Do mistletoe and gemcitabine have side effects?
From previous research and other use, mistletoe is known to be generally well-tolerated. Its side effects, if any, tend to be minor and not life threatening. People might have a temporary reaction, such as itching or redness in the area where they have had an injection. To minimize this, they will be instructed by the study team to vary the places for injections (for example, the abdomen, arms, and upper thighs). Less commonly, participants might have a larger skin reaction or develop low-grade fevers or flu-like symptoms. There have been very rare reports of a more serious allergic reaction to mistletoe extract, such as difficulty breathing. Gemcitabine has a long and well-established history of use as a chemotherapy drug. Its most common side effect is bone marrow suppression (a condition in which bone marrow activity is decreased, resulting in fewer red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets). Patients might also experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,
