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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224912
Title: Should supplemental antioxidant administration be avoided during chemotherapy and radiation therapy?

Author
item LAWENDA, BRIAN - NAVAL MEDICAL CTR
item KELLY, KARA - COLUMBIA UNIV MED CTR
item LADAS, ELENA - COLUMBIA UNIV MED CTR
item SAGAR, STEPHEN - MCMASTER UNIVERSITY
item VICKERS, ANDREW - MEMORIAL SLOAN KITTERING
item Blumberg, Jeffrey

Submitted to: Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/7/2008
Publication Date: 5/27/2008
Citation: Lawenda, B.D., Kelly, K.M., Ladas, E.J., Sagar, S.M., Vickers, A., Blumberg, J. 2008. Should supplemental antioxidant administration be avoided during chemotherapy and radiation therapy?. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 100(11)773-783.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Despite nearly two decades of research investigating the use of dietary antioxidant supplementation during conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy, controversy remains about the efficacy and safety of this complementary treatment. Several studies of concurrent antioxidant administration with chemotherapy or radiation therapy have demonstrated reductions in treatment-related side effects. However, there are also data suggesting that antioxidants may protect cancer as well as healthy cells. We review some the data regarding the putative benefits and potential risks of antioxidant supplementation concurrent with cytotoxic therapy. Although more research is warranted, we conclude that antioxidant treatments should be discouraged during chemotherapy and radiation therapy due to the possibility of tumor protection with resulting reduced survival.