• 185 Tower Bridge Road, London
CONTACT US

Academic Literature For Mistletoe

Academic Literature for Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Medically reviewed by Dr Saskia Kloppenburg Vieth (GMC 7541548), June 2026.

The following peer-reviewed studies form part of the evidence base for our mistletoe IV infusion therapy, delivered as part of our intravenous infusion therapy programme at our London clinic.

  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.
    Scholar Search WorldCat
  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).
    Scholar Search WorldCat
  3. Kienle GS, Kiene H, Albonico HU: Anthroposophic Medicine: Effectiveness, Utility, Costs, Safety. Stuttgart, New York: Schattauer Verlag; 2006.
    Scholar Search WorldCat
  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 PubMed Search
  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.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  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 PubMed Search
  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 PubMed
  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.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  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 PubMed Search
  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.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  11. Troger W, Zdrale Z, Stankovic N, et al. Five-year follow-up of patients with early stage breast cancer after a randomized study comparing additional treatment with Viscum album (L.) extract to chemotherapy alone. Breast Cancer (Auckl). 2012;6:173-180.
    DOI PubMed Search
  12. Ostermann T, Raak C, Bussing A. Survival of cancer patients treated with mistletoe extract (Iscador): a systematic literature review. BMC Cancer. 2009;9:451.
    DOI PubMed Search
  13. 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. May-Jun 2001;7(3):57-66, 68-72, 74-56 passim.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  14. Grossarth-Maticek R, Ziegler R. Randomised and non-randomised prospective controlled cohort studies in matched-pair design for the long-term therapy of breast cancer patients with a mistletoe preparation (Iscador): a re-analysis. Eur J Med Res. Nov 30 2006;11(11):485-495.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  15. Bar-Sela G, Haim N. Abnoba-viscum (mistletoe extract) in metastatic colorectal carcinoma resistant to 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin-based chemotherapy. Med Oncol. 2004;21(3):251-254.
    DOI PubMed Search
  16. Kleeberg UR, Suciu S, Brocker EB, et al. Final results of the EORTC 18871/DKG 80-1 randomised phase III trial. rIFN-alpha2b versus rIFN-gamma versus ISCADOR M versus observation after surgery in melanoma patients with either high-risk primary (thickness >3 mm) or regional lymph node metastasis. Eur J Cancer. Feb 2004;40(3):390-402.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  17. Steuer-Vogt MK, Bonkowsky V, Ambrosch P, et al. The effect of an adjuvant mistletoe treatment programme in resected head and neck cancer patients: a randomised controlled clinical trial. Eur J Cancer. Jan 2001;37(1):23-31.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  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.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  19. Cho JS, Na KJ, Lee Y, et al. Chemical Pleurodesis Using Mistletoe Extraction (ABNOVAviscum® Injection). Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2016;22(1):20-26.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  20. Beuth J, Schneider B, Schierholz JM. Impact of complementary treatment of breast cancer patients with standardized mistletoe extract during aftercare: a controlled multicenter comparative epidemiological cohort study. Anticancer Res. Jan-Feb 2008;28(1b):523-527.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  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 PubMed
  22. Franz H, Ziska P, Kindt A: Isolation and properties of three lectins from mistletoe (Viscum album L.). Biochemical Journal 1981, 195:481-484.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  23. Winterfeld K, Bijnen AB: Viscotoxin, ein neuer Inhaltsstoff der Mistel (Viscum album L.). Liebigs Ann Chem 1948, 561:107-115.
    Scholar Search WorldCat
  24. Urech K, Scher JM, Hostanska K, Becker H: Apoptosis inducing activity of viscin, a lipophilic extract from Viscum album L. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2005, 57:101-109.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  25. Winterfeld K, Kronenthaler A: Zur Chemie des blutdrucksenkenden Bestandteils der Mistel (Viscum album). Arch Pharm 1942, 280:103-115.
    Scholar Search WorldCat
  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.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  27. Klett CY, Anderer FA: Activation of natural killer cell cytotoxicity of human blood monocytes by a low molecular weight component from Viscum album extract. Arzneimittel-Forschung/Drug Research 1989, 39(II)(12):1580-1585.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  28. Struh CM, Jager S, Kersten A, Schempp CM, Scheffler A, Martin SF: Triterpenoids amplify antitumoural effects of mistletoe extracts on murine B16.f10 melanoma in vivo. PLoS One 2013, 8(4):e62168.
    DOI PubMed Search
  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.
    DOI PubMed Search
  30. Kleinsimon S, Kauczor G, Jaeger S, Eggert A, Seifert G, Delebinski C: ViscumTT induces apoptosis and alters IAP expression in osteosarcoma in vitro and has synergistic action when combined with different chemotherapeutic drugs. BMC Complement Altern Med 2017, 17(1):26.
    DOI PubMed Search
  31. Twardziok M, Kleinsimon S, Rolff J, Jager S, Eggert A, Seifert G, Delebinski CI: Multiple Active Compounds from Viscum album L. Synergistically Converge to Promote Apoptosis in Ewing Sarcoma. PLoS One 2016, 11(9):e0159749.
    DOI PubMed Search
