Retardation of experimental oral cancer by topical vitamin E

Forty-eight young male and female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were divided into four groups of 12 animals each. The left buccal pouches of Group 1 and 2 animals were painted 3 times weekly with a 0.5% solution of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in heavy mineral oil for 7 weeks. At the end of this period, the left buccal pouches of Group 2 animals were painted 3 times weekly with vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol, in pure form) for an additional 4 weeks. Group 3 animals were painted with vitamin E only, for 4 weeks. Group 4 animals were untreated controls. Group 2 animals demonstrated a significant delay in tumor formation in comparison with Group 1 animals. Gross observation revealed fewer and smaller tumors in the Group 2 animals; microscopic examination revealed smaller tumors with better cellular differentiation and less invasion. No tumors were observed in Group 3 and Group 4 animals. These observations were similar to those made in previous studies of oral carcinogenesis using systemic vitamin E to delay tumor formation.