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Scientific
rationale for using high-dose multiple micronutrients as an adjunct to standard
and experimental cancer therapies
Prasad KN, Cole WC, Kumar B, Prasad KC
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
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.
PMID:
11603656 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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