Beta-carotene increases lung cancer incidence in cigarette smokers.
Clinical trials were designed to validate the protective effect of beta-carotene in populations of cigarette smokers at high risk for lung cancer development. Strikingly, an increase in lung cancer resulted following beta-carotene supplementation in two separate studies in Finland and the United States. These trials were conducted without any evidence that beta-carotene prevents lung cancer in animal models.
De Luca
L M
LM
Differentiation Control Section, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-4255, USA.
Ross
S A
SA
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000009:adverse effects*
D019207:beta Carotene