Mistletoe for cancer?

Abstract

Mistletoe extracts are widely used in the treatment of cancer. The results of clinical trials are however highly inconsistent. We therefore conducted a systematic review of all randomised clinical trials of this unconventional therapy. Eight databases were searched to identify all studies that met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data were independently validated and extracted by 2 authors and checked by the 3rd according to predefined criteria. Statistical pooling was not possible because of the heterogeneity of the primary studies. Therefore a narrative systematic review was conducted. Ten trials could be included. Most of the studies had considerable weaknesses in terms of study design, reporting or both. Some of the weaker studies implied benefits of mistletoe extracts, particularly in terms of quality of life. None of the methodologically stronger trials exhibited efficacy in terms of quality of life, survival or other outcome measures. Rigorous trials of mistletoe extracts fail to demonstrate efficacy of this therapy.

Phytochemical profile and therapeutic potential ofViscum albumL.

“…These have various origins and each preparation should be tested and evaluated separately since the type of extract is the most important factor in determining effectiveness, which depending on the type of cancer may differ. There appear more and more reports on the possibilities of therapy using mistletoe; however, some studies are highly questionable from a methodological perspective (Ernst 2002;Ernst et al 2003;Edler 2004). Curative properties and toxicity of European mistletoe extracts are still provoking intense discussion, hence research should be conducted with a lot of caution.…”

“…The evidence-based activity of mistletoe preparations on various carcinomas has been seen in many reviewed articles (Ernst et al 2003;Kienle et al 2003;Bock et al 2004;Horneber et al 2008;Marvibaigi et al 2014).…”

Network Oncology (NO) - a Clinical Cancer Register for Health Services Research and the Evaluation of Integrative Therapeutic Interventions in Anthroposophic Medicine

“…Meta-analyses conclude that there is a growing basis of evidence that MT has a beneficial impact on HRQL [61,62,63,64]. Its influence on survival is still controversially discussed, and authors state that study designs are often poor and further investigations are needed [61,62,63,64]. In this respect NO might serve as a valuable tool in the future providing documentation of a growing number of patients who receive MT during their cancer history.…”

Retrospektive Untersuchung zur Therapie mit Mistelextrakten bei Patienten mit kolorektalem Karzinom

“…Diese Ergebnisse werden aus methodischen Grü nden kontrovers diskutiert [2,6,10,11,15,18,19,21,23]. Auch beim kolorektalen Karzinom liegen Verö ffentlichungen vor, die auf eine gü nstige Beeinflussung der Erkrankung durch eine Misteltherapie hinweisen, jedoch wurden in vielen Fällen keine Prognosefaktoren berü cksichtigt, so dass eine abschließende Beurteilung nicht immer mö glich ist: Erste Verö ffentlichungen zur Verwendung von Mistelextrakten in der Behandlung von Patienten mit kolorektalem Karzinom stammen von Gü nczler und Salzer aus dem Jahr 1969 [14].…”

“…Diese Ergebnisse werden aus methodischen Grü nden kontrovers diskutiert [2,6,10,11,15,18,19,21,23] Z u s a m m e n f a s s u n g…”