The use of antioxidant therapies during chemotherapy.

Gynecol Oncol 2003 Mar;88(3):434-9

Drisko JA, Chapman J, Hunter VJ.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. jdrisko@kumc.edu

OBJECTIVE: At the present time, many cancer patients combine some form of complementary and alternative medicine therapies with their conventional therapies. The most common choice of these therapies is the use of antioxidants. RESULTS: A review of four common antioxidants is undertaken, which includes vitamin E (mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols), beta-carotene (natural mixed carotenoids), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and vitamin A (retinoic acid). ... CONCLUSIONS: Currently, evidence is growing that antioxidants may provide some benefit when combined with certain types of chemotherapy. Because of the potential for positive benefits, a randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of adding antioxidants to chemotherapy in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer is underway at the University of Kansas Medical Center. [PubMed]

The best advice to cancer patients, particularly those on chemotherapy, is to consult with your physician before taking additional antioxidants. 

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Total antioxidant potential of fruit and vegetables and risk of gastric cancer.

Gastroenterology 2002 Oct;123(4):985-91

"CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that dietary intake of antioxidants measured as total antioxidant potential is inversely associated with risk of both cardia and distal cancer. " [PubMed]

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