What is AHCC®?

Inflammation is part of a normal healing process for maintaining normal body function, but chronic inflammation that doesn’t resolve is a major cause of pain, tissue damage and chronic, degenerative diseases. Inflammation is found in such diverse disorders as asthma, arthritis, allergies and heart disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs have been a source of many uncomfortable side effects. Steroids cause damage to immunity, the liver and can cause many uncomfortable side effects, including exhaustion and irritability. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) also have severe side effects, especially bleeding in the stomach and intestines. The newer COX-2 inhibitors had dangerous side effects to the heart. Doctors using AHCC have noticed what appear to be anti-inflammatory effects of AHCC and it has been used in informal experiments. Dr, Satoru Yui of Teikyo University Department of Pharmacology found that AHCC increases levels of an anti-inflammatory hormone called leptin. He also showed that AHCC inhibited production of the inflammatory cytokine TNF (tumor necrosis factor) and decreased levels of another inflammatory marker, calprotectin. Dr. Yui has reported anti-inflammatory effects in cases of skin inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.

Natural killer cell activity significantly increased in both groups during the study period. The natural killer cell number, however, was not altered in the active hexose correlated compound group, while the placebo group showed remarkable decline. In addition, the score of immunological vigor, an index of total immune competence, was maintained in the AHCC group, although that of the placebo group decreased during the test period.

Children with pharmacoresistant epilepsy had decreased mature T lymphocytes (CD3+) and T cells and an imbalance in the subset. The amount of CD3+ T lymphocytes in the epilepsy group was 42.42%±14.65%, which is 82.8% of average. The amount of CD4+ T lymphocytes was 71.6%, and cytotoxic CD8+ was 112.7%. The CD4+/CD8+ lymphocytes subset distribution and regulatory balance had a ratio of 1.28±0.55, which was below average or only 58.6% of the average value. After AHCC intake, patients had positive changes of peripheral T cell pool (CD3+) and T-helpers (CD4+). They also showed an improvement and increase in the ratio of T suppressors-killers (CD8+) to lymphocytes to 1.4. Due to increases in the CD4+ lymphocytes subset, the immunoregulatory balance of the CD4+ to CD8+ ratio improved. There was a 35% decrease of frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures. The patients’ bodily health status and physiological functions also improved.

Laboratory results and adverse events were reported as follows: • Two subjects (7%) dropped out because of nausea and intolerance of the liquid • Nausea, diarrhea, bloating, headache, fatigue and foot cramps occurred in a total of 6 subjects (20%) but were mild and transient • There were no laboratory abnormalities

Five subjects achieved a negative HPV test result — three with confirmed eradication after stopping AHCC — with the remaining two responders continuing on the study.

Volunteers supplemented with AHCC had the following significant changes: • Greater number of total DCs than at base line and compared with control • The number of DC1 cells was greater after AHCC intake than at base line and the AHCC group had a tendency to have higher DC1s than control • DC2s were significantly increased after 4 weeks compared with control • The allo-stimulatory activity of DC1s was also increased after intake compared with control as measured by the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)

Giving nutritional supplements before flu shots boosts immunity and makes the vaccine more effective. The mushroom extract Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) improved survival in studies of mice given a flu virus. Also when AHCC was given to mice before getting a flu vaccine they had improved survival from the bird flu virus compared to mice that only had the vaccine. It is thought that AHCC will improve protection against getting the flu when given around the same time as receiving a flu shot. A well designed study was performed with 30 healthy adults to see if AHCC supplementation could improve protection against the flu if also flu shots were given. This was during the 2009-2010 flu season. Blood was drawn from patients before vaccination and then 1 week after. Immediately after the flu shot, the AHCC group took 3 grams per day of AHCC. The analysis of white blood cells in these subjects after vaccination showed that AHCC supplementation increased the natural killer cells and T cell types of white blood cells when compared to the group who didn’t receive AHCC. Antibody levels against the influenza B virus were also higher in the AHCC group 3 weeks after being given the shot. The AHCC supplementation group had better immunity with greater levels of white blood cells and antibodies against the flu virus compared to the control group.

