title: Safety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study.
abstract: Background. Traditional mistletoe therapy in cancer patients involves subcutaneous applications of Viscum album L. preparations, with doses slowly increasing based on patient responses. Intravenous infusion of high doses may improve therapeutic outcomes and is becoming more common. Little is known about the safety of this "off-label" application of mistletoe. Methods. An observational study was performed within the Network Oncology. Treatment with intravenous mistletoe applications is described. The frequency of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to intravenous mistletoe applications was calculated and compared to ADR data from a study on subcutaneous applications. Results. Of 475 cancer patients who received intravenous infusions of Helixor, Abnoba viscum, or Iscador mistletoe preparations, 22 patients (4.6%) reported 32 ADRs of mild (59.4%) or moderate severity (40.6%). No serious ADRs occurred. ADRs were more frequently reported to i.v. mistletoe administered alone (4.3%), versus prior to chemotherapy (1.6%). ADR frequency differed with respect to preparation type, with Iscador preparations showing a higher relative frequency, compared to Abnoba viscum and Helixor. Overall, patients were almost two times less likely to experience an ADR to intravenous compared to subcutaneous application of mistletoe. Conclusion. Intravenous mistletoe therapy was found to be safe and prospective studies for efficacy are recommended.
authors: Research Institute Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Megan L
authors: ML
authors: Steele
authors: Research Institute Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Axtner
authors: Research Institute Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Antje
authors: A
authors: Happe
authors: Research Institute Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany ; Hospital Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany ; Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité-University Medical Centre, 10117 Berlin, Germany ; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, 58313 Herdecke, Germany.
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Kröz
authors: Research Institute Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany ; Hospital Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Harald
authors: H
authors: Matthes
authors: Research Institute Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany ; Hospital Havelhoehe, 14089 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Friedemann
authors: F
authors: Schad