How mushrooms can benefit cancer patients going through chemotherapy? 

I have concluded that the most reliable sources are from the scientists who wrote the paper firsthand and sites for people in the medical field. Because these sources are a little beyond my expertise, I have found ways to find definitions and simplify. Either though the articles foot notes or glossary.

I find it helps to summarize information by making mind maps and using charts to fill in information while keeping it organized and including sources 

How long does it take to show effect?

By day 5 after G-CSF treatment it showed
sign of an increased number of neutrophils and
Lymphocytes, which are both types of white blood
cells.

Why hen of the woods?

Maitake enhances CFU-GM from the beta-glucan.
extract which not very many other mushrooms have.
So scientists have been focusing on Grifola frondosa

What are some side effects?

Fatigue, Nausea, diarrhea, headaches and unexplained
bleeding. Although it's very rare to experience 
these effects. Pregnant women and couples trying to
 Conceive are not recommended to use G-CSF.

Why take it with chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy uses radiation to attack cancer
cells although during this process it also kills white blood cells. So because G-CSF increases the number of white blood cells it can be paired with chemotherapy, which then decreases cancer cells and then white blood cells can then help fight off the cancer.
 

How does it work?
The extract known as MBC commonly is found to enhance the activity of bone marrow, Which stimulates G-CSF production while increasing amount of white Blood cells helping to fight off cancer cells.
 

How is it administered? 
G-CSF is injected into a vein by a healthcare professional or nurse. But is also administered by the patient at home in some cases like when the doctor has decided to medicate daily. They can also take supplements although that is just the mushroom extract, which takes longer, is less effective, and can be gotten by anyone not just cancer patients.

About the mushroom:                                      
————————————————————Native habitat: Asia and warmer parts of North America 

Size: up to 3 feet wide and can weigh up to 50 pounds

Cap shape: indistinct 

Colour: brown to dark beige

Scientific name: Grifola Frondosa 

Common names: Dancing Mushroom, Hen of the Woods and Mitake

 

 

Vocab

G-CSF stands for (Granulocyte-Colony stimulating factor) It simulates bone marrow to make more white blood cells.

Leukocytes make antibodies and fight viruses.

Neutrophils are part of white blood cells that work to fight infections and heal injuries.

Eosinophils kill parasites and cancer cells. Is involved in allergic reactions.

Monocytes cleans up damaged cells.

Basophils involved in allergic response.

CFU-GM Colony - Forming - unit granulocyte.

By Day 5 neutrophils and lymphocytes increase.

When tested on rats and mice it improved

Spinal cord injury healing rate, memory, cardiac functions, cardiomyocyte, acute myocardial infarction. 

Although it did negatively impact people who have had a stroke within 75 hours of injection and slightly Impact people who have had a stroke at all in their lifetime.

 

In conclusion, mushrooms with beta-glucan can be an amazing option for cancer patients going through chemotherapy. G-CSF helps people who have neutropenia (a lack of white blood cells). According to the Cleveland Health Clinic, Not only does G-CSF stimulate the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells, but it has been proven to increase the number of stem cells before or after a stem cell transplant. In the testing of G-CSF treatment, rats who were given G-CSF orally showed signs of improved memory and cardiac functions. In one study G-CSG could negatively impact patients who have had a stroke within 72 hours of injection, or a stroke at all in the past.

Medicinal Mushrooms: Bioactive Compounds, Use, and Clinical Trials - PMC (nih.gov) Giuseppe Venturella,Giuseppe Venturella, Valeria Ferraro, Fortunato Cirlincione, and Maria Letizia Gargano, 2020 Mar 10.

The role of granulocyte colony‑stimulating factor in breast cancer development: A review - PubMed (nih.gov)  Li Liu , Yangyang Liu , Xiaohua Yan , Chong Zhou , Xiangyang Xiong, 2020 Mar 10.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor and Its Potential Application for Skeletal Muscle Repair and Regeneration - PubMed (nih.gov) Craig R Wright , Alister C Ward , Aaron P Russell^, 2017 Dec 7.

Maitake beta-glucan promotes recovery of leukocytes and myeloid cell function in peripheral blood from paclitaxel hematotoxicity - PubMed (nih.gov) Hong Lin, Elisa de Stanchina, Xi Kathy Zhou, Feng Hong, Andrew Seidman, Monica Fornier, Wei-Lie Xiao, Edward J Kennelly, Kathleen Wesa, Barrie R Cassileth, Susanna Cunningham-Rundles, 2010 Feb 6.

Neuroprotection of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor for Early Stage Parkinson's Disease - PMC (nih.gov)Sheng-Tzung Tsai, Sung-Chao Chu, Shu-Hsin Liu, Cheng-Yoong Pang, Ting-Wen Hou, Shinn-Zong Lin, Shin-Yuan Chen, 2016 Dec 7.

Hen of the Woods – Identification, Edibility, Distribution, Medicinal Uses, Ecology, Sustainable Harvesting – Galloway Wild Foods November 21, 2021, No author found

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21081-cyclic-neutropenia

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/19431-filgrastim-g-csf-injection

I acknowledge the following:

My dad & mom for helping me edit and paying for supplies 

My teachers for helping me with figuring out what goes where on the online part, and buying the poster board.

The Cysf for letting me be apart of this awesome experience.