Research
Mistletoe (Viscum album)
34 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Systematic assessment of the influence of quality of studies on mistletoe in cancer care on the results of a meta-analysis on overall survival.
Meta-analysis assessing the influence of study quality on mistletoe therapy in cancer care. The analysis included 28 publications with 28,298 patients and found a significant result in favor of mistletoe therapy overall, but not in higher quality studies.
Patient' and social aspects related to complementary mistletoe therapy in patients with breast cancer: A systematic review commissioned by the German agency for Health Technology Assessment.
Systematic review evaluating patient and social aspects of complementary mistletoe therapy in breast cancer patients. The review included 17 studies with 4765 patients and 869 healthcare professionals. Mistletoe therapy was used by 26.7% of patients, with predictors for use being younger age and higher educational level. Main reasons for use included leaving nothing untried and active involvement in treatment, while reasons against use were lack of knowledge or uncertainty regarding effectiveness and safety.
Systematic analysis of mistletoe prescriptions in clinical studies.
Systematic review of 102 publications involving 19,441 patients assessing mistletoe treatment in cancer care. The review found a variety of mistletoe extract types, applications, and dosage schedules, with no clear relationship between preparation, host tree, dosage, and cancer type.
Quality of life in cancer patients treated with mistletoe: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 26 publications with 30 data sets on mistletoe extracts as adjunct therapy for cancer patients. Mistletoe extracts showed a significant, medium-sized positive effect on quality of life, with stronger effects in younger patients and longer treatments. The studies were heterogeneous and had a high risk of bias.
Mistletoe in oncological treatment: a systematic review : Part 2: quality of life and toxicity of cancer treatment.
Systematic review of 28 publications involving 2639 cancer patients treated with mistletoe alongside conventional therapy. The review found no significant effects of mistletoe on quality of life or reduction of treatment-associated side effects.
Mistletoe in oncological treatment: a systematic review : Part 1: survival and safety.
Systematic review of 28 publications involving 2639 cancer patients treated with mistletoe alongside conventional therapy. The review found that most studies did not show any effect of mistletoe on survival, with high-quality studies showing no benefit.
Retrolective studies on the survival of cancer patients treated with mistletoe extracts: a meta-analysis.
Meta-analysis of retrolective studies on mistletoe treatment in cancer patients, involving 3324 patients across German and Swiss hospitals. The analysis showed a moderate positive effect on survival time with a hazard ratio of 0.59 in favor of mistletoe treatment.
Efficacy and safety of mistletoe preparations (Viscum album) for patients with cancer diseases. A systematic review.
Systematic review of 18 clinical trials involving over 6,800 participants on the use of mistletoe preparations in cancer patients. Findings on efficacy were inconsistent, but mistletoe therapy appears to improve quality of life. Safety profile is generally favorable with rare serious adverse events.
Mistletoe therapy in oncology.
Systematic review of 21 RCTs involving 3484 cancer patients assessing mistletoe extracts as monotherapy or adjunct therapy. Some evidence suggests benefits on quality of life during chemotherapy, particularly in breast cancer, but evidence for survival benefits is weak. Mistletoe extracts are generally well tolerated with few side effects.
Cancer Patients' Experiences of Using Mistletoe (Viscum album): A Qualitative Systematic Review and Synthesis.
This systematic review synthesizes qualitative studies on cancer patients' experiences using mistletoe therapy (MT) alongside conventional treatment. Patients reported improvements in physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being, as well as reduced chemotherapy side effects. Self-reported side effects from MT were few, and adherence to the therapy was good.
Quality of life of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer during treatment with mistletoe: a randomized controlled trial.
RCT of 220 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer comparing mistletoe extract treatment to best supportive care. Mistletoe treatment was associated with improved quality of life and longer overall survival, leading to premature termination of the trial.
Retrolective, comparative, epidemiological cohort study with parallel groups design for evaluation of efficacy and safety of drugs with "well-established use".
Cohort study evaluating the efficacy and safety of mistletoe extract Iscador as a complementary therapy in primary, non-metastatic breast carcinoma patients. The mistletoe group showed significantly fewer adverse reactions to conventional therapy, reduced disease symptoms, and improved survival compared to the control group.
Mistletoe in cancer - a systematic review on controlled clinical trials.
