Safety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study

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dc.contributor.authorSteele, Megan L.
dc.contributor.authorAxtner, Jan
dc.contributor.authorHappe, Antje;
dc.contributor.authorKröz, Matthias
dc.contributor.authorMatthes, Harald
dc.contributor.authorSchad, Friedemann
dc.date.accessioned2024-05-23T18:53:38Z
dc.date.available2024-05-23T18:53:38Z
dc.date.digitized2020-08-14 00:11:12
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstract<b>Background.</b> 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. <b>Methods.</b> 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. <b>Results.</b> 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. <b>Citation:</b> Steele, M. L., Axtner, J., Happe, A., Kröz, M., Matthes, H., & Schad, F. (2014). Safety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, e236310. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/236310
dc.description.notesfixed
dc.identifier.citationSteele, M. L., Axtner, J., Happe, A., Kröz, M., Matthes, H., & Schad, F. (2014). Safety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2014, e236310. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/236310
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1155/2014/236310
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14430/402
dc.titleSafety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.titleEvidence-Based Comp Alt Med – eCAM
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01 Anthroposophic medicine (AM), therapies and health
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