Maitake mushrooms for treating breast cancer?
Meet the Experts
Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D. is an internist and researcher with the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is a principal investigator or co-principal investigator in several NIH-funded research projects in the Integrative Medicine Service.
Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon with a focus in breast cancer care and the CEO and medical director of the Comprehensive Breast Care Institute at DSI of Bucks County, PA.
Question from Kkon: Maitake mushrooms are being studied by Sloan-Kettering, I believe. Are there any preliminary results indicating effectiveness in treating breast cancer?
- Answer —Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D.: At Sloan-Kettering we did an early stage study in which we did not look at the efficacy of maitake mushroom extract in treating breast cancer. We gave breast cancer patients different dosages of maitake, and then measured the immunological parameters in their blood, trying to see whether there are any consistent changes that correlate with the amount of maitake the patients were taking. At this point, we are still in the data analysis stage. We have not reached any conclusions yet.
On Wednesday, July 18, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Vitamins and Herbal Supplements. Gary Deng, M.D., Ph.D. and moderator Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about how to safely and sensibly incorporate vitamins and supplements into your diet.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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