β-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans augments the anti-tumor immune responses through activated tumor-associated dendritic cells

This preclinical study evaluated Aureobasidium pullulans-derived beta-glucan in several mouse tumor models and in immune-cell assays. Administration limited the growth of transplanted tumors in the tested mice. Tumor-associated dendritic cells showed higher expression of co-stimulatory molecules, while tumor-resident T cells showed increased cytolytic and inflammatory activity. Additional assays suggested improved dendritic-cell priming of antigen-specific T-cell responses. The findings support a possible immune-adjuvant mechanism, but they were obtained in laboratory and animal models and do not demonstrate effectiveness or safety as a cancer treatment in humans.