Antioxidant supplementation during oncology treatment has no effect on cervical cancer recurrence
Abstract
Introduction and aim: Antioxidant therapy with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients is controversial. While some evidence suggests that the use of antioxidants diminishes side effects from anticancer therapy, there is also data to suggest that antioxidants increase the risk of recurrence by affecting oncology treatments. Methods: We conducted a controlled clinical trial in cervical cancer patients supplemented with an antioxidant mixture or a placebo during four years after their antineoplastic treatment was completed and the effect on recurrence. We also conducted data on used hemoglobin and albumin levels. Differences between groups were analyzed using chi-square test. Survival was calculated by the Multivariate COX regression with omnibus test and the enter method. Results: 103 treated patients were in clinical stages IIB and IIIB of cervical cancer, 48% (n = 49) of the patients were treated with antioxidant supplementation and 52% (n =54) of the patients were in the placebo group. Of the original 103 patients, were able to follow up on 88 patients for an additional four years.23.9% (n = 21) of the patients presented cancer recurrence and 76.1% (n = 67) did not, 21.6% (n = 19) patients showed metastasis. 8% (n = 7) patients were in the antioxidant group and 15.9% (n = 14) were in the placebo group (p > 0.05). Regarding implications of cancer survivors, antioxidant supplementation apparently seems not to have interference with recurrence in cervical cancer patients but there is not enough evidence to prove it. A different dosage may have the expected effect; however, further studies with another dosage and criteria are necessary. Conclusions: Supplementation with antioxidants during treatment of cervical cancer has no effect on cancer recurrence after 4 years of follow-up.
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