November 10, 2008

3 Min Read
Study Demonstrates That AHCC® is Safe in Combination With Most Chemotherapeutic Agents

A recently published study in the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology (Vol. 6, No. 3 (Summer), 2008: pp 105-109) by researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center with the support of researchers from Amino Up Chemical Company in Sapporo, Japan has demonstrated that AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound) can be safely used in combination with most chemotherapy agents. AHCC is a leading and commonly utilized dietary supplement for immune enhancement and cancer.

The study was designed to determine on how AHCC interacts with select chemotherapy agents. As most chemotherapy agents undergo metabolism in the body through the CYP450 (Cytochrome P-450) pathway, this parameter was investigated in combination with four isoenzymes (3A4, 2C8, 2C9 and 2D6). This was followed by an evaluation of AHCC by including it as a substrate of these same isoenzymes.

The results of this in vitro metabolism study indicated that AHCC is not an inhibitor of the major CYP450 isoenzyme pathways. Therefore, AHCC is safe and unlikely to result in increased toxicity when used in combination with commonly used chemotherapeutic agents such as Cyclophosphamide, Ifosfamide, Paclitaxel, Docetaxel, Irinotecan, Vincristine, Interferon and Imatinib. It was demonstrated, that AHCC may have the potential for induce metabolism of drugs metabolized via the CYP450 2D6 pathway. Fortunately, the CYP450 2D6 is not a predominant pathway for metabolism of the most commonly used chemotherapy agents.

“Research shows that AHCC benefits cancer patients with its antitumor effects as well as its potential restorative effects on natural killer cells, macrophages and cytokines after anticancer chemotherapy,” said Judith Smith, Pharm.D., BCOP,FCCP, FISOPP, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Surgery with The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. “The safety of AHCC in combination with
anti-cancer agents needed evaluation and this study confirms that AHCC is safe to administer with most chemotherapy agents.”

In addition to this study, research completed at other institutions with AHCC has shown that it activates important immune white blood cells including macrophages, Natural Killer (NK) cells and Lymphokine-Activated Killer (LAK) cells. AHCC also induces the production of cytokines that serve as chemical messengers between cells. AHCC has been the subject of over 80 research studies worldwide including studies completed at Harvard University’s Faulkner Hospital, Yale University and Columbia University Medical Center.

What is AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound)?
AHCC is derived from the hybridization of several subspecies of medicinal mushroom, cultivated in Japan and then produced from a unique manufacturing process. AHCC is the leading immune-enhancing supplement in Japan and is utilized by over 700 hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide as a standard preventative supplement for incoming patients to help reduce the risk of hospital infections as well as supporting the body’s fight against the formation of abnormal cells.*

AHCC is manufactured by Amino Up Chemical Company in Sapporo, Japan and is distributed in the United States by Maypro Industries. Maypro sells AHCC to a number of leading supplement companies including Quality of Life Laboratories, a subsidiary of Maypro.
The AHCC Research Association was founded in 1986 to promote further study. Each year since 1994, over 300 medical doctors and researchers have gathered in Sapporo, Japan for the AHCC Research Association Symposium to share and discuss the latest developments.
To learn more about AHCC, visit the AHCC Research Association Web site at http://www.ahccresearch.com.

For product information about AHCC, please contact Dan Lifton, director of business development for Maypro at (914) 251-0701.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate disease.

Subscribe and receive the latest updates on trends, data, events and more.
Join 57,000+ members of the natural products community.

You May Also Like