Human Clinical Studies

Overview

Herpes viruses are a family of viral infections that remain dormant in the body and can reactivate periodically. Unlike many other viruses, herpesviruses include multiple types that can cause a range of health issues. The most common types affecting humans are Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), which typically causes oral herpes, and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2), which usually causes genital herpes. Other members of the herpesvirus family include Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV, also known as Human Herpesvirus 4), associated with mononucleosis and certain cancers, and Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), linked to roseola and some neurological conditions.  As we have seen with other infection-based AHCC studies, research studies suggest that AHCC supplementation may support the immune system’s fight against herpesvirus infections. Preliminary evidence and research on immune modulation indicate that AHCC may help the body suppress viral activity, which could reduce the frequency or severity of outbreaks. Additionally, by enhancing immune function, AHCC supplementation may support the body’s ability to keep herpesvirus infections in their dormant state and lower the risk of virus-related complications.

Subject	Publication	Downloads	Summary
Significance of the Levels of Human Herpes virus 6 in Saliva as a Biomarker in the Reduction of Adverse Effects by AHCC	“Nutrition and Cancer” journal
Experience of the Clinical Use of AHCC® in the Treatment of Severe Forms of Herpes Virus Infections	Dermatovenereology and Gynecology (Almaty, Kazakhstan)
AHCC Induces Production of IL-12 and Interferon -α & γ in Cells from Subjects with Recurring Herpes Simplex Type 1&2 Infections	National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine (Kiev, Ukraine)
Epstein Barr Herpes virus 4: miRNA and its influence on immune system and risk factors: Diagnostics and Clinical Outcome of a Study	Prevention and Regeneration Clinic (Munich, Germany)

Overview

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection. Unlike most other viruses, HPV has high-risk strains that are known to cause cancers. As we have seen with other infection-based AHCC studies, clinical results suggest that AHCC supplementation supports the immune system’s fight against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections. In the majority of cases, AHCC cleared existing HPV infections making the virus undetectable. Additionally, the use of AHCC supplementation may help prevent HPV-associated cancers from developing if the body successfully clears the initial infection.

Subject	Publication	Downloads	Summary
AHCC Supports Immune Function to Clear Persistent HPV Infections	Frontiers in Oncology
Evaluation of AHCC in Modulating Host Immunity to Clear High-Risk HPV Infections	Frontiers in Oncology

Overview

Chemotherapy is fraught with side effects, which range from psychologically distressing to life-threatening. In addition to being able to fight cancer directly, AHCC also alleviates many of the side effects of chemotherapy, including:

• Hair Loss: Doctors noticed that chemotherapy patients taking AHCC did not lose their hair. Subsequently, an in vivo study found that mice treated with AHCC were protected from chemically induced hair loss.
• Nausea: Clinical studies in Korea and Japan have indicated that AHCC remarkably improves symptoms of nausea and vomiting in cancer patients. (Kenner, p. 18)
• Bone Marrow Suppression: Chemotherapy can inhibit bone marrow function, which is life-threatening because the body’s key immune soldiers — the white blood cells — originate in bone marrow. AHCC has been shown to raise the white blood cell count of cancer patients by about 30%. (Kenner, p. 17)
• Liver Damage: One of the major drawbacks of chemotherapy is that it kills healthy cells in addition to cancer cells. An in vivo study found that while rats given chemotherapy experienced large increases in liver enzymes (indicative of liver damage), those given chemotherapy plus AHCC had normal levels. (Kenner, p. 17)

Subject	Publication	Downloads	Summary
Does AHCC alleviate the adverse events in the adjuvant chemotherapy of breast cancer patients?	Presented at the 20th International Congress on Nutrition and Integrative Medicine
Does AHCC have a biological response modifier (BRM)-like effect in advanced-stage cancer patients?	Biotherapy
Does AHCC have a hematoimmunologic effect on cancer patients?	Biotherapy
Does AHCC have an immunomodulating effect on cancer patients?	Presented at 2nd Meeting of the Society for Natural Immunity, May 1994
Is AHCC safe and can AHCC reduce the chemotherapy-induced adverse effects in cancer patients?	Presented at the 17th AHCC Research Association, 2009
What effect does AHCC have on the reduction of adverse effects in advanced cancer patients on chemotherapy with weakened immune systems experiencing HHV-6 herpes virus infection and liver and blood toxicity?	Nutrition and Cancer
What is the difference in chemotherapy treatment adverse effects and incidence in those receiving AHCC and those who didn’t?	The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Overview

Dr. Fred Pescatore, of the Center for Integrative and Complementary Medicine in New York, has reported that he has achieved marked reductions in the liver enzymes of hepatitis patients through the use of AHCC. This is an important discovery, as high levels of liver enzymes are indicative of liver damage. Dr. Pescatore has also observed massive drops in the viral loads of hepatitis C patients. One case study, a 47 year-old male, had a viral load of 2,498,200 before treatment, which plunged to 499,600 after six months on AHCC — an 80% reduction.
Animal studies confirm AHCC’s liver-protective effect. Rats treated with AHCC and then administered the liver-toxic chemical carbon tetrachloride were spared from its liver-damaging effect. Similarly, rats treated with AHCC and then administered the lethal substance galactosamine had an improved survival rate compared to control rats. (Kenner, p. 19).

Subject	Publication	Downloads	Summary
Can AHCC improve liver function in patients with non-viral, chronic and abnormal liver function conditions?	Presented at the 18th International Congress on Nutrition and Integrative Medicine (ICNIM), July 2010
Does AHCC have an effect on patients with chronic hepatitis C?	Medical News (Thailand)
What is the effect of Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC) in alcohol-induced liver enzyme elevation?	Journal of Nutrition Science Vitaminology

Overview

Dr. Fred Pescatore, of the Center for Integrative and Complementary Medicine in New York, has reported that he has achieved marked reductions in the liver enzymes of hepatitis patients through the use of AHCC. This is an important discovery, as high levels of liver enzymes are indicative of liver damage. Dr. Pescatore has also observed massive drops in the viral loads of hepatitis C patients. One case study, a 47 year-old male, had a viral load of 2,498,200 before treatment, which plunged to 499,600 after six months on AHCC — an 80% reduction.
Animal studies confirm AHCC’s liver-protective effect. Rats treated with AHCC and then administered the liver-toxic chemical carbon tetrachloride were spared from its liver-damaging effect. Similarly, rats treated with AHCC and then administered the lethal substance galactosamine had an improved survival rate compared to control rats. (Kenner, p. 19).

Subject	Publication	Downloads	Summary
Does AHCC have an effect on immune function of healthy adults aged 50 or greater?	Human Immunology
Does AHCC have an effect on immune response of healthy adults after influenza vaccinations?	Nutrition Research
Does AHCC have an effect on immune responses in healthy volunteers?	Nutrition and Cancer

AHCC AND IMMUNITY

There have been numerous studies on AHCC’s effect on the immune system. Is it safe for adults with healthy immune systems? Is it safe to use for immunocompromised individuals? Can AHCC be used as immunotherapy? The following studies address these questions and more when it comes to AHCC’s impact on our immune systems.

Subject	Publication	Downloads	Summary
Is AHCC safe and tolerable in healthy subjects?	Journal of Nutrition Science and Vitaminology
What effect does active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) supplementation have in patients diagnosed with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, to what degree is there a role in the immune system disease pathogenesis, and what is the efficacy of immune therapy?	22nd International Congress on Nutrition and Integrative Medicine
What is the effect of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) on immune competence in human subjects?	Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine
Effect of (AHCC) on Fat Mass of Mice	Department of Pharmacology, Teiko University