Drug Based on Mistletoe in Trials Against Cancer By Paula Moyer FRANKFURT (Reuters Health) - A drug based on a component of mistletoe is being studied as a possible treatment for drug-resistant cancers, German researchers said at a cancer conference on Thursday. Mistletoe is the most commonly used alternative medicine for cancer in Europe, although the weight of scientific evidence shows it offers no benefit. But the protein used in this study is synthetically developed and has a more consistent quality than natural mistletoe extracts, according to Dr. Patrick Schoeffski, a cancer researcher at Hannover Medical School. Although it is based on a chemical found in mistletoe, the formulation used in the current research bears little resemblance to the many different versions sold in Germany and other northern European countries, he said. "We wanted to investigate a compound that was structurally similar to mistletoe lectin, because of the evidence that this substance is biologically active against cancer," he told Reuters Health. "However, in natural mistletoe, it's in such low concentrations that the substance has virtually no therapeutic value." He discussed the trial here at the joint meeting of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer, the National Cancer Institute and the American Association for Cancer Research. The investigative product, known as rViscumin, is a recombinant protein grown in the bacterium E. coli. In the current study, more than 30 patients with varying types of drug-resistant cancer are being given intravenous rViscumin. In another study, patients are receiving the drug under the skin surface. Prior research showed that patients who received rViscumin had a definite immune system response to treatment; investigators detected increased levels of cytokines, cells that help the body to form antibodies, in the patients' bodies. Schoeffski cautioned that research with rViscumin is preliminary, and that its benefit to patients is not yet known. However, he and colleagues are hopeful about its potential, he said. "We're very excited about this compound," he told Reuters Health. "It's the first opportunity to study a recombinant protein similar to mistletoe in a scientific manner in order to assess its potential role in the treatment of cancer." 11/02 Thanks to Reuters Health Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.