Mistletoe (VISCUM ALBUM) lectins as cytokine inducers and immunoadjuvant in tumor therapy. A review

Journal/Book: J. Biol. Regulators and Homeostatic Agents 7 (1), 1-6. 1993;

Abstract: Therapy of cancer with a Viscum extract has been carried out in Europefor over six decades in thousands of patients with uncertain advantages.This approach has been bedeviled by major problems such as variablecomposition of the extract, lack of knowledge of active component(s) andmechanism of action, to cite a few. However the recent standardizationof Viscumin in terms of galactoside-binding lectin activity has allowedto clarify that it can act as powerful inflammatory mediator able tostimulate the immune system. Merits and demerits of this approach havebeen reviewed and although the active component has probably not uniqueimmunoenhancing properties, it may be useful as an adjuvant in thebiological therapy of cancer and it should not be ignored any longer. Asusual, medical progress depends upon experimentation and not exclusivelyon intuition and emotion. Author.

Keyword(s): ADJUVANTS-IMMUNOLOGIC/ PD (pharmacology)

Zurück | Weiter