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IV Mistletoe Therapy Research

At Wellbeing Medical Group, we only offer well-researched, backed-by-science therapies to support cancer patients going through treatment. 

Our IV mistletoe therapy provides you with an alternative way of managing the side effects of traditional cancer treatment. Discover the wide range of supporting research for IV mistletoe therapy that we’re proud to provide.  

Supporting research for IV mistletoe therapy

The use of the mistletoe plant as a drug has a long tradition which traces back to the fourth century BC. Throughout the centuries this evergreen half-parasite which is mostly associated with Christmas and Santa, was used by healthcare professionals and doctors for menstrual complaints, epilepsy, ulcers, cardiac insufficiency, high blood pressure and oedemas 1,2. 

The white-berried mistletoe (Viscum album L) only entered the cancer setting as alternative and complementary cancer medicine at the beginning of the 20th century through Rudolf Steiner (1861 – 1925), the founder of Anthroposophic Medicine3. In 1916, he first mentioned the therapeutic possibilities of mistletoe extracts in the cancer setting.

How does mistletoe therapy help with cancer?

Mistletoe therapy acts on many levels: On the one hand, it boosts the immune system by multiplying and activating the immune cells. On the other, mistletoe therapy can induce apoptosis (the process of natural cell death) in tumour cells, which results in the inhibition of tumour growth. Healthy tissue is not adversely affected by this. 

On the contrary, immune cells and other healthy cells are protected against further injury, e.g. damage caused by cytostatic drugs. Patients report that mistletoe therapy significantly improves their quality of life.

Actions:

  • Improvement of general condition and quality of life through
  • Increased performance and vigour, less fatigue
  • Normalised body rhythms including body temperature, sleep and digestion
  • Increased appetite
  • Reduced nausea and vomiting
  • Greater emotional well-being
  • Reduced depression and anxiety
  • Reduction of adverse reactions to conventional therapies (e.g. chemo- or radiotherapy), in particular, cancer-related fatigue
  • Alleviation of tumour-related pain

This mode of action makes mistletoe therapy a key supplement to standard oncological therapy.

Basic research results indicate that medicinal mistletoe may stimulate the immune system to fight cancer cells. Cytotoxic effects on tumour cells have been observed in animal models4,5. One study data showed that mistletoe injections can attenuate airway inflammation and eosinophil infiltration in different types of cancers.6 

Studies in human beings suggest that the use of mistletoe extract alongside appropriate chemotherapy and radiotherapy may improve their tolerability by reducing their side effects and increasing quality of life, including in pancreatic7,8, lung9, colorectal10, and breast cancers11. 

A few studies indicate a possible positive effect on survival7,12-14, although no significant survival effects were found for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer15, melanoma16, or head and neck cancer17, and further studies are required to confirm these findings. Other preliminary studies suggest that intravesical mistletoe extract is safe and well-tolerated in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer18, and that mistletoe extract injection may be efficacious as chemical pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusion19. 

With regards, to possible interaction with chemotherapy, in two studies with 5-year follow-ups of breast cancer patients, mistletoe therapy did not appear to have a negative impact on chemotherapy efficacy11 and appeared to contribute to reducing disease/therapy-related signs and symptoms (e.g. mucositis, fatigue, pain, headache)20. The addition of mistletoe extracts in patients with advanced solid tumours allowed for higher gemcitabine doses to be used without apparent pharmacokinetic interactions21.

Mechanisms of mistletoe extract action (summary)

Mistletoe extracts contain biologically active substances such as glycoproteins, especially mistletoe lectines I, II and II (ML I, ML II, ML III)22, polypeptide (e.g. viscotoxins23-25), peptides, amino acids, oligo- and polysaccharids26-27. Other molecules have also shown to have possibly beneficial properties, such as enzymes, sulphurous compounds, fats, phytosterols, triterpenes28-31, flavonoids, phenylpropanes, lignans, alkaloids, minerals, micronutrients and other proteins32,33.

Mistletoe lectins are the most investigated component. Their cytotoxic effects are partially due to ribosome- inactivating properties and induction of apoptosis34 (“cell suicide”). In-vitro studies have shown that mistletoe lectins increase TNFα, IL-1, IL-2, and IL-6 cytokine secretion, stimulate immune-cell phagocytosis, induce macrophage cytotoxicity, and enhance cytotoxicity on cancer cells35. In lymphoblastic leukaemia cells, mistletoe extracts stimulate dendritic cell maturation and activation36 and induce dose-dependent apoptosis through caspase-8 and -9 dependent pathways37. 

Studies performed in animal models have shown that apoptotic induction37 produced by mistletoe extracts rich in triterpenes was greater, and also that these extracts improved efficacy against malignant melanoma when compared with conventional extracts, which reduce tumour angiogenesis38. Another component called Viscotoxins may also have tumour-inhibiting and immune-stimulating properties39. However, the pro and anti-proliferative effects produced by mistletoe extracts depended on dose40. 

Mistletoe- induced immune stimulation may explain physical improvements that contribute to increased quality of life in cancer patients34.

