An exotic mushroon could be a secret weapon in the fight against cancer, according to research by the University of Boston.

The study shows that the Phellinus linteus mushroom, used for centuries in eastern Asian medicine, may improve the effects of a chemotherapy drug.

The mushroom was tested on prostate cells and was found to increase the number of cancer cells killed when combined with anti-cancer drug doxorubicin, according to a report in the British Journal of Cancer.

Dr Chang-Yan, of Boston University School of Medicine, said: “This species of mushroom has been reported to have some degree of activity in cancer patients.”