A frequently asked question is about the side effects of mistletoe (Viscum) treatment in cancer care. are there any.

I have treated many hundreds of patients over the decades and believe that I can thus have a valid perspective.

In short, if one administers appropriately manufactured, sterilized and standardized mistletoe types, such as abnobaViscum,iscador Helixor and similar, there are practically none. What is amazing to me is that even those reviewers who should be experts in the field are confusing wanted from unwanted symptoms following injections with the various mistletoe extracts.

I advise my patients before the start of the treatment that right after the injection one should ideally see a local skin reaction in the form of a dime or quarter size round slight swelling. Later on, it is desirable to notice a small rise in body temperature. Occasionally, a transient sensation of headache or dizziness can be noted. These are not “unexpected side effects” but rather signs that the mistletoe is indeed working. Even a mild “flu like” feeling is positive. All of the above are manifestations of an activated immune system-which is after all what the purpose of the treatment is.

After an intravenous infusion the temperature increase can be more pronounced the next day (a rise maybe from the normal body temperature to 101°C or rarely 102°C).

Having said that I also emphasize to patients that extreme temperature elevation is not normal. In that case a differential diagnosis by the doctor needs to be made to exclude other culprits such as an infection (especially if the patient has a port or other stents in place), tumor cell break-down, etc.

Overall, however, based on my decades long experience i reassure my patients that not having any reaction visible after an injection or intra venous infusion is not necessarily a sign that that particular mistletoe kind is not working. I seen innumerable times where over years the patient had no reaction whatsoever and yet the positive outcome due to mistletoe treatment was undeniable. I have had many patients who came to our care with all hope having been given up and yet lived to enjoy many additional years.

Still, currently with the stronger mistletoes available if no local reaction is visible we take that as a sign that a higher dose could/should be contemplated.

The opposite is the case too: a huge local reaction – let’s say one that covers a large part of the abdomen while not negative as such is less likely to be tolerated long term so then a lowering of the administered dose is undergone.

Nevertheless, a rare allergic reaction is possible. The rarity of this occurrence is astonishing. I have seen a true allergic (or pseudo allergic) reaction with multiple welts, itching, etc. no more than once every decade! Of course, then the therapy with that particular type of mistletoe must be stopped but the treatment can be started again, as soon as the patient is stable, with a different mistletoe.

The above is not meant to be a comprehensive discussion of the topic.

Each patient needs to discuss their treatment as appropriate for their situation.

But a trial with mistletoe is overwhelmingly safe and well worth the effort.

To your health,

R. Rentea MD

What we offer

At the Paulina Medical Clinic we consider an advanced mistletoe protocol to include all three forms of mistletoe administration: sub cutaneous injections, intravenous infusions and specialized oral mistletoe drops. Also highly recommended are a number of supplements that have been proven to have a synergistic effect with the mistletoe treatment.

Individualized Advice

Of course all advice given to patients is highly dependent on the specific individual. The recommendations vary depending on

• the organ involved (breast, prostate, uterus, colon, etc, etc.);
• the gender, age or body built of the patient;
• the soul constitution;
• individual sensitivities and preferences;
• laboratory results;
• and more.

Here are some (extremely) general examples of what one can expect when seen at our clinic.

Injections

We start with injections of a particular kind of mistletoe-as an example abnobaViscum fraxini. The mistletoe grows on many host trees and the choice will be made at the time of the visit, as appropriate. In this case the fraxini mistletoe is the kind growing on the ash tree.  (We often suggest it due to its high active ingredients content.) We usually recommend an injection every other day but depending on the response to the initial injections a shorter or longer time interval may be called for.

In cases of advanced tumors or in the presence of metastasis several kinds of mistletoe injections may be given in an alternating schedule. As an example one day viscum fraxini Monday, viscum betulae on Wednesday, and viscum amygdali on Friday then repeat.

Injections are self administered by the patients at their home.

Intravenous Infusions

After the tolerability of the particular injectable kind/kinds has been established intravenous infusions are started at the office – usually on a weekly basis. The amounts are gradually increased as discussed between the patient and the doctor. In the most advanced situations several of the previously tested injectable mistletoes are combined in one intravenous infusion. The duration is in general slightly over two hours.

Simultaneously, special oral mistletoe drops (as manufactured by the True Botanica company) as well as various supplements available from True Botanica or online will be recommended for taking at home.

Monitoring the Treatment

The progress of the treatment is monitored either by history, feed back from the patient or through conventional testing methods-laboratory, CT scans, etc.

we hope this advanced mistletoe protocol will be of additional benefit to our patients.

To your health,

R. Rentea MD

New in vitro research has demonstrated that mistletoe (viscum album) kills non small cell lung cancer cells. This research was done by the Kolisko Institute, a not -for-profit research laboratory, in cooperation with Paulina Medical Clinic doctors.

Here are some of the findings given in the research article abstract:

Non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR mutations continues to be a vexing problem due to the ability of the cancer to rapidly develop
drug resistance. In vitro studies with the non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma cell line HCC827 (with an acquired mutation in the EGFR tyrosine
kinase domain, E746 – A750 deletion) are relevant to the finding of increasingly effective treatments. Pharmaceutically processed, extracts of
mistletoe, Viscum album Loranthaceae, have been shown since the 1920’s to have potential in cancer therapy. They are currently the most
frequently used natural preparations in complementary cancer treatments. In this pilot study we demonstrate that newly prepared standardized
extractions of mistletoe (Viscum album, L.), from different host trees, are shown to significantly diminish the cell proliferation of the HCC 827
cell line.

Another in vitro study demonstrated that mistletoe can overcome drug resistance in non small cell lung cancer cells.

An observational study showed improved lung cancer survival length after treatment with mistletoe and homeopathic remedies.

At the Paulina Medical Clinic we are using a number of mistletoe varieties that have been proven to be useful in the care of lung cancer. Among them the primary are the Iscador U.c.Hg and the abnobaViscum varieties.

Mistletoe is administered primarily in injectable but also in intravenous and oral forms. A complete protocol requires careful combining of all three. The appropriate oral drops of mistletoe are manufactured by the True Botanica company. They are not to be confused with extracts obtainable in health food stores or online.

In the care of the many patients with lung cancer that we have been involved in we have also used very specific supplements that are directed towards improving the lung physiology and strengthening the immunological response of the patient.

The results have been very encouraging.

R. Rentea MD

For several months now we have introduced the abnobaViscum mistletoe at the Paulina Medical Clinic. It is a stronger mistletoe extract that has a solid reputation for effectiveness. For decades we have considered the mistletoe to be an integral part of the cancer care we offer at our clinic but with this mistletoe we are happy to report a further advancement.

Here are some of the noteworthy characteristics of the abnobaViscum (mistletoe) that differentiate it from the other mistletoe extracts.

Lectins and Viscotoxins

First some findings about the most active ingredients of the mistletoe. These are the lectins and viscotoxins components. Mistletoe Lectins stimulate our T Cells and NK cells and inhibit ribosomal subunit in cancer cells causing apoptosis. Viscotoxins cause cancer cell necrosis and synergize with chemotherapy.

abnobaViscum

There are several commercially available and highly studied mistletoe extracts. Among them abnobaViscum has the highest levels of mistletoe lectins and viscotoxins.
Due to the patented production of the pressed juice, 75% of the plant material used is dissolved into the pressed juice. As a result, reproducibly high concentrations of mistletoe lectins and viscotoxins are achieved in the extract. Both ingredient groups are extracted equally well.
AbnobaViscum is very well tolerated despite its high active ingredient content compared to other mistletoe preparations.

Uniquely for the abnobaViscum active lectins were found in the patients’ plasma after subcutaneous injection.. This raises of course the likelihood of the expected beneficial cancer cell killing and other positive therapeutic effects.

Due to its careful patented extraction the mistletoe extract is protected from oxidation which further enhances its pharmacological action. The manufacturing process involving liposomal formulations enhances its tolerability (meaning higher effective dosage can be administered).

In experimental studies no or minor potential for herb-drug interactions by interference with cytochromes P450 was found by abnobaViscum mistletoe.

Abnoba mistletoe has been found to significantly increase life span, quality of life and tolerability of conventional therapies like radiation, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Although this is not the focus of this blog it should be mentioned that mistletoe extracts in general, and when extracted in the so called “anthroposophical fashion” have been shown among other to

Detail of an electron microscopic image of liposomes in abnobaVISCUM.

Our ability to help patients at the Paulina Medical Clinic has unquestionably been helped by the administration of the abnobaViscum in a multitude of cancer types.

Additional information can be found on the following websites:

www.abnoba.de

www.paulinamedicallcinic.com 

To your health,

R. Rentea MD

Recently, the Anticancer Research Journal published an article detailing a case report of a renal cell carcinoma successfully treated with mistletoe extracts (viscum album).

Below is the abstract of the article.

“Background: Bilateral asynchronous renal cell
carcinoma (RCC) is infrequent. Immunotherapy is the first-line
treatment for advanced RCC not controlled by locoregional
therapy. Viscum album extracts (VAE) have been shown to
improve quality of life as well as immunological and
antineoplastic properties in different types of cancers. Case
Report: A 67-year-old man was diagnosed with Fuhrman
grade 3/4 RCC, stage pT1bN0M0 in the right kidney. During
the subsequent 6 years, he underwent a right nephrectomy and
two metastasectomies (lung). Then a renal cell carcinoma lesion of the left
kidney was detected. The patient refused a second nephrectomy
and was treated solely with high-dose intravenous and
subsequent subcutaneous VAE. A central necrotic area and a
peritumoral halo were seen on an ultrasound follow-up from
month 7. The patient showed no further progression of RCC
during the next 2.5 years. Conclusion: As far as we are aware
of, this is the first report of a patient with metastatic RCC with
an RCC lesion of the second kidney treated solely with highdose
intravenous and subcutaneous VAE, associated with 2.5
years of progression-free survival and a good quality of life.
The use of VAE in RCC should be carefully documented and
published to determine future research.

I have placed the full article in the Cancer section.

Ross Rentea MD

An interesting study published recently, in January of 2018, in npj Precision Oncology, makes a strong case for adding IV Vitamin C in the treatment of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).

Liver cancer of the actual liver cells needs to be distinguished from metastasis of other cancers (colon, breast, etc.) localized in the liver.

Liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers known, leading to a terminal state in about less than 2 years.

In this study, involving over 600 patients who had previously undergone a partial liver resection due to hepatocellular cancer, Vitamin C given in intravenous form was shown to kill cancerous liver cells and prolong the survival time of the treated patients.

Intravenous administration of Vitamin C has a high degree of safety as long as several basic precautions are followed.

In our clinic we advise several blood tests before the IV is given, such as a G6PD test and others. infusions usually take about two hours plus depending on the amount of Vitamin C given. Further details need to be tailored to the individual situation.

Following is an excerpt of the abstract of the article:

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid, ascorbate, VC) is a potential chemotherapeutic agent for cancer patients. However, the anti-tumor effects
of pharmacologic VC on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver cancer stem cells (CSCs) remain to be fully elucidated. Panels of
human HCC cell lines as well as HCC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models were employed to investigate the anti-tumor effects of
pharmacologic VC. The use of VC and the risk of HCC recurrence were examined retrospectively in 613 HCC patients who received
curative liver resection as their initial treatment. In vitro and in vivo experiments further demonstrated that clinically achievable
concentrations of VC induced cell death in liver cancer cells and the response to VC was correlated with sodium-dependent vitamin
C transporter 2 (SVCT-2) expressions. Mechanistically, VC uptake via SVCT-2 increased intracellular ROS, and subsequently caused
DNA damage and ATP depletion, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Most importantly, SVCT-2 was highly expressed in liver
CSCs, which promoted their self-renewal and rendered them more sensitive to VC. In HCC cell lines xenograft models, as well as in
PDX models, VC dramatically impaired tumor growth and eradicated liver CSCs. Finally, retrospective cohort study showed that
intravenous VC use was linked to improved disease-free survival (DFS) in HCC patients (adjusted HR = 0.622, 95% CI 0.487 to 0.795,
p o 0.001). Our data highlight that pharmacologic VC can effectively kill liver cancer cells and preferentially eradicate liver CSCs,
which provide further evidence supporting VC as a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.
Reference: npj Precision Oncology (2018) 2:1 ; doi:10.1038/s41698-017-0044-8

In order to help our patients in better understanding the mistletoe therapy we have created a new “Frequently Asked Questions in Mistletoe Therapy” page.

This is meant to be an adjunct not a substitution to the conversation with the doctor.  every individual is different and a personalized protocol will be discussed with each person according to their needs. it is helpful nevertheless to be able to review some information later.

Which kind of mistletoe is being recommended (Iscador, Helixor, Viscum, etc) will depend on the appropriateness of the condition, availability and more.

Let us know if any other “frequent questions” come up that were not addressed.

To your health,

Ross Rentea MD

A recent study has shown that using injectable Mistletoe (an herbal extract) increases survival time in cancer treatment by over 40%. (1) The study followed thousands of matched pairs of patients with lung, colon, rectum, stomach and breast carcinoma with or without metastasis. Not only did survival time in the mistletoe treated patients far exceed the survival time of the mistletoe non treated patients but also the sense of well being and the so called ability for self regulation increased dramatically. Self regulation was shown to be a predictor for better prognosis in the success of cancer treatment.

In the present study the mistletoe preparation used was Iscador but similar results are seen with other mistletoes preparations – Helixor, etc. Taken together the various mistletoe preparations are the most commonly prescribed cancer “drugs” in Central Europe – given as part of a complementary medicine program. They have been safely prescribed for many decades.

Mistletoe preparations are:

• stimulating the immune system
• prolong the survival time in cancer treatment
• directly cause cancer cell death without harming healthy cells
• increase the sense of well being of patients and help to tolerate any conventionally given chemotherapy or radiation (if the need for such therapy arises)

They are essentially side effects free.

Dr. Ross Rentea has also published studies on the mistletoe extract Iscador at the University of Chicago already in 1976. 

We have prescribed mistletoe preparations as injections, intravenous infusions and also by oral application for over 35 years with great success. Many patients who came to us having been given only months to live are still with us many years later. Of course individual situations and destinies differ but considering the positive world wide experience a try is very much worthwhile.

Find out more information on our Cancer page.

Also see the mistletoe study at the Johns Hopkins University Kimmel Center

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/kimmel_cancer_center/research_clinical_trials/clinical_trials/mistletoe.html

(1)

Use of Iscador , an extract of European mistletoe (Viscum Album), in Cancer Treatment: Prospective nonrandomized and randomized matched–pair studies nested within a cohort study, R. Grossarth-Maticek, et al, Alternative Therapies, May/June 2001, Vol. 7, No.3