Quality of life, immunomodulation and safety of adjuvant mistletoe treatment in patients with gastric carcinoma – a randomized, controlled pilot study

Kim, Kab-Choong; Yook, Jeong-Hwan; Eisenbraun, Jürgen; Kim, Byung-Sik; Huber, Roman

doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-172

Cited by 63 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Similarly, combining Iscador with carboplatin for advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer can allow lower effective doses of otherwise toxic chemotherapy agents and reduce deleterious side effects (Bar‐Sela et al ., ). Similar findings are reported around the world, where standardized mistletoe extract (abnoba VISCUM(®) Quercus, aVQ) in patients with gastric cancer used with 5‐FU prodrug doxifluridine can with improved quality of life (Brandenberger et al ., ; Kim et al ., ) and reduce chemotherapy side effects (Eisenbraun et al ., ). Summative analysis of clinical oncology trials using mistletoe therapy consistently report adjunct use as safe with ability to improve quality of life (Melzer et al ., ) and overall survival (Ostermann et al ., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Throughput Screening of Natural Products for Anti‐mitotic Effects in MDA‐MB‐231 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Mazzio

Badisa

Mack

et al. 2013

Phytotherapy Research

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Some of the most effective anti-mitotic microtubule-binding agents, such as paclitaxel (Taxus brevifolia) were originally discovered through robust NCI botanical screenings. In this study, a high-through microarray format was utilized to screen 897 aqueous extracts of commonly used natural products (0.00015–0.5 mg/ml) relative to paclitaxel for anti-mitotic effects (independent of toxicity) on proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells. The data obtained showed that less than 1.34 % tested showed inhibitory growth (IG50) properties <0.0183 mg/ml. The most potent anti-mitotics (independent of toxicity) were Mandrake root (Podophyllum peltatum), Truja Twigs (Thuja occidentalis), Colorado desert mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens), Tou Gu Cao Speranskia Herb (Speranskia tuberculata), Bentonite Clay, Bunge Root (Pulsatilla chinensis), Brucea Fruit (Brucea javanica), Madder Root (Rubia tinctorum), Gallnut of Chinese Sumac (Melaphis chinensis), Elecampane Root (Inula Helenium), Yuan Zhi Root (Polygala tenuifolia), Pagoda Tree Fruit (Melia Toosendan), Stone Root (Collinsonia Canadensis) and others such as American Witchhazel, Arjun and Bladderwrack. The strongest tumoricidal herbs identified from amongst the subset evaluated for anti-mitotic properties were wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), beth-root (Trillium Pendulum) and alkanet-root (Lithospermum canescens). Additional data was obtained on a lesser-recognized herb: (Speranskia tuberculata) which showed growth inhibition on BT-474 (human ductal breast carcinoma) and Ishikawa (human endometrial adenocarcinoma) cells with ability to block replicative DNA synthesis leading to G2 arrest in MDA-MB-231 cells. In conclusion, these findings present relative potency of natural anti-mitotic resources effective against human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cell division.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Throughput Screening of Natural Products for Anti‐mitotic Effects in MDA‐MB‐231 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Mazzio

Badisa

Mack

et al. 2013

Phytotherapy Research

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“…Our data reveals that total white blood cell counts were not significantly changed, but monocyte counts were slightly decreased after SB administration. However, one of the other well-known natural anticancer drug studies using mistletoe reported that total white blood cell and monocyte counts were increased, probably due to its immunogenic lectin component [12]. Disrupted CD4 T cell percentages were normalized 10 days after the SB administration, and decreased cell counts were moderately increased to the normal level seen within the healthy Korean population [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Initial Effects of the SB Natural Anticancer Drug on the Number of NK Cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Human Peripheral Blood

