Effects of the antlered form of Ganoderma lucidum on tumor growth and metastasis in cyclophosphamide-treated mice

We examined the alleviation of cyclophosphamide-induced immunodepression by the antlered form of Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum AF) and also evaluated the anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of G. lucidum AF in cyclophosphamide-treated mice. G. lucidum AF alleviated cyclophosphamide-induced decrease in body weight, natural killer (NK) activity, interferon (IFN)-gamma production, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity, and inhibited the abnormal increase and decrease in interleukine (IL)-4 level due to cyclophosphamide administration. Post-treatment with cyclophosphamide and G. lucidum AF significantly inhibited tumor growth in MM 46-bearing mice. When Lewis lung carcinoma cells were injected into mice after a cyclophosphamide administration, metastasis of these cells to the lung was increased, but G. lucidum AF suppressed it. The anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects of the combination of G. lucidum AF and cyclophosphamide might influence the modulatory effects of G. lucidum AF on both cellular and humoral immunity. These findings suggest that G. lucidum AF would be beneficial in alleviating the reduction of immune response by chemotherapeutic anti-cancer drugs.