Immunomodulatory effects of iscador: a Viscum album preparation.
The immunomodulatory effects of Iscador (a mistletoe, Viscum album extract) were investigated. After a single intravenous infusion of Iscador several immunological parameters in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients were examined. Parallel with neutrophilia, and with an increase of juvenile neutrophils, a significant enhancement of phagocytic activity of granulocytes was shown. After short decreases during the first 24 h, significant increases in natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activities as well as augmented levels of large granular lymphocytes were observed. These NK/ADCC responses followed a kinetic pattern similar to that after treatment with alpha-interferon described by others. Further significant increases in mitogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A were observed.
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D007372:Interferons / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D014784:Mistletoe / Q000032:analysis*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010940:Plant Proteins; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins; D007372:Interferons; C077177:viscum album peptide