Turkey tail mushroom extract killed melanoma cancer cells in lab tests, with the mycelium (root structure) being significantly more potent than the fruiting body. It triggered cancer cell death through multiple mechanisms and slowed cancer cell migration, suggesting potential as a melanoma treatment—but this is early-stage lab work, not yet tested in humans.

Researchers exposed human melanoma cancer cells to turkey tail mushroom extracts in petri dishes and measured how effectively the extracts killed the cancer cells and disrupted their behavior.

Funding not disclosed in abstract