How It Works
Bottom Line: Not enough research has been done with AHCC in humans to tell whether it works. Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is an extract of mushrooms from the Basidiomycete class, including
shiitake mushrooms. This product contains polysaccharides called glucans, which scientists think are responsible for its biological activity. Not much laboratory research has been performed on AHCC, although one study showed that it could enhance the activity of natural killer cells (a type of immune cell) in the test tube. Animal studies suggest that AHCC has antioxidant effects and can improve the response of the immune system in mice with chemotherapy-weakened immune systems. In humans, AHCC has been shown to improve liver function in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis and reduce the levels of certain tumor markers in the blood.
Purported Uses
To prevent and treat cancer
Laboratory studies show some anti-cancer activity, but these results are not especially strong. One human study supported the use of AHCC in patients undergoing surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma, but this study had design flaws and much more research is needed.
Research Evidence
Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer):
Only one study has looked at the effects of AHCC in humans. One hundred and thirteen patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer), after undergoing surgical tumor resection, were treated with AHCC. When the disease-free period and overall survival rate of this group were compared to that of a similar group of patients who had not received AHCC, it was found that the AHCC group fared better. While this suggests that AHCC can improve the prognosis of patients undergoing surgery for liver cancer, this study had certain design flaws, including lack of placebo control group and random assignment of patients, and further clinical trials are needed.
Warnings
This product is regulated by the FDA as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Side Effects
None known
Common Name
Active Hexose Correlated Compound
Brand Name
AHCC
Clinical Summary
A proprietary extract prepared from co-cultured mycelia of several species of Basidiomycete mushrooms, including shiitake (Lentinus edodes). Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is extracted from mushrooms using hot water following an enzyme pretreatment, but specific mushroom sources and preparation details have not been fully disclosed. Patients use this product as a biological response modifier and to prevent and treat cancer. Animal studies suggest that AHCC has antioxidant effects and may protect against disorders induced by oxidative stresses (7) and may enhance resistence to Klebsiella pneumoniae (8). In vitro and other animal studies have shown that AHCC exhibits some anticancer activities, but the results of these studies are vague (2) (6). AHCC does appear to improve immune response in chemotherapy induced granulocytopenic mice (9). One prospective cohort study suggested that AHCC improves prognosis after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (5), but no other clinical trials have been performed. Most manufacturer claims are related to other mushroom products. No information about adverse effects is available.
Food Sources
Purported uses
- Cancer prevention
- Cancer treatment
Constituents
Polysaccharides
Amino Acids
Minerals
(2)
Mechanism of Action
AHCC glucans are low molecular weight (~5,000 Da) polysaccharides with alpha-1,3 linkages. Both properties are unusual for this class of mushroom glucans with reported immunomodulatory properties
(2). Mechanism of action is not completely known. One animal study suggested that AHCC has antioxidant effects and may protect against disorders induced by oxidative stresses
(7). Animal studies have shown AHCC to enhance resistence to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection
(8) and improve immune response to Candida albicans in chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenic mice
(9). In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis, treatment with AHCC has shown beneficial effects on liver function
(5). AHCC has been shown to enhance natural killer cell activity in vitro and induces endogenous IL-12 in mice
(6). In addition, serum levels of certain tumor markers have been lowered after AHCC treatment.
(3)
Lab Interactions
May decrease aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and cholinesterase.
Literature Summary and Critique
Matsui Y, et al. Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when treated with functional foods: a prospective cohort study. J Hepatol 2002;37:78-86. A prospective cohort study to determine whether AHCC improves the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients following surgical treatment. 269 patients with histologically confirmed HCC were studied from February 1992 through December 2001. After undergoing curative surgery, some of the patients received 3.0 g/day oral AHCC. Participants were not randomized, nor were placebos administered. Results showed statistically significant lengthening of time to recurrence and overall survival rate when compared to those who did not take AHCC. Three participants in the AHCC group did not complete the trial due to nausea, but overall side effects were minimal. While the study implies a benefit for post surgical HCC treatment, the lack of randomization and placebo control tempers that result.
References
- Bass NM. It could have been something they ate -- functional food and the treatment of liver cancer. J Hepatol 2002;37:147-50.
- Kidd PM. The use of mushroom glucans and proteoglycans in cancer treatment. Altern Med Rev 2000;5:4-27.
- 34th Congress of the European Society for Surgical Research (ESSR). Bern, Switzerland, April 22-24, 1999. Abstracts. Eur Surg Res 1999;31(Suppl):1-244.
- Wang HX, et al. Immunomodulatory and antitumor activities of a polysaccharide-peptide complex from a mycelial culture of Tricholoma sp., a local edible mushroom. Life Sci 1995;57:269-81.
- Matsui Y, et al. Improved prognosis of postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients when treated with functional foods: a prospective cohort study. J Hepatol 2002;37:78-86.
- Yagita A, et al. H-2 haplotype-dependent serum IL-12 production in tumor-bearing mice treated with various mycelial extracts. In Vivo. 2002 Jan-Feb;16(1):49-54.
- Ye SF, et al. Suppressive effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound on the increased activity of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase induced by oxidative stress. Life Sci. 2003 Dec 19;74(5):593-602.
- Ikeda T, et al. [Prophylactic efficacy of a basidiomycetes preparation AHCC against lethal Candida albicans infection in experimental granulocytopenic mice]. Nippon Ishinkin Gakkai Zasshi. 2003;44(2):127-31. Japanese.
- Aviles H, et al. Active hexose correlated compound enhances resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in mice in the hindlimb-unloading model of spaceflight conditions. J Appl Physiol. 2003 Aug;95(2):491-6.
