Maitake Mushrooms and Cancer: Evidence-Based Benefits, Preparation Tips, and Supplement Guide

Discover how maitake mushrooms support immune function, enhance chemotherapy outcomes, and fit into integrative cancer care—backed by peer-reviewed research and practical dosing strategies.

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer

Maitake mushrooms (Grifola frondosa) have long been revered for thousands of years in natural traditional medicine. Still, modern science is now catching up—revealing potent anticancer properties that make them a compelling addition to integrative oncology protocols. From strengthening the body's defense system against cancer (immune modulation) to increasing the potency of chemotherapy drugs (synergy with chemotherapy), maitake’s bioactive compounds have been spotlighted in both clinical trials and laboratory studies published in peer-reviewed literature. This growing body of research demonstrates how maitake may play a multifaceted role in integrative cancer care. This post synthesizes the latest findings and offers practical guidance on sourcing, preparation, supplementation, and clinical considerations.

Anticancer Mechanisms Backed by Research

Maitake mushrooms contain several polysaccharide fractions—most notably D-fraction, MD-fraction, and SX-fraction—which exhibit immunostimulatory and antitumor effects.

✅ Immune Activation & Tumor Suppression

• Maitake D-fraction enhances natural killer (NK) cell activity[i], macrophage function, and T-cell response[ii], all crucial for tumor surveillance.
• In vitro and animal studies show maitake extracts can induce apoptosis[iii] in cancer cells and inhibit angiogenesis[iv].
• Genetic studies demonstrate Maitake D-fraction stimulates apoptosis, inhibits cell growth and proliferation, arrests the cell cycle, blocking the migration and metastasis of tumoral cells, and induces multidrug sensitivity.[v]

✅ Human Trials: Breast Cancer & Immune Modulation

• A clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering found maitake extract had a dual effect on immune markers in breast cancer patients—stimulating some cytokines while suppressing others.[vi] This underscores the need for personalized dosing and medical oversight.

Cancers Studied with Maitake

• Breast cancer[vii] [viii]
• Prostate cancer[ix]
• Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)[x]
• Lung cancer[xi]
• Bladder cancer[xii]
• Colorectal cancer[xiii]

Thus far, maitake has not been studied for:

• Lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Glioblastoma
• Brain cancer

🍽️ Culinary Sources & Preparation Tips

Fresh maitake mushrooms are available at farmers' markets, Asian grocers, and specialty health stores. To preserve their bioactive compounds:

✅ Maitake Best Cooking Methods

• Sautéing in olive oil or butter enhances absorption of fat-soluble compounds.
• Roasting at 375–400°F intensifies flavor and preserves polysaccharides.
  My preference is below 350°F/177 °C to reduce damage to the mushrooms and other foods.
• Avoid boiling—excessive heat and water can degrade beta-glucans.

🔗 Mushroom Health Hub: Preparation Guide

🔗 Reality Pathing: Cooking Techniques

✅ Maitake Storage

• Keep fresh maitake in a paper bag in the fridge to prevent moisture buildup.
• Dried maitake can be rehydrated and used in broths—preserving umami and nutrients.

💊 Maitake Supplementation: Choosing Wisely

Not all mushroom supplements are created equal. Here's how to vet quality:

Maitake D-Fraction Recommended brands include:

• Host Defense – Trusted extraction, clinical-grade purity, and organic
  Links include a 10% discount
  Maitake Extract Drops | Maitake Capsules
  
  
• Mushroom Wisdom – Well known for D-fraction standardization
  Links include a 10% discount
  Maitake D-Drops | Maitake D-Tablets

⚠️ Interactions with Cancer Therapies

While maitake shows promise, it’s not without risks—especially when combined with conventional treatments.

✅ Potential Benefits

• Can stimulate the activation of NK Cells (Natural Killer Cells) and the anticancer effects of monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab (Herceptin).[xiv]
• May reduce chemotherapy side effects and improve tolerance[xv]
• Could enhance immune recovery post-radiation or immunotherapy[xvi]

⚠️ Risks & Cautions

• Maitake may modulate CYP450 enzymes, potentially affecting drug metabolism
• Dual immune effects (stimulation/suppression) mean autoimmune patients or those on checkpoint inhibitors should proceed cautiously
• Liver and kidney toxicity reported in rare cases—especially with high doses or poor-quality extracts

🧠 Final Thoughts

Maitake mushrooms offer a compelling blend of culinary delight and therapeutic promise. But like any potent bioactive, they require contextual use, clinical oversight, and evidence-based integration into cancer care. Whether you're a patient, practitioner, or educator, maitake deserves a place in the conversation—just not without nuance.

