Conditions: Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Keywords: MDS Maitake mushroom 09-094
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 45
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
Researchers from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in collaboration with The New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell University, are conducting a study of a medicinal mushroom extract called Maitake (pronounced my-tock-e).

Laboratory studies show that Maitake can reduce the growth of cancer in animals. The Maitake does not kill cancer cells directly. It is believed to work through the immune system (the body's defense system against infection). Our test tube, animal and human dose determining studies show that Maitake can enhance immune function. We are conducting this study to see whether Maitake improves the neutrophil count and function in patients with MDS. The neutrophils are white blood cells which help to fight infection.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: This is a phase II trial examining hematopoietic response in MDS patients.

Interventions: intervention 1: Maitake
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Patients will receive the oral mushroom extract 3mg/kg by mouth twice daily for 3 months. Patients will serve as their own controls, with blood counts after Maitake compared with baseline counts. Rather than a wait list control, at study entry we will obtain from MDS patient charts 2 CBC/differential/platelet values drawn within 12-24 weeks prior to starting the protocol.

Healthy control volunteers will be recruited to this study as participants for expanding the baseline normal values for neutrophil and monocyte function as measured by the respiratory burst test.

Protocol document: