Turkey Tail Mushroom
Also known by these names
- Trametes versicolor
- Coriolus versicolor
- Polyporus versicolor
- Yun Zhi (in traditional Chinese medicine)
- Kawaratake (in Japan)
- PSK (Krestin™ drug formulation using PSK derivative)
- PSP
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Key Points
- Before using this therapy, consult your oncology team about interactions with other treatments and therapies. Also make sure this therapy is safe for use with any other medical conditions you may have.
- The turkey tail mushroom, a well-documented medicinal mushroom, grows on dead logs and can be found throughout North America as well as many other regions of the world.
- Although turkey tail mushrooms are not poisonous, they are not typically consumed as a food.
- BCCT considers turkey tail mushroom extracts and supplements interesting and promising because of mounting scientific evidence of their usefulness as an adjuvant treatment in several cancers, their safety when taken appropriately, their wide availability and their use by many reputable integrative oncology clinicians.
- Side effects, typically mild and temporary, have been seen in animal studies and in an early clinical trial. A few cautions are noted.
- Extracts of turkey tail are widely available without prescription in capsule, liquid tincture, and powdered form. Strength and purity of products can vary significantly.
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 Authors
Laura Pole, RN, MSN, OCNS, BCCT Senior Researcher
Read more Ms. Pole is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation and education services for more than 30 years. View profile.  Nancy Hepp, MS, BCCT Project Manager
Read more Ms. Hepp is a science researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. View profile. Last updated April 5, 2021.
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The turkey tail mushroom, in use in traditional Chinese medicine for many years, is one of the most intensively studied globally. A formulation called PSK or Krestin™ has been studied and used extensively in Japan for its immune-modulating effects and also as a cancer adjuvant (supplement) treatment. Use of PSK in thousands of cancer patients in Japan since the 1970s has established this mushroom’s safety record.
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The known active constituents of turkey tail mushrooms associated with its medicinal properties:
- β-glucans
- PSK (protein bound polysaccharide, β (1-4)D-glucan protein): Krestin (Japanese formulation)
- PSP (polysaccharopeptide)
- Ergosterol (provitamin D2 derivatives)
Turkey tail is prepared from three forms:
- Fruiting bodies (the part that grows above ground or outside the host tree)
- Mycelium (the thread-like, root-like branching hyphae) grown on grain
- Mycelium in fermentation
Treating the Cancer
Working against cancer growth or spread, improving survival, or working with other treatments or therapies to improve their anticancer action
Neither the turkey tail mushroom nor its constituents have been proven to be a cure for cancer as a single agent. The evidence suggests that its greatest benefit is found when used in conjunction with evidence-based conventional treatment, such as chemo/radiotherapy or surgery.
Clinical Evidence
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a few clinical trials of this mushroom combined with chemotherapy for several different cancers.
Turkey Tail Effects
Turkey tail has shown these effects, which BCCT regards as strong:
- Enhanced chemotherapy and radiotherapy effects on cancer cells while protecting normal cells
- Breast cancer:
- Extended survival in patients with certain types of breast cancer. and improved the survival curve of people with operable breast cancer with vascular invasion. and HLA B40+ phenotype
- No improved overall survival when used as an adjunct with chemo/radiotherapy or surgery across five trials with breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer:
- No improved overall survival when used as an adjunct with chemo/radiotherapy or surgery across two trials with colorectal cancer and one with rectal cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancers (stomach, colorectal, esophageal, anal and other cancers):
- Improved both the five-year disease-free rate and five-year survival after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer
- Improved overall and relapse-free survival when used as an adjunct with chemo/radiotherapy or surgery across four trials with stomach cancer
- Extended survival in a group of stomach cancer patients with high granulocyte and lymphocyte count ratios, perhaps through restoration of immunocompetence
- Head, neck and oral cancers:
- Improved overall survival when used as an adjunct with chemo/radiotherapy or surgery in a trial with nasopharyngeal cancer
- Liver cancer:
- No improved overall survival when used as an adjunct with chemo/radiotherapy or surgery in a trial with hepatocellular carcinoma
- Lung cancer:
- Increased treatment efficacy, control rate and stable rate, but not improved overall survival when used as an adjunct with chemo/radiotherapy or surgery across several trials with non-small cell lung cancer
PSK Effects
PSK (a glycoprotein-bound mixture) is the best-known component of turkey tail. While its mechanism of action is not yet clearly defined, studies of PSK suggest anticancer mechanisms.
- Improved survival by enhancing the host immune system against nasopharynx tumor cells
- Stomach (gastric cancer):
- Improved survival
- Improved overall survival of stage 3 stomach cancer patients partly by inhibiting CD57(+) T cells, a proven poor prognostic factor in advanced stomach cancer, and improved both survival and disease-free survival of patients with advanced stomach (gastric) cancer.
- PSK adjuvant immunochemotherapy may improve survival in MHC class I-negative patients with stomach (gastric) cancer who are in a state of antitumor immunological tolerance.
- Colorectal cancer:
- Improved survival
- Improved 5-year disease-free survival and reduced lung metastases when used with oral Tegafur/Uracil
- Improved both survival and disease-free survival of patients with advanced colorectal cancer or with curatively resected colorectal cancer
- Improved recurrence-free survival, cancer death survival, and overall survival rates when added to chemotherapy treatment for people with colon cancer, but only among patients with diffuse nuclear accumulation-type beta-catenin activation
- Improved 10-year survival for colorectal cancer when added to oral treatment with fluoropyrimidines
PSP Effects
PSP is less known, but also has medicinal properties.
- Slowing deterioration in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Lab and Animal Evidence
Read more
Turkey Tail Effects
- Lab and animal evidence indicates that turkey tail has either direct or indirect anticancer effects in the following cancers:
- Inhibited growth of six various solid tumors from four cancer types with a methanol extract of T. versicolor:
- Enhanced effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy against cancer cells while protecting normal cells, also showing direct anticancer effects resulting in reduced tumor growth and metastasis in animals
PSK Effects
- Direct anticancer effects resulting in reduced tumor growth and metastasis, including induced cell death (apoptosis) in human osteosarcoma cells grafted into mice
- Enhanced effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy against cancer cells while protecting normal cells
PSP Effects
- Chemopreventive effects through elimination of prostate cancer stem cells
- Sensitized cancer cells to the toxicity of a vitaman E isomer (γ-T3), with significantly reduced the growth of prostate tumors in animals treated with a combination of PSP and γ-T3
Optimizing Your Terrain
Creating an environment within your body that does not support cancer development, growth or spread; see Body Terrain and the Tumor Microenvironment
Documented medicinal properties of turkey tail and its components:
- Turkey tail mushrooms:
- Antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant activities
- Improved markers of inflammation in people with cancer
- PSK:
- Enhanced natural killer (NK) cell and T-cell activities
- Inhibited processes that prevent the immune system from recognizing and responding to the cancer in people with gastrointestinal cancer
- Positive immune impacts in patients with gastrointestinal cancer (stomach or colorectal) and non-small cell lung cancer
- PSP
- Influences (modulates) gene expression:
- Decreases a gene master switch that turns on genes that drive cancer transformation, development and progression)
- Decreases COX-2 expression. which is associated with chronic inflammation, a contributor to cancer development
- Significant immune and anticancer activity:
- Influenced (modulated) immune response by activating cancer cell-killing macrophages, helper T cells and natural killer cells
- Controlled the intestinal microbiome and interplay with host cells as a prebiotic
Managing Side Effects and Promoting Wellness
Managing or relieving side effects or symptoms, reducing treatment toxicity, supporting quality of life or promoting general well-being
- Improved function with turkey tail use as an adjunct to chemo/radiotherapy or with surgery
Reducing Risk
Reducing the risk of developing cancer or the risk of recurrence
Cautions
When used appropriately, both oral turkey tail mushroom and PSK and PSP extracts of turkey tail have appeared safe when used in daily recommended doses for extended periods. Studies of turkey tail in cancer commonly cite doses of three grams per day, though a Phase I clinical trial in breast cancer cites safety with doses up to nine grams per day for six weeks.
