epiglucan and Carcinoma--Squamous-Cell

Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa) MD-fraction containing beta-1,6 glucan with beta-1,3 branched chains has previously exhibited strong anticancer activity by increasing immune-competent cell activity.1,2 In this non-random case series, a combination of MD-fraction and whole maitake powder was investigated to determine its effectiveness for 22- to 57-year-old cancer patients in stages II-IV. Cancer regression or significant symptom improvement was observed in 58.3 percent of liver cancer patients, 68.8 percent of breast cancer patients, and 62.5 percent of lung cancer patients. The trial found a less than 10-20 percent improvement for leukemia, stomach cancer, and brain cancer patients. Furthermore, when maitake was taken in addition to chemotherapy, immune-competent cell activities were enhanced 1.2-1.4 times, compared with chemotherapy alone. Animal studies have supported the use of maitake MD-fraction for cancer.

Topics: Adult; Agaricales; Animals; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; beta-Glucans; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glucans; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms

The suppressive regulatory T cells (Treg) are frequently upregulated in cancer patients. This study aims to demonstrate the hypothesis that arecoline could induce the secretion of mitochondrial (mt) DNA D-loop and programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in extracellular vesicles (EVs), and attenuate T-cell immunity by upregulated Treg cell numbers. However, the immunosuppression could be reversed by whole glucan particle (WGP) β-glucan in oral squamous cell (OSCC) patients. Arecoline-induced reactive oxygen specimen (ROS) production and cytosolic mtDNA D-loop were analyzed in OSCC cell lines. mtDNA D-loop, PD-L1, IFN-γ, and Treg cells were also identified for the surgical specimens and sera of 60 OSCC patients. We demonstrated that higher mtDNA D-loop, PD-L1, and Treg cell numbers were significantly correlated with larger tumor size, nodal metastasis, advanced clinical stage, and areca quid chewing. Furthermore, multivariate analysis confirmed that higher mtDNA D-loop levels and Treg cell numbers were unfavorable independent factors for survival. Arecoline significantly induced cytosolic mtDNA D-loop leakage and PD-L1 expression, which were packaged by EVs to promote immunosuppressive Treg cell numbers. However, WGP β-glucan could elevate CD4

Topics: Arecoline; B7-H1 Antigen; beta-Glucans; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; DNA, Mitochondrial; Extracellular Vesicles; Glucans; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Immunosuppression Therapy; Mouth Neoplasms; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Drosomycin-like defensin (DLD) is a recently discovered antimicrobial peptide mainly active against filamentous fungi. The present study investigated the expression profile of DLD in oral epithelium and oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines.. Tissue sections of human oral mucosa, keratinocytes derived from oral mucosa (NOK) and eight kinds of SCC cell lines were used. In situ hybridization was performed on tissue sections of oral mucosa. Expression levels of DLD in the cells were observed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR assays. The cells were treated with IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α, and agonists for TLR2, TLR4 and β-glucan. DLD expression in cells was increased and decreased by the DLD gene and its siRNA transfection, respectively. The proliferation rates were assessed by cell counting.. By means of in situ hybridization, DLD mRNA positive staining was detected in the epithelial layer of the oral mucosa. An RT-PCR assay confirmed the expression of DLD mRNA in keratinocytes derived from oral epithelium. Expression of DLD in two out of eight cell lines was significantly lower than in NOK cells. The expression levels of DLD mRNA were not significantly changed in the cells stimulated with any cytokines or agonists. The cell proliferation rate where there was decreased expression of DLD was significantly lower than in the control.. DLD may be partially involved in the defence against filamentous fungal infection in the oral mucosa, and may also serve other functions, such as contribution to cell growth.

Topics: Antifungal Agents; beta-Glucans; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Count; Cell Line; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Defensins; Drosophila Proteins; Epithelium; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-8; Keratinocytes; Mouth Mucosa; Mouth Neoplasms; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Small Interfering; Structural Homology, Protein; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Toll-Like Receptor 4; Transfection; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha