Lentinan (LTN)

Lentinan is an intravenous anti-tumor polysaccharide isolated from the fruit body of shiitake (Lentinula edodes). Lentinan is one of the host-mediated anti-cancer drugs which has been shown to affect host defense immune systems. Lentinan is a β-1,3 beta-glucan with β-1,6 branching. Molecular weight of lentinan is 500,000 Da. Specific rotation +14-22° (NaOH). An in vitro experiment showed lentinan stimulated production of white blood cells in the human cell line U937. A pharmacological blend (MC-S) of lentinan, PSK, Ganoderma lucidum and Astragalus propinquus has also been shown to stimulate white blood cell production in vitro. An in vivo experiment on mice, revealed lentinan is orally active (since clinical use of the drug is administered through an IV). Limited clinical studies of cancer patients have associated lentinan with a higher survival rate, higher quality of life, and lower re-occurrence of cancer.