Systematic review of 23 controlled clinical trials on mistletoe therapy in cancer. Positive outcomes were reported for survival, tumor remission, and quality of life, but studies had methodological shortcomings. Mistletoe was well tolerated with no major side effects.
Mistletoe for cancer? A systematic review of randomised clinical trials.
Systematic review of randomised clinical trials on mistletoe extracts for cancer treatment. The review found that methodologically stronger trials did not demonstrate efficacy in terms of quality of life, survival, or other outcome measures, while some weaker studies suggested benefits.
The effect of an adjuvant mistletoe treatment programme in resected head and neck cancer patients: a randomised controlled clinical trial.
RCT involving 477 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tested the effect of adjuvant mistletoe extract treatment. The mistletoe group showed no lower risk of recurrences, metastases, or second primaries, and no significant changes in immune reaction or quality of life. The mistletoe preparation had no indication in adjuvant treatment for these patients.
Chemical Pleurodesis Using Mistletoe Extraction (ABNOVAviscum(®) Injection) for Malignant Pleural Effusion.
This study was a single arm, multicenter, open-label phase III clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of chemical pleurodesis using mistletoe extraction (ABNOVAviscum(®) Injection) in patients with malignant pleural effusion. Of 62 patients, 79.0% had a complete response, and 17.7% had a partial response. The mean response rate was significantly higher compared to the reference response rate. Two serious adverse events occurred but were resolved without sequelae.
Mistletoe as complementary treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with carboplatin-based combinations: a randomised phase II study.
Randomised phase II study of iscador (mistletoe) combined with carboplatin-containing regimens in chemotherapy-naïve advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients. No effect on quality of life or total adverse events was found, but chemotherapy dose reductions, severe non-haematological side-effects, and hospitalisations were less frequent in the iscador group.
Safety and effects of two mistletoe preparations on production of Interleukin-6 and other immune parameters - a placebo controlled clinical trial in healthy subjects.
This randomized, double-blind clinical trial evaluated the safety and immunological effects of two mistletoe preparations, Iscucin Populi and Viscum Mali, in healthy subjects. The study found that Iscucin Populi increased eosinophilia and CD4 cell counts without raising IL-6 or CRP levels, while Viscum Mali caused mild local reactions and a small increase in eosinophile counts. No significant safety concerns were identified.
Development and validation of an instrument to measure the effects of a mistletoe preparation on quality of life of cancer patients: the Life Quality Lectin-53 (LQL-53) Questionnaire.
The study developed and validated the Life Quality Lectin-53 (LQL-53) Questionnaire to measure the effects of mistletoe preparations on quality of life in cancer patients. Psychometric testing in 112 patients treated with mistletoe showed significant improvement in quality of life across all subscales.
Survival of glioma patients after complementary treatment with galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe.
Clinical trial of malignant glioma patients receiving standard oncologic treatment with or without complementary immunotherapy using a galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe (ML-1). Stratified analysis showed a tendency for prolonged relapse-free survival and a statistically significant prolongation of overall survival in the treatment group compared to the control group.
Quality of life, immunomodulation and safety of adjuvant mistletoe treatment in patients with gastric carcinoma - a randomized, controlled pilot study.
RCT evaluating the safety and efficacy of mistletoe extract (aVQ) in 32 gastric cancer patients. The treatment group showed significant improvements in global health status, leukocyte and eosinophil counts, and reduced diarrhea compared to the control group. No significant effects were observed on cytokine levels or liver function tests.
Randomized and non-randomized prospective controlled cohort studies in matched pair design for the long-term therapy of corpus uteri cancer patients with a mistletoe preparation (Iscador).
The study investigates the long-term effects of the mistletoe preparation Iscador on survival and psychosomatic self-regulation in corpus uteri cancer patients. Results show a significant positive effect on overall survival and psychosomatic self-regulation in patients treated with Iscador compared to controls.
Prospective controlled cohort studies on long-term therapy of cervical cancer patients with a mistletoe preparation (Iscador).
Prospective controlled cohort studies on cervical cancer patients assessed the effects of long-term Iscador (mistletoe) therapy. The studies found significant positive effects on survival and psychosomatic self-regulation, though no effect on tumor progression was observed.
Prospective controlled cohort studies on long-term therapy of ovairian cancer patients with mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts iscador.
