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Cancer

Research over several decades suggests β‑glucan may help support the immune system and improve certain treatment‑related markers in cancer. β‑glucan consistently shows promise as an immune‑modulating support in cancer care—enhancing treatment responses, strengthening immunity during surgery or therapy, improving key biomarkers, and demonstrating safety in small clinical studies—highlighting its potential as a valuable onco‑nutrition and immunotherapy adjuvant. Early studies and small clinical trials show potential benefits alongside standard care, but findings remain preliminary and require larger, well‑controlled studies to confirm safety, effectiveness, and long‑term impact.

    Written by:
    1. Beta Glucan PhD Team,

      Beta Glucan PhD Team

      Beta Glucan PhD Team

    We analyze peer-reviewed research on supplements.

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    Podcast

    Beta Glucan & Cancer: Unlocking the Immune System

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    1. Kogan, G (1-3,1-6)-β-D-glucans of yeast and fungi and their biological activity. 2000
    2. Oh J,Choi E,Yoon DH,Park TY,Shrestha B,Choi HK,Sung GH. (1)H-NMR-Based Metabolic Profiling of Cordyceps militaris to Correlate the Development Process and Anti-Cancer Effect. 20190725
    3. A comprehensive approach toward health foods.
    4. Gargano The Role of Medicinal Mushrooms in Brain Cancer Therapies: Review 2021
    5. Ikewaki β-glucan vaccine adjuvant approach for cancer treatment through immune enhancement (B-VACCIEN) in specific immunocompromised populations (Review) 2022
    6. Tsukada Effects of Nichi BRITE b-glucans as an onco-nutrition adjuvant in patients undergoing subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (SSPPD) for pancreatic, bile duct and duodenal malignancies: A clinical study 2025
    7. Geng β-glucan combined with Envafolimab and Endostar as immune rechallenge for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer 2024
    8. Karaca Positive effects of oral β-glucan on mucositis and leukopenia in colorectal cancer patients receiving adjuvant FOLFOX-4 combination chemotherapy. 2014
    9. Ostadrahimi Effect of beta glucan on white blood cell counts and serum levels of IL-4 and IL-12 in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. 2014
    10. Cheung Effect of Oral β-Glucan on Antibody Response to Ganglioside Vaccine in Patients With High-Risk Neuroblastoma 2022
    11. Ding Inducing trained immunity in pro-metastatic macrophages to control tumor metastasis 2024
    12. Geller The induction of peripheral trained immunity in the pancreas incites anti-tumor activity to control pancreatic cancer progression 2022
    13. Kalafati Innate Immune Training of Granulopoiesis Promotes Anti-tumor Activity 2020
    14. Vuscan Microbial-induced trained immunity for cancer immunotherapy 2025
    15. Murphy β-Glucan Metabolic and Immunomodulatory Properties and Potential for Clinical Application 2020

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