Shiitake Mushrooms & Cancer: Can Lentinan Help During Treatment?
- Boxed-In Mushrooms
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
At Boxed-In Mushroom Company, we explore every angle...immune support, longevity, and safety. Today, we dive into the question: Can shiitake mushrooms, and specifically their beta-glucan lentinan, help during cancer treatment? Drawing heavily from MD Anderson’s Cancerwise article, we uncover what the science actually shows and what it doesn’t so you can share a deeply informed resource with your readers.
What MD Anderson Actually Says

MD Anderson’s Cancerwise emphasizes that medicinal mushrooms, including shiitake, may benefit cancer patients, but caution and context are crucial
Immune modulation: Shiitake compounds “stimulate the compounds responsible for tumor suppression…and decrease inflammatory compounds” mdanderson.org.
Extended survival: Some mushroom supplements helped patients endure more chemotherapy and live longerverywellhealth.com+12mdanderson.org+12pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+12.
Improved quality of life: Patients report less fatigue, better appetite, and greater mental and physical functioning .
Potential risks: Mild liver or kidney toxicity has been reported side effects tend to be mild or moderate cancer.gov+15mdanderson.org+15mdanderson.org+15.
Geographic limits: Much of the research done is in Asia; U.S.-based clinical trials are limited .
The Science Behind Lentinan
What is lentinan?
A polysaccharide derived from shiitake (Lentinula edodes), with a β‑1,3‑glucan backbone and β‑1,6 branches pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+6en.wikipedia.org+6mskcc.org+6.
Shown in lab studies to stimulate immune cells, reduce inflammatory cytokines (IL‑1β, IL‑6), and selectively kill cancer cells in vitro mdanderson.org.
Clinical Data from Japan and China: Shiitake Mushrooms & Cancer: Can Lentinan Help During Treatment?
Intravenous lentinan has been used clinically—often alongside chemo—in gastric, hepatic, and colorectal cancers.
Results show prolonged survival and improved QoL, primarily through immune boosting rather than direct tumor kill en.wikipedia.org+1mskcc.org+1mdanderson.org+1mdanderson.elsevierpure.com+1.
Adverse effects are rare but include shiitake dermatitis and mild organ stressen.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
AHCC: A Related Extract
AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) is another shiitake-derived
alpha-glucan used in Japan.
While animal data shows immune benefits, human evidence in cancer remains inconclusive and limited en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
Beyond Shiitake: Broader Mushroom Evidence
A 2023 systematic review (Narayanan et al.) examined 39 clinical studies of medicinal mushrooms, including shiitake, turkey tail (PSK), reishi, maitake, and cordyceps en.wikipedia.org+2pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2mdanderson.elsevierpure.com+2:
Generally positive trends: improved chemotherapy tolerance, immune response, symptom relief, and in some cases, survival benefit.
PSK is approved in Japan for gastric and other cancers, supporting survival as an adjuvant therapy en.wikipedia.org.
Mushrooms are recognized in Japan and China as approved adjuncts to conventional cancer care for decades, while Western data is still emerging cancer.gov+1nypost.com+1.
Benefits Reported by Cancer Patients
Clinical and retrospective studies highlight several advantages for patients who integrate mushroom supplements:
Better chemo tolerance: more treatment adherence...potential survival boosts .
Reduced fatigue, improved appetite and strength .
Enhanced immune markers, such as elevated WBC and NK-cell activity .
Overall QoL uplift, though mechanisms remain under investigation researchgate.net+12mdanderson.org+12arxiv.org+12.
Safety and Side Effects: What to Watch For
Mild-moderate toxicity: Some reports of liver or kidney impairment .
Digestive issues: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, occasional muscle pain .
Allergic skin reactions: Shiitake dermatitis is a known risk en.wikipedia.org.
Drug interactions: Unknown interactions with chemo agents—always consult oncology care team.
What the Evidence Doesn’t Say
Most studies are in Asia; U.S. metabolism and patient responses may vary facebook.com+5cancer.gov+5arxiv.org+5linkedin.com.
Many trials are small, observational, or retrospective, few randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials mdanderson.org+2pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+2mdanderson.elsevierpure.com+2 .
No mushroom extract is FDA-approved for cancer treatment in the U.S. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+6en.wikipedia.org+6nypost.com+6.
Integrative Use of Shiitake in Cancer Care
If considered in a holistic care plan:
Consult your oncology team before use.
Use clinically studied shiitake extracts (e.g., lentinan, AHCC) with proper dosing.
Monitor liver, kidney, and immune markers during use.
Combine with PSK or other clinically proven extracts (e.g., turkey tail).
Track metrics like fatigue, appetite, nausea, and emotional well-being.
Adjust or cease use if organ stress or reactions occur.
Final Takeaways
Shiitake mushrooms and lentinan show compelling potential, from immune modulation to quality-of-life improvements and even chemo tolerance enhancement. MD Anderson highlights both the promise and the unknowns, especially regarding safe dosing and U.S.-based trials verywellhealth.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2nypost.com+2en.wikipedia.org+6pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+6health.com+6nypost.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+6mdanderson.org.
This blog offers a nuanced but hopeful view: shiitake isn’t a cure, but as part of a well-monitored plan, it could support patients through cancer treatment.
With stronger evidence from randomized, Western clinical trials, this space may soon offer even more clarity and confidence.
Comments