Do antioxidants interfere with radiation therapy for cancer?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Integrative Medicine
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• The use of antioxidants during cancer treatment is controversial, with differing views among oncologists and integrative practitioners.
• While interactions with chemotherapy have been studied, less attention has been given to antioxidants and radiotherapy.
• This review focuses on the clinical literature examining antioxidant interference with radiation therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review clinical studies on the interaction between antioxidants and radiation therapy.
• To evaluate whether antioxidants interfere with the effectiveness of radiotherapy.
• To assess the potential of antioxidants in mitigating radiotherapy's adverse effects.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical literature on antioxidants and radiotherapy.
• Examination of studies using specific antioxidants like alpha-tocopherol, pentoxifylline, melatonin, and retinol palmitate.
• Inclusion of studies on synthetic radioprotectants such as amifostine, dexrazoxane, and mesna.

Main Results:

• Most reviewed studies reported positive interactions between antioxidants and radiotherapy.
• Evidence suggests antioxidants may ameliorate radiation-induced side effects like mucositis and proctopathy.
• Some studies explored combined antioxidant and radiotherapy treatments for cancers like prostate cancer.

Conclusions:

• The preponderance of evidence suggests dietary antioxidants do not conflict with radiotherapy.
• Antioxidants may significantly mitigate the adverse effects associated with radiation therapy.
• Further research is needed, but current evidence supports a provisional conclusion on the safety and potential benefit of antioxidants during radiotherapy.