  32. Saller R., Kramer S., Iten F., Melzer J. (2005) Unerwünschte Wirkungen der Misteltherapie bei Tumourpatienten – Eine systematische Übersicht. In: Scheer R. et al. (Hrsg.), Fortschritte in der Misteltherapie: Aktueller Stand der Forschung und klinische Anwendung. Essen: KVC Verlag 2005, 367–403.
    Scholar Search WorldCat
  33. Urech et al.: Triterpenes of mistletoe (Viscum album) in the “bird-lime” Viscin and its antiproliferative activity. In Scheer R et al (Ed): Fortschritte in der Misteltherapie. KVC Verlag, Essen, 133-144 (2005).
    Scholar Search WorldCat
  34. Melzer J, Iten F, Hostanska K, et al. Efficacy and safety of mistletoe preparations (Viscum album) for patients with cancer diseases. A systematic review. Forsch Komplementmed. Aug 2009;16(4):217-226.
    DOI PubMed
  35. Goebell PJ, Otto T, Suhr J, et al. Evaluation of an unconventional treatment modality with mistletoe lectin to prevent recurrence of superficial bladder cancer: a randomized phase II trial. J Urol. Jul 2002;168(1):72-75.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  36. Elluru SR, Duong van Huyen JP, Delignat S, et al. Induction of maturation and activation of human dendritic cells: a mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of Viscum album as complimentary therapy in cancer. BMC Cancer. 2008;8:161.
    DOI PubMed Search
  37. Kleijnen J, Knipschild P. Mistletoe treatment for cancer review of controlled trials in humans. Phytomedicine. Dec 1994;1(3):255-260.
    DOI PubMed Search
  38. Lyu SY, Park WB. Effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album coloratum) on proliferation and cytokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T-lymphocytes. Arch Pharm Res. Oct 2007;30(10):1252-1264.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  39. Weissenstein U, Kunz M, Urech K, et al. Interaction of standardized mistletoe (Viscum album) extracts with chemotherapeutic drugs regarding cytostatic and cytotoxic effects in vitro. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14:6.
    DOI PubMed Search
  40. Engdal S, Nilsen OG. In vitro inhibition of CYP3A4 by herbal remedies frequently used by cancer patients. Phytother Res. Jul 2009;23(7):906-912.
    DOI PubMed Search
  41. Huber R, Eisenbraun J, Miletzki B, et al. Pharmacokinetics of natural mistletoe lectins after subcutaneous injection. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. Sep 2010;66(9):889-897.
    DOI PubMed Search
  42. Schad F, Atxner J, Buchwald D, et al. Intratumoral Mistletoe (Viscum album L) Therapy in Patients With Unresectable Pancreas Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis. Integr Cancer Ther. Jul 2014;13(4):332-340.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  43. Steele ML, Axtner J, Happe A, et al. Use and safety of intratumoral application of European mistletoe (Viscum album L.) preparations in Oncology. Integr Cancer Ther. Mar 2015;14(2):140-148.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  44. Bussing A, Stumpf C, Troger W, et al. Course of mitogen-stimulated T lymphocytes in cancer patients treated with Viscum album extracts. Anticancer Res. Jul-Aug 2007;27(4C):2903-2910.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  45. Steele ML, Axtner J, Happe A, et al. Adverse Drug Reactions and Expected Effects to Therapy with Subcutaneous Mistletoe Extracts (Viscum album L.) in Cancer Patients. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:724258.
    DOI PubMed Search
  46. Huber R, Ludtke R, Klassen M, et al. Effects of a mistletoe preparation with defined lectin content on chronic hepatitis C: an individually controlled cohort study. Eur J Med Res. Sep 28 2001;6(9):399-405.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  47. Horneber MA, Bueschel G, Huber R, et al. Mistletoe therapy in oncology. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008(2):CD003297.
    DOI PubMed Search
  48. Bar-Sela G. White-berry mistletoe (Viscum album L.) as complementary treatment in cancer: Does it help? Eur J Integr Med. 2011;3:e55-e62.
    Scholar Search PubMed Search
  49. de Giorgio A, Stebbing J. Mistletoe: for cancer or just for Christmas? Lancet Oncol. Dec 2013;14(13):1264-1265.
    DOI PubMed Search
  50. Ernst E. Herbal medicinal products during pregnancy: are they safe? BJOG. Mar 2002;109(3):227-235.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  51. Evens ZN, Stellpflug SJ. Holiday plants with toxic misconceptions. West J Emerg Med. Dec 2012;13(6):538-542.
    DOI PubMed Search
  52. Rosell S, Samuelsson G. Effect of mistletoe viscotoxin and phoratoxin on blood circulation. Toxicon. Aug 1966;4(2):107-110.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  53. Finall AI, McIntosh SA, Thompson WD. Subcutaneous inflammation mimicking metastatic malignancy induced by injection of mistletoe extract. BMJ. Dec 23 2006;333(7582):1293-1294.
    DOI PubMed Search
  54. Hall AH, Spoerke DG, Rumack BH. Assessing mistletoe toxicity. Ann Emerg Med. Nov 1986;15(11):1320-1323.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search
  55. Kim HJ, Kim H, Ahn JH, et al. Liver injury induced by herbal extracts containing mistletoe and kudzu. J Altern Complement Med. Mar 2015;21(3):180-185.
    PubMed Search Scholar Search

At Wellbeing Medical Group, every mistletoe IV protocol at our London clinic is personally designed by Dr Saskia Kloppenburg Vieth based on your diagnosis, treatment plan and medical history. Contact us to discuss whether mistletoe IV therapy is appropriate for your care.

Other Academic Literature

Vitamin C

High Dose Vitamin C Literature

Read More
Wormwood

Wormwood Literature

Read More
Ozone Therapy

Ozone Literature

Read More
Helleborus

Helleborus Literature

Read More

National Coverage Available

Are you based outside of London seeking medical support with a complementary cancer care consultant?

  • Dedicated concierge service delivered to your home
  • Nationwide nursing support available
  • At-home intravenous infusion programme
  • GMC registered medical support
Contact Us
uk 01 01