Pharmacological and therapeutic inventory of fungi in cancertherapy—A comprehensive review

Cancer remains one of the foremost causes of death worldwide. Despite advancements in pharmaceutical therapies, patients continue to experience adverse effects. Consequently, there is a considerable interest in exploring mushrooms as a supplemental cancer treatment. In Asian countries, edible and medicinal mushrooms have long been consumed in both culinary practices and herbal remedies. Their health and nutritional benefits have also garnered rising attention in Europe. Food-grade mushrooms have a variety of pharmacological properties, including soothing and immunomodulating effects, and are associated with abundant therapeutic benefits. The primary mechanisms behind their anticancer activity comprise immune system improvement, cell cycle arrest, regulation of apoptosis, prevention of metastasis, and inhibition of cancer cell growth. Here, we thoroughly review the anticancer activities of several culinary and medicinal mushrooms, as well as some endophytic fungi, with a particular focus on potential bioactive compounds and their molecular mechanisms.