As explained by one of the authors of the study, male sex hormones androgens promote the growth of prostate cancer cells by binding to receptors that are secreted by prostate cells. White champignons suppress the activity of androgen receptors.

Previously, scientists have already conducted clinical trials of white mushrooms on patients with recurrent prostate cancer. It turned out that the fungi reduce the levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood with minimal side effects. An elevated PSA level in the blood in men may indicate the presence of a prostate tumor.

The new study, on the other hand, has helped scientists understand the mechanisms that underlie this effect. The work was carried out on mice.