Lentinan vs LL-37
Mushroom-derived β-glucan polysaccharide with potent immunomodulatory and antitumor properties approved for cancer therapy in Japan
Human cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide (37 amino acids) that disrupts bacterial membranes at MIC 0.62 μM against S. aureus, neutralizes endotoxin (LPS) to prevent septic shock, and has reached Phase II clinical trials as Ropocamptide for wound healing — achieving 6-fold accelerated healing at 0.5 mg/mL in venous leg ulcers
Written by Michael Carroll — Owner, Director of Research · Reviewed by the Peptide Initiative Research Team · Editorial standards
Quick comparison
Dose range
Lentinan
2–2 mg
LL-37
1.6–1.6 mg/mL
Frequency
Lentinan
Once weekly
LL-37
Once daily
Administration
Lentinan
Intravenous infusion
LL-37
Topical application (wound healing)
Cycle length
Lentinan
8-12 weeks
LL-37
12+ weeks
Onset speed
Lentinan
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
LL-37
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence level
Lentinan
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
LL-37
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
Benefit ratings
Immune
Healing & Recovery
Anti-Aging
Wound Healing
Fighting Infections
Immune Boost
Compound specifications
Lentinan
Molecular formula
(C6H10O5)n (repeating glucose units)
Molecular weight
~500,000 g/mol (varies by preparation)
Half-life
Approximately 15-30 minutes (IV administration)
Bioavailability
100% (intravenous administration)
CAS number
37339-90-5
LL-37
Molecular formula
C205H340N60O53
Molecular weight
4,493.26 Da
Half-life
Short systemic half-life (minutes) due to protease susceptibility; local tissue persistence at wound sites is longer due to binding to extracellular matrix components and lipid membranes
Bioavailability
Topical application achieves high local wound-bed concentrations; systemic bioavailability limited by rapid proteolytic degradation and serum protein binding; not intended for oral delivery
CAS number
154947-66-7
Dosing compared
Lentinan
Intravenous
1 mg per dose
Twice weekly · Continued alongside chemotherapy cycles
Established clinical regimen in Japan (approved 1985 as a biological response modifier for gastric cancer): 1 mg IV twice weekly combined with chemotherapy such as tegafur or 5-FU [1][6].
2 mg per dose
Once weekly (some protocols every 2-3 weeks) · Continued alongside chemotherapy cycles
Alternative approved IV schedule: 2 mg once weekly; more recent protocols give 2 mg every 2-3 weeks. Used as an immunomodulatory adjunct to S-1/tegafur-based chemotherapy in advanced/recurrent gastric cancer [1][6].
LL-37
Topical
0.5 mg/mL gel
Twice weekly · 4 weeks
Lowest dose in the LL-37 (ropocamptide) Phase I/IIa venous leg-ulcer trial and the most effective: ~6-fold faster healing and ~68% ulcer-area reduction vs placebo, applied to the wound twice weekly [4].
1.6 mg/mL gel
Twice weekly · 4 weeks
Mid dose in the same trial; ~3-fold improvement and ~50% area reduction vs placebo. The highest tested concentration (3.2 mg/mL) showed no benefit over placebo, so dose escalation above this is not supported [4].
Best suited for
Lentinan
Advanced Gastric Cancer
Lentinan's primary and best-studied indication is as an adjuvant to chemotherapy for unresectable and recurrent gastric cancer. A multi-institutional randomized trial demonstrated significantly extended survival (297 vs 199 days median) and dramatically improved one-year survival rates (49.1% vs 0%) [1].
Lung Cancer Adjuvant Therapy
A 12-year review of clinical studies in China demonstrated that lentinan combined with chemotherapy improves outcomes in lung cancer patients, [9] with a meta-analysis confirming increased chemotherapy efficacy and improved quality of life [10].
Cancer Patients Needing Quality of Life Support
Clinical trials consistently show lentinan improves patient quality of life during cancer treatment, particularly appetite and sleep quality, while reducing the toxic side effects of chemotherapy and enabling treatment continuity [1][10].
Immunocompromised Patients
Phase 1/2 clinical trials in HIV-positive patients have explored lentinan's ability to enhance immune function when combined with antiretroviral therapy, though this application remains investigational [7][8].
LL-37
Treatment of chronic non-healing wounds including venous leg ulcers and diabetic ulcers
LL-37 is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on treatment of chronic non-healing wounds including venous leg ulcers and diabetic ulcers. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Immune defense against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections (MRSA, Pseudomonas)
LL-37 is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on immune defense against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections (mrsa, pseudomonas). Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Anti-biofilm strategies for chronic wound infections and medical device-associated infections
LL-37 is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on anti-biofilm strategies for chronic wound infections and medical device-associated infections. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Boosting innate immune defense in immunocompromised or aging individuals
LL-37 is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on boosting innate immune defense in immunocompromised or aging individuals. Research and clinical experience suggest meaningful benefits in this area when used as part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Side effects
Lentinan
Common
- Fever and chills
- Infusion site discomfort
- Transient fatigue
- Nausea
Uncommon
- Chest tightness or back pain
- Granulocytopenia
Serious
- Anaphylaxis
- Severe allergic reaction / Anaphylaxis
LL-37
Common
- Local site irritation
- Transient stinging or burning
- Mild perilesional erythema
- Increased wound exudate
Uncommon
- Allergic contact reaction
Serious
- Hemolytic activity at systemic concentrations
Safety & evidence
Lentinan
Evidence level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
Lentinan is a beta-1,3-glucan polysaccharide (not a true peptide) extracted from shiitake mushroom with a 40-year safety record in Japanese and Asian oncology practice. Parenteral lentinan shows excellent tolerability as an immune adjuvant [7] with minimal systemic toxicity—hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity are essentially absent in clinical use. Fever and localized reactions at injection sites (5-15% of patients) are the documented side effects. The compound works through pattern recognition receptors (Dectin-1, TLR-2) to enhance NK cell and macrophage function without inducing autoimmunity [2].
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to lentinan or shiitake mushroom components
- History of anaphylactic reactions to β-glucan polysaccharides
- Severe immunosuppression where immune activation is contraindicated
- Active autoimmune disease in flare (immune stimulation could worsen)
LL-37
Evidence level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA status
Research compound
Safety overview
LL-37 is an endogenous cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide naturally produced by immune cells and epithelial tissues, conferring inherent biocompatibility and low toxicity at physiological concentrations. Synthetic LL-37 shows excellent safety in in vitro immune assays and animal models with no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, or genotoxicity at relevant doses. At elevated concentrations, the cationic amphipathic structure can cause hemolysis and cell membrane damage, but therapeutic doses are far below these thresholds. Injection site reactions are minimal in research applications.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to cathelicidin peptides or formulation components
- Active hemolytic conditions — LL-37 demonstrates concentration-dependent hemolytic activity
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — insufficient reproductive safety data from clinical trials
- Severe renal impairment — peptide clearance may be altered
Which is right for you?
Choose Lentinan if...
- Adjunctive cancer therapy (especially gastric cancer)
- Immune system enhancement during chemotherapy
- Improving quality of life for cancer patients
- Supporting immune function in immunocompromised individuals
Choose LL-37 if...
- Treatment of chronic non-healing wounds including venous leg ulcers and diabetic ulcers
- Immune defense against antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections (MRSA, Pseudomonas)
- Anti-biofilm strategies for chronic wound infections and medical device-associated infections
- Boosting innate immune defense in immunocompromised or aging individuals