Mistletoe preparations

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

All authors of this article

Last updated on: 27.12.2024

Dieser Artikel auf Deutsch

Synonym(s)

Viscum album

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).


Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Aqueous extract of Viscum album, mistletoe. The extract is injected intracutaneously or subcutaneously.

Mistletoe extracts are often used to treat cancer. Originally a therapy from anthroposophy, which is why approval in Germany is based on the exceptions for anthroposophy.

There is currently no recognized scientific evidence for the effectiveness of mistletoe extracts in human medicine. An extension of the overall survival time could not be sufficiently proven in the data available.

Preclinical studies have shown that the lectins contained in mistletoe can kill cell cultures and stimulate immune cells.

The costs of mistletoe therapy are only covered by health insurance companies (statutory and private) in exceptional cases, usually only for palliative therapy to improve the quality of life.

Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.

Immunostimulant in malignant diseases, stimulation of bone marrow activity. Mistletoe extracts are still used today in high-risk malignant melanoma. A prospective randomized study by the EORTC melanoma group showed that treatment with the mistletoe lectin Iscador M had no effect on the prognosis compared to a control group that was not treated.

DosageThis section has been translated automatically.

According to the appropriate dosage scheme.

Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.

Allergic reactions up to anaphylactic shock, local inflammatory reactions at the injection site, fever, regional lymph node swelling, activation of inflammation.

ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.

Protein hypersensitivity, acute and chronic progressive infections. Lactation, pregnancy and children.

There are warnings for thyroid problems, intracranial pressure in metastases or tumors in the brain.

There are warnings for some preparations in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma or melanoma.

Trade namesThis section has been translated automatically.

Helixor®, Iscador®

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Kähler KC et al (2011) Adjuvant systemic therapy of melanoma. Dermatologist 62: 414-422
  2. https://www.krebsinformationsdienst.de/mistel#c7463
  3. https://www.leitlinienprogramm-onkologie.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Leitlinien/Komplement%C3%A4r/Version_2/LL_Komplement%C3%A4rmedizin_Langversion_2.0.pdf

Authors

Last updated on: 27.12.2024

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter AltmeyerProf. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles