Researchers at Johns Hopkins University report that mistletoe extract may slow the progression of certain cancers. The reported findings come from a study whose results were published in a peer-reviewed journal, Cancer Research Communications.
Mistletoe, specifically the white variety, is an evergreen shrub that attaches to various deciduous trees. It is prevalent in Europe and the southern part of the European Russia region. For generations, mistletoe has appeared in traditional medical practices, where it has been used to address a range of nervous system conditions and cancer-related symptoms.
To determine whether mistletoe holds therapeutic potential, scientists designed a controlled investigation. In this trial, mistletoe extract was delivered intravenously to 21 adults with advanced cancer. The researchers aimed to evaluate not only potential benefits but also the safety profile of this treatment approach.
In the early phase of the study, participants received an initial dose of 600 milligrams three times per week, with careful monitoring and subsequent dose adjustments as the protocol allowed. Over the 15-week period, several notable outcomes emerged. Disease stabilization—meaning the cancer did not show measurable progression—was observed in five participants. Additionally, tumor shrinkage was documented in three patients. These observations provide a data point suggesting possible activity of mistletoe extract in a subset of advanced cancer cases, while underscoring the need for larger, randomized trials to confirm efficacy and establish optimal dosing strategies.
Experts emphasize that these findings are preliminary and must be interpreted in the context of the study’s size and design. The safety results reported in the trial contribute to a growing body of evidence that mistletoe extracts can be administered with an acceptable safety profile in a carefully supervised clinical setting. Ongoing and future research will help determine whether mistletoe-based therapies can complement existing treatment regimens for cancer care and under what specific circumstances they may be most beneficial. For readers seeking context, citations from the presenting team and publishing journal provide further details on methodology and outcomes.”