title: Mistletoe for cancer? A systematic review of randomised clinical trials.
abstract: Mistletoe extracts are widely used in the treatment of cancer. The results of clinical trials are however highly inconsistent. We therefore conducted a systematic review of all randomised clinical trials of this unconventional therapy. Eight databases were searched to identify all studies that met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data were independently validated and extracted by 2 authors and checked by the 3rd according to predefined criteria. Statistical pooling was not possible because of the heterogeneity of the primary studies. Therefore a narrative systematic review was conducted. Ten trials could be included. Most of the studies had considerable weaknesses in terms of study design, reporting or both. Some of the weaker studies implied benefits of mistletoe extracts, particularly in terms of quality of life. None of the methodologically stronger trials exhibited efficacy in terms of quality of life, survival or other outcome measures. Rigorous trials of mistletoe extracts fail to demonstrate efficacy of this therapy.
authors.affiliation: Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Exeter, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Miriam Katharina
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Steuer-Vogt
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006801:Humans; D014784:Mistletoe; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations