Emerging role of beta-carotene and antioxidant nutrients in prevention of oral cancer

Abstract

beta-carotene and other antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin E, are well suited for widespread preventive use because they are nontoxic and easily given in supplement form.

Intervention trials designed to show a reduction of cancer incidence in the general population are logistically and practically impossible for most types of cancer, including cancer of the oral cavity.

Thus evidence for chemoprevention must be indirect, using laboratory and animal models, epidemiologic surveys, and trials showing reversal of premalignant lesions or cancer prevention in high-risk groups.

In several animal models, beta-carotene and other antioxidant nutrients inhibit oral carcinogenesis.

Epidemiologic studies consistently relate low intake of these nutrients with high cancer risk. Smokers have lower beta-carotene levels in plasma and oral mucosal cells than nonsmokers.

Eight clinical trials have now shown that beta-carotene and vitamin E produce regression of oral leukoplakia, but chemoprevention studies in oral leukoplakia have limitations, which we review. All available evidence supports a significant role for antioxidant nutrients in preventing oral cancer.

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See also:

- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;

- Beta-Carotene or β-carotene in Solution of retinoids in vitamin E in the Di Bella Method biological multitherapy;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Alpha tocopheryl acetate/Vitamin E, approximately 20 grams per day orally);

- Solution of retinoids in vitamin E in the Di Bella Method biological multitherapy;

- All-Trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRA - analogues and/or derivatives) - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - All-Trans Retinoic Acid, Analogues and/or Derivatives - Approximately 60mg per day orally: 40mg per day Beta-Carotene/β-Carotene, 10mg per day ATRA and 10mg per day Axerophthol palmitate);

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Vitamin C/Ascorbic Acid, 2–4 grams, twice a day orally);

- Vitamin D (analogues and/or derivatives) and cancer - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;

- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Dihydrotachysterol, Alfacalcidol, synthetic Vitamin D3);

- The Di Bella Method DBM improved survival objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 23 tumours of the head and neck;

- Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme (grade IV – WHO 2007): a case of complete objective response achieved by means of the concomitant administration of Somatostatin and Octreotide – Retinoids – Vitamin E – Vitamin D3 – Vitamin C – Melatonin – D2 R agonists (Di Bella Method – DBM) associated with Temozolomide;

- Neuroblastoma: Complete objective response to biological treatment;

- Oesophageal squamocellular carcinoma: a complete and objective response;

- The Synergism of Somatostatin, Melatonin, Vitamins Prolactin and Estrogen Inhibitors Increased Survival, Objective Response and Performance Status In 297 Cases of Breast Cancer;

- Complete objective response, stable for 5 years, with the Di Bella Method, of multiple-metastatic carcinoma of the breast;

- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the first-line treatment with somatostatin combined with melatonin, retinoids, vitamin D3, and low doses of cyclophosphamide in 20 cases of breast cancer: a preliminary report;

- The Di Bella Method (DBM) improved survival, objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 122 cases of breast cancer;

- Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma.