Iscador (Mistletoe) Cancer Treatment Therapy

Kissing under the mistletoe during the holiday season is not the only reason to be celebrating the benefits of mistletoe. Medical studies have shown that mistletoe (Iscador) may prolong the lives of cancer patients and increase their quality of life.Iscador Treatment

Being the number one complementary treatment for cancer in Europe, mistletoe is slowly making its appearance more known in North America. The Center is now offering Iscador treatment for cancer patients.

History

Iscador (Viscum album Loranthaceae -Viscum album L. or European Mistletoe)

Mistletoe therapy is the most frequently used complementary treatment in cancer patients in Germany and Switzerland. Iscador was first used for cancer therapy in 1922 by Rudolf Steiner and Ita Wegman based on anthroposophy. (Anthrosophical medicine views the occurrence of cancer, or any illness, as a disease that involves the whole human being, physically, mentally and emotionally.)

Iscador is prepared by fermenting an aqueous extract of the whole mistletoe plant with Lactobacillus plantarum. Formulations are labeled based on the tree from which the mistletoe was harvested; IscadorM for Malus (apple); IscadorP for Pinus (pine); IscadorQ for Quercus (oak); and IscadorU for Ulmus (elm) with different effects attributed to each.

Recent Supporting Evidence

Mistletoe is one of the most widely studied complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for cancer. Mistletoe extracts have been evaluated in numerous clinical studies and improvements in survival, quality of life, and/or stimulation of the immune system have been frequently reported.

Mistletoe, a semiparasitic plant, is a potential anticancer agent because extracts derived from it have been shown to kill cancer cells in vitro. Other reviews have suggested that it can stimulate immune system cells both in vitro and in vivo. Two components of mistletoe, namely viscotoxins and lectins, may be responsible for these effects.

Efficacy

Multiple scientific reports suggest that Iscador augments the immune response. Iscador has been shown to increase natural-killer cell function helping the body's own surveillance system in attacking unwanted cancer cells. It also stimulates antibodies to cancer cells which helps recognize the cancer cells as foreign in order to destroy these cells.

Improved survival, reduced tumor recurrence, reduced tumor size and enhanced quality of life were found in most reported studies reviewed.

Expected Benefits of Iscador

Expected benefits of Iscador include improvements in:

  • Sleep
  • Appetite
  • Immune support
  • Pain reduction
  • Overall improved sense of general well being.

Whether chosen to be used alone or in conjunction with other modalities, the expected beneficial effects of Iscador will allow a patient to cope with the challenges that a cancer diagnosis brings.

Dosage

Iscador is most commonly administered subcutaneously 2-3 times per week for at least 6 months. Based on years of clinical experience, 5 mg of IscadorQ or 20 mg of IscadorP is the most common dosages used.

Iscador is initially administered by the Center's nursing staff. During this time, our nursing staff at the Center will instruct a patient or family member on how to administer subcutaneous injections.

Side Effects

Although a number of different mistletoe extracts have been used in human studies, the reported side effects have generally been minimal and not life threatening. Common side effects include soreness and inflammation at injection sites, headache, fever, and chills.

Complications

With regard to toxicity, European mistletoe treatments have been well tolerated, with no serious or life-threatening effects.

Is it Right for You?

Iscador Therapy requires a consultation with our holistic nurse practitioner, Jennifer Enos to see if iscador is right for you and further, to determine which type of iscador therapy is most beneficial.  
If you live out of town,  you may schedule a phone consultation. We would require that you send us our New Patient Forms prior to scheduling your consultation. Please call our office for more information:  (518) 689-2244.

References:

Grossarth-Maticek R, Kiene H, Baumgartner SM, et al.: Use of Iscador, an extract of European mistletoe (Viscum album), in cancer treatment: prospective nonrandomized and randomized matched-pair studies nested within a cohort study. Altern Ther Health Med 7 (3): 57-66, 68-72, 74-6 passim, 2001 May-Jun.

Shaw, H, Hobbs, KB, Sewaldt, VL, & Kroll, DJ: Delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction with Iscador M given in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy. J. Clin. Oncol., 22 (21): 4432-4434, 2004.

National Cancer Institute. Mistletoe Extracts (PDQ). Available at: www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq Accessed 12/12/2008

Augustin M, Bock PR, Hanisch J, et al.: Safety and efficacy of the long-term adjuvant treatment of primary intermediate- to high-risk malignant melanoma (UICC/AJCC stage II and III) with a standardized fermented European mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extract. Results from a multicenter, comparative, epidemiological cohort study in Germany and Switzerland. Arzneimittelforschung 55 (1): 38-49, 2005.

Huber, R, Klein, R, Berg, PA, Lüdtke, R &Werner, M. : Effects of a lectin- and a viscotoxin-rich mistletoe Preparation on clinical and hematologic parameters: A placebo-controlled evaluation in healthy subjects. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine, 8 (6): 857-866, 2002.

Bock PR, Friedel WE, Hanisch J, et al.: [Efficacy and safety of long-term complementary treatment with standardized European mistletoe extract (Viscum album L.) in addition to the conventional adjuvant oncologic therapy in patients with primary non-metastasized mammary carcinoma. Results of a multi-center, comparative, epidemiological cohort study in Germany and Switzerland] Arzneimittelforschung 54 (8): 456-66, 2004.

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