Brief on Turkey Tail mushroom and its uses in Cancer and Cancer prevention. (2007) Baptist Health Systems, October, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2007 from:
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The use of Shiitake, Lentinulus edodes dates at least to 100 AD in China. Today, Shiitake mushrooms are very popular in the United States as well. Research into the anti-cancer properties of shiitake mushrooms has been going on since at least the 1960s. Animal studies have shown some positive results regarding the anti-tumor, cholesterol-lowering, and virus-inhibiting effects of several active compounds in Shiitake mushrooms. American Cancer Society (2007).
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The Turkey Tail mushroom, (Coriolus versicolor or Trametes versicolor) is used in traditional Asian herbal remedies. PSK and PSP extracted from the Turkey Tail are natural substances that have anticancer properties and may lessen some side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. American Cancer Society (2007)
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This document describes different integrative approaches to Colon Cancer. Amongst them are medicinal mushrooms. A study on the Turkey Tail mushroom (Coriolus versicolor) used in Stage II and III colorectal cancer is discussed. Clinic Staff (2006) Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine
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Of twenty mushrooms tested, fresh oyster mushrooms produced the most significant levels of cytotoxicity on prostate cancer cells. Gu, Y. H., Sivam, G. (2006). Journal of Medicinal Food. 9(2) : 196-204. 2006.

This review describes pharmacologically active compounds from mushrooms. Compounds and complex substances with antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-tumor, anti-allergic, immuno-modulating, anti-inflammatory, antiatherogenic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and central activities are covered, focusing on the review of recent literature. Lindequist, U., Niedermeyer, T. H. J., Julich, W. (2005). Oxford Journals. Volume 2, Number 3, Pp.285-299
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Agaricus blazei Murill Kyowa (ABMK) suppress chemotherapy-associated side effects such as appetite, alopecia, emotional stability and general weakness. Taken together, this suggests that ABMK treatment might be beneficial for gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. W.S. Ahn, D.J. Kim, G.T. Chae, J.M. Lee, S.M. Bae, J.I. Sin Y.W. Kim, S.E. Namkoon and I.P. Lee (20040). International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. 14(4)589-594.
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Article reviews a study by Dr. Julian Kenyon of England. In the article patients with stomach, esophageal, lung, ovarian and cervical cancer use the Turkey Tail mushroom, Coriolus versicolor to promote antitumor activity. Klotter, J. (2004). Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, June 2004.
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Highlighting this species as a Chinese herb and its substances as anti-aging, pro-sexual, anti-cancer and immune boosting, now Cordyceps and its products are present in the market of the Western countries as over-the-counter medicine/tonic; however, the primary source is Tibet. For the past few years, there has been large-scale harvesting of the wild material from Nepal and India. This study highlights the importance of the fungus as medicine, a case study of collection and trade in the Central Himalayan region, and research needs in the Indian context. Sharma, S. (2004). Current Science 86(12)1614-19
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Both resilient and rare, Chinese legends and myths of this revered healing mushroom span the course of millennia. Cordyceps finds itself amongst the most famous medicinals of the modern age as western research reveals its healing power. Holliday, J., Cleaver, M. (2004).
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Research on Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceum) and their biological activities in the laboratory where positive anti-dementia results. This has been confirmed by analogous results in human use. In this article, both the results from the laboratory and their clinical application are discussed. Kawagishi, H. (2004). Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, April, 2004.
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Agaricus blazei is a mushroom that originates from Brazil and is well known in Japan and China for its great flavor and medicinal qualities. Blazei is high in protein, carbohydrates, vitamin B and nicotinic acid which all have beneficiary effects on the liver and kidneys. When given to chronic hepatitis patients it is shown to improve the symptoms of Hepatitis B and helps to restore the function of the liver. Rong, W. L., Rong, F. Q., Yuan, X. X., Liang, M. H., Zhi, W. J., Ito, H., Shimur, K. (2004). The Nutrition Handbook.

Agaricus blazei, the almond portabello, has shown to be effective in leukemia treatment. It enhances the immune system, slows tumor growth, and promotes the growth of new cells in the bone marrow. Blazei increases the success of chemotherapy by lessening some of the side effects of the chemotherapy and has no toxicity in the human body. Hui, T. X., Guo, L. Z., Jing, W., Ito, H., Shimura, K., Zhi, W. J. (2004). The Nutrition Notebook. 

Extracts of Agaricus blazei are tested for their effects on the immune system. It is shown to be immunomodulating and to have antitumor qualities. Kasai, H., He, L. M., Kawamura, M., Yang, P. T., Deng, X. W., Munkanta, M., Yamashita, A., Terunuma, H., Hirama, M., Horiuchi, I., Natori, T., Koga, T., Amano, Y., Yamaguchi, N., Ito, M. (2004). Oxford Journals Evidence-Based Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. V.1, N.3. Pp. 259-267. 2004. 

