What Is the Role of Red Reishi (the Mushroom of Immortality) in Cancer Treatment?
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Red reishi or the mushroom of immortality are names for Ganoderma lucidum, a mushroom with a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine, believed to prolong life and improve health. Although claimed effective in preventing and treating many diseases, alternative medicine practitioners particularly seek to attract interest by claiming it prevents or treats cancer. However, almost all data on its benefits come from laboratory and animal studies. The few human clinical studies , which are what truly matter, remain questionable. Using these products without sufficient evidence or knowledge of safety, thinking they might help, goes no further than a “maybe it will work” approach. Moreover, patients have been found to suffer harm. Until benefits and harms are clearly established, avoiding both use and promotion of this product while considering possible side effects is the most appropriate approach. Let us examine the scientific evidence together.
What is Ganoderma lucidum (red reishi mushroom), and what is its history?
Ganoderma lucidum, also called Reishi, Ling-zhi, mannentake or the mushroom of immortality, has been used in Chinese Medicine for approximately 2000 years. It has a glossy surface, woody texture and dark red color. Its name comes from the Latin “lucidus,” meaning shiny. Recognized as a medicinal mushroom in Chinese medicine for 2000 years, it also began appearing widely in art and religion from the 1400s. It was associated with Taoism and depicted in paintings, carvings and accessories. Called a sacred mushroom, it was believed to grow in “the home of immortals.”
Wild G. lucidum is very rare, so initially only the nobility could access it. Later, difficulties obtaining it because of its irregular natural distribution and rising demand led to cultivation. Since the 1970s, cultivation has been its main source.
Over the last 15 years, products from more than 90 G. lucidum brands have been registered and entered the international market. Consumption is increasing rapidly, with thousands of tonnes consumed worldwide annually. A statistical study in 2002 reported worldwide annual production of approximately 4700 tonnes, including 3800 in China. Products are sold as powders, nutritional supplements, teas, syrups, creams and hair tonics, most commonly powdered then made into capsules or tablets. They can be produced from different mushroom parts, such as mycelium, spores and fruiting bodies.
Regarded in China as a plant of spiritual power and a symbol of health, longevity, success and divine power, G. lucidum is valued for medicinal properties rather than nutrition, unlike other cultivated mushrooms. Usually grown on oak and plum trees, it is widely used in Chinese medicine because it is thought to increase energy, stimulate immunity and prolong life. Its effects in cancer are attributed to substances called beta glucan and triterpene . Beta glucans are thought to stimulate immunity, while triterpenes are thought to kill various cancer cells. Triterpenes are also claimed to prevent tumors from invading host tissue and spreading.
What are the results of laboratory studies on Ganoderma lucidum's effects in cancer?
For many years, G. lucidum has been claimed and advocated as effective in preventing and treating many diseases, particularly cancer. These claims are based primarily on laboratory and animal studies. The literature includes such studies showing immune-regulating, inflammation preventing, kidney-protective and liver-protective effects of its extract. Laboratory and animal experiments investigating anticancer properties have reported antiproliferative effects and tumor cell killing through arresting the cell cycle and stimulating natural killer cells. Two studies in mice also reported antiangiogenic (preventing new blood vessel formation) activity. A study testing a mixture of G. lucidum and Agaricus Blazi Murill in uterine lining (endometrial) cancer cell lines reported reduced cancer cell viability and proliferation. Other studies report increased radiotherapy effectiveness, reduced chemotherapy-related nausea and greater ovarian cancer cell sensitivity to the chemotherapy drug cisplatin .
The strongest laboratory findings on its cancer effects come from breast cancer cell lines. A mouse study published in 2014 implanted human breast cancer cells into mouse breast tissue and administered G. lucidum every other day, finding suppression of breast-to-lung metastasis. A study published in Cancer Research in April 2015 also found that, in HER2+ inflammatory breast cancer cells, G. lucidum with Lapatinib was effective in some cell lines and reduced cell viability. Another study found that G. lucidum extract reduced tumor growth in inflammatory breast cancer.
What are the results of clinical studies on Ganoderma lucidum's effects in cancer?
Clinical studies testing G. lucidum in cancer patients are very limited, and their results are incompletely reported in some respects. Some Chinese clinical studies have produced positive findings, but insufficient standardization in patient selection and extracts used makes them unreliable. One observed increases in immune markers interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6 and interferon γ (IFN-γ), and greater natural killer cell activity. Another found more positive responses with G. lucidum plus chemotherapy or radiotherapy than with chemotherapy or radiotherapy alone. Some increases in immune markers CD3, CD4 and CD8 were also observed. Another study reported suppression of colorectal adenoma development.
A study published in the prestigious medical journal PLoS One in 2012 investigated, following breast cancer diagnosis, Ginseng and/or G. lucidum use and its effects on quality of life . Involving 4149 breast cancer patients, it found no significant quality-of-life effect from ginseng. G. lucidum had a positive social effect but a negative effect on physical quality of life.
In a Cochrane Collaboration review in 2012, only 5 studies met inclusion criteria. Product contents were insufficiently described, and all participants came from Asian countries. Researchers concluded there were insufficient data for use in cancer patients. A review published in Integrative Cancer Therapy in 2015 also concluded that despite positive laboratory and preclinical results, clinical studies are insufficient, and future studies should examine components such as glucan and triterpene rather than the mushroom itself , stating that “once benefits are clearly established, this knowledge should be used in drug development.”
What are the possible side effects of Ganoderma lucidum?
Although claimed to have no side effects, many cases of adverse effects and drug interactions are reported. In one case, G. lucidum extract was held responsible for fatal fulminant (rapidly progressing) hepatitis. A woman with schizophrenia aged 47 developed fatal fulminant hepatitis two months after starting 400 mg. G. lucidum capsules; investigations identified it as the cause. Another case report implicated its tablets in liver damage causing lethargy (drowsiness) and anorexia (loss of appetite). In a man aged 66, it caused fluid-filled (vesiculobullous) lesions covering the palms and soles, hair loss and aplastic crisis. Two further published cases implicated it in aplastic anemia (complete cessation or reduction of blood cell production in bone marrow). Chronic diarrhea has also been reported. Contrary to claims, a laboratory study suggested it could harm immune cells.
Studies of drug interactions also exist. G. lucidum extract may inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes, affecting levels and effectiveness of drugs they metabolize; interact with chemotherapy and reduce effectiveness; increase bleeding risk with anticoagulants; and reduce the effectiveness of immunosuppressants. It may also alter blood levels of cancer markers such as CA 72-4 and produce misleading results. A study presenting five cases found that its spores increased serum CA 72-4, one of the most valuable markers for assessing treatment response in gastrointestinal cancer patients.
So what should be done?
Ganoderma lucidum, also called red reishi or the mushroom of immortality, has shown some benefits in laboratory and animal experiments. However, these have not been confirmed in human clinical studies. The literature even contains examples of patients harmed by this product.
In conclusion, the available evidence indicates that Reishi mushroom cannot be used in cancer treatment. Avoiding it until its effectiveness, side-effect profile and areas of action are clearly established is currently the most appropriate approach.
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