A new study in Frontiers in Oncology has revealed a potential solution to fight stubborn human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Scientists from UTHealth Houston conducted a randomized controlled trial that showed how a special mushroom extract, AHCC® (Active Hexose Correlated Compound), can boost the immune system. This boost helps the body get rid of persistent HPV infections that have stuck around for two years or more. This discovery could revolutionize how we treat long-lasting high-risk HPV infections.
This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II study funded by the National Institutes of Health, has given hope to millions around the world who face challenges from long-lasting high-risk HPV strains. HPV vaccines like Gardasil protect against initial infection, but we lack good treatments for people who already carry ongoing infections, which can increase their chances of getting HPV-related cancers.
HPV, the most common transmitted infection in the United States, affects 43 million people those in their late teens and early 20s. Most HPV infections go away within two years, but about 10% of cases last longer than this.
Long-lasting HPV infections those from high-risk types, pose a significant threat. They can cause precancerous growths like cervical dysplasia and might turn into different cancers such as cervical, anal, throat, and others. The treatments we use now, like cryotherapy, cutting out, or using electric loops (LEEP) deal with precancerous spots. However, these methods don't tackle the ongoing HPV infection at its root.
AHCC is a unique Shiitake mushroom extract, ahcc mushroom extract, that is extracted from the mycelia, which are the root-like parts of the Lentinula edodes mushroom, otherwise known as the shiitake mushroom. It differs greatly from other mushroom supplements because of a patented process to break it down into lesser molecules for greater absorption and utilization by the body.
Much research has demonstrated that AHCC can help the immune system in a few pretty cool ways: it's associated with antioxidant effects and displays anti-cancer activity, while helping the body fight off viruses and bacteria by boosting macrophage activity and cytokine production.
UTHealth Houston researchers conducted a Phase II clinical trial involving 50 women. Participants were more than 30 years old and had persistent high-risk HPV infections for greater than two years. The study randomly divided the women into two groups. One group took 3 grams of AHCC on an empty stomach for six months and then switched to a placebo for the next six months. The other group was the control and received a placebo throughout the 12-month period.
The results were nothing short of amazing: of 41 women who completed the study, 63.6% (14 of 22) who received AHCC supplements tested HPV DNA-negative at six months. Of those, 64.3% (9 out of 14) remained HPV DNA-negative 12 months after they stopped taking the supplements. By comparison, only 10.5 percent (2 of 19) in the placebo group had cleared their HPV infection in the 12-month time frame.
When investigators combined these findings with an additional unblinded study of 12 subjects, they concluded that AHCC supplementation was successful in 58.8% for clearance of persistent HPV infections. These AHCC HPV success stories keep hope alive for a clandestine cure for HPV.
Scientists don't fully understand how AHCC helps clear HPV infections, but they think its ability to change the immune system is key. Studies show AHCC increases the number and activity of natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and T-cells. These immune cells are essential to fight off viruses and cancer.
It was also observed that reductions in interferon-beta (IFNβ) below 20 pg/mL were associated with significant increases in T-lymphocytes and interferon-gamma (IFNγ), as well as the sustained eradication of HPV DNA and HPV RNA in women subjects. The finding indicates a potentially helpful clinical way of treatment outcome monitoring when using AHCC combined with other therapies against HPV infection.
One of the most important advantages of using AHCC supplementation as a treatment for HPV is the safety profile. During the course of the clinical trial, investigators did not observe any significant adverse effects. The frequencies of minor side effects were the same in both the AHCC and placebo groups. That is a good safety record, assuring the continuation of further research into AHCC as another choice of treatment for persistent infections with HPV.
What we learned from this Phase II study could change how we deal with persistent HPV infections and maybe even stop HPV-related cancers. AHCC might help the immune system get rid of these tough infections by enhancing immune markers. This could lower the chance of getting precancerous growths and cancer later on.
More studies are needed to determine the best AHCC dosage for HPV and length of time to take AHCC supplements for long-lasting HPV clearance. Scientists should also look into whether AHCC could help with other HPV-related health issues, like genital warts and anal cancer. Also, the link between lower IFNβ levels and successful HPV DNA and HPV RNA clearance (HPV PCR - and PAP smear - )needs more research. This could become a useful way to track how well AHCC is working for each person's HPV treatment.
You can buy AHCC as a dietary supplement from many different companies. However, it is very important that you ensure what you are taking actually is the real thing. Only authentic AHCC® supplementation products have been used in clinical trials and proved effective in the clearance of HPV infections. The buyer should beware of fake products under different names, promising the same benefits as the best AHCC supplement for HPV. Authentic AHCC® products are subject to strict quality control, such as DNA pattern analysis, to ensure they conform to their identity and adhere to manufacturing regulations.
While the clinical trial looked at vaginal HPV infections, researchers have also studied how AHCC supplements might affect anal cancer survivors. Dr. Romesser, who treats anal cancer with radiation at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, says some anal cancer survivors might feel mild side effects, like itching around the anus when they start to take AHCC supplements.
Dr. Romesser advises anal cancer patients who have completed treatment to wait for all treatment-related side effects to subside before they start taking AHCC supplements. He also points out that some people may see their side effects decrease after a few weeks of regular AHCC use. This suggests that sticking with the supplements might pay off even if you experience mild negative effects at first.
AHCC holds promise as a supportive treatment for persistent HPV infections. Still, you should discuss it with your doctor before adding it to your treatment plan. Do not consider AHCC as a replacement for routine PAP smears, HPV DNA tests, HPV RNA tests, and treatments. Think of it more as an addition to help your immune system fight these infections and keep your cervix healthy.
Consult with doctors, dietitians, and pharmacists for guidance on using AHCC supplementation. They will help you understand the proper AHCC dosage for HPV and warn you of interactions they may have with other medications or supplements. The combining of forces with the health profession will empower you to make intelligent decisions regarding the eradicating of persistent HPV. Together, you can come up with a tailor-made plan which incorporates AHCC into your approach toward the management of HPV.
These new data from the UTHealth Houston study have shed light on AHCC as a potentially new treatment option for persistent HPV infections. This way, the special extract of mushroom may help vigorously through changing immunity by immune modulation in people suffering from these difficult-to-discard infections and linked dangers of cancers related to HPV.
Further research is needed to work out all the mechanisms of action of the active hexose correlated compound HPV treatment and to optimize use, but this study is a huge step forward in the search for an effective and safe human papilloma virus infection medication. People with high-risk HPV can now hope for a future, forecast by scientists, whereby the goal of clearing HPV after age 30 and lowering cancer risk is finally achievable. AHCC and HPV research is leading the way toward a brighter, healthier future.