Not all study results have been positive. According to the About Herbs summary on turkey tail, some “studies on breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and leukemia produced mixed results. A hot water extract of Coriolus, VPS, was found to enhance development of large intestinal tumors in mice.”
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In one report, three cases of toxicity were noted, and PSK use was discontinued. Liver impairment and low white blood cell counts have been reported in clinical trials with stomach and colorectal cancers.
The US FDA doesn’t provide strict regulation of herbs and supplements, including medicinal mushrooms. Therefore, strength, purity or safety of individual products are not guaranteed. Read product labels carefully. If you have a medical condition, or if you are taking other drugs, herbs or supplements, consult a healthcare professional, preferably one with expertise in prescribing medicinal mushrooms such as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner, naturopathic oncologist or integrative medicine physician, before taking medicinal mushrooms. Consult a healthcare professional immediately if you experience side effects.
Side Effects
A low incidence of side effects, typically mild and temporary, has been seen in an early clinical trial and in animal studies. Limited gastrointestinal upset has been reported. Some report a cough and temporary darkening of the fingernails from taking the powdered drug. Passing dark-colored stools (not due to blood in stools) has also been reported. Medical supervision is advised, preferably from a licensed clinician with experience in prescribing medicinal mushrooms.
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The interactions of turkey tail or its components with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, lab tests or diseases have not been established. In some human studies, people receiving both chemotherapy and PSK have experienced nausea, low white blood cell counts and liver problems. Reduced liver function could impact the metabolism of other supplements, drugs and substances that are broken down by the liver, possibly increasing their side effects.
Contraindications/Do Not Use
Do not take turkey tail or its extracts if you have a known allergy/hypersensitivity to turkey tail, PSK, or any of its components. There is insufficient evidence to establish safety of use during pregnancy and lactation. Mushroom extracts are not recommended during pregnancy.
A potential for counteraction with immunosuppressants exists due to the stimulatory effects of turkey tail on immunocompetent cells. Caution or avoidance with immunosuppressants is advised.
Turkey tail should be used cautiously in patients with known bleeding or clotting disorders and in anyone using anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents, as it been associated with thrombocytopenia.
Preparation
Note that in traditional Chinese medicine and in many of the studies of medicinal mushrooms, hot water extracts have been used. The cell wall of the mushroom is indigestible by humans—hence, eating raw mushrooms for culinary or medicinal reasons is not recommended. Ground mushroom eaten as a powder is irritating to the liver, yet when that ground mushroom is decocted in hot water, the medicinal ingredients become available and it is safer to consume. As a result, several integrative oncology clinicians report that they prescribe hot water extracts of medicinal mushrooms.
Integrative oncologist and BCCT advisor Keith Block, MD, advises using extracts (rather than eating whole mushrooms) that are blends of several different medicinal mushrooms, including turkey tail. (See Commentary below).
Access
Extracts of turkey tail mushrooms are widely available without prescription in capsule, liquid tincture and powdered form. Strength and purity of products can vary significantly. Read labels carefully. Consult a healthcare professional experienced in using medicinal mushrooms for guidance in product selection.
Dosing
BCCT does not recommend therapies or doses, but only provides information for patients and providers to consider as part of a complete treatment plan. Patients should discuss therapies with their physicians, as contraindications, interactions and side effects must be evaluated. Levels of active ingredients of natural products can vary widely between and even within products. See Quality and Sources of Herbs, Supplements and Other Natural Products.
Although clinical trials have not established optimal doses of turkey tail or its derivatives during or after cancer treatment, suggested dosage recommendations are available from these sources:
- Moss Reports (purchase required): Select from the list of cancers down the left side of the page for a report describing uses of conventional, complementary, alternative and integrative therapies related to that cancer. Ralph Moss is among the most knowledgeable and balanced researchers of integrative cancer therapies. The cost of his Moss Reports is not negligible, but many patients find them of considerable value. Moss is also available for consultations.
