(This is an abridged version of the presentation titled “Clinical Assessment of European Mistletoe Extracts (Viscum Album) Along with Homeopathy in III and IV Stage Cancers”. It was delivered by Dr Ravi Doctor, Associate Professor – VHMC Faculty – International Integrated Oncology Training – Indo Swiss Faculty – Fellowship Prog – Palliative Oncology Maharashtra University Of Health Sciences – at the ‘Dr N Srinivasa Rao Memorial Symposium – Rare Diseases & Alternative Treatment’ organized by IORD at Hyderabad on 25th June.)
Methods:
In these clinical studies, the guidelines of good clinical practice (GCP) were followed. The researcher used Viscum Album extracts series from host trees Viscum Mali (apple) and Viscum Pine & Viscum Quercus with drug strength of 0.01mg, 1mg, 10mg & 20mg.
The homoeopathic remedies were prepared from registered pharmaceutical company’s dilutions of Arsenic Alb 200, Cobalt 6C, Calendula 30C, Chelidonium 30C, Chelidonium Q and Echinacea Q were used according to the pathological diagnosis in these cases.
The patients selected for the study had registered at the department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Saifee Hospital for undergoing Homeopathy along with Mistletoe therapy as a supportive and palliative treatment care for their current stage of Cancer.
Abstract Objectives:
- To establish evidence-based clinical case studies showing the efficacy of Viscum Album extracts along with Homeopathy in Stage III and stage IV cancers.
- To establish Viscum Album as an immuno-modulator in III and IV stage cancer.
- To establish the role of Viscum Album extracts along with Homeopathy to improve quality of life in critical stages of Cancer.
Challenges:
Effective treatment remains one of the biggest challenges to modern Oncology and at times due to conventional therapies such as Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy falling short of their goals, patients are compelled to resort to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies to improve their Quality of Life and to bring in longevity to life even at their current state of the disease.
The standardised Mistletoe extracts have been applied to cancer patients for over 100 years in mostly German-speaking countries. These extracts are widely used in complementary cancer treatment as immunomodulating agents. Two major components of Mistletoe, Viscum Album extracts namely viscotoxins and lectins are largely responsible for these effects.
Homoeopathy is as popular as other CAM therapies and its efficacy is known by a few Randomised Control Trials (RCTs) conducted in the realm of cancer palliation and supportive care by numerous research organisations, one such being the central council of research in Homeopathy, India.
Mistletoe Treatment: Outcomes
Their major outcomes were in the realm of Immune Modulation. They include:
- Immune Response
- Disease Stability
- Reducing Disease Aggressiveness
- Reducing Metastatic Spread
- Reducing Counter Infections
Improved Quality of Life:
The Mistletoe Treatment improved the quality of life of the patients. In particular, it increased:
- Prolonged Life
- 5 Year Survival
- Healthy Life
Two Case Studies:
Case 1 (Patient had Acute Toxemia + Hepatic Encephalopathy)
This was a 55-year-old woman with Metastatic Adeno Carcinoma Ovary stage IV with fulminant metastasis (Liver, Peritoneum, Lungs, Brain, Spine and anterior abdominal wall) + Liver failure + Ascites. She had septicaemia due to a necrotic abdominal wound.
Challenges in Case 1:
The patient had an open suture on the anterior abdomen, with a large necrotic mass of about 15cm X 9cm. Severe Icterus.
- Controlling septicaemia
- Controlling pain
- Controlling Hepatic Encephalopathy
- Immune modulation
- Improving quality of life – dignity to life
Treatment protocol in Case 1:
- Chelidonium 6 + Arsenic Album 30 frequent repetitions
- Iscador (Viscum M) Peritumoral injections 10mgs
- Calendula + Hoang-Nan wound dressing
- Euphorbium
Results in Case 1:
There was an overall improvement in physical and psychological quality of life at such a terminal stage of the disease. She lived in dignity with a good quality of life for 4 months 8 days without undergoing further grave complications
Case 2: Colon cancer with multi-organ failure
This was a case of a 63-year-old woman of Adeno Ca Sigmoid Colon grade III with Chemotherapy-induced Cardiogenic shock + Multi-Organ Failure
Objectives:
- Stabilizing the Immune system Post Anaphylaxis
- Preventing Recurrence – Disease stability
- Improving Quality of life
Case 2: Treatment Plan
- Homeopathy Psorinum therapy + Constitutional remedy Calc Carb 200
- Viscum Album Prep Iscador M (Mali- 0.1mg – 20mgs)
Results:
- No disease-related complaints at all after a five-year evaluation
- Complete stabilization of cancer disease.
- Excellent Quality of Life
Learnings from Mistletoe Treatment
- Improve and stimulate specific immune pathways
- Enhance cellular apoptosis
- Specific cell cytotoxicity
- Adjuvant with Monoclonal Antibodies
- Stimulates fever metabolism
- Tumour stability
- Longevity to life
- Stimulates warmth element
- Slows down aggressive tumours
- Improves sleep rhythm
- Interferes with Glucose metabolism