Maitake and Cancer Medical Journal Reference Sources

[i] Aguilera-Braico, D.M., Balogh, G.A. CD3Ɛ immune restorative ability induced by Maitake Pro4x in immunosupressed BALBc mice. BMC Res Notes 15, 307 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-022-06201-1

[ii]  Masuda, Y., Inoue, H., Ohta, H., Miyake, A., Konishi, M., & Nanba, H. (2013). Oral administration of soluble β-glucans extracted from Grifola frondosa induces systemic antitumor immune response and decreases immunosuppression in tumor-bearing mice. International Journal of Cancer, 133(1), 108-119. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.27999

[iii] Alonso E. Noelia, Ferronato M. Julia, Fermento M. Eugenia, Gandini N. Ariel, Romero A. López, Guevara J. Alejandra, Facchinetti M. Marta, Curino A. Carlos Antitumoral and antimetastatic activity of Maitake D-Fraction in triple-negative breast cancer cells. Oncotarget. 2018; 9: 23396-23412. Retrieved from https://www.oncotarget.com/article/25174/text/

[iv] Roldan-Deamicis, A., Alonso, E., Brie, B., Braico, D. A., & Balogh, G. A. (2016). Maitake Pro4X has anti-cancer activity and prevents oncogenesis in BALBc mice. Cancer Medicine, 5(9), 2427-2441. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.744

[v] Alonso EN, Orozco M, Nieto AE, Balogh GA. Genes Related to Suppression of Malignant Phenotype Induced by Maitake D-Fraction in Breast Cancer Cells. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2013;16(7):602-617. doi: https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2012.0222

[vi] Deng, G., Lin, H., Seidman, A. et al. A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 135, 1215–1221 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-009-0562-z

[vii] De Luca, F., Roda, E., Rossi, P., & Bottone, M. G. (2024). Medicinal Mushrooms in Metastatic Breast Cancer: What Is Their Therapeutic Potential as Adjuvant in Clinical Settings? Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 46(7), 7577-7591. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46070450

[viii] Zhang, Y., Sun, D., Meng, Q., Guo, W., Chen, Q., & Zhang, Y. (2017). Grifola frondosa polysaccharides induce breast cancer cell apoptosis via the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway Corrigendum in /10.3892/ijmm.2022.5192. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 40, 1089-1095. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2017.3081

[ix] Pyo, P., Louie, B., Rajamahanty, S. et al. Possible immunotherapeutic potentiation with D-Fraction in prostate cancer cells. J Hematol Oncol 1, 25 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-8722-1-25

[x] Zhao, J., He, R., Zhong, H., Liu, S., Hussain, M., & Sun, P. (2023). Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Grifola frondose Polysaccharide—Protein Complex in Combination with Cyclophosphamide in H22 Tumor-Bearing Mice. Molecules, 28(7), 2954. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28072954

[xi] Zhu, C., & Shang, D. (2025). Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Conditioned Media-Derived Exosomes Loaded With Grifola frondosa Extract Inhibit Lung Cancer via NF-κB and MAPK Pathway Modulation. Food Science & Nutrition, 13(8), e70802. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.70802

[xii] Rajamahanty S, Louie B, O’Neill C, Choudhury M, Konno S. Possible disease remission in patient with invasive bladder cancer with D-fraction regimen. Int J Gen Med. 2009;2:15-17
https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S4948

[xiii] Roca-Lema, D., Martinez-Iglesias, O., Fernández de Ana Portela, C., Rodríguez-Blanco, A., Valladares-Ayerbes, M., Díaz-Díaz, A., Casas-Pais, A., Prego, C., Figueroa, A. (2019). In Vitro Anti-proliferative and Anti-invasive Effect of Polysaccharide-rich Extracts from Trametes Versicolor and Grifola Frondosa in Colon Cancer Cells. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 16(2), 231-240. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.28811.

[xiv] Masuda Y, Yamashita S, Nakayama Y, Shimizu R, Konishi M. Maitake Beta-Glucan Enhances the Therapeutic Effect of Trastuzumab via Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity and Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2024;47(4):840-847. doi: https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.b23-00802

[xv] He, Y., Zhang, L., & Wang, H. (2019). The biological activities of the antitumor drug Grifola frondosa polysaccharide. Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, 163, 221-261. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.02.010  

[xvi] Kidd PM. The use of mushroom glucans and proteoglycans in cancer treatment. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(1):4-27. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10696116/