Abstract
Background: The prognostic significance of malignant tumor-induced imbalance in the innate immune system is well known. The innate system uses a limited number of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRR) to recognize conserved Pathogenic Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMP) structures expressed by microbes but not by host. PRR engagement often leads to the activation of natural immune cells which are important in the tumor defense. Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that similar to microbes various plant extracts can also contain PAMP-like structures which can activate cellular immune functions. Since the chemical production of PAMP structures is hardly accomplishable, the phytotherapy may be promising for the future tumor therapy. Objectives: The aim of this article is to present and discuss several favorable clinical responses of tumor patients treated with immunologically effective and standardized plant extracts (containing PAMP-like structures) as an addition to the conventional oncologic therapy. Course of therapy and results: Two standardized plant preparations based on lectin-sugar interactions were the patients given. The dose of the active sugar-binding mistletoe lectin (ML), applied subcutaneously by standardized mistletoe extract (ME) preparations, was between 0.5 and 1.0 ng/kg and the dose of arabinoxylan (given by standardized rice bran preparation, MGN-3/Biobran) was between 12 and 45mg/kg twice a week. In addition, wheat germ extract (WGE) standardized for 2, 6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (50-80 mg/kg Avemar four times a week) was also given which can sensitize tumor cells against natural immune effector cells. Case reports gave an account of complete or nearly complete remissions in patients with sarcoma or with hepatic metastases treated with these standardized plant immunomodulators with and without conventional oncologic therapy. Conclusion: Standardized plant extracts (such as ME/ML, MGN-3 and WGE) seem to be potent candidates to be regarded as a supportive therapy of metastatic tumors
Highlights
Immunological background In tumor patients the prognostic significance of natural immune functions was often established
Standardized plant extracts seem to be potent candidates to be regarded as a supportive therapy of metastatic tumors
It is generally recognized that immunocompetent cells of the innate immune system are committed in two separate directions: (1) M1 macrophages and CD1a+ dentritic cells (DC1) generating IL-12 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines activating cytotoxic effector cells such as natural killer (NK) and natural killer T (NKT) cells, potent inhibitors of tumor growth; (2) prototypic M2 macrophages generating IL-4 and IL-10, which facilitate the generation of Th2 cells while inhibiting Th1 cells
Summary
Immunological background In tumor patients the prognostic significance of natural immune functions was often established. In patients with malignant tumors both branches of innate immunity are often affected. In the presence of malignancy, a higher than normal proportion of macrophages belongs to this prototypic M2 population and this appears to alter the balance of immune responses [5]. The prognostic significance of malignant tumor-induced imbalance in the innate immune system is well known. Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that similar to microbes various plant extracts can contain PAMPlike structures which can activate cellular immune functions. Objectives: The aim of this article is to present and discuss several favorable clinical responses of tumor patients treated with immunologically effective and standardized plant extracts (containing PAMP-like structures) as an addition to the conventional oncologic therapy
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