Synergistic Potential of Ganoderma lucidum Extracts and Probiotic-Derived Postbiotics in Modulating Antitumor Responses: A Review

Extracts of Ganoderma lucidum and postbiotics derived from probiotics have attracted particular interest as emerging natural adjuvants for cancer prevention and therapy because their complementary properties can modulate antitumor responses and enhance anticancer immunity. Bioactive constituents of Ganoderma lucidum, especially polysaccharides and triterpenoids, contribute to tumor growth and metastasis inhibition by activating natural killer cells, enhancing macrophage function, increasing cytotoxic CD۸+ T-cell populations, and modulating the Th۱/Treg balance. Concurrently, postbiotics promote an antitumor immune milieu by producing short-chain fatty acids, strengthening intestinal barrier integrity, reducing chronic inflammation, and modulating the gut microbiota. The potential synergy between these two approaches derives from their ability to target multiple nodes of the gut-immune-tumor axis, thereby amplifying antitumor immunity and reducing immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment. This narrative review searched and analyzed PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from ۲۰۱۰ to ۲۰۲۶ using relevant keywords. It aims to provide a conceptual framework for the synergistic potential of these two interventions in cancer. Although concurrent studies directly assessing synergy remain limited, current evidence suggests that integrating Ganoderma lucidum extracts and probiotic-derived postbiotics may offer a novel strategy for developing functional foods, anticancer nutraceuticals, and adjunctive interventions in cancer immunotherapy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ganoderma lucidum ، Postbiotics ، Synergy ، Antitumor response ، Cancer immunotherapy