AUTHOR=Zhong Linda , Yan Peijing , Lam Wai Ching , Yao Liang , Bian Zhaoxiang 

TITLE=Coriolus Versicolor and Ganoderma Lucidum Related Natural Products as an Adjunct Therapy for Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.00703

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2019.00703

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Cancer incidence and mortality rates keep rising globally. <italic>Coriolus versicolor</italic> and <italic>Ganoderma lucidum</italic> related natural products are commonly applied as a complementary therapeutic option for different stages and types of cancers. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the products for cancer therapy.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Randomized controlled trials were identified by systematic search over seven databases from inceptions to May 10, 2019. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed the study quality. Meta-analyses were performed to pool hazard ratio (<italic>HR</italic>), risk ratio (<italic>RR</italic>), mean differences (<italic>MD</italic>), and 95% <italic>CI</italic> using random-effects models. The sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. Publication bias was detected by Funnel plots, Begg’s test, and Egger’s test.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Twenty-three trials involving 4,246 cancer patients were included in this work. <italic>C. versicolor</italic> and <italic>G. lucidum</italic> related natural products were significantly associated with lower risks of mortality (<italic>HR</italic>: 0.82; 95% <italic>CI</italic>: 0.72, 0.94) and higher total efficacy (<italic>RR</italic>: 1.30; 95% <italic>CI</italic>: 1.09, 1.55), but not associated with control rate (<italic>RR</italic>: 1.05; 95% <italic>CI</italic>: 0.96, 1.14) compared with control treatment. There was no significant difference between <italic>C. versicolor</italic> related natural products and control treatment in the effect on relapse-free survival (<italic>HR</italic>: 1.19; 95% <italic>CI</italic>: 0.91, 1.55). Compared with control treatment, <italic>C. versicolor</italic> and <italic>G. lucidum</italic> related natural products had a favorable effect on elevated levels of CD3 (<italic>MD</italic>: 9.03%; 95% <italic>CI</italic>: 2.10, 16.50) and CD4 (<italic>MD</italic>: 9.2%; 95% <italic>CI</italic>: 1.01, 17.39), but had no effect on the levels of CD8 (<italic>MD</italic>: −5.52%; 95% <italic>CI</italic>: −23.17, 12.13), CD4/CD8 (<italic>MD</italic>: 0.73; 95% <italic>CI</italic>:-0.45, 1.91), or NK(<italic>MD</italic>: 5.87%; 95% <italic>CI</italic>: −1.06, 12.8).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> In this meta-analysis, we found that <italic>C. versicolor</italic> and <italic>G. lucidum</italic> related natural products might have potential benefits on the overall survival and quality of life in cancer patients.</p>