Oyster Mushrooms and Cancer

Oyster Mushrooms are A Functional Food Ally in the Fight Against Cancer

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Author, and Retired Pharmacist

When it comes to integrative cancer care, nature offers some remarkable tools, and one of the most promising is the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). More than just a savory culinary ingredient, oyster mushrooms are gaining traction in peer-reviewed studies for their anticancer, antioxidant, and immune-enhancing properties.

What Makes Oyster Mushrooms Unique?

Oyster mushrooms are rich in:

• β-glucans – immune-modulating polysaccharides[i]
• Ergothioneine – a potent antioxidant that accumulates in tissues under oxidative stress[ii]
• Phenolic compounds, lectins, and terpenoids – with documented anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. Yes! Lectins have anticancer activity![iii]

Together, these bioactive molecules contribute to:

• Inhibiting tumor cell proliferation[iv]
• Enhancing the activity of immune cells (like NK cells and macrophages)[v] [vi]
• Reducing oxidative stress and inflammation[vii] [viii]
• Supporting gut microbiota during cancer therapies[ix]
  
  

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🔬 More Scientific Anticancer Evidence You Can Trust

1. Foods Journal Oyster Mushroom Cancer Immune System Study (2025)

This comprehensive review outlines the ability of oyster mushrooms to regulate immune cell maturation, suppress cancer progression pathways (e.g. NF-κB and PI3K/Akt), and serve as a prebiotic resource during chemotherapy.

“Oyster mushrooms represent a promising functional food in complementary cancer therapy,” note the authors.[x]

2. Kyungnam University Oyster Mushroom Colon Cancer Study

This study investigated the impact of different colored oyster mushroom strains on human colon cancer cells. The dark grey and pink varieties showed strong antiproliferative effects, while the yellow strains exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity.[xi]

3. Mushroom Consumption & Cancer Risk Meta-Analysis

While not exclusive to oyster mushrooms, this meta-analysis highlighted a significant reduction in overall cancer risk—especially breast cancer—among people with higher mushroom consumption.[xii]

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Here's a list of cancers that have been studied with oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), along with peer-reviewed references for each:

• Colon Cancer: Oyster mushroom extracts have shown antiproliferative effects on human colon cancer cells, particularly from dark-grey and pink strains.[xiii]
• Breast Cancer: A 2021 meta-analysis found that higher mushroom consumption (including oyster mushrooms) was associated with a significantly lower risk of breast cancer.[xiv]
• Liver Cancer: Preclinical studies suggest oyster mushroom polysaccharides may inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and modulate liver detoxification enzymes.[xv]
• Lung Cancer: Oyster mushroom extracts have demonstrated cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cell lines in vitro, possibly through apoptosis induction, oxidative stress modulation, and NK Cell (Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity).[xvi]
• Prostate Cancer: Pleurotus ostreatus produced rapid cell death to PC-3 prostate cancer cells.[xvii]
• General Cancer Risk: A systematic review of 17 studies involving over 19,500 participants found that mushroom consumption overall was linked to a reduced risk.[xviii]

🥗 How to Incorporate Oyster Mushrooms

These fungi are:

• Low-carb, low-calorie, and keto-friendly
• Naturally gluten- and soy-free
• Easy to add to stir-fries, soups, sautés, and medicinal teas

Pair them with turmeric, broccoli, olive oil, or garlic to amplify their anticancer potential through synergistic mechanisms.

To preserve the anticancer potential:

• Use gentle heat (e.g., sautéing, steaming, or simmering)
• Avoid prolonged high-heat methods like grilling or deep-frying
• Pair with olive oil, turmeric, or black pepper to enhance bioavailability and synergistic effects

 
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✨ Final Thoughts

While oyster mushrooms aren’t a substitute for traditional cancer treatments, the growing body of clinical and mechanistic research makes them a powerful adjunct in integrative oncology. They're nutrient-dense, immune supportive, and carry minimal risk, making them an ideal dietary ally in the pursuit of resilience and healing.

