The effect of oral consumption of shark cartilage on the cellular immune responses of cancer patients

Background: Shark cartilage is one of the complementary medicines for cancer patients that inhibits tumor progression by several mechanisms. There is not sufficient evidence on its effects on human immune system thereby we investigated its modulatory effects on some cellular immune response parameters in breast cancer patients. Material and methods: After preparation of shark cartilage powder and its distribution in capsules, drug packages were coded. Test group patients consumed shark cartilage and control group consumed starch capsules according to the specified protocol, along with hormone therapy. Blood samples were taken before and after treatment. After isolating and culturing mononuclear cells, the quantity of IL4, IFNγ, as well as CD4+T/CD8+T percentage and ratio were evaluated by ELISA, and Flow cytometry techniques. Results: After treatment, there was a significant increase in the quantity of IFNγ, lymphocyte proliferation and CD4T/CD8T ratio in test group patients, while there was not a significant change in these parameters in control group. Conclusion: It seems that shark cartilage could help strengthen cellular immunity which is important in tumor regression in breast cancer patients. So we suppose that it could be a good candidate for cancer treatment along with conventional medicine.