Reishi Mushroom Extract for Fatigue and/or Arthralgias/Myalgias in Patients With Breast Cancer on Aromatase Inhibitors

NCT ID: NCT06028022

Last Updated: 2025-12-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

80 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2023-10-18

Study Completion Date

2026-10-16

Brief Summary

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This phase II trial tests how well Reishi mushroom extract works in treating fatigue and/or joint/muscle pain (arthralgias/myalgias) in patients with breast cancer on aromatase inhibitors. Fatigue and arthralgias/myalgias are common symptoms in breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitors (AI). Given the long duration of AI treatment for some women (up to 10 years), these symptoms can significantly impact quality of life and premature discontinuation of AIs, a beneficial medication. Reishi mushrooms are among several medicinal mushrooms that have been used for hundreds of years, mainly in Asian countries, to help enhance the immune system, reduce stress, improve sleep, and lessen fatigue. Reishi mushroom extracts have not been studied explicitly for treatment-induced arthralgias/myalgias, but have been shown to improve quality of life, muscular strength, pain, and flexibility. Information from this study may help researchers determine the effect of Reishi mushroom extract on fatigue and arthralgias/myalgias in breast cancer patients receiving an AI.

Detailed Description

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PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To evaluate the efficacy of 1,000 mg three times daily (TID) of Reishi mushroom extracts as therapy for cancer-related fatigue measured by uniscale measurement at the end of four weeks.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To evaluate the efficacy of Reishi mushroom extracts as therapy for cancer-related arthralgias at the end of four weeks and four weeks after cross-over as measured by the Brief Pain index (BPI)-adapted for AI associated arthralgias.

II. To evaluate the effect of Reishi mushroom extracts on cancer-related quality of life (QOL), as measured by uniscale, at the end of four weeks and four weeks after cross-over.

III. To evaluate the efficacy of Reishi mushroom extracts on mood, as assessed by the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) item well-being scale, at the end of four weeks and four weeks after cross-over.

IV. To evaluate treatment toxicity between the two treatment arms, as measured by a patient symptom experience diary and weekly calls from the study team.

V. To evaluate the interest, knowledge, and acceptance of integrative treatments for cancer-related symptoms.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Patients receive Reishi mushroom extract orally (PO) TID on days 1-28 for weeks 1-4 and then placebo PO TID on days 1-28 for weeks 5-8 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

ARM II: Patients receive placebo PO TID on days 1-28 for weeks 1-4 and Reishi mushroom extract PO TID on days 1-28 for weeks 5-8 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 30 days.

Conditions

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Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Carcinoma

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Arm I (Reishi mushroom extract, placebo)

Patients receive Reishi mushroom extract PO TID on days 1-28 for weeks 1-4 and then placebo PO TID on days 1-28 for weeks 5-8 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Mushroom Extract

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Given Reishi mushroom extract PO

Placebo Administration

Intervention Type DRUG

Given PO

Quality-of-Life Assessment

Intervention Type OTHER

Ancillary studies

Questionnaire Administration

Intervention Type OTHER

Ancillary studies

Arm II (placebo, Reishi mushroom extract)

Patients receive placebo PO TID on days 1-28 for weeks 1-4 and Reishi mushroom extract PO TID on days 1-28 for weeks 5-8 in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Mushroom Extract

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Given Reishi mushroom extract PO

Placebo Administration

Intervention Type DRUG

Given PO

Quality-of-Life Assessment

Intervention Type OTHER

Ancillary studies

Questionnaire Administration

Intervention Type OTHER

Ancillary studies

Interventions

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Mushroom Extract

Given Reishi mushroom extract PO

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo Administration

Given PO

Intervention Type DRUG

Quality-of-Life Assessment

Ancillary studies

Intervention Type OTHER

Questionnaire Administration

Ancillary studies

Intervention Type OTHER

Other Intervention Names

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Agaricus bisporus Extract Cultivated Mushroom Quality of Life Assessment