- Stamets P. MycoMedicinals: An Informational Treatise on Mushrooms, 3rd Edition. China: MycoMedia Productions. 2002.
- Also see the protocols below.
Integrative Programs, Protocols and Medical Systems
- Programs and protocols
- Traditional systems
Turkey tail mushrooms or extracts are among the botanicals most commonly used by oncology naturopaths for colorectal cancer.
In a 2008 article, naturopathic oncologist and BCCT advisor Leanna Standish, PhD, ND, LAc, FABNO, and her colleagues suggest that “immune therapy utilizing the polysaccharide constituents of Trametes versicolor as concurrent adjuvant cancer therapy may be warranted as part of a comprehensive cancer treatment and secondary prevention strategy.”
In Life Over Cancer, integrative oncologist and BCCT advisor Dr. Keith Block advises: “It is difficult to obtain clinically meaningful quantities of the mushroom phytochemicals from even the healthiest diet, which is why I recommend getting them in the form of extracts. Look for those containing maitake (Grifola frondosa), agaricus (Agaricus blazei), shiitake (Lentinula or Lentinus edodes), reishi (Ganoderma lusidum), turkey tails (Trametes or Coriolus versicolor), and caterpillar fungus or cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis).”
Paul Stamets, in MycoMedicinals, says this about using a blend of several different medicinal mushrooms: “A number of researchers have come to the conclusion that, to maximize a host-mediated response—that is, to awaken the immune system---a panoply of polysaccharides and medicinal mushroom constituents is best. These constituents increase the number and activity of macrophages, killer T and NK lymphocytes. Combining medicinal mushroom species sends the immune system multiple stimuli, awakening the body’s natural defenses.”
Naturopathic oncologist and BCCT advisor Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, August 9, 2018: There are instances when I use specific mushrooms, for instance: Coriolus (aka Trametes) versicolor (turkey tail) for breast cancer, Agaricus blazeii for ovarian cancer and chaga mushroom for melanoma. However, it is a very valuable and reasonable strategy to use a blend that includes mushrooms, each of which is standardized to its polysaccharides and beta-glucans. The key is to use a hot water extract of the fruiting bodies or a full-spectrum extract (includes mycelium) that clearly identifies on its label the quantity of mushroom extract.
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Some blends that I often recommend are:
Per capsule:
- Trametes versicolor (turkey tail) (40% polysaccharides, 40% beta-glucans) - 100mg
- Grifola frondosa (maitake) 40% polysaccharides, 30% beta-glucans - 100mg
- Ganoderma lucidum (reishi), 40% polysaccharides, 15% beta-glucans - 100mg
- Lentinula edodes (shiitake), 409% polysaccharides, 40% beta-glucans - 100mg
I would recommend between 2-3 capsules twice daily.
When recommending single mushrooms, it is important to know how much beta-glucan is in each serving so that I can titrate my dose accordingly. For instance, I often use Grifola frondosa m(aitake) mushroom to increase white blood cell counts. One product I use contains:
Per 6 tablets:
- Maitake (Grifola frondosa) Fruiting body powder - 600mg
- Maitake fruiting body extract, standardized to contain 30% D-fraction - 240mg (so 72mg D-fraction beta glucan)
- Vitamin C 120mg (supports bioactivity)
Cost-permitting, in most clinical studies, the daily dose of mushroom extracts that is correlated with improved survival (especially in breast, colorectal, gastric cancers) is 3000mg/day.
Mushrooms do pack a punch! From a meta-analysis on Coriolus versicolor mushroom extracts in patients diagnosed with cancer:
Non-cancer Uses of Turkey Tail Mushroom
BCCT has not reviewed the effectiveness of Turkey Tail Mushroom for non-cancer uses.
