Mistletoe Extract in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Tial (MISTRAL)

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Mistletoe Extract in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Tial (MISTRAL)

Wode et al., 2024 | Dtsch Arztebl Int | Rct

Citation

Wode Kathrin, Kienle Gunver S, ... Henriksson Roger. Mistletoe Extract in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Tial (MISTRAL). Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2024-May-31;121(11):347-354. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2024.0080

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer have limited survival and few treatment options. We studied whether mistletoe extract (ME), in addition to comprehensive oncological treatment and palliative care, prolongs overall survival (OS) and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: The double-blind, placebo-controlled MISTRAL trial was conducted in Swedish oncology centers. The main inclusion criteria were advanced exocrine pancreatic cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2. The subjects were randomly assigned to ME (n=143) or placebo (n=147) and were stratified by study site and by eligibility (yes/no) for palliative chemotherapy (June 2016-December 2021). ME or placebo was injected subcutaneously three times a week for nine months. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); one of the secondary endpoints was the HRQoL dimension global health/QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30), as assessed at seven time points over nine months. Trial registration: EudraCT 2014-004552-64, NCT02948309. RESULTS: No statistically significant benefit of adding ME to standard treatment was seen with respect to either OS or global health/ QoL. The adjusted hazard ratio for OS was 1.13 [0.89; 1.44], with a median survival time of 7.8 and 8.3 months for ME and placebo, respectively. The figures for the HRQoL dimension "global health/QoL" were similar in the two groups (p=0.86). The number, severity, and outcome of the reported adverse events were similar as well, except for more common local skin reactions at ME injection sites (66% vs. 1%). CONCLUSION: ME is unlikely to have a clinically significant effect on OS or the HRQoL dimension global health/QoL when administered in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in addition to comprehensive cancer care.

Key Findings

No statistically significant benefit of adding ME to standard treatment was seen with respect to either OS or global health/ QoL. The adjusted hazard ratio for OS was 1.13 [0.89; 1.44], with a median survival time of 7.8 and 8.3 months for ME and placebo, respectively. The figures for the HRQoL dimension "global health/QoL" were similar in the two groups (p=0.86). The number, severity, and outcome of the reported adverse events were similar as well, except for more common local skin reactions at

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population advanced pancreatic cancer have
Sample Size 143
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms
  • Plant Extracts
  • Male
  • Female
  • Middle Aged
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Quality of Life
  • Aged
  • Mistletoe
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Palliative Care
  • Adult
  • Sweden

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Multicenter Study
  • Vertical: mistletoe

Provenance

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