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Safety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study
Joint Authors
Matthes, H.
Steele, Megan L.
Axtner, Jan
Happe, Antje
Kröz, Matthias
Schad, Friedemann
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2014, Issue 2014 (31 Dec. 2014), pp.1-10, 10 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2014-05-15
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
10
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
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.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Steele, Megan L.& Axtner, Jan& Happe, Antje& Kröz, Matthias& Matthes, H.& Schad, Friedemann. 2014. Safety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035826
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Steele, Megan L.…[et al.]. Safety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2014 (2014), pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035826
American Medical Association (AMA)
Steele, Megan L.& Axtner, Jan& Happe, Antje& Kröz, Matthias& Matthes, H.& Schad, Friedemann. Safety of Intravenous Application of Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) Preparations in Oncology: An Observational Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014. Vol. 2014, no. 2014, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1035826
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1035826