AHCC Human Clinical Studies
HPV Infection
Evaluation of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) for the Eradication of HPV Infections in Women with HPV positive Pap Smears
11th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology
Link to study
Summary of article:
Five subjects achieved a negative HPV test result — three with confirmed eradication after stopping AHCC — with the remaining two responders continuing on the study.
Cancer
Head & Neck Cancer
Integrating Complimentary and Alternative Medicine in Form of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) in the Management of Head & Neck Cancer Patients
International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2011, 2, 588-592
Link to Study
Summary of article:
- Patients tolerated AHCC with no additional adverse effects
- 20 patients felt better and stronger at the time of beginning their chemotherapy rounds
- Almost all patients had improved appetites after they began taking AHCC
- 22 patients experienced less chemotherapy side effects like nausea, vomiting, lose motion/ constipation, etc.
- Tumors regressed in 11 patients
- 8 patients stabilized
Liver Cancer
Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when treated with functional foods: a prospective cohort study
Journal of Hepatology 37 (2002) 78–86
Link to Study
Summary of article:
The study group taking AHCC experienced the following outcomes compared to the control group:
- Longer period without recurrence
- Increased survival rate
Prognostic Improvement of Patients with Advanced Liver Cancer after Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) Treatment
Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology (2006) 24: 33-45
Link to study
Summary of article:
The following results were reported for patients supplemented with AHCC when compared with control group:
- A significantly prolonged survival
- Quality of life in terms of mental stability, general physical health status and the ability to have normal activities were significantly improved after 3 months of supplementation
- Serum level of albumin and percentage of lymphocytes in blood, were significantly higher
- Slightly increased levels of total IL-12 and neopterin
Clinical Experiences of AHCC
Biotherapy 2000; 14(10): 959-964
Link to article
Summary of article:
Health and functional foods are used by progressive cancer patients who hope increased survival time regardless of ambiguous information that includes phrases used to describe these foods, such as “might be effective against cancer.” However, we fear that non evidence-based foods might shorten the lifetime of patients, whose life has already been shortened by cancer. Although our data is retrospective, AHCC does not increase the risk of shortening the lifetime of cancer patients, at least in the case of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical doctors should neither deny alternative medicine without studying, nor accept alternative medicine easily without critical investigation. Based on scientific, rational data, alternative medicine should be applied.
Prostate Cancer
Dramatic prostate-specific antigen response with activated hemicellulose compound in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
Anti-Cancer Drugs 2009, 20:215–216
Link to study
Summary of article:
In this case study, taking AHCC resulted in a dramatic decrease in prostate-specific antigen within 1 month. Authors of the study concluded that AHCC may have a role in the management of prostate cancer patients especially those who have failed hormonal therapy.
Dietary administration of mushroom mycelium extracts in patients with early stage prostate cancers managed expectantly: a phase II study.
Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2010 Oct;40(10):967-72.
Link to study
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes:
- Changes in PSA before and after treatment were substantially stable
- In patients for which expectant management had been continued for 6 months or more before the trial, a prolonged PSA doubling time (PSADT) was seen with AHCC administration – Prior to AHCC, 12/31 (39%) of patients had PSADT of 120 months or more, and after 6 months of AHCC administration, 17/31 (55%) had PSADT of 120 months or more. To the lower end, 12/31 (39%) of patients showed a PSADT less than 24 months, and following 6 months of AHCC, this fell to 9/31 (29%).
