.e. shrinking tumors, or the stoppage of spreading) when certain elements of the immune system are boosted or better supported.
Maitake-D fraction is a part of the Maitake mushroom that was first isolated by Hiroaki Nanba, PhD, of Kobe Pharmaceutical University in Japan, and is believed to be the chemical in Maitake that is responsible for the anti-cancer and anti-melanoma effects.
There are several factors that are believed to be the effects of Maitake on melanoma:
* Stimulation of the immune system*: Maitake has been show to stimulate Natural Killer (NK) cell activity (1). NK cells are an important type of immune system cell that can attack and kill cancer. This effect is particularly important for melanoma patients because melanoma is one of the few cancers that has been shown to respond to (i.e. be reduced or eliminated) by stimulation of difference immune cells.
Anti-Angiogenesis Effect: In order for a tumor to grow, it needs to set up its own set of blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis (4). Hence, if you can stop this process with substances that have anti- angiogenesis, it makes it much harder for cancers like melanoma to spread. Beta-Glucans have been shown to have an anti- angiogenesis effect (5,6), and Maitake D-Fraction contains these Beta-Glucans.
Use with Chemotherapy: Maitake mushrooms have been studied in Japan used in conjunction with chemotherapy (7). The effect was very positive in some cancers (ex. liver and lung). This effect is generally believed to come from the fact that chemotheraphy tends to repress the immune system. However, Maitake stimulates the immune system. Since melanoma is one of the few cancers that can be fought with immune stimulation, it is possible that taking Maitake while going through chemotherapy can be helpful.
(1) Effect of Maitake {Grifola frondosa} D-Fraction on the activation of NK cells in cancer patients. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14977447.
This study essentially demonstrates that Maitake mushroom extract (Maitake-D Fraction) can help stimulate and activate NK cells – cells which can play a significant effect in your body’s ability to fight cancer and melanoma.
(2): Administration of a polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa stimulates immune function of normal mice. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15298759
This is probably one of the most important studies that Dr. Nanba and his team performed on Maitake and cancer. The evidence shows that Maitake can help boost the immune system in mice. While this isn’t a guarantee that it works in humans, it is often the case, which is why mice are used for studies.
(3): Inhibitory effect of MD-Fraction on tumor metastasis: involvement of NK cell activation and suppression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression in lung vascular endothelial cells. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18520039
This is a more recent study where mice were given Maitake D extract before having melanoma introduced to them. The Maitake D prevented the melanoma cells from spreading to the lungs.
(4) Preuss HG, Konno S. Maitake Magic, 2002; Freedom Press, Topanga CA.
(5.) Mansell PW, Ichinose H, Reed RJ, Krementz ET, McNamee R, and DiLuzio NR. "Macrophage-mediated destruction of human malignant cell in vivo." J Nation Cancer Inst, 1975; 54:571-580.
(6.) Mansell PW, DiLuzio NR, McNamee R, Cowden G, and Proctor JW. "Recognition factors and non specific macrophage activation in the treatment of neoplastic diseases." Ann NY Acad Sci, 1976; 277:20-44.
(7) Nanba, Hiroaki. "Results of Non-Controlled Clinical Study for Various Cancer Patients Using Maitake D-Fraction," Explore! (6)5, 1995.
There are several factors that are believed to be the effects of Maitake on melanoma:
Stimulation of the immune system: Maitake has been show to stimulate Natural Killer (NK) cell activity (1). NK cells are an important type of immune system cell that can attack and kill cancer. This effect is particularly important for melanoma patients because melanoma is one of the few cancers that has been shown to respond to (i.e. be reduced or eliminated) by stimulation of difference immune cells.
Anti-Angiogenesis Effect: In order for a tumor to grow, it needs to set up its own set of blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis (4). Hence, if you can stop this process with substances that have anti- angiogenesis, it makes it much harder for cancers like melanoma to spread. Beta-Glucans have been shown to have an anti- angiogenesis effect (5,6), and Maitake D-Fraction contains these Beta-Glucans.
Use with Chemotherapy: Maitake mushrooms have been studied in Japan used in conjunction with chemotherapy (7). The effect was very positive in some cancers (ex. liver and lung). This effect is generally believed to come from the fact that chemotheraphy tends to repress the immune system. However, Maitake stimulates the immune system. Since melanoma is one of the few cancers that can be fought with immune stimulation, it is possible that taking Maitake while going through chemotherapy can be helpful.