Prospective controlled cohort studies on ovarian cancer patients assessed the effects of mistletoe extracts Iscador on survival and psychosomatic self-regulation. Significant survival benefits were observed in some studies, and psychosomatic self-regulation improved significantly in the Iscador group compared to controls.
In vitro immunoreactivity towards lectin-rich or viscotoxin-rich mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extracts Iscador applied to healthy individuals.
RCT investigating the effects of mistletoe extracts (Iscador Quercus and Iscador Pinus) on immune reactions in 47 healthy individuals over 12 weeks. Mistletoe extracts led to increased proliferation and cytokine production in PBMCs, with specific effects on TNFalpha and type 2 cytokines.
Prospective controlled cohort studies on long-term therapy of breast cancer patients with a mistletoe preparation (Iscador).
Prospective controlled cohort studies on long-term therapy of breast cancer patients with mistletoe preparation Iscador. The studies show significant positive effects on overall survival, tumor progression, and psychosomatic self-regulation in favor of Iscador therapy.
Randomised and non-randomised prospective controlled cohort studies in matched-pair design for the long-term therapy of breast cancer patients with a mistletoe preparation (Iscador): a re-analysis.
Re-analysis of randomized and non-randomized studies on mistletoe therapy (Iscador) in breast cancer patients. The studies show that long-term Iscador therapy significantly prolongs survival and improves psychosomatic self-regulation compared to conventional therapy alone.
Mistletoe treatment induces GM-CSF- and IL-5 production by PBMC and increases blood granulocyte- and eosinophil counts: a placebo controlled randomized study in healthy subjects.
RCT with 43 volunteers comparing mistletoe plant extract (Iscador Quercus spezial), purified mistletoe lectin, and placebo. Mistletoe treatment increased leukocyte, granulocyte, and eosinophil counts, and stimulated GM-CSF, IL-5, and IFNgamma production by PBMC.
Phase II study of viscum fraxini-2 in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.
Phase II study evaluating the efficacy and safety of viscum fraxini-2 in 23 patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. The study found that 13.1% of patients achieved complete response and 8.1% achieved partial response. The median overall survival time was 5 months, with a low toxicity profile observed.
Effects of a lectin- and a viscotoxin-rich mistletoe preparation on clinical and hematologic parameters: a placebo-controlled evaluation in healthy subjects.
Double-blinded RCT with 48 healthy volunteers comparing effects of lectin-rich (Iscador Qu) and viscotoxin-rich (Iscador Pini) mistletoe preparations on clinical and hematologic parameters. Iscador Qu induced significant eosinophilia and increased haptoglobin levels, while Iscador Pini did not result in specific hematologic changes. Local reactions were stronger in the Iscador Qu group.
Molecular mistletoe therapy: friend or foe in established anti-tumor protocols? A multicenter, controlled, retrospective pharmaco-epidemiological study in pancreas cancer.
Multicenter, controlled, retrospective observational study on mistletoe (Iscador) as supportive care in pancreatic cancer patients. Mistletoe was used alongside gemcitabine chemotherapy, showing benefits in symptom control and overall survival.
Effects of a mistletoe preparation with defined lectin content on chronic hepatitis C: an individually controlled cohort study.
Individually controlled cohort study of 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with a mistletoe preparation containing mistletoe lectins. The study found no effect on viral load or ALT levels, but significant improvement in clinical signs and symptoms such as tiredness and musculoskeletal pain. A significant eosinophilia was observed, suggesting a T-helper 2 immune response.
Modulation of the cellular and humoral immune responses of tumor patients by mistletoe therapy.
RCT investigating the effect of a 16-week subcutaneous mistletoe extract therapy on immune responses in eight breast cancer patients. Mistletoe therapy induced initial proliferation of PBMCs and a shift to Th1-related cytokines, suggesting immunostimulatory properties. Patients produced anti-mistletoe lectin 1 antibodies, indicating potential influence on tumor growth.
Immunoprotective activity of the galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe after tumor destructive therapy in glioma patients.
RCT involving 35 glioma patients receiving standard oncologic treatment, with a treatment group receiving mistletoe extract injections. Mistletoe treatment induced significant upregulation of lymphocyte counts and activities, suggesting a strong immunoprotective effect and improved quality of life.