Provided herein are methods for predicting the response of a subject to administration of a glucan prior to said administration, comprising in one embodiment: isolating at least one cell from the subject, wherein the cell is capable of being stimulated by the glucan contacting the at least one cell with the glucan and incubating for a period of time and under suitable conditions sufficient to stimulate the cell(s) thereby inducing a change in the level of expression, activity and/or secretion of one or more biomarkers from the cell(s) and determining the level of expression and/or secretion of the at least biomarker, wherein the level of expression, activity and/or secretion is predictive of the response of the subject to administration of the glucan.
