Researchers at Sweden's Lund Univeristy are studying the possibility that a fungal compound from decaying trees may treat aggressive prostate cancer.

The compound, galiellalactone, originates in the bowl-shaped multi colored mushroom Galiella rufa found growing in clusters on old, decaying wood in the eastern US.

Earlier German research had been studying fungal extracts for their ability to disrupt signalling pathways in human cells and the Swedish team realized that this pathway was being used by prostate cancer tumors.

The Swedish research has determined that galiellalactone has been found to slow and/or stop the growth of prostate cancer cells resistant to radiation and hormone therapy in both laboratory and animal experiments, and hope to adapt the substance synthetically to make it even more potent in its anti-cancer effects.

Analysis: The use of naturally occurring substances to fight disease has been going on for centuries. The application of synthetic development of substances like galiellalactone could result in the development of a cure for many diseases like prostate cancer.

This is early research, thus cannot be counted on as a cure. The chemical is still being developed, and it needs human testing for side effects and efficacy, but the news is still exciting.

Source: Fungal compound to combat prostate cancer?. The Swedish Research Council.