Mistletoe as complementary treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with carboplatin-based combinations: a randomised phase II study

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Mistletoe as complementary treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with carboplatin-based combinations: a randomised phase II study

Bar-Sela et al., 2013 | Eur J Cancer | Rct

Citation

Bar-Sela Gil, Wollner Mira, ... Haim Nissim. Mistletoe as complementary treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with carboplatin-based combinations: a randomised phase II study. Eur J Cancer. 2013-Mar;49(5):1058-64. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2012.11.007

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Mistletoe preparations, such as iscador, are common complementary medications. This randomised phase II study of iscador combined with carboplatin-containing regimens was conducted in chemotherapy-naïve advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients to assess its influence on chemotherapy-related side-effects and QoL. METHODS: Patients with advanced NSCLC were randomised to receive chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy plus iscador thrice weekly until tumour progression. Chemotherapy consisted of 21-day cycles of carboplatin combined with gemcitabine or pemetrexed. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients (control: 39; iscador: 33) were enrolled in the study. Most (65%) were in stage IV, and 62% had squamous histology. Median overall survival in both groups was 11 months. Median TTP was 4.8 months for the controls and 6 months in the iscador arm (p=NS). Differences in grade 3-4 haematological toxicity were not significant but more control patients had chemotherapy dose reductions (44% versus 13%, p=0.005), grade 3-4 non-haematological toxicities (41% versus 16%, p=0.043) and hospitalisations (54% versus 24%, p=0.016). CONCLUSION: No effect of iscador could be found on quality of life or total adverse events. Nevertheless, chemotherapy dose reductions, severe non-haematological side-effects and hospitalisations were less frequent in patients treated with iscador, warranting further investigation of iscador as a modifier of chemotherapy-related toxicity.

Key Findings

Seventy-two patients (control: 39; iscador: 33) were enrolled in the study. Most (65%) were in stage IV, and 62% had squamous histology. Median overall survival in both groups was 11 months. Median TTP was 4.8 months for the controls and 6 months in the iscador arm (p=NS). Differences in grade 3-4 haematological toxicity were not significant but more control patients had chemotherapy dose reductions (44% versus 13%, p=0.005), grade 3-4 non-haematological toxicities (41% versus 16%, p=0.043) and

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population advanced nsclc were randomised
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Carboplatin
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Complementary Therapies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mistletoe
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Vertical: mistletoe

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09