Viscum Album (mistletoe) extract inhibits growth of pediatric tumor cells in vitro

Introduction: Viscum album (mistletoe) extract is a common complementary therapy used by cancer patients in Germany. Its safety is currently being explored in a German multicenter clinical trial in pediatric oncology, but little is known about its efficacy against pediatric tumor cells.

Methods: A panel of tumor cell lines derived from several pediatric cancers (neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma, rhabdomyosarkoma, ALL, AML, lymphoma and retinoblastoma) were treated with Viscum album (abnobaVISCUM® Fraxini). Effects on apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and cell migration were investigated in vitro.

Results: Viscum album significantly inhibited growth of all pediatric tumor cell lines tested, induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and abrogated cell migration.

Conclusion: Viscum album was cytotoxic for and reduced migration in a panel of pediatric tumor cell lines in vitro, justifying further investigation of potential use in treatment of pediatric cancers.