WGP Beta GlucanMay Aid in Cancer Treatment

WGP Beta GlucanMay Aid in Cancer Treatment

EAGAN, Minn.A new studysuggests natural yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan may bind to receptors on neutrophils,enabling the immune cells to recognize cancer in the body, fortifying the bodysresponse mechanism against cancer. The study, published in TheJournal of Immunology (173:797-806, 2004) examined theimpact of beta 1,3/1,6 glucan (as WGP Beta Glucan from Biopolymer Engineering)on tumor regression in mice, and also explored the mechanisms of action.

Researchers from the University of Louisville School ofMedicine, Ky., found mice with liver cancer that were given WGP Beta Glucanthree days before the start of monoclonal antibody therapy survived 100 days,compared with 35 days for mice treated with only the drug therapy. In addition,the mice that received beta glucan showed increased tumor regression.

In the mechanism of action portion, researchers usedfluorescently labeled WGP Beta Glucan in mice, and found the beta glucan wastaken up by gastrointestinal macrophages and taken to the bone marrow andreticuloendothelial tissues. Within the marrow, macrophages degraded the betaglucan and secreted fragments to neutrophils, which could then migrate to tumorcells and help kill them.