New York, NY—Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center will launch a phase-II trial to study Maitake mushroom as a treatment for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a category of blood diseases. Maitake has been studied previously for its effects on immune system function.

In patients with MDS, the bone marrow produces abnormal blood cells that do not function properly. Any or all of the three blood cell types, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, can be affected by the disease. Previous studies have already focused on the effect of Maitake beta-glucan (MBG). One study, for instance, found increased hematopoiesis, the development of healthy blood cells, in umbilical cords infused with MGB.

Yukiguni Maitake Company will provide Memorial Sloan-Kettering with the extract (Maitake 404) throughout the trial period.

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Published in WholeFoods Magazine, April 2010