Turkey tail mushroom has been found to have the following additional properties:
- anti-fatiguing activity
- antioxidative effects
- anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activity
- antiviral activity
- anti-cholesterol activity
- anti-diabetic activity
- antifibrotic activity
- antimicrobial activity
Turkey tail mushroom or its extracts have been used for the following:
- AIDS
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
- Liver disorders
- Herpes
- HIV
- Immunomodulation
- Infections
- Kidney disease prevention
- Liver protection
- Post-surgical recovery
- Improve stamina
- Improve strength
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BCCT has not conducted an independent review of research of turkey tail mushroom. This summary draws from the National Cancer Institutes Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®) Health Professional Version and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s About Herbs: Coriolus Versicolor, as well as from other sources noted.
- National Cancer Institute. Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version. October 6, 2017. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- Stamets P. MycoMedicinals: An Informational Treatise on Mushrooms, 3rd Edition. China: MycoMedia Productions. 2002. p. 42.
- Bastyr University. FDA Approves Bastyr Turkey Tail Trial for Cancer Patients. November 30, 2012. Viewed February 28, 2018; Torkelson CJ, Sweet E et al. Phase 1 clinical trial of Trametes versicolor in women with breast cancer. International Scholarly Research Notices Oncology. 2012;2012:251632; ClinicalTrials.gov. 3 Studies found for: Trametes versicolor | cancer. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- National Cancer Institute. Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version: Turkey Tail and Polysaccharide-K. October 6, 2017. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- Toi M, Hattori T et al. Randomized adjuvant trial to evaluate the addition of tamoxifen and Krestin (PSK)™ to chemotherapy in patients with primary breast cancer. 5-year results from the Nishi-Nippon Group of the Adjuvant Chemoendocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Organization. Cancer. 1992;70:2475–2483; Eliza WL, Fai CK, Chung LP. Efficacy of Yun Zhi (Coriolus versicolor) on survival in cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery. 2012 Jan;6(1):78-87.
- Iino Y, Yokoe T et al. Immunochemotherapies versus chemotherapy as adjuvant treatment after curative resection of operable breast cancer. Anticancer Research. 1995;15:2907–2911.
- Yokoe T, Iino Y et al. HLA antigen as predictive index for the outcome of breast cancer patients with adjuvant immunochemotherapy with PSK. Anticancer Research. 1997;17:2815–2818.
- Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703.
- Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703.
- Nakazato H, Koike A et al. Efficacy of immunochemotherapy as adjuvant treatment after curative resection of gastric cancer. Study Group of Immunochemotherapy with Krestin (PSK)™ for Gastric Cancer. Lancet. 1994;343:1122–1126.
- Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703.
- Toge T, Yamaguchi Y. Protein-bound polysaccharide increases survival in resected gastric cancer cases stratified with a preoperative granulocyte and lymphocyte count. Oncology Reports. 2000;7:1157–1161.
- Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703.
- Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703.
- Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703.
- Go P, Chung CH. Adjuvant Krestin (PSK)™ immunotherapy in patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx. Journal of International Medical Research. 1989;17:141–149.
- Evidence-Based Monographs: Professional Resource: Coriolus Versicolor. Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre. Viewed June 6, 2019.
- Akagi J, Baba H. PSK may suppress CD57(+) T cells to improve survival of advanced gastric cancer patients. International Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2010 Apr;15(2):145-52.
- Sakamoto J, Morita S et al. Efficacy of adjuvant immunochemotherapy with polysaccharide K for patients with curatively resected colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of centrally randomized controlled clinical trials. Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy: CII. 2006 Apr;55(4):404-11; Ramberg JE, Nelson ED, Sinnott RA. Immunomodulatory dietary polysaccharides: a systematic review of the literature. Nutrition Journal. 2010 Nov 18;9:54.
- Ito G, Tanaka H et al. Correlation between efficacy of PSK postoperative adjuvant immunochemotherapy for gastric cancer and expression of MHC class I. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2012 Jun;3(6):925-930.
- Evidence-Based Monographs: Professional Resource: Coriolus Versicolor. Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre. Viewed June 6, 2019.
- Ohwada S, Ikeya T et al. Adjuvant immunochemotherapy with oral Tegafur/Uracil plus PSK in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer: a randomised controlled study. British Journal of Cancer. 2004 Mar 8;90(5):1003-10.
- Sakamoto J, Morita S et al. Efficacy of adjuvant immunochemotherapy with polysaccharide K for patients with curatively resected colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of centrally randomized controlled clinical trials. Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy: CII. 2006 Apr;55(4):404-11; Ramberg JE, Nelson ED, Sinnott RA. Immunomodulatory dietary polysaccharides: a systematic review of the literature. Nutrition Journal. 2010 Nov 18;9:54.
- Yamashita K, Ougolkov AV et al. Adjuvant immunochemotherapy with protein-bound polysaccharide K for colon cancer in relation to oncogenic beta-catenin activation. Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 2007 Aug;50(8):1169-81.
- Sakai T, Yamashita Y, Maekawa T, Mikami K, Hoshino S, Shirakusa T. Immunochemotherapy with PSK and fluoropyrimidines improves long-term prognosis for curatively resected colorectal cancer. Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals. 2008 Aug;23(4):461-7.
- Tsang KW, Lam CL, Yan C et al. Coriolus versicolor polysaccharide peptide slows progression of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Respiratory Medicine. 2003;97:618–624.
- Shnyreva AV, Shnyreva AA, Espinoza C, Padrón JM, Trigos Á. Antiproliferative activity and cytotoxicity of some medicinal wood-destroying mushrooms from Russia. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2018;20(1):1-11.
- National Cancer Institute. Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version: Turkey Tail and Polysaccharide-K. October 6, 2017. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- National Cancer Institute. Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version: Turkey Tail and Polysaccharide-K. October 6, 2017. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- Zhao X, Ma S, Liu N, Liu J, Wang W. A polysaccharide from Trametes robiniophila inhibits human osteosarcoma xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2015 Jun 25;124:157-63.
- National Cancer Institute. Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version: Turkey Tail and Polysaccharide-K. October 6, 2017. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- Luk SU, Lee TK et al. Chemopreventive effect of PSP through targeting of prostate cancer stem cell-like population. PLoS One. 2011;6:e19804; Wu JM, Doonan BB et al. Recent advances and challenges in studies of control of cancer stem cells and the gut microbiome by the Trametes-derived polysaccharopeptide PSP (review). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2016;18(8):651-660.
- Liu J, Lau EY et al. Polysaccharopeptide enhanced the anti-cancer effect of gamma-tocotrienol through activation of AMPK. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014 Aug 16;14:303.
- Stamets P. MycoMedicinals: An Informational Treatise on Mushrooms, 3rd Edition. China: MycoMedia Productions. 2002. p. 42; TRC Natural Medicines: Coriolus Mushroom: Professional. November 1, 2017. Viewed February 28, 2018; Lindequist U, Niedermeyer TH, Jülich WD. The pharmacological potential of mushrooms. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2005 Sep;2(3):285-99; Harhaji L, Mijatović S et al. Anti-tumor effect of Coriolus versicolor methanol extract against mouse B16 melanoma cells: in vitro and in vivo study. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008 May;46(5):1825-33; Lau CB, Ho CY et al. Cytotoxic activities of Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) extract on human leukemia and lymphoma cells by induction of apoptosis. Life Sciences. 2004 Jul 2;75(7):797-808; Zhao X, Ma S, Liu N, Liu J, Wang W. A polysaccharide from Trametes robiniophila Murrill induces apoptosis through intrinsic mitochondrial pathway in human osteosarcoma (U-2 OS) cells. Tumour Biology. 2015 Jul;36(7):5255-63.
- Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703.
- National Cancer Institute. Medicinal Mushrooms (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version: Turkey Tail and Polysaccharide-K. October 6, 2017. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- Nio Y, Tsubono M et al. Immunomodulation by orally administered protein-bound polysaccharide Krestin (PSK)™ in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Biotherapy. 1992;4:117–128.
