Immunostimulatory properties of mistletoe extracts and their application in oncology
Journal Title: Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine - Year 2014, Vol 68, Issue
Abstract
For a long time cancer immunotherapy was overshadowed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Recently, “Science”, one of the world’s top scientific journals, named the stimulation of the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells as the “breakthrough of the year”. In Germany, Switzerland and Austria, extracts derived from mistletoe (Viscum album L.) such as Iscador, Abnobaviscum, Helixor, Iscar, Iscucin and Isorel have been used in oncology for many years. These extracts have immunomodulating and immunostimulating properties, as demonstrated by experimental studies as well as in clinical trials. The aim of our paper is to present immunological disorders associated with cancer, which can be counteracted by treatment with extracts derived from mistletoe. Although these drugs cannot replace conventionalcancer treatment, they may improve the patient’s quality and length of life.
Authors and Affiliations
Sylwia Wrotek, Robert Skawiński, Wiesław Kozak
Selected indices of peritoneal fibrosis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Peritoneal dialysis is an alternative to hemodialysis in the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease. Long-term use of peritoneal dialysis is limited by progressive alterations in the peritoneal membrane. The...
Ocena wpływu stymulacji komórek mononuklearnych krwi obwodowej polisacharydami Streptococcus pneumoniae na ekspresję wybranych receptorów Toll-podobnych, markerów aktywacji oraz antygenu FAS u chorych na przewlekłą białaczkę limfocytową
Receptor p75NTR – rola w procesach wzrostu i śmierci komórki
Istotne dla rozwoju układu nerwowego czynniki troficzne oddziałują z komórkami za pośrednictwem receptorów o aktywności kinazy tyrozynowej (Trk) zazwyczaj przekazujących sygnał do wzrostu i przeżycia oraz z receptorem p...
Hiperhomocysteinemia u chorych na schorzenia układu krążenia
Homocysteina (Hcy) jest endogennym, niebiałkowym aminokwasem siarkowym powstającym na szlaku przemian metioniny i cysteiny, aktywnie uczestniczącym w licznych reakcjach biochemicznych.Całkowite stężenie homocysteiny w os...
Genetic factors in pathogenesis, course and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of chronic gastrointestinal disorders with alternating relapses and remissions. Two main types within IBD can be distinguished: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Consid...