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Updated: Aug 19, 2025

Author Spotlight: Assessing the Impact of Novel Iron Chelators on Cancer Cell Metabolism
Published on: February 23, 2024
[Essential trace elements, vitamins, and selected electrolytes in complementary medicine for cancer patients]
Jens Büntzel1,2, Ralph Mücke3,4, Klaus Kisters5,4
1Klinik für HNO-Erkrankungen, Kopf-Hals-Chirurgie, Südharz Klinikum Nordhausen, Dr.-Robert-Kocht-Str. 39, 99734, Nordhausen, Deutschland. jens.buentzel@shk-ndh.de.
Objective:
Are there any evidence-based medicine (EBM)-supported treatment approaches of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods for urological oncologists?
Methods:
We reviewed the actual German S3 guidelines "Supportive Care" and "Complementary Medicine" as well as the online-tool Onkopedia for recommendations about essential trace elements (Zn, Se, Mn, Fe), vitamins (A, B, C, D, E), and electrolytes (Mg, Ca). Furthermore, we added results of randomized trials to present potential future developments.
Results:
Each therapy with micronutrients should be based on laboratory observation of a deficit. There are selected guideline recommendations for selenium, iron and vitamin D. Potential indications were registered for manganese, vitamin A derivates, and vitamin C. No benefit was observed for vitamin B, zinc, and vitamin E.
Conclusion:
Micronutrients should be substituted in the case of deficit. General supplementation of daily nutrition is not recommended for cancer patients.
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