Previous findings have led the researchers to proceed to the next stage, a clinical trial of the agent’s ability to improve immune function among patients with MDS. The protocol was recently approved by the FDA and by Memorial Sloan-Kettering’s Institutional Review Board.

MDS refers to a group of closely-related diseases that arise in the bone marrow from hematopoietic stem cells, the immature cells from which all blood cells develop. In patients with MDS, the bone marrow stops making healthy blood cells and instead produces abnormal, poorly functioning blood cells. MDS can affect red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (which fight infection) or platelets (which prevent bleeding), or any combination of the three. Approximately 15,000 to 20,000 new cases of MDS are diagnosed each year in the United States.”

“Using this extract for our Phase II clinical trial is essential for study consistency, as it was used in our Phase 1 studies,” said Barrie Cassileth, Chief of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. “We are pleased to continue our research in the promising area of medicinal mushrooms and MDS. Past research in this area has warranted further investigation. We look forward seeing continued progress.”

Popularity of the Maitake mushroom extract continues to grow in the United States, as does public interest in credible clinical research. Maitake is the Japanese name for the edible Grifola frondosa mushroom, also known as Hen of the Woods, which has been used for centuries as a dietary supplement in Japan and China. Previous studies published in major medical journals have shown that Maitake mushroom extract is beneficial for supporting a healthy immune system and cellular health.

“We are proud of the high consistency and supreme quality of our patented Maitake extract. It is an honor that our U.S.-patented product alone has been selected again by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,” said Kazunori Kameyama, CEO and Director of Yukiguni Maitake Corp. of America.

The Maitake 404 Extract (produced in accordance with U.S. Patent 5,854,404) is provided to Memorial Sloan-Kettering by Yukiguni Maitake Company Ltd., which provides financial support for this trial, and its sole North American marketing partner The Tradeworks Group, Inc. of Brattleboro, VT. The 404 extract is marketed and sold under the federally registered trademark MaitakeGold 404.

For additional information, visit www.yukigunimaitake.com, or www.maitakegold.com.

Yukiguni Maitake Company Ltd., headquartered in Niigata, Japan with. subsidiaries in the U.S. is the world’s largest cultivator of premium maitake mushrooms and patented extracts, produced to the highest industry standards in state-of-the-art ISO and Kosher certified facilities. It is thepreferred source for maitake extracts among leading research facilities and U.S. government agencies, as well as by dietary supplement manufacturers and the culinary industry.

Yukiguni’ imported and patented high quality dried maitake powde and the patented maitake extrac are currently available to the trade through its U.S. subsidiary, as well as its Vermont- based U.S. sales affiliate, The Tadework Group, Inc. The patented extract is distributed as MaitakeGold404® and is experiencing steady and consistent sales expansion.