[Mistletoe in the treatment of cancer patients].

[Mistletoe in the treatment of cancer patients]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2020 Mar 24;: Authors: Rostock M Abstract Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) continues to be the medical herb prescribed most frequently for cancer patients in German-speaking countries. Demand for this therapy often comes from patients themselves and requires careful consideration by the attending physician during consultation.In German-speaking countries, mistletoe extracts are available as approved drugs (based on monographs of the commissions C and E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices). In Switzerland, treatment costs are generally covered by statutory health insurance. In Germany, coverage is limited to palliative care. In adjuvant cases, treating physicians can request coverage by the health insurance if patients suffer from side effects due to the antitumoral treatment.The spectrum of Viscum album extract includes mistletoe lectin I; II, and III, viscotoxins, flavonoids, amino acids, polysaccharides, and membrane lipids. Preclinical studies have demonstrated cytotoxic, apoptosis-inducing, and immunomodulatory effects.Many clinical studies indicate a supportive efficacy of mistletoe extracts in tumor patients, even though methodological quality is discussed controversially in many cases. Clinical data regarding effects on survival of patients is inconsistent; effects concerning quality of lif...
Source: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tags: Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz Source Type: research