The Effect of Beta-glucan in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

AIM 2: Inclusion Criteria: * suspected or definitive diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) * treatment naive or no treatment within 6 months prior to enrollment * able to swallow pills * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 3 * absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at least 1500/microl * able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document Exclusion Criteria: * history of hypersensitivity reactions attributed to beta-glucan * currently receiving continuous corticosteroids or other ongoing immunosuppressive therapy * presence of an uncontrolled intercurrent illness including but not limited to: ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements AIM 3: Inclusion Criteria: * resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as determined by a thoracic surgeon * treatment naive * able to swallow pills * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 to 2 * must be an operative candidate * absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at least 1500/microl * able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document Exclusion Criteria: * history of hypersensitivity reactions attributed to beta-glucan * currently receiving continuous corticosteroids or other ongoing immunosuppressive therapy * presence of an uncontrolled intercurrent illness including but not limited to: ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements