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CMAJ
CMAJ - October 6, 1998JAMC - le 6 octobre 1998

Evaluating unconventional therapies

CMAJ 1998;159:759

See response from: E. Kaegi, M. Schneider
We agree with the article "Unconventional therapies for cancer: 3. Iscador" (CMAJ 1998;158[9]:1157-9 [full text]) that the evidence for a clinical benefit of Iscador is inconclusive. However, we would like to correct the description of its constituents. Viscotoxins are not lectins and have considerably lower molecular weight than mistletoe lectins.1 Viscotoxins can directly damage the cell membrane2 and have cytostatic effects. Furthermore, recent research on mistletoe lectins3 has indicated promise for further clinical studies and has enabled standardized application of mistletoe extracts.

Tibor Hajto, MD
Prof. Reinhard Saller
University Hospital Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland

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References

  1. Wagner H, Jordan E, Feil B. Studies on the standardization of mistletoe preparations. Oncology 1986;43(Suppl 1): 16-22.
  2. Franz H. Mistletoe lectins and their A and B chains. Oncology 1986;43(Suppl 1):23-4.
  3. Hostanska K, Hajto T, Weber K, Fischer J, Lentzen H, Sütterlin B, Saller R. A natural immunity-activating plant lectin, Viscum album agglutinin-I, induces apoptosis in human lymphocytes, monocytes, monocytic THP-1 cells and murine thymocytes. Nat Immun 1996-97;15:295-311.