Mistletoe extract(Iscador) cancer treatment
What is Mistletoe Extract (Iscador)?
What is Mistletoe Therapy?
Mistletoe Therapy is a herbal preparation of the Mistletoe plant, which grows commonly in Northern Europe…Mistletoe contains viscotoxins and lectins which have been shown to have a stimulating effect on the immune system.
There is research to show that it stimulates the group of white cells in the immune system that treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy can sometimes lower. These cells are called the natural killer cells and the aim of giving this medicine is that a number of these cells will be increased in your body.
In Europe, Viscum album L (mistletoe) is the most commonly used complementary therapy by patients with cancer and is integrated into conventional oncology treatment programmes in Germany, Switzerland and Holland. In recent years it has been the subject of many randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Although there are some limitations to these studies due to poor design, a relatively consistent finding of these trials was a reduction in the adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy and/or improvement of quality of life of the patient (QOL).
Mistletoe Therapy can be given by mouth as a liquid, or by subcutaneous injection.
Source: The National Centre for Integrative Medicine (NCIM)
Scientific evidence for Mistletoe
This study concluded:
Pooled analysis of clinical studies suggests that adjuvant treatment of cancer patients with the mistletoe extract Iscador is associated with a better survival.
This study says:
…it could be shown that Iscador offers benefits–symptom control, overall survival…
This Study concluded:
Mistletoe extracts, which contain a complex of oncologically relevant active substances and exert a variety of anticancer effects, appear to prolong survival times in patients with various tumor types. In the studies described here, efficacy was observed in patients with rectum carcinoma, colon carcinoma, stomach carcinoma, breast carcinoma (with or without axillary metastases or remote metastases), and small cell and non-small-cell bronchogenic carcinoma. The study findings support the claim of anthroposophical medicine that mistletoe therapy is generally effective for treating cancer, irrespective of tumor type. Iscador treatment seems to exert general oncological effects that are not confined to specific tumor cells. An important effect of Iscador, according to our findings, is that it can enhance patients self-regulation.
This Review says:
Application of standardized and optimized mistletoe may be helpful in prolonging survival time and increasing HRQoL [health-related quality of life]. Subcutaneous application of mistletoe extracts to breast cancer patients might be associated with immunological side effects on the skin. Taking into consideration the subcutaneous administration side effects, oral administration of mistletoe preparations with apparent lack of adverse reactions might be a promising adjuvant alternative therapy for breast cancer patients.
This study concluded:
Iscador treatment can achieve a clinically relevant prolongation of survival time of cancer patients and appears to stimulate self-regulation.
This study says:
The analyzed studies give some evidence that Iscador treatment might have beneficial short-time effects on QoL-associated dimensions and psychosomatic self-regulation.
This study concluded:
ISCADOR Q, showing multiple positive effects in the treatment of glioblastoma, may be a candidate for concomitant treatment of this cancer.
This study says:
Intravenous mistletoe therapy was found to be safe and prospective studies for efficacy are recommended.
This study says:
This is the first report showing complete regression of a colon adenoma after intratumoural injection with Viscum album extract.
This study says:
In Germany, Switzerland and Austria, extracts derived from mistletoe (Viscum album L.) such as Iscador, Abnobaviscum, Helixor, Iscar, Iscucin and Isorel have been used in oncology for many years. These extracts have immunomodulating and immunostimulating properties, as demonstrated by experimental studies as well as in clinical trials.
This study says:
Mistletoes have emerged as promising alternative therapy against colon, oral, lung, and pancreas cancers. The plant extracts bolster immunity, delay tumour initiation and progression, kill malignant tumours, stabilize DNA, alleviate side effects of chemotherapeutics, improve the lifespan, and coping ability of cancer patients and survivors.
Breast cancer
This Review says:
The majority of the included clinical trials
suggested a beneficial effect with good evidence with respect
to survival,HRQoL, positive remission rate, and reduction of
chemotherapy causing side effects for breast cancer patients
treated with mistletoe extracts.
Where can I get this treatment and more information?
This treatment is available in a number of clinics in the Uk and throughout Europe and Mexico.
Testimonials
Page updated 2024