TY - JOUR T1 - Anticancer Activity of a Lectin-rich Mistletoe Extract Injected Intratumorally into Human Pancreatic Cancer Xenografts JF - Anticancer Research JO - Anticancer Res SP - 1969 LP - 1975 VL - 25 IS - 3B AU - M. ROSTOCK AU - R. HUBER AU - T. GREINER AU - P. FRITZ AU - R. SCHEER AU - J. SCHUELER AU - H.H. FIEBIG Y1 - 2005/05/01 UR - http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/25/3B/1969.abstract N2 - Background: In single case observations, tumour remissions after intratumoral injections of mistletoe extracts have been described. Materials and Methods: We investigated the antitumour activity of intratumorally (i.t.)-injected lectin-rich mistletoe extract at different dosages and i.t.-injected mistletoe lectin I in comparison to intravenous (i.v.) Gemcitabine and i.t. treatment with placebo in a human pancreatic cancer xenograft. Results: In a preliminary dose-response experiment, the most marked tumour inhibition was induced when mistletoe extract was given at 8 mg/kg body weight (BW) and mistletoe lectin I at 5.3 μg/kg BW. In a second experiment, bi-weekly i.t. injections of mistletoe extract over 8 weeks resulted in a very high antitumour activity with an optimal T/C value (=median relative tumour volume of the test group vs. the control) of 0.4% combined with 3/8 partial and 3/8 complete remissions. Gemcitabine was less active with 2/8 partial and 1/8 complete remissions and an optimal T/C of 4.6%. Conclusion: I.t.-injected lectin-rich mistletoe extract should be further evaluated in patients with inoperable locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Copyright© 2005 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved ER -