Effect of dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus fungus on the hematology and immunology systems of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in hematological and immunological parameters in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy after dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus. Methodology: This is a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. The sample consisted of 46 patients in stadiums II and III, separated into two groups: supplemented with A. sylvaticus (2.1 g/day) and placebo. Patients received three (n=26) and six cycles (n=20) of chemotherapy. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed. The results were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2003 and R, version 2.11.1, significant results at p≤0.05. Results: The A. sylvaticus group showed an increase of hematocrits (p=0.04), RBC (p=0.03), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p=0.001), leukocytes (p=0.03), monocytes (p=0.2001), and total lymphocyte count (p=0.009) after 3 months of supplementation. These changes were not observed in the placebo group. With 6 months of treatment, patients with A. sylvaticus showed increased levels of red blood cells (p=0.02), hemoglobin (p=0.02), hematocrits (p=0.02), MCH (p=0.02), leukocytes (p=0.02); lymphocytes (p=0.02), neutrophils (p=0.02), and TLC (p=0.02). The placebo group showed a reduction in leukocytes (p=0.004), basophils (p=0.005), and TLC (p=0.01). Conclusion: The results suggest that a dietary supplementation with A. sylvaticus has benefits on the hematological and immunological parameters of patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.