Turbocharging the immune system: "Is it permissible to take immune-boosting herbs or mushroom extracts (e.g., caterpillar fungus, reishi mushroom) during immunotherapy, which allegedly boost the immune system?"
During treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (and other oncological immunotherapies), the use of so-called "immune-boosting" herbs and mushroom extracts (such as caterpillar fungus [Cordyceps] or reishi mushroom [Ganoderma lucidum]) is generally not recommended and requires serious caution. Current clinical trial and literature databases have not provided reliable clinical studies that would verify the safety or efficacy of these agents alongside immunotherapy. The main theoretical and clinical risk is that non-specific stimulation of the immune system may exacerbate the severe, immune-mediated side effects of the treatment (autoimmune-type organ damage, such as pneumonitis, colitis, or hepatitis), and that herbal and mushroom extracts may interact with the metabolism of drugs. Any use of dietary supplements must be discussed in advance with the treating physician and oncologist.