Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 2004; 9: 03–4
The aim of this study was to investigate prognostic and immunological parameters and quality of life as well as the performance of such a study in the treatment of adjuvant chemotherapy and Viscum album (mistletoe) extract.
In a prospective randomised and double-blinded clinical pilot study run at the Department of Special Gynaecology, Vienna University Hospital, Austria, 23 breast cancer patients (T1–2, N0–1, M0) with six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy CMF (containing cyclosphosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil) were involved. The verum group (n = 11) additionally received a standardised V. album extract from the fir tree (Helixor A at increasing concentrations up to 10 mg three times a week in the abdominal wall), while the control group (n = 12) received a placebo (injection of sodium chloride 0.9%). This study was approved by the ethical committee of the Medical University Vienna.
For the placebo group, a significant decrease of activated NK-cells (CD 69) was observed (P = 0.001), while in the verum group activated NK-cells did not decrease but remained at a nearly constant level, resulting in significant higher activated NK-cells in the mistletoe group (P = 0.005). Patients from the V. album group showed no leucopenia and used less supportive treatment during the period of chemotherapy. Blinded patients as well as blinded medical staff recognised verum or placebo injections after a short period.
This study suggests that using V. album during chemotherapy significantly influences immunological parameters as CD 69 and helps saving costs by minimising supportive medication.