Testing shows that Agaricus blazei helps improve immune function and inhibits cancer. It helped the symptoms and signs of patients that had malignant tumors in their alimentary tract and improved their blood picture. The polysaccharides in Agaricus blazei have not been shown to kill cancer cells, but release cell factors that are successful in cancer inhibition through activating the immune system and the anticancer function of natural killer cells. Jing, W., Min, M. X., Zheng, C. R., Zhi, W. J., Ito, H., Shimura, K. (2004). The Nutrition Notebook. 

Ganoderma lucidum demonstrates anticancer activity in experiments with cancer cells and has possible therapeutic potential as a dietary supplement for an alternative therapy for breast and prostate cancer. Silva, D. (2003). [Electronic version]. Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 2, No. 4, 358-364
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The protein-bound polysaccharides or polysaccharopeptides produced by Coriolus versicolor are effective immunopotentiators, which are used to supplement the chemotherapy and radiotherapy of cancers and various infectious diseases. Antitumor activity of polysaccharopeptides has been documented. Several kinds of protein-bound polysaccharides have been shown to be produced by the white rot fungus, C. versicolor. Cui, J., Chisti, Y. (2003) Biotechnology Advances, 2003 Apr;21(2):109-22.
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A bioactive compound called Maitake D-fraction is found to contain potent antitumor properties, and to have strong immune enhancing effects with no toxic side effects. It is shown that when taken adjunctly with chemotherapy, to reduce the side effects of the chemotherapy. Konno, S. (2002). Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. Dec., 2002

As it is known that the human immune system becomes weaker and less efficient as we age, it seems reasonable that natural health practitioners would introduce measures to help their patients reduce or halt the age-related decline in immune system function; this appears to partially explain the rising cancer incidence that occurs as we age and our increased susceptibility to more virulent and life-threatening infections. In this regard, antioxidant supplementation of Reishi mushroom extract has shown a remarkable ability to forestall age-related changes to the immune system and to reverse many aspects of immune function in subjects showing some decreased immune capabilities. Meschino, J. (2002). Dynamic Chiropractic, June, 2002
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Maitake D- fraction, a bioactive compound of the mushroom Grifola frondosa, and whole powdered Maitake display success in regression and symptom improvement of stage II-IV cancer. Maitake is also shown to inhibit tumor growth and increase natural killer T cells in animal studies. Kodama, N. (2002). Alternative Medicine Review. June, 2002.

Most mushrooms are rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fiber, while they are low in fat, cholesterol and calorie content. In addition, extensive basic and clinical research on mushrooms over the past 20 years has revealed them as having an unfolding number of properties that seemingly provides remarkable health benefits. Konno, S. (2002). Today's Chiropractic.
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D-Fraction, a polysaccharide extracted from the Maitake mushroom, is shown to have anti-tumor effects by activating macrophages and T cells. Kodama, N., Harada, N., Nanba, H. (2002). Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 90, 357 - 360 (2002).

This article describes some of the Turkey Tail mushrooms (Coriolus versicolor)traditional uses and modern clinical tests. Two test uses of Turkey tail in Prostate Cancer and Ovarian Cancer are discussed. Gaeddert, A (2001) Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients August, 2001.
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Agaricus blazei has been used in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis and chronic hepatitis. In this text they look at the tumor reducing qualities of different substances isolated from the lipid fraction of Agaricus blazei. Takeshi, T., Kimura, Y., Okuda, H. (2001). Journal of Nutrition. 2001; 131: 1409-1413.

This article describes, in general terms how the Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has been used traditionally and in modern applications including asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer. Dupler, D. (2001) Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
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Maitake has been used for centuries in China and Japan. Recent studies conducted over the last 20 years have shown this mushrooms benefits for enhancing the immune system and as an anti-tumor. Other benefits include decreasing high blood pressure, positive affect on the liver and cholesterol, and benefits for HIV patients. Crawford, S. (2001). Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.

This article describes human tests in non-small-cell lung cancer and the values of PSK and PSP within the Turkey Tail mushroom, Coriolus versicolor. Clinic Staff (1999) Hong Kong Association for Health Care Ltd. 1999:76–79.
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The chemopreventive effects of three medicinal mushrooms, Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Turkey Tail (Trametes (Coriolus) versicolor), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and the succulent plant Aloe barbadensis. Invitro test suggests that their polysaccharides have antitumor promoting activities and, therefore, might be considered as potential agents for cancer chemoprevention. Kim, H.S., Kacew, S., Lee, B.M. (1999) Oxford University Press, Carcinogenesis, Vol. 20, No. 8, 1637-1640.
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The antitumor properties of Ganoderma lucidum was derived from the elevated levels of cytokines, mainly TNF (Tumor necrosis factor) and IFN (Interferon). These two cytokines acted synergistically on the inhibition of leukemic-cell growth. Sheng-yuan Wang, Ming-Ling Hsu, Shiuh-Sheng Lee, Ming-Shi Shiao, Chi-Kuan Ho (1998) International Journal of Cancer Vol. 70, No. 6,  699-705