Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Gay Men's Health Crisis: Treatment Issues, Volume 7 no. 11/12 - Winter, 1993/94
Bree Scott-Hartland
A 1986 study of Iscador in breast cancer patients showed drug dependent increases in red and white blood cells which returned to baseline 72 hours after treatment.[2] In the same year, a study against disseminated cancer showed cytotoxic (cell killing) activity from Iscador as well as immune stimulation.[3]
In 1989, University of California researcher Robert Gorter reported that Iscador has "significant anti-HIV activity" in the test-tube.[4] Anecdotal reports published that year on the use of Iscador in PWA/HIV mentioned benefits including CD4 and natural killer cell increases, weight gain, and regression of KS lesions.[5] Some toxicity including painful welts at injection site and fever were reported from Iscador use. Toxicity appears to be largely dose dependent.
A German study, released as an abstract at the IX International Conference on AIDS in 1993 examined the use of iscador in 40 HIV-positive patients with less than 200 CD4 cells.[6] Patients injected themselves, subcutaneously, with .01mg to 10mg of Iscador twice per week for eighteen weeks. The only toxicities were transient fever on day of injection and soreness on injection site. The researchers of this small, unblinded, and unreviewed study reported that 28 of the 36 patients (77 percent) had increases in CD4 levels of greater than 20 percent.
However, a 1991 study found that Iscador stimulated expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in human monocytes and macrophage cultures from mice.[7]
Iscador should only be administered under the supervision of a doctor familiar with its use.
1. Khwaja TA, et al. Oncology. 1986; 43(supp 1):42-50.
2. Hajito T. Oncology. 1986; 43(supp 1):51-63.
3. Salzer G. Oncology. 1986; 43(supp 1):66-73.
4. Palazzolo J, Baker R. BETA. 1988; November: 6 7.
5. Smith D. AIDS Treatment News. 1989; December: 5-6.
6. Gorter R, et al. Abstract PO-B28-2167. IX International Conference on AIDS. Berlin. June 1993.
7. Mannel DN. Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy. 1991; 33:177- 82.
see also:
Smith D. "Iscador: promising experience to date." AIDS Treatment News. 1989; 92.
Copyright (c) 1993 - Gay Men's Health Crisis. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged.
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