Avicenna journal of phytomedicine
Mistletoe extract (Iscador®) in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy for prostate and bladder tumors: A prospective observational study
By Heidari SS, Ahmadi R, Siavashpour M and 4 others.
Abstract
Objective
While mistletoe (a semi-parasitic evergreen plant) extract is commonly used as a complementary therapy in Europe, the evidence for its efficacy against the toxicity of chemotherapy is mixed. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of mistletoe extract as a complementary therapy on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and hematological toxicities in patients with metastatic prostate and bladder cancers undergoing chemotherapy.
Materials and methods
This observational study prospectively involved patients with metastatic prostate and bladder cancers treated with either chemotherapy alone or in combination with Iscador®, a mistletoe extract. The study's primary outcome was HRQoL assessed at baseline and after each chemotherapy cycle. Secondary outcomes included hematological toxicities.