- Nio Y, Tsubono M et al. Immunomodulation by orally administered protein-bound polysaccharide PSK in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Biotherapy. 1992;4(2):117-28; Evidence-Based Monographs: Professional Resource: Coriolus Versicolor. Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre. Viewed June 6, 2019.
- Wu JM, Doonan BB et al. Recent advances and challenges in studies of control of cancer stem cells and the gut microbiome by the Trametes-derived polysaccharopeptide PSP (review). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2016;18(8):651-660.
- Standish LJ, Wenner CA et al. Trametes versicolor mushroom immune therapy in breast cancer. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2008 Summer;6(3):122-8.
- Wu JM, Doonan BB et al. Recent advances and challenges in studies of control of cancer stem cells and the gut microbiome by the Trametes-derived polysaccharopeptide PSP (review). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2016;18(8):651-660.
- Wu JM, Doonan BB et al. Recent advances and challenges in studies of control of cancer stem cells and the gut microbiome by the Trametes-derived polysaccharopeptide PSP (review). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2016;18(8):651-660.
- Zhong L, Yan P, Lam WC, Yao L, Bian Z. Coriolus versicolor and Ganoderma lucidum related natural products as an adjunct therapy for cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2019 Jul 3;10:703.
- Ohwada S, Ikeya T et al. Adjuvant immunochemotherapy with oral Tegafur/Uracil plus PSK in patients with stage II or III colorectal cancer: a randomised controlled study. British Journal of Cancer. 2004 Mar 8;90(5):1003-10.
- Torkelson CJ, Sweet E et al. Phase 1 clinical trial of Trametes versicolor in women with breast cancer. International Scholarly Research Notices Oncology. 2012;2012:251632
- Toth B, Coles M, Lynch J. Effects of VPS extract of Coriolus versicolor on cancer of the large intestine using a serial sacrifice technique. In Vivo. 2006 May-Jun;20(3):341-6.
- Susan G. Komen. Polysaccharide K (PSK). 2014. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- Imaizumi M, Kondo T, Kamei H, Ichihashi H. [Cooperative studies on surgical adjuvant immunochemotherapy for prevention of postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer]. [Article in Japanese]. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1984 Jan;11(1):60-8; Mitomi T, Tsuchiya S et al. Randomized, controlled study on adjuvant immunochemotherapy with PSK in curatively resected colorectal cancer. the Cooperative Study Group of Surgical Adjuvant Immunochemotherapy for Cancer of Colon and Rectum (Kanagawa). Diseases of the Colon and Rectum 1992;35:123-30; Nakazato H, Koike A et al. Efficacy of immunochemotherapy as adjuvant treatment after curative resection of gastric cancer. Study Group of Immunochemotherapy with PSK for Gastric Cancer. Lancet 1994;343:1122-6.; Tsujitani S, Kakeji Y et al. Postoperative adjuvant immunochemotherapy and infiltration of dendritic cells for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Anticancer Research. 1992;12(3):645-648.
- Shiu WCT, et al. A clinical study of PSP on peripheral blood counts during chemotherapy. Phytotherapy Research 1992;6:217-218.
- Susan G. Komen. Polysaccharide K (PSK). 2014. Viewed February 28, 2018.
- Evidence-Based Monographs: Professional Resource: Coriolus Versicolor. Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre. Viewed June 6, 2019.
- Evidence-Based Monographs: Professional Resource: Coriolus Versicolor. Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre. Viewed June 6, 2019.
- McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2016. p. 228.
- Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition: An Integrative Approach to Prevention, Treatment, and Healing. Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts. 2010; Alschuler LN, Gazella KA. The Definitive Guide to Thriving after Cancer: A Five-Step Integrative Plan to Reduce the Risk of Recurrence and Build Lifelong Health. Berkeley, California: Ten Speed Press. 2013.
- McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2016. p. 316.
- Block KI. Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009.
- MacDonald B. The Breast Cancer Companion: A Complementary Care Manual: Third Edition. (self-published, Amazon, 2016).
