Vitamin E Is Useful Aid to Cancer Treatment
30 June 2003
by Wyn Snow, Managing Editor

Researchers at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center have reviewed two decades of studies on the effects of various forms of vitamin E on cancer cells—and found alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TS) to be the most useful.

The superiority of the alpha-TS form was first established in 1982 and confirmed in several later studies. However, these researchers note "the value of this form of vitamin E has not drawn significant attention from researchers and clinicians" and say "a critical review on the potential role of alpha-TS in the management of cancer is needed."

In test tube cultures of cancer cells from both rodents and humans, and in studies of live rodents, alpha-TS "induces differentiation, and inhibits proliferation and apoptosis in cancer cells, depending upon its concentration." Equally useful, alpha-TS effect does not affect the proliferation of most normal cells.

When used in conjunction with the standard forms of cancer treatment—such as radiation, chemotherapy or hyperthermia—the scientists conclude that alpha-TS both strengthens the cancer-killing aspects of those treatments and protects normal cells against some of the adverse effects.

Source

K. N. Prasad et al. Abstract of "alpha-Tocopheryl Succinate, the Most Effective Form of Vitamin E for Adjuvant Cancer Treatment: A Review." J Am Coll Nutr, Vol 22, No 2, pages 108-17, April 2003. On PubMed: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12672706&
dopt=Abstract.