Impact of antioxidant supplementation on chemotherapeutic toxicity: a systematic review of the evidence from randomized controlled trials.

Full Abstract

Much debate has focused on whether antioxidants interfere with the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to systematically review the randomized, controlled clinical trial evidence evaluating the effects of concurrent use of antioxidants with chemotherapy on toxic side effects. We performed a search of literature from 1966-October 2007 using MEDLINE, Cochrane, CinAhl, AMED, AltHealthWatch and EMBASE databases. Randomized, controlled clinical trials reporting antioxidant-based mitigation of chemotherapy toxicity were included in the final tally. Searches were performed following a standardized protocol for systematic reviews. Only 33 of 965 articles considered, including 2,446 subjects, met the inclusion criteria. Antioxidants evaluated were:
glutathione (11), melatonin (7), vitamin A (1), an antioxidant mixture (2), N-acetylcysteine (2), vitamin E (5), selenium (2), L-carnitine (1), Co-Q10 (1) and ellagic acid (1). The majority (24) of the 33 studies included reported evidence of decreased toxicities from the concurrent use of antioxidants with chemotherapy. Nine studies reported no difference in toxicities between the 2 groups. Only 1 study (vitamin A) reported a significant increase in toxicity in the antioxidant group. Five studies reported the antioxidant group completed more full doses of chemotherapy or had less-dose reduction than control groups. Statistical power and poor study quality were concerns with some studies. This review provides the first systematically reviewed evidence that antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy holds potential for reducing dose-limiting toxicities. However, well-designed studies evaluating larger populations of patients given specific antioxidants defined by dose and schedule relative to chemotherapy are warranted.Copyright 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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Author information

Author/s: Block, Keith I (KI); Koch, Amanda C (AC); Mead, Mark N (MN); Tothy, Peter K (PK); Newman, Robert A (RA); Gyllenhaal, Charlotte (C);

Affiliation: Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Education, Suite 350, Evanston, IL, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: International journal of cancer. Journal international du cancer (Int J Cancer), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Sep; vol 123 (issue 6) : pp 1227-39

Dates: Created 2008/07/23; Completed 2008/08/22;

PMID: 18623084, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects
Antioxidants - administration & dosage
Dietary Supplements
Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions
Humans
Neoplasms - drug therapy
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Associated Chemicals: Antineoplastic Agents (0) ; Antioxidants (0)

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