- McKinney N. Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition. Victoria, BC, Canada: Liaison Press. 2016.
- Abrams DI, Weil AT. Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 2014.
- Standish LJ, Wenner CA et al. Trametes versicolor mushroom immune therapy in breast cancer. Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology. 2008 Summer;6(3):122-8.
- Block KI. Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment. New York: Bantam Dell. 2009. p. 114.
- Stamets P. MycoMedicinals: An Informational Treatise on Mushrooms, 3rd Edition. China: MycoMedia Productions. 2002. p. 68.
- Eliza WL, Fai CK, Chung LP. Efficacy of Yun Zhi (Coriolus versicolor) on survival in cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery. 2012 Jan;6(1):78-87.
- Stamets P. MycoMedicinals: An Informational Treatise on Mushrooms, 3rd Edition. China: MycoMedia Productions. 2002.
- Susan G. Komen. Polysaccharide K (PSK). 2014. Viewed February 28, 2018.
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Research Reviews
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Product Reviews
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- TRC Natural Medicines: Coriolus Mushroom (subscription required): in-depth information, ratings of effectiveness and safety and evaluation of specific turkey tail mushroom products
- Consumer Labs: Product Review: Coriolus (subscription required)
- Moss Reports (purchase required): Select from the list of cancers down the left side of the page for a report describing uses of conventional, complementary, alternative and integrative therapies related to that cancer. Ralph Moss is among the most knowledgeable and balanced researchers of integrative cancer therapies. The cost of his Moss Reports is not negligible, but many patients find them of considerable value. Moss is also available for consultations.
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- Gurdev Parmar and Tina Kaczor: Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology
- BCCT, KNOW Oncology and Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre: Patient Education Brochures
- Oriveda: Oriveda Medicinal Mushroom Resource Page
- Barbara MacDonald, ND, LAc: The Breast Cancer Companion: A Complementary Care Manual: Third Edition
- Keith Block and others: A Broad-Spectrum Integrative Design for Cancer Prevention and Therapy
- Dwight McKee, MD, editor: Clinical Pearls
- Raymond Chang, MD: Beyond the Magic Bullet: The Anti-Cancer Cocktail
- Donald I. Abrams, MD, and Andrew T. Weil, MD: Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition
- Neil McKinney, BSc, ND: Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition
- Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, and Karolyn Gazella: The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition
- Keith I. Block, MD: Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment
- National Cancer Institute: Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Health Professionals
- Lone Star Medical Group: Natural Alternative Treatments
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Nancy Hepp:
Feb 08, 2020 at 09:04 PM
Jennifer,
You'll see links to clinical trials in the list in the More Information section on this page. These links will take you to current trials listed at ClinicalTrials.gov. You can filter trials for those that are recruiting participants, although when I did so, I seemed to get a lot of studies that didn't involve turkey tail or PSK. You may need to try different names for turkey tail, as there are several that might be used in studies. See our box "Also known by these names" at the top of this page.
Best wishes.
Nancy
Jennifer Lieberman:
Feb 08, 2020 at 04:25 PM
I'd like to know how I might find out how I can take part in a clinical trial for Turkey Tail Mushrooms. Thanks
Judy Leung:
Dec 19, 2019 at 12:16 AM
Do you have a brand of Coriolus versicolor /PSK that manufactured in US that meet the potency in the Japan and US research? Thank you for your help!
Nancy Hepp:
Sep 16, 2019 at 10:34 AM
Fatima,
We hear your concern and request for a decision. However, we cannot provide medical advice. We encourage you to share this summary with your medical team and explore your questions with them. They know your full medical situation and will be able to assess whether turkey tail can provide therapeutic benefits for you. If you do not have an integrative medical team, please consult our Centers, Clinics and Clinicians page for guidance on assembling a team. Best wishes to you.
Fatima:
Sep 16, 2019 at 05:40 AM
Pls Dr I have a fibroid I don't want to have an operation, do u think I can take turkey tail mushroom to cure it. Thank you.