Tido von Schoen-Angerer1, Johannes Wilkens2, Gunver S Kienle3, Helmut Kiene4, Jan Vagedes5. 1. Research Associate for the ARCIM Institute in Filderstadt, Germany, and an Attending Pediatrician at the Fribourg Hospital in Switzerland. tido.von.schoenangerer@gmail.com. 2. Attending Physician at the Alexander von Humboldt Klinik in Bad Steben, Germany. dr.wilkens@humboldtklinik.de. 3. Senior Researcher for the Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at the University of Witten/Herdecke in Freiburg, Germany. gunver.kienle@ifaemm.de. 4. Director of the Institute for Applied Epistemology and Medical Methodology at the University of Witten/Herdecke in Freiburg, Germany. helmut.kiene@ifaemm.de. 5. Medical Director of the ARCIM Institute in Filderstadt, Germany, and a Researcher in the Department of Pediatrics at the University Hospital Tübingen in Germany. j.vagedes@arcim-institute.de.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Viscum album extract (European mistletoe), containing immuno-active compounds with dose-dependent cytotoxic activity, is being used as an adjuvant cancer treatment in Europe. Few studies have yet been done with high-dose, fever-inducing Viscum album treatment. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether subcutaneous injections of high-dose Viscum album have a preventive effect on risk of recurrence of bladder cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the case records of patients with resectable bladder cancer who underwent initiation of high-dose Viscum album treatment at our clinic between January 2006 and December 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We calculated tumor recurrence and progression risk and explored case records to assess whether treatment had a likely, possible, or unlikely beneficial effect. RESULTS: Eight patients were identified, 7 of whom had nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer and 1 with muscle-invasive cancer. Four patients had frequently recurring tumors before treatment. Among the 8 patients, 28 episodes of recurrence were observed. Median tumor-free follow-up duration was 48.5 months. High-dose Viscum album showed a possible beneficial effect in 5 of 8 patients, could not be assessed in 2 patients, and had an uncertain effect in 1 patient. No tumor progression was observed. Treatment was generally well tolerated and no patient stopped treatment because of side effects. CONCLUSION: High-dose Viscum album treatment may have interrupted frequently recurring tumors in individual patients with recurrent bladder cancer. Prospective studies are needed to assess whether this treatment offers an additional, bladder-sparing preventive option for patients with intermediate- to high-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer.. Treatment was generally well tolerated and no patient stopped treatment because of side effects.
INTRODUCTION:Viscum album extract (European mistletoe), containing immuno-active compounds with dose-dependent cytotoxic activity, is being used as an adjuvant cancer treatment in Europe. Few studies have yet been done with high-dose, fever-inducing Viscum album treatment. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether subcutaneous injections of high-dose Viscum album have a preventive effect on risk of recurrence of bladder cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the case records of patients with resectable bladder cancer who underwent initiation of high-dose Viscum album treatment at our clinic between January 2006 and December 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We calculated tumor recurrence and progression risk and explored case records to assess whether treatment had a likely, possible, or unlikely beneficial effect. RESULTS: Eight patients were identified, 7 of whom had nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer and 1 with muscle-invasive cancer. Four patients had frequently recurring tumors before treatment. Among the 8 patients, 28 episodes of recurrence were observed. Median tumor-free follow-up duration was 48.5 months. High-dose Viscum album showed a possible beneficial effect in 5 of 8 patients, could not be assessed in 2 patients, and had an uncertain effect in 1 patient. No tumor progression was observed. Treatment was generally well tolerated and no patient stopped treatment because of side effects. CONCLUSION: High-dose Viscum album treatment may have interrupted frequently recurring tumors in individual patients with recurrent bladder cancer. Prospective studies are needed to assess whether this treatment offers an additional, bladder-sparing preventive option for patients with intermediate- to high-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer.. Treatment was generally well tolerated and no patient stopped treatment because of side effects.
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