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[Helixor--mistletoe preparation for cancer therapy. Documentation No. 19]
Schweizerische Rundschau Fur Medizin Praxis = Revue Suisse De Medecine Praxis
|March 6, 1990
Summary
Helixor, a mistletoe extract for cancer therapy, has limited evidence of clinical efficacy. Further research is needed to clarify its pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and effects on the immune system and tumors.
Area of Science:
- Phytotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Oncology
Background:
- Helixor is an aqueous mistletoe extract used in anthroposophical medicine for oncological therapy and bone marrow stimulation.
- It contains components like lectins and viscotoxins, with indications and contraindications documented.
- Developed in 1968, it aims to bridge conventional and natural cancer treatments with purported cancerostatic and immunostimulatory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Helixor in cancer treatment.
- To investigate the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of the Helixor extract.
- To elucidate the specific effects of Helixor on the immune system and tumor processes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing clinical-historical comparative studies.
- In vitro studies on cell lines.
- Animal experiments with mistletoe juice.
Main Results:
- In vitro studies showed a cytostatic effect on cell lines.
- Animal experiments yielded contradictory results.
- Clinical studies contained methodological errors and did not provide evidence of clinical efficacy against tumors.
Conclusions:
- The clinical efficacy of Helixor against tumors is not supported by current evidence due to methodological limitations in studies.
- Further rigorous research is required to understand its pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and specific impact on the immune system and cancer.
- The purported selective cancerostatic and immunostimulatory effects require further scientific validation.