(1) Effect of Maitake {Grifola frondosa} D-Fraction on the activation of NK cells in cancer patients. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14977447.
This study essentially demonstrates that Maitake mushroom extract (Maitake-D Fraction) can help stimulate and activate NK cells – cells which can play a significant effect in your body’s ability to fight cancer and melanoma.
(2): Administration of a polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa stimulates immune function of normal mice. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15298759
This is probably one of the most important studies that Dr. Nanba and his team performed on Maitake and cancer. The evidence shows that Maitake can help boost the immune system in mice. While this isn’t a guarantee that it works in humans, it is often the case, which is why mice are used for studies.
(3): Inhibitory effect of MD-Fraction on tumor metastasis: involvement of NK cell activation and suppression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression in lung vascular endothelial cells. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18520039
This is a more recent study where mice were given Maitake D extract before having melanoma introduced to them. The Maitake D prevented the melanoma cells from spreading to the lungs.
(4) Preuss HG, Konno S. Maitake Magic, 2002; Freedom Press, Topanga CA.
(5.) Mansell PW, Ichinose H, Reed RJ, Krementz ET, McNamee R, and DiLuzio NR. "Macrophage-mediated destruction of human malignant cell in vivo." J Nation Cancer Inst, 1975; 54:571-580.
(6.) Mansell PW, DiLuzio NR, McNamee R, Cowden G, and Proctor JW. "Recognition factors and non specific macrophage activation in the treatment of neoplastic diseases." Ann NY Acad Sci, 1976; 277:20-44.
(7) Nanba, Hiroaki. "Results of Non-Controlled Clinical Study for Various Cancer Patients Using Maitake D-Fraction," Explore! (6)5, 1995.
Maitake-D Fraction is usually found in the form of drops, but can also be found in a powder. Most studies of the effect of Maitake on cancer and melanoma have been performed using Maitake-D fraction, mainly because it has performed much better than Maitake mushrooms in experiments, in some outperforming by 10%, in others, by 50%. Generally speaking, it is believed that you should take 60 mg (50-60 drops of a standard extract) per day, to allow for a positive medicinal effect.
Maitake-D Fraction is usually found in the form of drops, but can also be found in a powder. Most studies of the effect of Maitake on cancer and melanoma have been performed using Maitake-D fraction, mainly because it has performed much better than Maitake mushrooms in experiments, in some outperforming by 10%, in others, by 50%. Generally speaking, it is believed that you should take 60 mg (50-60 drops of a standard extract) per day, to allow for a positive medicinal effect.
The Maitake mushroom, and in particular the Maitake D-fraction extract is believed by some to boost the immune system in ways that and can help to limit or reverse melanoma tumor growth (1). It is also said to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy (7) and other melanoma treatments to lower some side effects of anti-cancer drugs, such as hair loss, pain, and nausea. Maitake may be particularly effective in the treatment of melanoma because melanoma is one of the few cancers that has shown a response (i.e. shrinking tumors, or the stoppage of spreading) when certain elements of the immune system are boosted or better supported.
Maitake-D fraction is a part of the Maitake mushroom that was first isolated by Hiroaki Nanba, PhD, of Kobe Pharmaceutical University in Japan, and is believed to be the chemical in Maitake that is responsible for the anti-cancer and anti-melanoma effects.
There are several factors that are believed to be the effects of Maitake on melanoma:
Stimulation of the immune system: Maitake has been show to stimulate Natural Killer (NK) cell activity (1). NK cells are an important type of immune system cell that can attack and kill cancer. This effect is particularly important for melanoma patients because melanoma is one of the few cancers that has been shown to respond to (i.e. be reduced or eliminated) by stimulation of difference immune cells.
Anti-Angiogenesis Effect: In order for a tumor to grow, it needs to set up its own set of blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis (4). Hence, if you can stop this process with substances that have anti- angiogenesis, it makes it much harder for cancers like melanoma to spread. Beta-Glucans have been shown to have an anti- angiogenesis effect (5,6), and Maitake D-Fraction contains these Beta-Glucans.
Use with Chemotherapy: Maitake mushrooms have been studied in Japan used in conjunction with chemotherapy (7). The effect was very positive in some cancers (ex. liver and lung). This effect is generally believed to come from the fact that chemotheraphy tends to repress the immune system. However, Maitake stimulates the immune system. Since melanoma is one of the few cancers that can be fought with immune stimulation, it is possible that taking Maitake while going through chemotherapy can be helpful.
