Immune System Support & Cancer-Fighting Benefits of Astragalus
Astragalus is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancer. It is also commonly used by patients undergoing conventional Western cancer therapy. In fact, astragalus has been included on a list of beneficial herbs and nutrients constructed by leading researchers and clinicians on the Clinical Practice Committee of The Society of Integrative Oncology. 138
Astragalus is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cancer. It is also commonly used by patients undergoing conventional Western cancer therapy. In fact, astragalus has been included on a list of beneficial herbs and nutrients constructed by leading researchers and clinicians on the Clinical Practice Committee of The Society of Integrative Oncology. 72
Finally, astragalus and its compounds appear to have direct effects against cancer cells. These include: 138-140
- Suppression of factors that initiate cancer.
- Inhibited proliferation of cancer cells.
- Preventing the formation of new blood vessels that promote cancer growth.
- Increased cancer cell death.
- Blocked migration of cancer cells.
Immunotherapy Effects of Astragalus
Our immune system cells produce proteins that are crucial to the body's ability to fight infection and halt disease—including cancer. Astragalus enhances the function of these immune system cells and helps regulate the proteins they produce. Conversely, where some immune system cells are over-produced in certain cancers, astragalus inhibits their production. In turn, the immune system is better able to prevent and fight cancer. 98, 138
In fact, one such protein—rIL-2 cytokine—is used as a type of cancer treatment called immunotherapy. Lab studies show that rIL-2 generates promotes a type of immune system cell (LAK) that destroys kidney and melanoma cancer cells. However, even though our bodies produce rIL-2, large doses of this protein have proven to be extremely toxic to cancer patients. 72
Astragalus can help resolve the toxicity problem. Studies indicate that when administered with rIL-2, astragalus enhances the cytokine's production of LAKs so powerfully that much lower doses of it can be used. Results from lab studies have shown that 1/10th the dose of rIL-2 with astragalus extract was actually more effective than the larger dose against a melanoma cancer cell line. 72
Exciting new research is now underway developing cancer vaccines that incorporate astragalus. Animal studies show that these herbal-antigen combinations improve the effectiveness of cancer vaccines by boosting the immune system response to tumor cells. 141
Increased Chemotherapy Efficacy and Immune System Support
One of the side effects of chemotherapy can be a weakened immune system. This can result in: 23, 25
- Weight loss
- Lower red and white blood cell counts (which increases risk of infection)
- Exhaustion
Results of clinical trials suggest that the beneficial effects of astragalus on the immune system can help. 23, 25
For example:
- In one clinical trial, patients were randomly assigned to a group given only chemotherapy or one given astragalus as well as chemotherapy. The astragalus group showed much better immune function than the control group. In addition, astragalus reduced toxic side effects and slowed tumor progression. 142
- In clinical studies, astragalus improved the quality of life for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. These studies involved patients with either advanced lung cancer or colon cancer. 25, 143
- In combination with ginseng, astragalus improved immune function in patients with suppressed immunity from esophageal cancer treatment. 24
Results of animal studies suggest that herbal medicine containing astragalus could relieve loss of appetite and weight loss caused by chemotherapy. Astragalus may also protect stem cells from damage caused by radiation treatment. 144, 145
Types of Cancer Astragalus May Help Treat
Lab, animal, case reports, and clinical studies suggest astragalus and its compounds may help prevent or treat a number of different types of cancer. These include:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia 146
- Bladder cancer 147
- Breast cancer 23
- Bladder cancer 148
- Colorectal cancer 25, 149
- Esophageal carcinoma 24
- Liver cancer 31, 32
- Lung cancer 26
- Melanoma skin cancer 30
- Multiple myeloma 150, 151
- Osteosarcoma 152
- Ovarian cancer 6
- Pancreatic cancer 27
- Prostate cancer 29
- Stomach cancer 28, 153
Safety Precaution for Cancer Patients Using Astragalus
Serious adverse side effects have not been reported in small clinical trials involving patients with cancer. However, experts recommend that patients using immunosuppressant drugs should not use astragalus. 138