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following significant changes compared with base line: • The frequency of CD4+ and CD8 + T cells producing IFN-γ alone, TNF-α alone or both increased during AHCC intake • The frequency of such cells remained high even 30 days after discontinuing AHCC

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes: •Although no significant reduction of HCV RNA levels was noticed in AHCC group patients compared with those of placebo group, subgroup analysis of genotype-3 had a significant HCV RNA decline • Although the reduction of ALT levels within AHCC group was not significant, a significant difference was found between AHCC and placebo groups • AHCC group ALT levels were stable, while ALT levels increased in placebo group. Such difference was initially noted within the first 6 weeks of the study.

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes: • 1 g AHCC significantly decreased AST, ALT and γ-GT values • 3 g AHCC significantly decreased AST, ALT and γ-GT values except the 4-week γ-GT • AHCC supplementation had a more dramatic effect on immune cell phenotypes after vaccination of subjects over 60 years old

It was found that compared with the control group, the AHCC group had significantly fewer neutrophil-related events (odds ratio: 0.30; p = 0.016), significantly lower use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and a higher (although not significant) rate of adverse events associated with c-glutamyl transpeptidase, a liver enzyme.

The DNA levels of herpes virus type 6, often found in people with compromised immune systems and thought to be related to chronic fatigue syndrome, were significantly increased after chemotherapy. AHCC significantly decreased the levels of HHV-6 in saliva during chemotheraphy, improved AOL scores in the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and reduced blood and liver toxicity.

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes: • Improved hematologic toxicity (neutropenia) and hepatotoxicity • A decreased tendency of QLQ-C30 fatigue scale • A decrease in levels of HHV-6 in saliva by AHCC Administration

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes: • Significant enhancement of NK activity against K562 as early as 2 weeks, two- to threefold increase compared with base line • Activity was further increased at subsequent time periods up to 6 months post-treatment with AHCC • NK activation was also detected against Raji cells, but at later stages 1-2 months with two- to ten fold increase compared with base line

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes compared with baseline: • The ratio of NK cells to total lymphocytes increased from 21.67% before taking AHCC to 26.21% and 26.0% 3 to 6 months after taking AHCC, respectively • There was no change in white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and thrombocyte numbers after taking AHCC, even though patients were undergoing radiotherapy or chemotherapy • No adverse effects were observed

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes compared with the status before intake: • Significant improvement in NK cell activity • Significant improvement in IFN-γ and IL-2 production • Significant improvement in PS evaluation

In a study of the beneficial effects of AHCC supplementation on the alleviation of adverse events in female breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, the results found that those receiving AHCC experienced fewer side-effects, most notably related to neutrophils. Neutrophils make up 50%-75% of white blood cells and are the first immune cells to respond to and arrive at the site of infection. Chemotherapy frequently causes a drastic drop neutrophils (a condition called neutropenia), putting the patient at a greater risk of infection. Patients also to wait for their neutrophil levels to recover before proceeding to their next cycle of chemotherapy which prolongs the length of treatment. So the ability to maintain healthy neutrophil levels not only reduces the risk of infections but also enables women to get through their treatment faster. This is why this latest study showing that AHCC, a natural compound with an excellent safety profile, can help maintain healthy neutrophil levels is very significant. The researchers at the University of Tokyo retrospectively analyzed 41 consecutive adult patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy to see how many of them had to undergo injections of “G-CSF” which are used to stimulate bone marrow production but also entail a number of potential side-effects affecting an estimated 30% of users. They found that those taking AHCC had significantly lower use of G-CSF drugs than those without the supplement, indicating that AHCC helped the patients maintain normal neutrophil levels without having to use these side-effect inducing drugs.

Group A was given 1-3g/day of modified arabinoxylane with meals. Group B was given 6000 mg/day of coriolus mushroom. Group C was given 4g/day of antigen-infused dialyzable bovine colostrum/whey extract and Group D was given 3-6g/day of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC). NK cell activities were assessed before treatment and after an average of 16 weeks of therapy. AHCC was the only supplement that consistently and statistically increased NK cell activity. The average increase was 249%.

Health and functional foods are used by progressive cancer patients who hope increased survival time regardless of ambiguous information that includes phrases used to describe these foods, such as “might be effective against cancer.” However, we fear that non evidence-based foods might shorten the lifetime of patients, whose life has already been shortened by cancer. Although our data is retrospective, AHCC does not increase the risk of shortening the lifetime of cancer patients, at least in the case of hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical doctors should neither deny alternative medicine without studying, nor accept alternative medicine easily without critical investigation. Based on scientific, rational data, alternative medicine should be applied.

Compared against the survival rates in American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) reference data, this retrospective study reported the following observations: • 1-year, 2 year and 3-year survival rates for stage IV lung cancer increased to 77.1%, 54.3% and 31.4%, respectively • Improvement of 1-year to 3-year survival rates and prolongation of median survival time (MST) for lung cancer stage IV • QOL scores of 35 cases were rated A to C by 77.2% of patients, which contributed to reducing final hospitalization time •Survival terms for breast cancer patients for 3 years, 4 years and 5 years were 65.6%, 43.8% and 28.1%, respectively • Mean survival terms for breast cancer patients were 5 years, 2 months after recurrence and 7 years, 11 months after initial diagnosis • Extension of survival terms was confirmed • QOL scores on living cases reported a score of A or B (100%), and scores for those who did not survive were A-B (50%) and C (50%)

Supplementation with AHCC had the following results: • A significant decline in TAA occurred in 8 out of the 11 patients with different types of malignancies • PSA levels in prostate cancer patients and CA 125 levels in ovarian cancer patients decreased as early as 1 to 2 months and reached normal levels within 1 to 4 months • 9 out of 11 patients demonstrated marked increase in NK activity as early as 2 weeks after treatment • The percentages of patients with complete remission were as follows: (i) prostatic (66%); (ii) ovarian (66%). (iii) multiple myeloma (50%); (iv) breast, 33% complete remission and 2 partial • In vitro studies showed that AHCC possesses suppressive effects on tumor cell growth

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following difference in survival rate: • Improved cumulative 5-year survival rates for patients with gastric cancer (stage IA to stage IIIA) compared with other Japanese institutions • Improved cumulative 5-year survival rates for patients with colon cancer (stage II to stage IIIA) compared with other Japanese institutions

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes compared with the control group: • The hemoglobin (Hb) level after chemotherapy in AHCC group was significantly higher • The taste alteration after chemotherapy in AHCC group was significantly lower

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following changes: • Changes in PSA before and after treatment were substantially stable • In patients for which expectant management had been continued for 6 months or more before the trial, a prolonged PSA doubling time (PSADT) was seen with AHCC administration – Prior to AHCC, 12/31 (39%) of patients had PSADT of 120 months or more, and after 6 months of AHCC administration, 17/31 (55%) had PSADT of 120 months or more. To the lower end, 12/31 (39%) of patients showed a PSADT less than 24 months, and following 6 months of AHCC, this fell to 9/31 (29%).

The following results were reported for patients supplemented with AHCC when compared with control group: • A significantly prolonged survival • Quality of life in terms of mental stability, general physical health status and the ability to have normal activities were significantly improved after 3 months of supplementation • Serum level of albumin and percentage of lymphocytes in blood, were significantly higher • Slightly increased levels of total IL-12 and neopterin

Using the national breast cancer patient registration as reference data, this retrospective study reported the improved prognosis of stage IV patients relative to the national average. Since the stage I-III patients at the center all had recurring cancer while the national average includes both recurring and non-recurring cancers, a meaningful comparison could not be made and the results were not statistically significant.

The self-administration of AHCC resulted in a dramatic PSA decrease within 1 month, which continued to control his disease for over 6 months from initial supplementation with AHCC.

The AHCC group had the following significant differences compared with control group: • Longer non-recurrence period • Increased overall survival rate

AHCC supplementation resulted in the following observations: • All patients tolerated AHCC with no added symptoms • 20 patients reported feeling better and stronger than before at the time of initiation of chemotherapy cycles • Almost all patients reported better appetites after they started to take AHCC • In 12 patients who required blood transfusions before chemotherapy cycles, a decrease in the rate of fall of hemoglobin was observed and only 3 patients subsequently required blood transfusions prior to chemotherapy • 22 patients has a reduction of chemotherapy side effects like nausea, vomiting, loose motion/ constipation, etc. • Tumors regressed in 11 patients • 8 patients stabilized

Recent work using animals to study the effects of space fligh tconditions on the immune system will be highlighted in this review.

Active Hexose Correlated Compund Enhances Tumor Surveillance Through Regulating Both Inate and Adaptive Immune Responses.

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Oxidative stress is a term to describe damaging effects of oxygen on normal cells. The effects of oxidative stress are like a type of “biological rust.” It has widespread effects in the aging process including the production of “free radicals,” and “reactive oxygen species” (ROS), which are unstable and can attach to tissues and damage them. Antioxidants are used to support the normal regulation of cells. A diet rich in antioxidants, especially vegetables and fruits is recommended along with various antioxidant supplements, including vitamins. Research at Dokkyo University School of Medicine has shown that AHCC protects against oxidative stress. Rats were given a powerful oxidant used in research to induce oxidative stress and ROS. This chemical (Ferric nitrilotriacetate) can cause cancer and damage various organs, especially the kidney and liver. The effects of the oxidant chemical were measured in four ways: (1) Urinary 8-OHdG: a marker of oxidative stress to DNA and a risk factor for cancer, atherosclerosis and diabetes; (2) creatinine, a marker of kidney damage; (3) Serum AST and ALT, markers of liver damage; (4) Thymic apoptosis, a marker for loss of immunity. Pre-treatment with AHCC showed protective effects with all four of these factors. In the pre-treated rats the urinary 8-OHdG was significantly lower; the serum creatinine was restored to normal in the AHCC group. The liver damage markers were significantly decreased in the AHCC group and thymic apoptosis was much lower. These results suggest a wide-ranging, high level of protection from oxidative stress.

There is evidence that AHCC could have a preventive effect on diabetes. Both oxidative stress and inflammation may play a role in Type 2 (adult onset) diabetes. Inflammation seems to interfere somehow with the efficient use of insulin and inflammation may also cause breakdown in the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Dr. Koji Wakame, of the Dokkyo University School of Medicine used a drug to induce diabetes in rats. Rats given the drug STZ (Streptozotocin) were compared with rats given the drug but pre-treated for one week with AHCC. The group treated with STZ alone lost weight, lost fur, which had a poor general appearance, increased their water intake, a typical diabetic symptom and had a decrease in insulin and a corresponding rise in blood sugar level. Blood markers indicating stress on the liver were also elevated. In the AHCC-treated group, the general quality of the rats’ appearance was normal, with no fur loss and a slight weight gain. Also in the AHCC-treated rats, water intake was not increased, serum insulin levels were normal and blood sugar remained fairly stable. The liver markers also remained normal in the AHCC-treated group. Microscopic examination of the insulin-producing cells in the rats’ pancreas revealed a decreased number of the cells in the STZ-only group and only a slightly decreased number in the group treated with STZ and AHCC. The conclusion of the study was that AHCC can have a significant effect in preventing the onset of diabetes by protecting the pancreas cells that produce insulin.

Rats recieved AHCC daily starting 2 days before colitis induction and were killed 6 days later. The status of the rats was assessed by morphological and biochemical methodsl The effect of AHCC on the colonic microflora was also assesed by studying the bacterua profile in feces by standard culture techniques.

Nutritional Food Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) Enhances Resistance Against Bird Flu.

In this study, young and aged mice were given AHCC or water, followed by the West Nile Virus. AHCC- treated mice had a reduced mortaility rate than those administered water.

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A study on avian flu was conducted at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the South China Agricultural University. The H5N1 virus was administered nasally to two groups of mice, one group pre-treated with AHCC. The death rate was recorded from 14 days after infection and the post-infection survival rates were compared between the two groups. All mice in the untreated control group were dead by the 11th day post-infection. In the AHCC-treated group 20% of the mice were still alive 21 days post-infection. In the control group 50% were dead at the end of 8 days. In the AHCC group the 50% mark was the 11th day. AHCC significantly raised the survival rate, and even after re-infection with the virus on the 21st and 28th days after treatment the survival rate stayed at 20-30%. . A second study combined AHCC with a vaccine made from inactivated avian flu virus to test its properties as an adjuvant for immunization of laboratory mice. The rate of survival using the vaccine alone was 80%, but with AHCC supplementation the survival rate was. 100%! AHCC alone can be considered as a preventive treatment for avian flu infection but it may be even more useful as a vaccine adjuvant.

The thymus gland is a central organ of the immune system. Breakdown of thymus tissue (thymic apoptosis) indicates impaired effectiveness of the immune system. Researchers at Dokkyo University in Japan used a drug to cause breakdown of thymus gland tissue in rats and found that AHCC prevents damage to the thymus tissue. Because there was a delay in the protective effect of AHCC, they concluded that the mechanism was the influence of AHCC on regulating the balance of chemical messengers or the prevention of damage from oxidative stress, but this effect of protecting the thymus gland has been clearly observed, but is not yet fully explained.

Medical research in recent years has shown an important link between stress and immunity. If we have stress over a long time period or a significant trauma, it has been shown to be an important factor in infection. The main cause of “late death” after a trauma is infection. This means that if the trauma itself was not lethal, the damage to the immune system causes a severe vulnerability to breakdown resulting in a potentially fatal infection. The first step was to see what effects AHCC might have on the direct effects of stress in the body. Immobilization creates psychological stress that is measured by blood levels of adrenalin and noradrenalin, the flight or fight hormones, blood sugar and the brain chemical dopamine. Rats subjected to immobilization for several hours were tested for these stress indicators. A group of rats pre-treated with AHCC had normal blood sugar levels, normal levels of flight or fight hormones and normal dopamine levels.

These observations also highlight an important feature of AHCC: it is an immunomodulator. This means that it supports the immune system in its needs according to the individual condition of its balance. It will always help move the immune system in the direction of balance. For example, we have seen that AHCC stimulates the secretion of cytokines like TNF (tumor necrosis factor) in test animals as well as human cancer patients. However, TNF is a marker of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and AHCC will lower TNF if the body’s imbalance leans toward too much inflammation. Another interesting aspect of Dr. Yui’s research is the fact that the anti-inflammatory hormone leptin also plays a key role in fat metabolism and even appetite. Preliminary experimental trials show that there is the possibility of using AHCC both for inflammatory diseases and even for weight control.

The relation between stress and immunity has been studied extensively with various types of stressors. One unusual type of stress is that experienced in spaceflight conditions. Researchers at Morehouse School of Medicine used a model that simulates spaceflight in mice. One of the effects of stress from spaceflight is impaired immune response and resistance to infection. Mice subjected to these conditions similar to spaceflight were infected with the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes pneumonia and other diseases and is often antibiotic-resistant. Klebsiella tends to occur in people with weakened immune systems or underlying chronic diseases. The conclusion of the study was that mice pre-treated with AHCC followed by continued treatment with AHCC were significantly safer from death from Klebsiella infection. Greater effects from AHCC were found in mice that had suppressed immunity. Mice treated with AHCC were protected to a greater extent than normally caged mice. This suggests that AHCC may be even more effective when there are defects in the immune system.

The objective of this study was to test the prophylactic effects of oral administration of ahcc, a natural immunoenhancer, on survival in a mouse model of surgical soft tissue infection.

There are no reliable treatments for epidemic viral infections. That’s why threat of infections like bird flu and West Nile virus cause such an uproar in the media and urgent warnings from governments and public health officials. Antibiotics are not of use in treating viral infections even though thousands of people get prescriptions for them for common respiratory infections in winter, which are almost always viral. For years clinicians observed that AHCC appeared to be effective for preventing and treating common infections. Influenza is the most common of the possibly dangerous viral infections. Influenza rates are highest in young children who do not yet have fully developed immune systems. It is also a significant cause of death in the population aged 65 and older. In children, without immunity to previous exposure to influenza virus NK (“Natural Killer” scavenger white cells) cell activity is an important source of protection. Depletion of NK cells increases the rate of mortality in mice infected with influenza. A study at Drexel University showed that AHCC increased the rate of survival of young mice with influenza infection. AHCC-treated mice also showed less weight loss. Lung virus levels were also reduced in the AHCC-treated group. Lung tissue showed rapid signs of healing and restoring the mucous membranes. The mice treated with AHCC also showed stronger NK cell activity. AHCC has been reported to increase the number of NK cells in aged mice. Future studies may show whether NK cell activity is increased in aged immune systems but there is already evidence that it increases activity in cancer patients.

