Beta Glucans yeast based may assist monoclonal antibody therapies

[R.B.]

HI All

I was a at a conference on fats which included a lecture on Beta-Glucans, which was highly thought provoking.

I found this link that sets out the core what was said.

http://www.biosolutions.info/2010/02/beta-glucan-mh3-immune-system-video.html

Abstract

"Beta-glucans seem to make the immune system work better without becoming overactive. In addition to enhancing the activity of the immune system, beta-glucans also reportedly lower elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, aid in wound healing, help prevent infections, and have potential as an adjuvant in the treatment of cancer."

Yeast apparently contains the most effective beta glucans for activating the innate immune system. Apparently those in mushrooms are much less effective, and the impression given was that those in some cereals again have limited effects.

It was suggested that natural yeasts are found on foods, but our treatment of vegetables with bleach may destroy them, and hence our greater need for beta glucans.

I am trying to find out if standard brewers yeast contains the relevant beta glucans. There are some supplements products with a range of prices.

I will try and find and post links to some of the trials cited in the lecture in the next few days, including one suggesting the beta glucans increased the effect of monoclonal treatments.

As always consult your medical advisor about supplementation.

[Ellie F]

Thanks RB
Becky posted some information a while ago about possible good effects of beta glucan and herceptin in that it activates the pten pathway.
Look forward to any further info as to best sources as this seems to be a problem.

Ellie

[R.B.]

Hi unfortunately the lecture notes provided do not give the links to the slides that were shown on the use of glucans in liver cancer, which were remarkable.

I will try and find them through the net, and by making enquiries of the organisers.

In the mean while, this is an interesting general paper on beta-glucans, which available in full for free on the web (-:

b-Glucans in promoting health:
Prevention against mutation and cancer

http://www.alpron.co.jp/bglucansinpromotinghealth.pdf

"The polysaccharides b-glucans occur as a principal component of the cellular walls. Some microorganisms, such as yeast and
mushrooms, and also cereals such as oats and barley, are of economic interest because they contain large amounts of b-glucans.
These substances stimulate the immune system, modulating humoral and cellular immunity, and thereby have beneficial effect in
fighting infections (bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic). b-Glucans also exhibit hypocholesterolemic and anticoagulant properties.
Recently, they have been demonstrated to be anti-cytotoxic, antimutagenic and anti-tumorogenic, making them promising
candidate as pharmacological promoters of health."

[Jackie07]

Another research paper echos the same effect:

Clin Cancer Res. (javascript:AL_get(this, 'jour', 'Clin Cancer Res.');) 2010 Sep 20. [Epub ahead of print]
Orally Administered Particular {beta}-Glucan Modulates Tumor-capturing Dendritic Cells and Improves Anti-tumor T Cell Responses in Cancer.

Li B (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Li%20B%22%5BAuthor%5D), Cai Y (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Cai%20Y%22%5BAuthor%5D), Qi C (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Qi%20C%22%5BAuthor%5D), Hansen R (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Hansen%20R%22%5BAuthor%5D), Ding C (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Ding%20C%22%5BAuthor%5D), Mitchell T (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Mitchell%20T%22%5BAuthor%5D), Yan J (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22Yan%20J%22%5BAuthor%5D).
Medicine, University of Louisville.
Abstract

PURPOSE: The beneficial properties of β-glucans have been recognized for centuries. Their proposed mechanisms of action in cancer therapy occur via stimulation of macrophages and priming of innate neutrophil complement receptor 3 (CR3) for eliciting CR3-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of iC3b-opsonized tumor cells. The current study is to investigate whether β-glucan therapy has any impact on anti-tumor adaptive T cell responses.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We first examined the trafficking of orally administered particulate yeast-derived β-glucan and its interaction with dendritic cells (DCs) that captured tumor materials. Antigen-specific T cells were adoptively transferred into recipient mice to determine whether oral β-glucan therapy induces augmented T cell responses. Lewis lung carcinoma and RAM-S lymphoma models were used to test oral β-glucan therapeutic effect. Further mechanistic studies including tumor-infiltrating T cells and cytokine profiles within the tumor milieu were determined.
RESULTS: Orally administered particulate β-glucan trafficked into spleen and lymph nodes and activated DCs that captured dying tumor cells in vivo, leading to the expansion and activation of antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells. In addition, IFN-γ production of tumor-infiltrating T cells and CTL responses were significantly enhanced upon β-glucan treatment, which ultimately resulted in significantly reduced tumor burden. Moreover, β-glucan-treated tumors had significantly more DC infiltration with the activated phenotype and significant levels of Th1-biased cytokines within the tumor microenvironment.
CONCLUSIONS: These data highlight the ability of yeast-derived β-glucan to bridge innate and adaptive anti-tumor immunity and suggest that it can be used as an adjuvant for tumor immunotherapy.

[Laurel]

Yea! More for the arsenal! thanks R.B. I will be watching for the updates.

[Jackie07]

A statement in the Weblink cited by R.B. proves the [Shiitake] 'mushroom' power discussed previously by Elaine and others:

Beta-glucans, like lentinan (derived from the Shiitake mushroom) and Polysaccharide-K, have been used as an immunoadjuvant therapy for cancer since 1980, primarily in Japan. There is a large collection of research which demonstrates beta-glucans have anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity.

[ElaineM]

I have been eating foods with beta-glucans everyday ever since my diagnosis almost 12 years ago. I think it is helping.