Recombinant Ganoderma lucidum Immunomodulatory Protein Improves the Treatment for Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia

The mechanism of LZ-8-mediated immune response in the mouse model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with microscopic changes in the brain, particularly substantia nigra (SN). Ganoderma lucidum immunoregulatory protein (rLZ-8) is might confer protective effects against PD. We developed a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced murine model of PD and determined the effects of rLZ-8 on molecular and cellular components of SN and whole brain tissue. The levels of SOD, GSH-Px, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in the brain tissue and SN were downregulated, while IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α and MDA were upregulated. These effects were significantly reversed upon treatment rLZ-8. In summary, oxidative stress and inflammatory response in PD can be alleviated using rLZ-8.

Improved Survival and Quality of Life Through an Integrative, Multidisciplinary Oncological Approach: Pathophysiological Analysis of Four Clinical Cancer Cases and Review of the Literature

Objectives: According to the National Cancer Institute, the integrative medicine (IM) approach to medical care combines standard medicine with complementary and alternative medicine practices that have proved safe and effective.

Methods: We describe the clinical cases of four patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and breast cancer (BC) who received supportive treatment (ST) according to an IM approach after the failure of standard cancer treatments or the appearance of serious adverse events caused by antiblastic chemotherapy. The critical role of complementary drugs in reducing the side effects of cancer treatments and normalizing the white cell count is especially apparent in the case of the patient with metastatic BC, who experienced prolonged neutropenia.

Results: The IM approach was well-tolerated and had no adverse side effects. It improved the quality of life (QoL) of all patients and in two cases extended overall survival.

Conclusion: The extended clinical and instrumental response to IM of the patients with malignant mesothelioma and the improved health-related QoL and good tolerance of the ST demonstrated in all cases support the value of this approach in patients whose cancer therapies have failed but who show a good performance status. Our data require confirmation in a well-designed prospective clinical trial.