Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Cancer Vaccines01:30

Cancer Vaccines

Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced in our...
What is Cancer?02:12

What is Cancer?

Cells and tissues must meticulously coordinate their activities for the normal functioning of the human body. Therefore, they exhibit socially responsible behavior - resting, growing, dividing, differentiating, or dying - for the organism’s benefit. Cancer arises when cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues or organs.
Although people have known about cancer for centuries, it was only in 1761 that Giovanni Morgagni of Padua performed a detailed autopsy of patients who died from...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Retraction Note: Farnesyl dimethyl chromanol targets colon cancer stem cells and prevents colorectal cancer metastasis.

Scientific reports·2025
Same author

Application of Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Model in Drug Development and in Dietary Phytochemicals.

Current pharmacology reports·2025
Same author

Exploring the Epigenetic and Metabolic Pathways for Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potentials of Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate.

Current pharmacology reports·2025
Same author

Tea drinking effectively improves symptoms of diabetes and prevents hepatorenal damage in mice.

Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)·2025
Same author

Bioavailability of Tea Polyphenols: A Key Factor in Understanding Their Mechanisms of Action In Vivo and Health Effects.

Journal of agricultural and food chemistry·2025
Same author

Effect of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction and Drying Methods on Bioactive Compounds, Phenolic Composition, and Antioxidant Activity of Assam Tea Cultivar (<i>Camellia sinensis</i> var. <i>assamica</i>) Cultivated in Thailand.

Advances in pharmacological and pharmaceutical sciences·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
11:56

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

Published on: April 11, 2014

Does vitamin E prevent or promote cancer?

Chung S Yang1, Nanjoo Suh, Ah-Ng Tony Kong

  • 1Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, 08854, USA. csyang@pharmacy.rutgers.edu

Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|April 12, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Vitamin E forms like gamma- and delta-tocopherols show cancer preventive effects. However, alpha-tocopherol supplementation may not prevent cancer and could potentially increase prostate cancer risk.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 23, 2026

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
11:56

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

Published on: April 11, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Cancer Prevention Research
  • Molecular Toxicology

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies suggest vitamin E possesses cancer preventive properties.
  • Recent large-scale trials using alpha-tocopherol (a common vitamin E form) yielded inconclusive or negative results.
  • The SELECT trial even indicated increased prostate cancer incidence with alpha-tocopherol supplementation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the differential effects of various vitamin E forms on cancer prevention.
  • To clarify the conflicting evidence regarding vitamin E's role in cancer.
  • To determine if specific tocopherol isomers possess distinct cancer preventive activities.

Main Methods:

  • Animal models were utilized to assess the cancer preventive activity of different tocopherol isomers (alpha-, gamma-, delta-) and mixed tocopherols.
  • Literature review of existing epidemiological and clinical trial data was conducted.
  • Comparative analysis of tocopherol isomer efficacy in cancer prevention was performed.

Main Results:

  • Gamma- and delta-tocopherols, along with natural mixed tocopherols, demonstrated cancer preventive activity in animal models.
  • Alpha-tocopherol showed a lack of cancer preventive activity in the same models.
  • Findings align with literature suggesting alpha-tocopherol's ineffectiveness and potential harm at high doses.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary vitamin E, particularly forms rich in gamma- and delta-tocopherols, appears to be cancer preventive.
  • High-dose alpha-tocopherol supplementation is not recommended for cancer prevention and may be detrimental.
  • Further research into the specific roles of different vitamin E forms is warranted.