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Mistletoe and Immunomodulation: Insights and Implications for Anticancer Therapies
Shiao Li Oei1, Anja Thronicke1, Friedemann Schad1,2
1Research Institute Havelhöhe, 14089 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
In early tumor development, cancer cells develop a plethora of strategies to escape surveillance from the adaptive and innate immune system. Cancer immunotherapies, in particular immune checkpoint inhibitors, are becoming a highly promising cancer therapeutic approach that has remarkable increased progress in combating various cancer types. Unfortunately, their mechanisms of action induce some complications, such as inflammatory reactions and immune-related adverse events. In the management of side effects during anticancer therapy, complementary and integrative therapy approaches are becoming of growing interest. Particularly, mistletoe, Viscum album L. (VA), has a long traditional history of about 100 years as an add-on therapy of cancer treatment in German-speaking countries. Besides antitumoral and quality of life-promoting activities, VA applications reduce side effects of modern conventional anticancer therapies and exert immunomodulatory characteristics. As these properties may provide a good basis for a combination with modern oncological therapies, the biological activities of VA applications and mechanisms involved have to be understood. In this review, the impact of VA compounds on different cellular pathways and immunological reactions in the fight against cancerous cells is discussed.
Insights
Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) is a complementary therapy that may reduce side effects of cancer treatments like immune checkpoint inhibitors. Its compounds modulate immune responses and cellular pathways against cancer.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer cells evade immune surveillance through various strategies.
- Cancer immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, show promise but can cause inflammatory side effects.
- Complementary and integrative therapies are increasingly explored for managing cancer treatment side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological activities and mechanisms of Viscum album L. (VA) as a complementary cancer therapy.
- To discuss the potential of VA in combination with modern oncological therapies.
- To understand VA's impact on cellular pathways and immunological reactions against cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on Viscum album L. in cancer therapy.
- Analysis of VA's effects on cellular pathways.
- Examination of VA's immunomodulatory characteristics and impact on immune reactions.
Main Results:
- Viscum album L. has a long tradition as an add-on cancer therapy.
- VA demonstrates antitumoral and quality of life-promoting activities.
- VA applications can reduce side effects of conventional anticancer therapies and possess immunomodulatory properties.
Conclusions:
- Viscum album L. exhibits promising immunomodulatory and side-effect-mitigating properties for cancer treatment.
- Understanding VA's mechanisms is crucial for its integration with modern oncological therapies.
- VA compounds influence cellular pathways and immunological reactions relevant to cancer treatment.
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