PSK
From Glioblastoma Treatments
Property | Information |
---|---|
Drug Name | PSK (Polysaccharide Krestin) and other polysaccharides |
FDA Approval | No (Widely used in Japan as a standard cancer treatment component) |
Used for | Over-the-Counter supplement for immune system enhancement and potential cancer treatment adjunct |
Clinical Trial Phase | Various, mainly in Japan for cancers like stomach, colon, and non-small cell lung cancer |
Clinical Trial Explanation | Not specified |
Common Side Effects | Not extensively documented; generally considered safe with potential for mild digestive upset |
OS without | Not specified |
OS with | Studies suggest improved survival rates in various cancers when added to chemotherapy; specific glioma-related outcomes are less clear |
PFS without | Not specified |
PFS with | Evidence from colorectal cancer trials shows increased disease-free survival |
Usefulness Rating | 3 |
Usefulness Explanation | Not specified |
Toxicity Level | 1 |
Toxicity Explanation | PSK (Polysaccharide Krestin) and other polysaccharides are generally considered safe with a low risk of side effects. However, there may be mild digestive upset. Since it's used as an Over-the-Counter supplement, its toxicity is notably lower than many other cancer treatments. However, each individual's responses can vary, and this does not exclude the possibility of uncommon adverse reactions. |
Notes: PSK, an extract from Coriolus versicolor mushroom, has shown efficacy in enhancing immune response and improving survival rates in cancer patients, particularly in Japan. Its effects include gamma-interferon and interleukin-2 production, increased T-cell activity, inhibition of tumor invasion enzymes, and angiogenesis. While its use in glioma treatment is less documented, PSK represents a promising adjunct to conventional cancer therapies. Other mushroom extracts like maitake, reishi, and shiitake also contain beneficial polysaccharides but lack the clinical evidence of PSK.
From Ben Williams Book: Not specified
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