Fever therapy with intravenously applied mistletoe extracts for cancer patients: a retrospective study
a retrospective studyFever therapy with intravenously applied mistletoe extracts for cancer patients: a retrospective study
a retrospective studySamenvatting
Purpose. So-called spontaneous remissions in cancer often seem to occur after febrile events. Mistletoe preparations (MPs) are used off-label intravenously to induce fever within concepts of integrative oncology. We wanted to investigate the frequency of febrile reactions and safety related to intravenously applied MPs (IAMPs). Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of data from consecutive cancer patients who were treated in 2 anthroposophic hospitals with IAMPs. The main outcome parameter was the rate of core temperature increase to ≥38.5°C within 24 hours after IAMPs. Secondary outcome parameters were Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE; version 4.0). Results. 59 patients, with in total 567 IAMPs, were analyzed; 45 patients (76%, 95% CI = 65%-87%) had an increase of core temperature to ≥38.5°C after at least 1 treatment. Mean increase in temperature was 1.5°C ± 0.8°C. Adverse events were mostly fever-related symptoms (headache, joint pain, shivering). Grade 1 allergic reactions were documented in 0.6% of treatments. CTCAEs grade 3 to 5 did not occur; 38/59 patients had advanced and/or metastatic disease. Conclusion. IAMPs resulted in febrile reactions to >38.5°C in the majority of patients and can be considered as safe. Adverse events were mostly related to fever and were not severe.
Organisatie | Hogeschool Leiden |
Afdeling | Faculteit Zorg |
Lectoraat | Antroposofische Gezondheidszorg |
Gepubliceerd in | Integrative cancer therapies Vol. Volume: 16, Uitgave: issue: 4, Pagina's: 479-484 |
Datum | 2016-07-24 |
Type | Artikel |
DOI | 10.1177/1534735416658121 |
Taal | Engels |