There are numerous studies that have been done using AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) at Drew University of Medicine & Science, CA and others elsewhere and While I recommend men with prostate cancer take AHCC concurrently with GCP (Genistein Combined Polysaccaride) this particular study was conducted on those with CRPC (Castration-resistant prostate cancer) an incurable situation with very limited treatment options.  Nutritional Adjuvant and Herbalsupplements are typically deemed unconventional treatment for a variety of  diseases but this is changing each day. AHCC, a Japanese supplement developed over many years by hybridizing serveral mushrooms has been used in traditional healing for the purpose of maintaining optimal immunuity.

          This study reported on a 66-year-old Caucasian gentleman with CRPC with an excellent serologicresponse to AHCC. This case hypothesizes that AHCC may have potential activity against CRPC.  

Case Details: Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy revealed high-grade prostate adenocarcinoma with Gleason score of 4+5=9. He was initiated on complete androgen blockade with leuprolide and bicalutamide.  He also received palliative radiotherapy to the lumbar spine. At the time of discharge from the hospital, his PSA had declined to 993 ng/ml. Subsequent PSA levels continued to decline through November 2007 at which time it was 2.57 ng/ml (Fig. 1). In January 2007, he received one infusion of samarium-153 because of persistent bone pain.  Unfortunately, starting in February 2007 his PSA begin to rise. By April 2007, his PSA had escalated to 29.3 ng/ml.  Casodex was then discontinued to assess for androgen withdrawal response; however, his subsequent PSA values continued to escalate to a level of 69.3 ng/ml by June 2007. Several therapeutic treatment options were discussed with him; however, it was at this time that he began self-administering  AHCC mushroom supplement. By the end of June 2007,  his PSA had declined to 3.35 ng/ml (95% reduction). Further follow-up demonstrated that his PSA dropped to a nadir of 1.5 ng/ml by August 2007. The most recent PSA level in November 2007 remained low at 2.57 ng/ml. Repeat imaging revealed stable bone disease and he continues to supplement with AHCC at this time. He has been doing well symptomatically with an improvement in his ambulation because of alleviated pain.

Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the sixth most common cancer in the world, but is the single most common noncutaneous  malignancy in the United States representing approximately  29% of all cancers diagnosed in men each year.   In the United States, approximately 218,990 cases are  diagnosed annually, and approximately 27,050 deaths  were estimated to occur in the year 2007.   

The use of unconventional herbal supplements in malignancy has been increasing over the past few years.   A review of complementary alternative medicine around  the world estimates average prevalence of complementary alternative medicine at 31% [1]. Herbal remedies, including plant and fungi extracts have been utilized in the treatment of prostate cancer for several years.   

For those that have not read my article at www.pulsenutritional.com, AHCC is a compound consisting of mushroom mycelia,  extract, candelila wax, cyclodextrin, and microcrystalline cellulose. It has been demonstrated that AHCC has activity in prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and multiple myeloma [2].  

As detailed in this case:a 66-year-old Caucasian gentleman with CRPC with high-risk features who benefited less than 6 months from initial complete androgen blockade. Subsequently, androgen withdrawal demonstrated no given a surge in his PSA and ultimately, the self-administration of AHCC resulted in a dramatic PSA decrease within 1 month, which continued to control his disease today, over 6 months from initial supplementation with AHCC.

Although the exact mechanism by which AHCC boosts natural killer (NK) activity remains under investigation, theoretically it seems that AHCC works by stimulatingNK cells and by direct anticancer activity. It has been hypothesized that AHCC activates NK cells by increasingtheir bindingcapacity to tumor cells by two-fold, and also by increasingnatural cell granularity. In addition, we speculate that recognized by C-type lectins, such as lectin-1 on NK cells, thus initiating innate immunity. C-type lectinsare also expressed on other cell types, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and further influence NK cells and the innate immune response through the production of cytokines. Earlier reports suggest that AHCC influences the production of a variety of cytokines [3], including enhanced IL-12 (NK stimulatory factor) production by macrophages [4] and IFN-g production by antigen-specific CD8+ Tcells [5].

In the study by Ghoenum et al. [6], it seems that two tumor cell lines were analyzed, K562 (an erythroleukemia cell line) and Raji (a Burkitt cell lymphoma) of human origin. Reults demonstrated that AHCC inhibits tumor cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Both tumor cell lines were sensitive toward AHCC toxicity, but Raji cells were more sensitive than K562. AHCC at a concentration of 1 mg/ml caused 21 and 43% reduction in growth of K562 and Raji cells, respectively.

Conclusion: Based on on limited studies at the date of this particular study (2009)  it seems that AHCC may have a role in the management of prostate cancer patients especially those who have failed hormonal therapy. Larger studies are required to analyze the impact on this new therapy in prostate cancer patients.References for this study can be seen by requesting that information from Patricia at Pulse Nutritional.  Simply email for the study to be sent to you via email.

Study Title: (Dramatic prostate-specific antigen response with activated hemicellulose compound in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer Jeffrey Turner and Uzair Chaudhary)

Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston and Lowcountry Hematology and Oncology, South Carolina, USA. Correspondence to Uzair B. Chaudhary, MD, Lowcountry Hematology and Oncoloyg, SC 29464, USA