Pancreatic or Biliary Duct Cancer
The Beneficial Effect of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC), a Health Food Component, in Patients with Pancreatic and Biliary Cancer who Underwent Chemotherapy
Presented at the 40th APA (American Pancreatic Association)
Link to study
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes compared with the control group:
- The hemoglobin (Hb) level after chemotherapy in AHCC group was significantly higher
- The taste alteration after chemotherapy in AHCC group was significantly lower
Gastric and Colon Cancer
Improved Survival of Patients with Gastric Cancer or Colon Cancer when treated with Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC): Effect of AHCC on digestive system cancer
Natural Medicine Journal 1(1), September 2009
Link to study
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following difference in survival rate:
- Improved cumulative 5-year survival rates for patients with gastric cancer (stage IA to stage IIIA) compared with other Japanese institutions
- Improved cumulative 5-year survival rates for patients with colon cancer (stage II to stage IIIA) compared with other Japanese institutions
Immune system modulation and anti-cancer effect
Immunomodulatory and anticancer effects of active hemicellulose compound (AHCC)
Int. J. Immunotherapy X1(1) 23-28 (1995)
Link to article
Summary of article:
Supplementation with AHCC had the following results:
- A significant decline in TAA occurred in 8 out of the 11 patients with different types of malignancies
- PSA levels in prostate cancer patients and CA 125 levels in ovarian cancer patients decreased as early as 1 to 2 months and reached normal levels within 1 to 4 months
- 9 out of 11 patients demonstrated marked increase in NK activity as early as 2 weeks after treatment
- The percentages of patients with complete remission were as follows:
- (i) prostatic (66%); (ii) ovarian (66%). (iii) multiple myeloma (50%); (iv) breast, 33% complete remission and 2 partial
- In vitro studies showed that AHCC possesses suppressive effects on tumor cell growth
Best of Naturopathy
Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients February/March 2003
Link to article
Summary of article:
Group A was given 1-3g/day of modified arabinoxylane with meals. Group B was given 6000 mg/day of coriolus mushroom. Group C was given 4g/day of antigen-infused dialyzable bovine colostrum/whey extract and Group D was given 3-6g/day of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC). NK cell activities were assessed before treatment and after an average of 16 weeks of therapy. AHCC was the only supplement that consistently and statistically increased NK cell activity. The average increase was 249%.
Lung and Breast Cancer
Clinical Review of AHCC and GCP on Cancer Therapy: From the Long-Term Follow-up for Cancer of the Lung, Breast and Large Intestine
16th AHCC Research Association, November 2008
Link to article
Summary of article:
Compared against the survival rates in American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) reference data, this retrospective study reported the following observations:
- 1-year, 2 year and 3-year survival rates for stage IV lung cancer increased to 77.1%, 54.3% and 31.4%, respectively
- Improvement of 1-year to 3-year survival rates and prolongation of median survival time (MST) for lung cancer stage IV
- QOL scores of 35 cases were rated A to C by 77.2% of patients, which contributed to reducing final hospitalization time
- Survival terms for breast cancer patients for 3 years, 4 years and 5 years were 65.6%, 43.8% and 28.1%, respectively
- Mean survival terms for breast cancer patients were 5 years, 2 months after recurrence and 7 years, 11 months after initial diagnosis
- Extension of survival terms was confirmed
- QOL scores on living cases reported a score of A or B (100%), and scores for those who did not survive were A-B (50%) and C (50%)
Chemo Side Effects
Exploratory Clinical Research on Active Hexose Correlated Compound in the Adjuvant Chemotherapy of Breast Cancer
Presented at the 20th International Congress on Nutrition and Integrative Medicine
Link to article
Summary of article:
In a study of the beneficial effects of AHCC supplementation on the alleviation of adverse events in female breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, the results found that those receiving AHCC experienced fewer side-effects, most notably related to neutrophils. Neutrophils make up 50%-75% of white blood cells and are the first immune cells to respond to and arrive at the site of infection. Chemotherapy frequently causes a drastic drop neutrophils (a condition called neutropenia), putting the patient at a greater risk of infection. Patients also to wait for their neutrophil levels to recover before proceeding to their next cycle of chemotherapy which prolongs the length of treatment. So the ability to maintain healthy neutrophil levels not only reduces the risk of infections but also enables women to get through their treatment faster. This is why this latest study showing that AHCC, a natural compound with an excellent safety profile, can help maintain healthy neutrophil levels is very significant. The researchers at the University of Tokyo retrospectively analyzed 41 consecutive adult patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy to see how many of them had to undergo injections of “G-CSF” which are used to stimulate bone marrow production but also entail a number of potential side-effects affecting an estimated 30% of users. They found that those taking AHCC had significantly lower use of G-CSF drugs than those without the supplement, indicating that AHCC helped the patients maintain normal neutrophil levels without having to use these side-effect inducing drugs.
Effect of Active Hexose-Correlated Compound in Women Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Study
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Link to article
Summary of article:
It was found that compared with the control group, the AHCC group had significantly fewer neutrophil-related events (odds ratio: 0.30; p = 0.016), significantly lower use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and a higher (although not significant) rate of adverse events associated with c-glutamyl transpeptidase, a liver enzyme.
Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHHC) Improves Immunological Parameters and Performance Status of Patients with Solid Tumors
Biotherapy
Link to article
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes compared with the status before intake:
- Significant improvement in NK cell activity
- Significant improvement in IFN-γ and IL-2 production
- Significant improvement in PS evaluation
The Hematoimmunologic Effects of AHCC for Korean Patients with Various Cancers
Biotherapy
Link to article
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes compared with baseline:
- The ratio of NK cells to total lymphocytes increased from 21.67% before taking AHCC to 26.21% and 26.0% 3 to 6 months after taking AHCC, respectively
- There was no change in white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and thrombocyte numbers after taking AHCC, even though patients were undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy
- No adverse effects were observed
NK-Immunomodulation by Active Hemicellulose Compound (AHCC) in 17 Cancer Patients
2nd Meeting of the Society for Natural Immunity. Taormina, Italy May 1994
Link to article
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes:
- Significant enhancement of NK activity against K562 as early as 2 weeks, two- to threefold increase compared with base line
- Activity was further increased at subsequent time periods up to 6 months post-treatment with AHCC
- NK activation was also detected against Raji cells, but at later stages 1-2 months with two- to ten fold increase compared with base line
Phase I/II Clinical Study of AHCC as Adverse Effect Reducer in Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy (the 3rd Report)
Presented at the 17th AHCC Research Association, 2009
Link to article
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes:
- Improved hematologic toxicity (neutropenia) and hepatotoxicity
- A decreased tendency of QLQ-C30 fatigue scale
- A decrease in levels of HHV-6 in saliva by AHCC Administration
Reduction of Adverse Effects by a Mushroom Product, Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) in Patients With Advanced Cancer During Chemotherapy—The Significance of the Levels of HHV-6 DNA in Saliva as a Surrogate Biomarker During Chemotherapy
Nutrition and Cancer, 1–6, 2014
Link to article
Summary of article:
The DNA levels of herpes virus type 6, often found in people with compromised immune systems and thought to be related to chronic fatigue syndrome, were significantly increased after chemotherapy. AHCC significantly decreased the levels of HHV-6 in saliva during chemotheraphy, improved AOL scores in the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and reduced blood and liver toxicity.
Liver
The Effect of AHCC in Non-Viral, Chronic and Abnormal Liver Function Condition: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Control Study
Presented at the 18th International Congress on Nutrition and Integrative Medicine (ICNIM), July 2010
Link to article
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes:
- 1 g AHCC significantly decreased AST, ALT and γ-GT values
- 3 g AHCC significantly decreased AST, ALT and γ-GT values except the 4-week γ-GT
- AHCC supplementation had a more dramatic effect on immune cell phenotypes after vaccination of subjects over 60 years old
A study of the efficacy of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C patients at Phramongkutklao Hospital
Medical News (Thailand)
Link to article
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes:
- Although no significant reduction of HCV RNA levels was noticed in AHCC group patients compared with those of placebo group, subgroup analysis of genotype-3 had a significant HCV RNA decline
- Although the reduction of ALT levels within AHCC group was not significant, a significant difference was found between AHCC and placebo groups
- AHCC group ALT levels were stable, while ALT levels increased in placebo group. Such difference was initially noted within the first 6 weeks of the study.
Effect of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) in Alcohol-Induced Liver Enzyme Elevation
Journal of Nutrition Science Vitaminology
Link to article
Summary of article:
After 12 weeks of supplementation, the percentage change in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was significantly different between the placebo and both AHCC groups (1 g of AHCC and 3 g of AHCC). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.05) and interleukin-1β ( p < 0.01) were significantly lower, while those of adiponectin were higher in both AHCC groups than in the placebo group (p < 0.01). AHCC supplementation for 12 weeks may improve the levels of liver enzymes and circulating pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with alcohol-induced mildly elevated liver enzyme levels.
Healthy Adults
Effects of active hexose correlated compound on frequency of CD4 and CD8 T cells producing interferon- and/or tumor necrosis factor– in healthy adults
Human Immunology
Link to article
Summary of article:
AHCC supplementation resulted in the following significant changes compared with base line:
- The frequency of CD4+ and CD8 + T cells producing IFN-γ alone, TNF-α alone or both increased during AHCC intake
- The frequency of such cells remained high even 30 days after discontinuing AHCC
Short-term supplementation with active hexose correlated compound improves the antibody response to influenza B vaccine
Nutrition Research
Link to article
Summary of article:
Giving nutritional supplements before flu shots boosts immunity and makes the vaccine more effective. The mushroom extract Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) improved survival in studies of mice given a flu virus. Also when AHCC was given to mice before getting a flu vaccine they had improved survival from the bird flu virus compared to mice that only had the vaccine. It is thought that AHCC will improve protection against getting the flu when given around the same time as receiving a flu shot. A well designed study was per formed with 30 healthy adults to see if AHCC supplementation could improve protection against the flu if also flu shots were given. This was during the 2009-2010 flu season. Blood was drawn from patients before vaccination and then 1 week after. Immediately after the flu shot, the AHCC group took 3 grams per day of AHCC. The analysis of white blood cells in these subjects after vaccination showed that AHCC supplementation increased the natural killer cells and T cell types of white blood cells when compared to the group who didn’t receive AHCC. Antibody levels against the influenza B virus were also higher in the AHCC group 3 weeks after being given the shot. The AHCC supplementation group had better immunity with greater levels of white blood cells and antibodies against the flu virus compared to the control group.
Immunological Effect of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) in Healthy Volunteers: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Nutrition and Cancer
Link to article
Summary of article:
Volunteers supplemented with AHCC had the following significant changes:
- Greater number of total DCs than at base line and compared with control
- The number of DC1 cells was greater after AHCC intake than at base line and the AHCC group had a tendency to have higher DC1s than control
- DC2s were significantly increased after 4 weeks compared with control
- The allo-stimulatory activity of DC1s was also increased after intake compared with control as measured by the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)
Safety
A Phase I Study of the Safety of the Nutritional Supplement, Active Hexose Correlated Compound, AHCC, in Healthy Volunteers
Journal of Nutrition Science and Vitaminology
Link to article
Summary of article:
Laboratory results and adverse events were reported as follows:
- Two subjects (7%) dropped out because of nausea and intolerance of the liquid
- Nausea, diarrhea, bloating, headache, fatigue and foot cramps occurred in a total of 6 subjects (20%) but were mild and transient
- There were no laboratory abnormalities
Estimating efficacy of AHCC as immune therapy for patients diagnosed with pharmacoresistant epilepsy
22nd International Congress on Nutrition and Integrative Medicine
Link to article
Summary of article:
Children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy had decreased mature T lymphocytes (CD3+) and T cells and an imbalance in the subset. The amount of CD3+ T lymphocytes in the epilepsy group was 42.42%±14.65%, which is 82.8% of average. The amount of CD4+ T lymphocytes was 71.6%, and cytotoxic CD8+ was 112.7%. The CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes subset distribution and regulatory balance had a ratio of 1.28±0.55, which was below average or only 58.6% of the average value. After AHCC intake, patients had positive changes of peripheral T cell pool (CD3+) and T-helpers (CD4+). They also showed an improvement and increase in the ratio of T suppressors-killers (CD8+) to lymphocytes to 1.4. Due to increases in the CD4+ lymphocytes subset, the immunoregulatory balance of the CD4+ to CD8+ ratio improved. There was a 35% decrease of frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures. The patients’ bodily health status and physiological functions also improved.
Effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound on the Seasonal Variations of Immune Competence in Healthy Subjects
Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Link to article
Summary of article:
Natural killer cell activity significantly increased in both groups during the study period. The natural killer cell number, however, was not altered in the active hexose correlated compound group, while the placebo group showed remarkable decline. In addition, the score of immunological vigor, an index of total immune competence, was maintained in the AHCC group, although that of the placebo group decreased during the test period.
Sources
- AHCC® Clinical Evidence: HumanClinicals.org