Chemo-prophylactic and antitumor potential of vitamin E in breast cancer

A recent study revealed the antitumor and chemo-prophylactic activity of different isoforms of vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) in preclinical breast cancer studies. The results of this study were published in the journal, Clinical Nutrition ESPEN.

A systematic review was conducted that included 12 eligible studies about vitamin E supplementation and gene alterations in preclinical breast cancer studies. All studies involved animal models, and 5 of them also included in vitro experiments on cancer cell lines. Studies have included supplementation with tocopherols, mixed (tocopherols and tocotrienols), and synthetic forms of vitamin E.

A significant relationship was found between estradiol, dendritic cells, and pterostilbene when combined therapy with vitamin E. Vitamin E slowed tumor development and reduced tumor size, viability, expression of anti-apoptotic genes and cell proliferation, and also activated pro-apoptotic genes, tumor suppressor genes and enhanced the immune response. Genotoxicity was not reported with vitamin E. Thus, it was concluded that vitamin E in any form can show chemopreventive and antitumor activity in breast neoplasm.

Source:

de Sousa Coelho MDPS, Pereira IC, de Oliveira KGF et al. Chemopreventive and anti-tumor potential of vitamin E in preclinical breast cancer studies: A systematic review. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2023 Feb;53:60-73. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36657931/