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age ≥ 18 years
* History of breast cancer, estrogen receptor positive (ER+), Her 2 positive or negative
* Fatigue ≥ 4/10
* Currently post-menopausal (as defined by National Comprehensive Cancer Network (version 4.2024), taking any aromatase inhibitor in the curative setting and planning to be on such for at least 8 weeks after registration. \[Patients on concurrent ovarian suppression (such as with leuprolide acetate, goserelin) are allowed\]; CDK 4/6 inhibitors abemaciclib, ribociclib ARE allowed
* Prior treatment: last chemotherapy ≥ 90 days prior to randomization (if treated with chemotherapy)
* On a stable dose of pain medications if pain medications are being regularly used. (i.e., no change in dosage in the past 30 days)
* If on supplements, must be on stable dose with no plan to change; not on or planning any acupuncture or other specific supportive modalities for fatigue or AI arthralgias
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0, 1 or 2
* White blood cell count (WBC) ≥ 3,000/mm\^3 (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to randomization)
* Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to randomization)
* Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to randomization)
* Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to randomization)
* Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) ≤ 1.2 x ULN (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to randomization)
* Prothrombin time (PT)/activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) ≤ 1.5 x ULN (obtained ≤ 30 days prior to randomization)
* Negative pregnancy test done ≤ 7 days prior to registration, for persons on concurrent ovarian suppression only
* Provide informed consent
* Ability to complete questionnaires
* Willing to return to enrolling institution during the active monitoring phase of the study
* Patients who have had a recent surgery or procedure should be healed and cleared by their clinician and/or surgeon per local standards, prior to registration

Exclusion Criteria

* Other known uncontrolled medical conditions causing fatigue such as untreated thyroid disease, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, infection, autoimmune disease, or active/untreated hepatitis
* Allergy to mushrooms
* On anticoagulation medication or aspirin or having a known bleeding disorder
* On any specific medication for fatigue (e.g., methylphenidate)
* Metastatic cancer diagnosis (history of nodal metastases is allowed)
* Chronic steroid use, unless on physiologic replacement doses
* Current use of any medical mushrooms
* On medications for diabetes
* History of symptomatic hypotension
* Taking CYP3A4, CYP2D6 sensitive substrates which can be located at the following link:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-interactions-labeling/healthcare-professionals-fdas-examples-drugs-interact-cyp-enzymes-and-transporter-systems

* Drugs which exhibit either \>20% inhibition or \>20% induction of CYP2E1 in vivo, such as: Acetaminophen, Dapsone, Enflurane, Halothane, Isoflurane, \& Theophylline
* Taking olaparib
* Any of the following because this study involves an agent that has unknown genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects:

* Pregnant persons
* Nursing persons
* Persons on concurrent ovarian suppression who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception (e.g., hormonal methods, barrier methods, intrauterine device, abstinence)
* Planned surgery or procedure during time on study and ≤ 14 days after last dose, due to bleeding risks
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Mayo Clinic

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Stacy D. D'Andre, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Locations

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Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea

Albert Lea, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Baxter Clinic

Baxter, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Sanford Joe Lueken Cancer Center

Bemidji, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Saint Joseph's Medical Center

Brainerd, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Deer River Clinic

Deer River, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Saint Mary's - Detroit Lakes Clinic

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Cancer Center

Duluth, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Ely Clinic

Ely, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Fosston

Fosston, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Fairview Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital

Grand Rapids, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Hibbing Clinic

Hibbing, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Fairview Range Medical Center

Hibbing, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health International Falls Clinic

International Falls, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Mankato

Mankato, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

MMCORC CentraCare Monticello Cancer Center

Monticello, Minnesota, United States

Site Status COMPLETED

Essentia Health Moose Lake

Moose Lake, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Park Rapids

Park Rapids, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Fairview Northland Medical Center

Princeton, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Sandstone

Sandstone, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center

Thief River Falls, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Essentia Health Virginia Clinic

Virginia, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Sanford Worthington Medical Center

Worthington, Minnesota, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Clinical Trials Referral Office

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 855-776-0015

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Clinical Trials Referral Office

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, M.D.

Role: primary

Jarrett Failing, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Aparna Basu, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Aparna Basu, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, M.D.

Role: primary

Clinical Trials Referral Office

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Aparna Basu, MD

Role: primary

Clinical Trials Referral Office

Role: primary

Bret E. Friday, MD

Role: primary

Amit Panwalkar, MD

Role: primary

Bret Friday, MD

Role: primary

Jonathan Bleeker, MD

Role: primary

Related Links

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Other Identifiers

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NCI-2023-06578

Identifier Type: REGISTRY

Identifier Source: secondary_id

MC221002

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

23-005266

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

MNCCTN032

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

MC221002

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id