Lee¹

2018

JCTR

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Most anticancer drugs produce cytotoxicites in cancer cells, but also generate effects in normal cells that create undesirable side effects, especially for immune functioning cells which have already been suppressed by cancer invasion or biological effects. The SB natural anticancer drug is a root extract of the Pulsatilla koreana plant that has been used in Korea as an effective anticancer agent for more than 20 different malignant tumors without triggering significant adverse reactions. We investigated the effects of the SB anticancer drug on human immune cells in cancer patients. 24 consecutive patients, with histologically proven cancers, received SB drug treatments and 20 control patients did not receive SB administrations. Both groups were immunologically tested before and after their SB treatments for 14 days and then weekly for the 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th and 6 th weeks thereafter. The total number of white blood cells with differential counts including monocytes and lymphocytes were checked. Immunoassay and flow cytometry were used to analyse CD4 and CD8 T cell percentages, total cell counts with their ratios, as well as CD16/56 natural killer cell percentages and cell counts. Total white blood cell counts normalized within 10 days after the SB drug administrations. The total lymphocyte counts were slightly increased, but remained within normal parameters. CD4 and CD8 T cells, as well as CD 16/56 NK cell percentages, became normal within 10 days; their total cell counts were initially increased (26.3%, 45.2%, and 16.7%, respectively) and then became normal. The SB drug was found to be effective cytoapoptotically and was also effective for immune cell recovery in cancer patients in their initial period of the SB drug treatment. These were patients who had already had a bone marrow suppression by cancer invasion and/or prior chemotherapy.

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“…Currently, the spectrum of published mistletoe QOL-oriented research is limited to studies assessing general well-being improvement (Brandenberger et al [2012]; Eisenbraun et al [2011]; Kienle & Kiene [2010]; Semiglazov et al [2006]; Piao et al [2004]). Studies on specific symptom improvement include leukopenia and diarrhea in gastric cancer patients (Kim et al [2012]), reducing malignant ascites (Bar-Sela et al [2006]), improving emotional concerns in palliative care (Heusser et al [2006]), and lessening of nausea/vomiting in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (Loewe-Mesch et al [2008]). Most importantly, mistletoe safety aspects have also been studied and complement the emerging data on efficacy (Kienle et al [2011]; Augustin et al [2005]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Barriers and challenges in integration of anthroposophic medicine in supportive breast cancer care

et al. 2013

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In the last decade, more and more oncology centers are challenged with complementary medicine (CM) integration within supportive breast cancer care. Quality of life (QOL) improvement and attenuation of oncology treatment side effects are the core objectives of integrative CM programs in cancer care. Yet, limited research is available on the use of specific CM modalities in an integrative setting and on cancer patients’ compliance with CM consultation. Studies are especially warranted to view the clinical application of researched CM modalities, such as anthroposophic medicine (AM), a unique CM modality oriented to cancer supportive care. Our objective was to characterize consultation patterns provided by physicians trained in CM following oncology health-care practitioners’ referral of patients receiving chemotherapy. We aimed to identify characteristics of patients who consulted with AM and to explore patients’ compliance to AM treatment. Of the 341 patients consulted with integrative physicians, 138 were diagnosed with breast cancer. Following integrative physician consultation, 56 patients were advised about AM treatment and 285 about other CM modalities. Logistic multivariate regression model found that, compared with patients receiving non-anthroposophic CM, the AM group had significantly greater rates of previous CM use [EXP(B) = 3.25, 95% C.I. 1.64-6.29, p = 0.001] and higher rates of cancer recurrence at baseline (p = 0.038). Most AM users (71.4%) used a single AM modality, such as mistletoe (viscum album) injections, oral AM supplements, or music therapy. Compliance with AM modalities following physician recommendation ranged from 44% to 71% of patients. We conclude that AM treatment provided within the integrative oncology setting is feasible based on compliance assessment. Other studies are warranted to explore the effectiveness of AM in improving patients’ QOL during chemotherapy.

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Quality of life, immunomodulation and safety of adjuvant mistletoe treatment in patients with gastric carcinoma – a randomized, controlled pilot study

Cited by 63 publications

References 25 publications

High Throughput Screening of Natural Products for Anti‐mitotic Effects in MDA‐MB‐231 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

High Throughput Screening of Natural Products for Anti‐mitotic Effects in MDA‐MB‐231 Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Initial Effects of the SB Natural Anticancer Drug on the Number of NK Cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Human Peripheral Blood

Barriers and challenges in integration of anthroposophic medicine in supportive breast cancer care

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