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Systematic review: primary and secondary prevention of gastrointestinal cancers with antioxidant supplements

  1. G. BJELAKOVIC1,2,
  2. D. NIKOLOVA1,
  3. R. G. SIMONETTI1,3,
  4. C. GLUUD1

Article first published online: 4 JUL 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03785.x

Issue

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Volume 28, Issue 6, pages 689–703, September 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

BJELAKOVIC, G., NIKOLOVA, D., SIMONETTI, R. G. and GLUUD, C. (2008), Systematic review: primary and secondary prevention of gastrointestinal cancers with antioxidant supplements. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 28: 689–703. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03785.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group, Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

  2. 2

    Department of Internal Medicine – Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia

  3. 3

    Divisione di Medicina, Ospedale V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy

*Prof. G. Bjelakovic, Department of Internal Medicine – Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical Faculty, University of Nis, Boulevard Dr Zorana Djindjica 81, 18000 Nis, Serbia. E-mail: goranb@junis.ni.ac.yu

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 AUG 2008
  2. Article first published online: 4 JUL 2008
  3. Publication data Submitted 19 April 2008 First decision 13 May 2008 Resubmitted 16 June 2008; 23 June 2008 Accepted 24 June 2008 Epub Accepted Article 4 July 2008

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Summary

Background  The evidence on whether antioxidant supplements prevent gastrointestinal cancers is contradictory.

Aim  To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of antioxidant supplements in preventing gastrointestinal cancers.

Methods  Using the Cochrane Collaboration methodology, we reviewed the randomized trials comparing antioxidant supplements with placebo or no intervention on the occurrence of gastrointestinal cancers. We searched electronic databases and reference lists until October, 2007. Our outcome measures were gastrointestinal cancers, overall mortality and adverse events. Outcomes were reported as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on random-effects and fixed-effect models meta-analyses.

Results  We identified 20 randomized trials (211 818 participants) assessing beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium. The trial quality was generally high. The antioxidant supplements were without a significant effect on the occurrence of gastrointestinal cancers (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83–1.06, I2 = 54.0%). The heterogeneity seemed to be explained by bias risk (low-bias risk trials RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.96–1.13 compared to high-bias risk trials RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43–0.80, test of interaction P < 0.0005) and type of antioxidant supplement (beta-carotene potentially increasing and selenium potentially decreasing cancer risk). Antioxidant supplements had no significant effect on mortality in a random-effects model meta-analysis (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.97–1.07, I2 = 53.5%) but significantly increased mortality in a fixed-effect model meta-analysis (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02–1.07).

Conclusions  We could not find evidence that the studied antioxidant supplements prevented gastrointestinal cancers. On the contrary, they seem to increase overall mortality.

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