Abstract: 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.