Intrapleurale Instillation eines Extraktes aus Viscum album (L.) zur Behandlung maligner Pleuraergüsse

Journal/Book: Tumordiagnostik u. Therapie 15 (2), 57-62. 1994;

Abstract: From January 1990 to December 1991 20 patients with malignant pleuraleffusions were prospectively documented and intrapleurally treated withan extract of Viscum album (L.) (Helixorregistered trade mark). Theresult was documented according to the WHO standard. Eleven of the 18evaluable patients showed pleurodesis, two patients had a partialremission after the treatment. In four of the 18 patients the therapyfailed. The overall response rate was 72%. Each effusion liquid wascytologically, chemically, and immunologically analyzed. The statisticalanalysis of the data showed a significant decrease of tumor cells in theeffusion liquid, whereas the lymphocytes and their subpopulations showedno significant change. In the effusion liquid of eleven of 13 patients,anti-mistletoe-lectin antibodies were found before therapy. Thepleurodesis by Viscum album instillations does probably not depend on acytotoxic effect of the lectins. With a response rate of 72% the Viscumalbum instillation is equal to the mostly applied treatment withtetracyclins, but the Viscum album instillations caused only 1.2% slightside effects of the WHO classification 1. They eased off withouttherapy. The pleurodesis by Viscum album is methodically simple,effective and poor of side effects.

Keyword(s): Medical:cancer

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