[Use of Q10 in cancer patients]

The aim of the study was to quantify the use of alternative therapy, and especially the use of coenzyme Q10 in cancer patients. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional questionnaire study. During a two week period all in- and out-patients in the Department of Oncology and Haematology, Odense University Hospital, were asked about their use of alternative treatment. A total of 769 questionnaires were answered, a response rate of 97%. Of these patients 343 (45%) used alternative medicine, and 137 (18%) used coenzyme Q10. The use of alternative medicine and coenzyme Q10 was more frequent in women than in men, and in patients with recurrent disease than in patients with primary disease. A search of the literature revealed no documentation for the use of coenzyme Q10 either as an antineoplastic agent or as an adjunct to antineoplastic therapy. It might be possible that coenzyme Q10 can protect the myocardium from doxorubicin induced damage.