Oligoclonal in vitro response of CD4 T cells to vesicles of mistletoe extracts in mistletoe-treated cancer patients

Journal/Book: Cancer-Immunol-Immunother 44 (3), 150-156. 1997;

Abstract: Mistletoe (*Viscum* album) extracts are widely used in adjuvant cancertherapy. We have investigated the in vitro responsiveness of T cellsfrom mistletoe-treated cancer patients and untreated healthy donors tovarious preparations of mistletoe extracts. Proliferation of peripheralblood mononuclear cells from treated but not from untreated patients wasobserved in response to therapeutically used mistletoe extracts preparedfrom apple (mali) or pine (pini) host trees. The strongest proliferationwas induced by a vesicle preparation of mali extract. Activation wasstrongly inhibited by interleukin-10. Using a newly developedflow-cytometry assay, we determined that cell growth was restricted toCD4 T cells. Analysis with a panel of monoclonal antibodies against thevariable region of the T cell receptor beta chain (V beta) revealed anoligoclonal pattern of CD4 T cell activation. These results indicatethat therapeutic administration of mistletoe extracts sensitizes arestricted set of CD4 T lymphocytes in mistletoe-treated patients.Author.

Keyword(s): CELL-DIVISION/DE (drug effects)

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