The objective of this study was to clarify the mechanisms by which AHCC increases survival in a mouse model of intramuscular infection.

Another study on mice subjected to spaceflight conditions was designed to figure out how AHCC strengthens resistance to infection in this research model. They found that AHCC increases the secretion of certain cytokines that protect cellular immunity, including interferon, and an increase in nitric oxide production, which has a beneficial effect in controlling bacterial infections.

Ferric nitrilotriacetate, which generates hydroxyl radicals in vivo, was given to rats and AHCC was tested for it’s ability to suppress oxidative stress and the activity of ornithine decarboxylase in the liver and kidney

In this study, the possibility of AHCC regulation of nitric oxide production by inducible nitric oxide synthase was pursued as a potential liver-producing machanism.

Carbon tetrachloride is a very toxic, harsh chemical that is used in research to create an experimental hepatitis model. In mice with liver injury, typical symptoms include weight loss, loss of appetite, elevated inflammatory enzymes and swelling of the liver. A group that took AHCC along with carbon tetrachloride showed less swelling, fewer fatty deposits in the liver, a significantly lower level of inflammatory enzymes, higher levels of drug metabolizing enzymes, and normal levels of hormone metabolizing enzymes. There was also less weight loss and apparent loss of appetite in the AHCC-treated group.

The possibility that AHCC could reduce the side effects of cisplatin was assessed in the tumour-bearing BALB/cA mice on the basis of the ability to ameliorate the cisplatin-induced body weight loss, anorexia, nephrotoxicity and hematopoietic toxcicity.

Interactions between drugs and even foods and other natural substances are an important new field of study, especially in the area of cancer treatment. Some drugs increase or decrease the activity of some of detoxifying enzymes in the liver. If these enzymes are inhibited, a drug can accumulate to dangerously toxic levels causing an overdose. On the other hand, if enzyme levels are increased (this is called “induction”), blood plasma levels of a drug might decrease to a low and ineffective level. These interactions with the detoxifying system can affect the choice of chemotherapy drugs or even the dosage level. AHCC is known to be well tolerated with no reported adverse effects. A team of Researchers from University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Amino Up Chemical Company in Japan studied the effects of AHCC on important liver detoxification pathways. They studied important liver enzymes involved in drug metabolism cytochrome P-450 family of enzymes); this is a pathway through which many chemotherapy drugs are metabolized. The results showed that AHCC is unlikely to cause increased toxicity when combined with chemotherapy or supportive therapies, such as antidepressants and anti-nausea medications. AHCC does increase the activity of one single detoxification pathway. Further investigation is required to see if there is any interaction between AHCC and one type of drug that uses this pathway.

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In this study, the MHC dependancy of IL-12 production induced by various mycelial extracts, PSK, AHCC and IL-X, was examined.

A recent study conducted by MD Anderson Cancer Center looked at AHCC as a new alternative treatment to HPV (human papillomavirus). It examined the immune support supplement’s effect on two specific strains of the virus; the researchers concluded that daily dosing of AHCC successfully eradicated the expression of these strains in mice and may have a role in the prevention of HPV-related cancer.

Results showed that CL activities of macrophages, NK cells and neutrophils increased by administration of AHCC in canine with a dose dependent pattern. This result suggests that AHCC treatment might be effective for improvement of clinical state and anti-tumor effect.

Application of the new immunotherapy using AHCC to the tumors of animals enhanced the CL activities of macrophages and NK cells. It was suggested that the new immunotherapy using AHCC might be effective on the tumor-bearing animals.

Japanese researchers in partnership with researchers at University of California at Davis studied the combined effect of AHCC with GCP (Genistein Combined Polysaccharide), a fermented soybean isoflavone product with cancer-inhibiting properties. Both AHCC and GCP acted to inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Although both substances have cancer cell inhibiting properties the combined effect was more powerful. A synergistic effect with the combined substances was observed in suppressing tumor growth in cancer-bearing mice. As in the cancer cell lines, the inhibitory effects were observed in groups with either AHCC or GCP alone, but the effect was more obvious in the AHCC plus GCP group. When the treatment was stopped, the size of the tumors rapidly increased. If treatment was resumed tumor growth was again suppressed.

Supressive Effect of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) on Thymic Apoptosis Induced by Dexamethasone in the Rat.