mojojojo
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Posts:2
Hi everyone,
My mom was recently diagnoses with stage IV NSLC with EGFR inhibitor.
She's been using Reishi mushroom extract (capsule form) to boost her immune system. When we asked the pharamacist if there was any interaction between the extract and the Iressa she said that she has not done any research on it so she couldn't advise us to use it and it was best not to.
Does anyone know if it's safe to use with it?
Thank you,
Kevin
Forums
Reply # - July 13, 2013, 10:11 PM
Reply To: Iressa & Reishi extract interaction?
Hi Kevin,
Unfortunately the answer is that no one really knows, because there are so many different supplements in use that it is impossible to test every one of them with each cancer drug. But Dr. Sanborn has said:
"I would like to specifically comment that I have seen a number of problems relating to the mushroom extracts and complexes. These are processed through the liver, and I have seen patients with very abnormally elevated liver blood tests while taking these (one to the point that we almost couldn't give her chemotherapy). These agents then can interfere with how the liver processes Tarceva." - http://cancergrace.org/forums/index.php?topic=5116.msg31274#msg31274
So at the very least, it would seem to be prudent to keep a very close eye on liver function when combining mushroom extracts with Tarceva.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - July 13, 2013, 10:18 PM
Reply To: Iressa & Reishi extract interaction?
Thank you for your response.
I'm curious if there's anyone on the forum that combines EGFR inhibitor with the use of Reishi extract. The research I've read online sounds like it is great for boosting immune function.
Thanks again!
Reply # - July 14, 2013, 02:34 PM
Reply To: Iressa & Reishi extract interaction?
There are a great many things sold as boosters of immune function. I would consider it a pretty large leap of faith from a claim that something boosts immune function to a finding that any of these agents improves outcomes in actual cancer patients. As Jim noted above while reflecting Dr. Sanborn's comments, there's real reason to be concerned that some of these agents may be harmful. It just concerns me when the greatest enthusiasm for a treatment is expressed by people who are not trained in medicine. I know no oncologist who particularly favors Reishi abstract, but I know many who express misgivings about it.
Informed people have a right to choose whatever they want to do, but I'd urge people to be wary. My perspective is that people should weigh recommendations more heavily if they come from people who are qualified experts, ideally with no financial stake, and when this recommendation is accompanied by evidence to support it. I don't believe any real evidence is required to call something an immune function booster, but it's a very profitable thing to do.
-Dr. West