Antioxidant supplements during cancer treatments: where do we stand?

Chemotherapeutic agents operate through a number of different mechanisms; not all of them depend on ROS for their cytotoxic activity. Drugs with pharmacologic action that do not depend on ROS also are available; these are less susceptible to possible interference by antioxidants. In addition, caution should be exercised with investigational drugs whose mechanisms are being explored (Labriola & Livingston, 1999). Regardless, without studies specifically evaluating the impact that antioxidants have on cancer therapies, one still cannot confidently advise patients with cancer to supplement their diet with large doses of antioxidants for potential anticancer and protectant effects. It has been scientifically supported that antioxidants have a beneficial effect on reducing extraneous oxidative damage; so, based on what is known to date, an antioxidant-rich diet seems to be the most prudent advice when confronted with the advisability of supplementation during cancer therapy. In the near future, it is hoped that studies will further define the relationship between the many different cancer diseases, treatments, and supplemental antioxidants.