Biological therapy as a natural modality in management of hepatocellular carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Biological therapy as a natural modality in management of hepatocellular carcinoma ABST The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Viscum Fraxini as a biological therapy in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Thirty patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma were subjected to weekly injection of 3 ml of Viscum Fraxini extract. According to the duration of treatment, they were divided into four groups. The impact of the drug on liver enzymes, liver and kidney function tests, blood picture, alpha fetoprotein level, quality of life and tumor size was investigated and compared between the individual groups. The drug significantly affected the quality of life with a considerable improvement of the appetite, increase in sleeping hours and remarkable decrease in pain in right hypochondrium. The drug led to a reduction in alpha fetoprotein level, improved Hb level and RBCs count; and its effect on the tumor size was promising, but not significant. It was concluded that Viscum Fraxini is safe and valuable therapy for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma