Astragalus Polysaccharide

Immune-modulating polysaccharide that improves NK activity and T-cell balance; human data suggest less fatigue and better chemo tolerance. Telomere support is adjunctive (mainly with saponin-rich extracts), not cytotoxic.

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👥⭐⭐⭐ Moderate — Human pilot/phase 2 data for fatigue and immune modulation; cancer-control signals mainly from combination formulas; higher-quality trials needed.APSAstragalus membranaceus polysaccharidePG2 (injectable APS)

Forms: APS standardized powder/capsules (oral) · PG2 injectable (clinical product; studied with chemotherapy) · Astragalus root extracts (mixed polysaccharides + saponins; variable)

Educational only, not medical advice. OncoForge makes no claim that Astragalus Polysaccharide treats, prevents, or cures any condition, beyond what the linked studies show. Evidence levels vary; effects may not translate to people, and some compounds can cause harm. Always coordinate with your oncology team.

Simple Summary

APS steadies the immune system during treatment—lifting NK function and improving T-cell balance—with human studies showing less fatigue and better tolerance to chemo. Think of it as immune support used alongside standard care; any telomere support is adjunctive, not tumor-killing.

Evidence at a glance

Tier 3 · early humanNSCLC (adjunct)Gastric (adjunct)Mixed solid tumors (supportive)

Pilot and phase 2 human data support fatigue/immune modulation; combination oncology signals exist but higher-quality monotherapy trials are limited.

How it may work

Astragalus polysaccharides (APS, including the injectable PG2) modulate immunity by increasing CD4+ T cells and NK-cell activity, rebalancing Treg/Th17 and Th1/Th2 responses, and helping restore the CD4/CD8 ratio. Via anti-inflammatory signaling (e.g., lower IL-6 and TNF-α), APS has reduced chemotherapy-related fatigue and toxicity in small trials. Astragalus extracts rich in saponins (e.g., astragaloside IV/cycloastragenol) can activate telomerase and support telomere maintenance; this is telomere-related support rather than direct cytotoxicity. Evidence for tumor control is mostly from Astragalus-containing formulas used alongside chemotherapy.

Targets & pathways

Curated mechanistic targets reported for this agent — how it may act on cells, not proof of a clinical effect.

NK cytotoxicity↑
CD4+ T-cell count↑
CD4/CD8 ratio↑Immune balance restoration
Treg/Th17 balance↔Rebalancing rather than depletion
Th1/Th2 balance↔
IL-6↓
TNF-α↓
Chemotherapy tolerance↑Fatigue/toxicity signals in trials
hTERT activity↑Primarily with saponin-rich extracts (astragaloside IV/cycloastragenol)

TelomereTregsNK Activation

Often studied / combined with

Combinations reported in the literature, not a protocol or a recommendation.

Chemotherapy: Supportive care signals (fatigue/toxicity ↓); coordinate with oncology.
β-Glucans (e.g., Turkey Tail, Agaricus): Complementary innate immune activation; monitor for autoimmune risk.

Overlapping mechanisms

NK ↑, Treg Mod: Avoid stacking many strong immune stimulants in autoimmune-prone patients.

Safety & interactions

Severity and how well-established each signal is are shown separately. Verify everything with your oncologist or pharmacist — absence here does not mean safe.

Risk categories

Diarrhea RiskImmunostimulant Autoimmune CautionPregnancy AvoidInjection Risk

Potential interactions

immunosuppressants_rxAntagonizeModerateTheoreticalImmune-stimulating effects can oppose corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants.
checkpoint inhibitorsMonitorMinorTheoreticalPotentially complementary immune activation; monitor for immune-related AEs.
chemotherapy (supportive use)CoordinateTheoreticalMost signals are as an adjunct; align with infusion cycles and clinic guidance.

Timing

With-meal: Improves GI tolerance (oral APS).
Per-oncologist: PG2/adjunct schedules per chemo plan.

References

Research

No published studies for Astragalus Polysaccharide yet

New studies appear here once they’ve been reviewed. Browse all studies.

Dose: as studied, not a recommendation

These are doses as studied or reported, never a recommendation. The right amount of Astragalus Polysaccharide depends on you, your other medicines, and your situation; decide it with your oncology team and pharmacist, not from a web page.

Ranges seen in adjunct / practice use: 250–500 mg (IV/oral) No universal oncology-standard oral dose; products vary in APS %. Most human oncology data use PG2 IV (250–500 mg per infusion)., Follow standardized-label APS content for oral products; divide with meals. PG2 IV dosing in trials commonly 250–500 mg per infusion, 3×/week in 4-week cycles..

Trials studying Astragalus Polysaccharide

1 recruiting on ClinicalTrials.gov. Recruiting is not the same as proven. Search ClinicalTrials.gov →

Clinical Outcomes of Treatment With Immunomodulator Plus Cancer Therapies for Patients With Colorectal Cancer
NCT06557668Recruiting

Trials studying Astragalus Polysaccharide

Loading current trials from ClinicalTrials.gov… Search ClinicalTrials.gov →

Inclusion here is not an endorsement. OncoForge makes no claim beyond what the linked studies show. Discuss anything on this page with your oncology team before acting on it.

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