The potential use of Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) extract in breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and current treatment options can have significant side effects. Therefore, there is a need to find new and effective treatments for this disease. The Turkey Tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor) has been traditionally used in Asia as a medicine and has been found to have anti-cancer properties in preclinical studies. This review aims to evaluate the potential use of Turkey Tail mushroom extract in breast cancer treatment by summarizing the preclinical studies that have been conducted to date.

Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) is a type of mushroom that has been studied for its potential anti-cancer properties, specifically in breast cancer.

Some studies have found that turkey tail mushroom extract may have immunomodulatory effects and may be able to enhance the effectiveness of certain chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer.

One study published in the journal "Anticancer Research" in 2016, found that a combination of turkey tail mushroom extract and the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel was more effective in treating breast cancer cells in culture and in mice, than either treatment alone.

Another study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in 2018, found that a combination of Turkey Tail and another mushroom called Agaricus blazei, resulted in a significant reduction in the size of tumors in a mouse model of breast cancer.

It's important to note that while these studies suggests a potential benefits of Turkey Tail mushroom in breast cancer, more research is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the safe and effective dosage for humans, Therefore it's important to follow the medical instruction and consult a doctor if considering this supplement as a treatment, or in addition to any other medical treatment.

The preclinical studies reviewed here suggest that Turkey Tail mushroom extract may have immunomodulatory effects and may be able to enhance the effectiveness of certain chemotherapy drugs used to treat breast cancer. However, it's important to note that these studies were conducted in cell culture and animal models, more studies on human is needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of Turkey Tail mushroom extract as a treatment for breast cancer. Additionally, it's important to follow the medical instruction and consult a doctor if considering this supplement as a treatment, or in addition to any other medical treatment.

It's also worth to mention that Turkey Tail mushroom is not the only mushroom that have shown potential in breast cancer, there are other mushrooms like Agaricus Blazei, Ganoderma lucidum, and Cordyceps sinensis, among others, that have been studied and found to have anti-cancer properties.

Reference

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushrooms) and the Treatment of Breast Cancer

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4890100