Mistletoe extracts can be injected under the skin or infused directly via IV. Here at WMG, we specialise in the delivery of this special extract via intravenous infusion (infused by slow drip directly into the bloodstream) Although this administration route is off-label, it is completely safe and widely used.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The mistletoe extract does need a medical prescription and the therapy does require medical supervision. Do not trust any product available online without a medical prescription.

Book your IV mistletoe therapy with Wellbeing Medical Group

If you’re looking for different ways of managing the side effects of traditional cancer treatment, contact our team. Our unique IV mistletoe therapy offers you a wide range of potential benefits to help you minimise the troublesome side effects of cancer treatment.

Book your IV mistletoe therapy

References

  1. Kienle G., Kiene H. (2003) Verträglichkeit, Nebenwirkungen, Überempfindlichkeitsreaktionen, Toxizität. In: Kienle G., Kiene H., Die Mistel in der Onkologie. Fakten und konzeptionelle Grundlagen. Stuttgart: Schattauer 2003, 591–607. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3180269/ 
  2. Büssing A: Biological and pharmacological properties of Viscum album L. In Büssing A (Ed): Mistletoe – The Genus Viscum. Harwood Academic Publishers, Amsterdam, 124-182 (2000). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248739204_Mistletoe_The_Genus_Viscum 
  3. Kienle GS, Kiene H, Albonico HU: Anthroposophic Medicine: Effectiveness, Utility, Costs, Safety. Stuttgart, New York: Schattauer Verlag; 2006. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3865373/ 
  4. Struh CM, Jager S, Schempp CM, et al. A novel triterpene extract from mistletoe induces rapid apoptosis in murine B16.F10 melanoma cells. Phytother Res. Oct 2012;26(10):1507-1512. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4604
  5. Beuth J, Ko HL, Schneider H, et al. Intratumoral application of standardized mistletoe extracts down regulates tumor weight via decreased cell proliferation, increased apoptosis and necrosis in a murine model. Anticancer Res. Nov-Dec 2006;26(6B):4451-4456. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17201168/ 
  6. Shen JJ, Chiang MS, Kuo ML, et al. Partially purified extract and viscolin from Viscum coloratum attenuate airway inflammation and eosinophil infiltration in ovalbumin-sensitized mice. J Ethnopharmacol. Jun 1 2011;135(3): 646-653. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.03.065
  7. Troger W, Galun D, Reif M, et al. Viscum album L. extract therapy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer: a randomised clinical trial on overall survival. Eur J Cancer. Dec 2013;49(18):3788-3797. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2013.06.043
  8. Troger W, Galun D, Reif M, et al. Quality of life of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer during treatment with mistletoe: a randomized controlled trial. Dtsch Arztebl Int. Jul 21 2014;111(29-30):493-502, 433 p following 502. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25142075/ 
  9. Bar-Sela G, Wollner M, Hammer L, et al. Mistletoe as complementary treatment in patients with advanced non- small- cell lung cancer treated with carboplatin-based combinations: a randomised phase II study. Eur J Cancer. Mar 2013;49(5):1058-1064. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2012.11.007
  10. Friedel WE, Matthes H, Bock PR, et al. Systematic evaluation of the clinical effects of supportive mistletoe treatment within chemo- and/or radiotherapy protocols and long-term mistletoe application in nonmetastatic colorectal carcinoma: multicenter, controlled, observational cohort study. J Soc Integr Oncol. Fall 2009;7(4): 137-145. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/38061672_Systematic_Evaluation_of_the_Clinical_Effects_of_Supportive_Mistletoe_Treatment_within_Chemo-_andor_Radiotherapy_Protocols_and_Long-Term_Mistletoe_Application_in_Nonmetastatic_Colorectal_Carcinoma_Mul 
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  18. Rose A, El-Leithy T, vom Dorp F, et al. Mistletoe Plant Extract in Patients with Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: Results of a Phase Ib/IIa Single Group Dose Escalation Study. J Urol. Oct 2015;194(4):939-943. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25910967/ 
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  21. Mansky PJ, Wallerstedt DB, Sannes TS, et al. NCCAM/NCI Phase 1 Study of Mistletoe Extract and Gemcitabine in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:964592. doi: 10.1155/2013/964592
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  26. Mueller EA, Anderer FA: A Viscum album oligosaccharide activating human natural cytotoxicity is an interferon gamma inducer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 1990, 32:221-227. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2124513/ 
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  29. Delebinski CI, Jaeger S, Kemnitz-Hassanin K, Henze G, Lode HN, Seifert GJ: A new development of triterpene acid- containing extracts from Viscum album L. displays synergistic induction of apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Cell Prolif 2012, 45(2):176-187. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22221251/ 
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  33. Urech et al.: Triterpenes of mistletoe (VIscum album) in the “bird-lime” Viscin and its antiprolifertive activity. In Scheer R et al (Ed): Fortschritte in Der Misteltherapie. KVC Verlag, Essen, 133-144 (2005)
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