title: Scientific rationale for using high-dose multiple micronutrients as an adjunct to standard and experimental cancer therapies.
abstract: We have hypothesized that high-dose multiple micronutrients, including antioxidants, as an adjunct to standard (radiation therapy and chemotherapy) or experimental therapy (hyperthermia and immunotherapy), may improve the efficacy of cancer therapy by increasing tumor response and decreasing toxicity. Several in vitro studies and some in vivo investigations support this hypothesis. A second hypothesis is that antioxidants may interfere with the efficacy of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. This hypothesis is based on the concept that antioxidants will destroy free radicals that are generated during therapy, thereby protecting cancer cells against death. None of the published data on the effect of antioxidants in combination with radiation or chemotherapeutic agents on tumor cells supports the second hypothesis. Scientific rationale in support of a micronutrient protocol to be used as an adjunct to standard or experimental cancer therapy is presented.
authors.affiliation: Center for Vitamins and Cancer Research, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA. Kedar.prasad@UCHSC.edu
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D018977:Micronutrients