In modern cancer therapy, herbal agents are being used more often alongside oncological therapeutics. Mistletoe extract also plays a significant role in integrative oncology, as the plant is said to have an effect on the immune system and immune response. In addition, studies have shown that higher dosages can have a positive effect in cancer therapy.
Phytotherapy sometimes offers a glimmer of hope, particularly for people with advanced pancreatic cancer – because the tumour is often associated with a short survival time and conventional oncological treatment options are limited.
A recent double-blind randomised study therefore addressed the question of whether the administration of mistletoe extract in addition to intensified oncological therapy could have a positive influence on the outcomes of advanced exocrine pancreatic cancer.
For this purpose, the participants were randomised 1:1 and received either mistletoe extract or a placebo subcutaneously over a period of nine months. The overall survival and quality of life of the patients were then measured.
There was no significant difference between the two groups. Mistletoe extract was not able to lead to improved survival times or an increased quality of life in this study. However, there were no undesirable effects other than increased irritation at the injection site.
In the aforementioned study, the additional administration of mistletoe extract compared to placebo did not lead to improved survival in advanced pancreatic cancer. However, there were no significant adverse effects either. Previous studies had suggested a positive effect of the plant in pancreatic cancer patients, but these had not been double-blind.