Mushrooms as potent autophagy modulators in cancer therapy: Current evidence and therapeutic prospects

Highlights

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  Mushroom compounds (e.g., Ganoderic Acid DM, Cordycepin) modulate autophagy via phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in 15 types of cancer.

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  Mushroom compounds target autophagy’s dual cancer role (early suppression, late promotion) for context-specific therapy.

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  Ganoderma lucidum and Antrodia cinnamomea modulate autophagy preclinically, enhance chemosensitivity in colorectal, lung and breast cancer.

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  Mushroom compounds synergize with standard therapies via autophagy modulation.

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  Clinical trials and preparation of standardized extracts are needed to use the mushroom’s autophagy potential in cancer therapies.