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Reference Sources

[i] Yamanaka D, Ishibashi KI, Adachi Y, Ohno N. Quantification of Mushroom-Derived Soluble β-1,6-Glucan Using the Function-Modified Recombinant β-1,6-Glucanase. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2020;22(9):855-868. doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2020035888 https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,358d19d227c8633b,45144ba00e5cd3d1.html 

[ii] Liang CH, Ho KJ, Huang LY, Tsai CH, Lin SY, Mau JL. Antioxidant properties of fruiting bodies, mycelia, and fermented products of the culinary-medicinal king oyster mushroom, Pleurotus eryngii (higher Basidiomycetes), with high ergothioneine content. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013;15(3):267-275. doi:10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i3.40 https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,3a24b2df76f12ae0,07e438fd53a681e1.html

[iii] Perduca M, Destefanis L, Bovi M, et al. Structure and properties of the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) lectin. Glycobiology. 2020;30(8):550-562. doi:10.1093/glycob/cwaa006 https://academic.oup.com/glycob/article/30/8/550/5716261

[iv] Mishra V, Tomar S, Yadav P, Singh MP. Promising anticancer activity of polysaccharides and other macromolecules derived from oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sp.): An updated review. Int J Biol Macromol. 2021;182:1628-1637. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.05.102 https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0141-8130(21)01077-1 

[v] El-Deeb NM, El-Adawi HI, El-Wahab AEA, et al. Modulation of NKG2D, KIR2DL and Cytokine Production by Pleurotus ostreatus Glucan Enhances Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity Toward Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2019;7:165. Published 2019 Aug 13. doi:10.3389/fcell.2019.00165 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6700253/

[vi] Maiti S, Mallick SK, Bhutia SK, Behera B, Mandal M, Maiti TK. Antitumor effect of culinary-medicinal oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.: Fr.) P. Kumm., derived protein fraction on tumor-bearing mice models. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2011;13(5):427-440. doi:10.1615/intjmedmushr.v13.i5.20 https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,420b184f15148de0,7fdfc12b14fa45a1.html

[vii] Rana, T. , Bera, A. Kumar , Das, S. , Bhattacharya, D. , Pan, D. and Das, S. Kumar (2016). Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Enhancement of Cellular Activity by Mushroom Lectins in Arsenic Induced Carcinogenesis. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 17(9), 4185-4197. https://journal.waocp.org/?sid=Entrez:PubMed&id=pmid:27797216&key=2016.17.9.4185

[viii] Jedinak A, Dudhgaonkar S, Wu QL, Simon J, Sliva D. Anti-inflammatory activity of edible oyster mushroom is mediated through the inhibition of NF-κB and AP-1 signaling. Nutr J. 2011;10:52. Published 2011 May 16. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-10-52 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3120742/

[ix] Vlassopoulou M, Yannakoulia M, Pletsa V, Zervakis GI, Kyriacou A. Effects of fungal beta-glucans on health - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Food Funct. 2021;12(8):3366-3380. doi:10.1039/d1fo00122a https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/fo/d1fo00122a

[x] Sreedharan PL, Kishorkumar M, Neumann EG, Kurup SS. The Emerging Role of Oyster Mushrooms as a Functional Food for Complementary Cancer Therapy. Foods. 2025; 14(1):128. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14010128

[xi] Kim JH, Kim SJ, Park HR, et al. The Different Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities Depending on the Color of Oyster Mushrooms. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 2009;3(12):1016-1020. https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380523975_Kim%20et%20al.pdf

[xii] Ba DM, Ssentongo P, Beelman RB, Muscat J, Gao X, Richie JP. Higher Mushroom Consumption Is Associated with Lower Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Adv Nutr. 2021;12(5):1691-1704. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab015 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322004641?via%3Dihub

[xiii] Kim JH, Kim SJ, Park HR, et al. The Different Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities Depending on the Color of Oyster Mushrooms. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research. 2009;3(12):1016-1020. https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380523975_Kim%20et%20al.pdf

[xiv] Ba DM, Ssentongo P, Beelman RB, Muscat J, Gao X, Richie JP. Higher Mushroom Consumption Is Associated with Lower Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Adv Nutr. 2021;12(5):1691-1704. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab015 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8483951/

[xv] Sreedharan PL, Kishorkumar M, Neumann EG, Kurup SS. The Emerging Role of Oyster Mushrooms as a Functional Food for Complementary Cancer Therapy. Foods. 2025; 14(1):128. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14010128

[xvi] El-Deeb NM, El-Adawi HI, El-Wahab AEA, et al. Modulation of NKG2D, KIR2DL and Cytokine Production by Pleurotus ostreatus Glucan Enhances Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity Toward Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2019;7:165. Published 2019 Aug 13. doi:10.3389/fcell.2019.00165 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6700253/

[xvii] Gu YH, Sivam G. Cytotoxic effect of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus on human androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells. J Med Food. 2006;9(2):196-204. doi:10.1089/jmf.2006.9.196 https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jmf.2006.9.196?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed

[xviii] Ba DM, Ssentongo P, Beelman RB, Muscat J, Gao X, Richie JP. Higher Mushroom Consumption Is Associated with Lower Risk of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Adv Nutr. 2021;12(5):1691-1704. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab015 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8483951/