The present invention relates to a composition for the enhancement of immune responses and the treatment of cancers, wherein the composition comprises as an active ingredient Paecilomycesi cicadae mycelium extracts having an activity of stimulating the maturation of immature dendritic cells (DCs). The Paecilomycesi cicadae mycelium extracts of the invention stimulate functional activation (reduced endocytosis and increased expression of IL-12) as well as induce the phenotypic activation of immature DCs (increased expression of MHC-I, MHC-II, CD80 and CD86). Further, the maturation-induced DCs after treated by the extracts of the invention increase the expression of IL-12, a cytokine induced by Th1 immue responses, induce the proliferation of allogenic T cells, and stimulate the production of IFN- and IL-2 from T cells, thereby activating Th1 immune responses. The extracts of the invention can be used for the enhancement of immune responses, and also developed as a formulation for cancer immunotherapy through the activation of Th1 immune responses.
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