The preclinical and clinical activity of aviscumine: a potential anticancer drug

Extracts from the European mistletoe plant Viscumalbum have been studied for decades for their direct and indirect anticancer activity. Therefore, scientists were interested in identifying the active compound (mistletoe lectin) in these extracts and making it available as a highly purified molecule for drug development. Recombinant mistletoe lectin (INN: aviscumine) was produced in Escherichiacoli. It has been shown to have immunomodulatory and cytotoxic activity in invitro and in animal models and can target tumour cells. Clinical phase I studies also demonstrated immunomodulatory activity, which appears to have a positive effect on disease stabilisation. This review explores the current knowledge base for aviscumine's mechanism of action, efficacy and side-effects in both preclinical studies and clinical trials, and it considers aviscumine's potential as a cancer therapy.