Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Predictors and outcomes in primary depression care (POKAL) - a research training group develops an innovative approach to collaborative care.

BMC primary care·2022
Same author

Acupuncture in diabetic peripheral neuropathy-protocol for the randomized, multicenter ACUDPN trial.

Trials·2021
Same author

The persistence of the effects of acupuncture after a course of treatment: a meta-analysis of patients with chronic pain.

Pain·2016
Same author

MMW Fortschritte der Medizin·2016
Same author

Incisional Hernia: Complications & Quality of Life.

Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery·2015
Same author

[The Motivation for Physicians in Training as Specialists in General Medicine to Open their Own Surgery].

Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))·2015

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe
06:16

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe

Published on: March 1, 2022

Mistletoe therapy in oncology.

M A Horneber1, G Bueschel, R Huber

  • 1Medizinische Klinik 5, Arbeitsgruppe Biologische Krebstherapie, Prof.-Ernst-Nathan-Str. 1, Nuernberg, Germany, D-90419. horneber@klinikum-nuernberg.de

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 22, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mistletoe extracts show weak evidence for improving cancer survival but may enhance quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy for breast cancer. More high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings and assess overall safety and effectiveness.

More Related Videos

Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
03:59

Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology

Published on: May 22, 2026

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe
06:16

Mistletoe Eradicator - A Novel Tool for Simultaneous Mechanical and Chemical Control of Mistletoe

Published on: March 1, 2022

Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology
03:59

Therapeutic Massage for Psychological Well-being in Geriatric Oncology

Published on: May 22, 2026

Area of Science:

  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Mistletoe extracts are frequently used by cancer patients, with claims of improving survival and quality of life (QOL).
  • This review critically evaluates the scientific evidence supporting these claims.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the effectiveness, tolerability, and safety of mistletoe extracts as monotherapy or adjunct therapy in cancer patients.
  • To synthesize findings from randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (e.g., CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE) up to August 2007.
  • Included RCTs involved adults with any cancer type, using mistletoe extracts as sole treatment or alongside conventional therapies.
  • Outcomes assessed included survival, tumor response, QOL, psychological distress, and adverse effects.

Main Results:

  • Twenty-one RCTs involving 3484 patients were included; reporting quality was generally poor.
  • Limited, low-quality evidence suggested potential survival benefits in some trials, but not consistently.
  • Some evidence indicated mistletoe extracts may improve QOL during chemotherapy, particularly for breast cancer patients, though only two trials were of higher methodological quality.

Conclusions:

  • Current RCT evidence for mistletoe extracts impacting cancer survival or treatment tolerance is weak.
  • Potential benefits for QOL in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy warrant further investigation.
  • High-quality, independent research is essential to establish the safety and efficacy of mistletoe extracts in oncology.