Beta-glucan for Cancer
(REACT Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to determine if beta-glucan, a type of dietary fiber, can enhance the immune system's ability to recognize cancer cells. Researchers also seek to understand whether combining beta-glucan with exercise alters the types of immune cells in the blood. Participants will take either beta-glucan or a placebo daily for four weeks and visit the lab for exercise tests and blood samples. This trial may suit adults who are physically fit for intense exercise and do not have conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. As an Early Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding how beta-glucan functions in people, offering participants a chance to contribute to groundbreaking science.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
Yes, you will need to stop taking any daily medications that might affect immune function, such as beta blockers, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and allergy medications, to participate in this trial.
Is there any evidence suggesting that beta-glucan is likely to be safe for humans?
Studies have shown that beta-glucan is generally safe for people. Research indicates that when participants received beta-glucan, it did not cause major side effects. Most studies have found it safe to use alongside other treatments, suggesting that beta-glucan is unlikely to cause serious problems for participants. However, as this trial is in its early stages, the researchers are still collecting detailed safety information.12345
Why do researchers think this study treatment might be promising?
Unlike the standard cancer treatments, which often involve chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy, beta-glucan is a natural compound derived from sources like yeast, fungi, and grains. Researchers are excited about it because beta-glucan may enhance the body's immune response to fight cancer cells, offering a potentially less toxic alternative. Additionally, its unique mechanism of boosting the immune system could complement existing therapies, potentially improving outcomes and quality of life for patients.
What evidence suggests that beta-glucan might be an effective treatment for cancer?
Studies have shown that beta-glucan, a type of dietary fiber, can help the immune system fight cancer. Research indicates that beta-glucan may help immune cells find and attack cancer cells more effectively. Animal studies found that it slows tumor growth and improves survival rates. Additionally, beta-glucan supports other cancer treatments by reducing their harmful effects on the immune system. This fiber seems to make the environment around tumors less suitable for cancer growth. These findings suggest beta-glucan could be a helpful partner in cancer treatment by strengthening the body's natural defenses. Participants in this trial will receive either beta-glucan or a placebo to evaluate its effectiveness in humans.24678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for adults who are physically fit enough to perform maximal exercise. It's designed to see if beta-glucan, a type of dietary fiber, can boost the immune system and help it fight cancer better, especially when combined with exercise.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants take beta-glucan or a placebo daily for 4 weeks and visit the laboratory for three exercise tests
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including a washout phase
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Beta-glucan
Trial Overview
Researchers are testing whether taking beta-glucan daily for four weeks and engaging in bouts of exercise can enhance the immune system's ability to recognize cancer cells compared to a placebo.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
375mg of beta-glucan is provided daily for 4 weeks.
375mg of cellulose daily for 4 weeks.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Florida State University
Lead Sponsor
Citations
β-glucan: a potent adjuvant in immunotherapy for digestive ...
β-glucan, an immunomodulatory agent, has exhibited promising anti-tumor efficacy in preclinical studies involving colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ...
Fungal beta-glucans as adjuvants for treating cancer patients
Most of the trials pointed that concomitant administration of β-glucan with chemo or radiotherapy reduced the immune depression caused by such treatments and/or ...
Glucan Supplementation Has Strong Anti-melanoma Effects
We found that glucan supplementation had a strong-positive effect in both reducing tumor weight, lung colonies and overall survival rate of tested animals.
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portlandpress.com
portlandpress.com/bioscirep/article/44/1/BSR20231686/233829/Potential-promising-anticancer-applications-ofPotential promising anticancer applications of β-glucans
Studies have indicated that they can inhibit cancer cell growth, induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells, and impede the formation of new blood ...
β‑glucan vaccine adjuvant approach for cancer treatment ...
β-glucans have been demonstrated to effectively modify the tumour microenvironment, resulting in significant reduction of primary tumour growth ...
The effects of β-glucan on human immune and cancer cells
The median survival of the 3F8 plus β-glucan group was 5.5-fold higher than that of the control groups, and up to 47% of the mice remained ...
Comparison of Commercially Available β-glucans – Part IV
Our data showed that glucan supplementation significantly reduced both the weight of primary tumors and the number of lung colonies. In our previous study of ...
Fungal beta-glucans as adjuvants for treating cancer patients
Conclusions. It was observed that the administration of β-glucan is safe and well-tolerated. Most of the trials pointed that concomitant ...
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