Chemoprevention Potentials of Selected Free Radical Scavengers in Regressing Neoplasms: A Systematic Review

Research Article

Austin J Cancer Clin Res. 2025; 12(1): 1118.

Chemoprevention Potentials of Selected Free Radical Scavengers in Regressing Neoplasms: A Systematic Review

Mfaume M. Mleke*, Kauke B. Zimbwe and Sartaz Begum

Oncology pharmacy section, Department of Pharmacy and Compounding, The Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania

*Corresponding author: Mfaume M. Mleke, Oncology pharmacy section, Department of Pharmacy and Compounding, The Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, P. O BOX 11088, Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania Tel: +255745966687; Email: mlekemfaume4@gmail.com

Received: April 22, 2025 Accepted: May 07, 2025 Published: May 12, 2025

Abstract

Introduction: This systematic review was done to evaluate the potential roles of free radical scavengers(antioxidants) in cancer prevention, regressing, and enhancing conventional cancer therapies.

Study Design: Systematic review of clinical trials, randomized controlled trials and primary research studies were screened from 2010 to 22 November 2024 from PubMed and Web of science.

Methodology: A qualitative evidence synthesis was performed by thoroughly searching the PubMed and Web of Science database and the clinical trials, randomized controlled trials and primary research studies from (2010 -November 22, 2024.) were selected for the systematic review Using the following boolean search operators. Chemoprevention” AND “Antioxidant”, (Lycopene OR Carotenoids) AND (Prostate Cancer [Mesh]) AND (“Prevention”[Title/Abstract]). (Antioxidants OR “Free radical scavengers”) AND (Cancer OR Tumor) AND (“Clinical trial”[Publication Type]).

Results: High-dose intravenous vitamin C (15–65g twice weekly) showed tumor regression in pancreatic, renal, and B-cell lymphoma cases. Combination therapy (vitamin C, β-carotene, selenium, zinc) significantly slowed breast cancer progression. Lycopene and tocopherols, combined with docetaxel, inhibited prostate cancer, while CoQ10 (300 mg/day) reduced oxidative stress in liver cancer. Vitamin D3 (50,000 IU/week) prevented cervical precancer progression, and nicotinamide (500–1000 mg/day) cut non-melanoma skin cancer risk by 23%. However, vitamin E + selenium unexpectedly increased prostate cancer risk (OR: 1.32).

Conclusion: Antioxidants show promise in cancer prevention and therapy, but risks like vitamin E/selenium highlight the need for caution. Large-scale trials are essential for clinical application.

Keywords: Chemoprevention; Free radicals; Antioxidants; Malignancy; Oxidative stress

Introduction

In recent years emergency of cancer cases is increasing brought by inappropriate social life style including alcoholism, cigarette, smoking, high intake of red meat and environmental pollutions predisposing individuals to high risk of malignancy development, so the use of FR scavengers will benefit not only in clinical practice but even the community at large. Free radical scavengers use is a promising strategy for prevention, curing, and reducing the risk of several malignancies. Also, the use of FR can help restore balance and counteract the cancer cells resistance towards antineoplastic. Moreover, free radical scavenger was used in combatting antineoplastic toxicities without compromising antineoplastic efficacy. Free radicals are highly oxygen or nitrogen reactive species, naturally formed during metabolism or by exposure to environmental toxins. Endogenously these free radical scavengers they are produced in the oxidative reaction process of mitochondrial respiratory chain as byproducts of normal cellular metabolism (C. Nathan & Cunningham-Bussel, 2013) or from external sources (pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation, medication, Alcoholism) .Free radical scavengers are a group of natural, synthetic or biological agents that counteract the pathological effects or oxidative stress caused by Reactive Oxygen (ROS) and Nitrogen species (NS) once in excessive concentration and reaches a toxic threshold level in human physiologic system(reference). Pathological effects of FR include malignancies, aging, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic disorders like diabetes (reference).

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) actions include both inhibition and activation of proteins, mutagenesis of DNA and activation of gene transcription. These actions promote or suppress inflammation, immunity and carcinogenesis [1,2]. The phenomenon of ROS overproduction by tumour cells has been widely confirmed [15]. In some cases, excessive ROS production has been attributed to mutations in a mitochondrial gene that encodes a component of the mitochondrial electron transport chainClick or tap here to enter text. ROS release by tumour cells might sensitize, or even self-activate, their growth factor receptors by inhibiting the associated tyrosine phosphatases [14,15]. Tumour cell ROS production might also help to explain how tumour cells alter their central carbon metabolism [15] for example, towards synthesis of nucleic acid precursors [16] and it might also contribute to immunosuppression. Moreover, the mutagenic actions of ROS that are derived from inflammatory cells can contribute to the initial stages of tumorigenesis [17].

After a tumour is established, ROS derived from radiotherapy, from chemotherapy or from the tumour cells themselves might contribute to the genomic instability of tumour cells [18] fostering drug resistance, just as ROS production that is induced in bacteria by antibiotics can cause mutations that promote antibiotic resistance. Finally, tumour cell-derived ROS can trigger the tumour stroma to produce angiogenic factors [12].

In many types of cancer, an increased oxidative stress has been observed as common feature compared with normal cells. ROS induced DNA and protein damage can contribute to cancer initiation through cellular signaling pathways which are associated with tumor cell proliferation, survival and tumor progression [19,20]. Cancer cells have higher metabolism level than normal cells; they can continuously produce and maintain higher ROS concentrations to maintain their high proliferation rate. The produced ROS can cause oxidative damage of DNA, which in turn to generate mutations in DNA that enhances both the processes of aging and carcinogenesis [20-22].

ROS can cause DNA damage, which may excite the p53 in normal cells and consequently activate stress responses as well as DNA repairing. Many studies have found the defect of p53 in cancer cells. Depletion of the p53, ROS-mediated DNA damage would accumulate owing to compromised DNA repair function. It would severely promote the genomic instability and lead to an activation of oncogenes and decrease in antioxidants, thus, increase in ROS levels, leading to more DNA damage and genetic instability.

This brings us to our review study which focuses in emphasizing the use of free radical scavengers or antioxidants both conventional and natural agents which are available in clinical settings or nonclinical settings as a potential mechanism to offset an increased risk of cancer.

Materials and Methods

Search Strategies

This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the preferred Reporting items for systematic Reviews and Meta- Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines [13]. The comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of science databases for relevant (2010 -November 22, 2024) were selected for the systematic review adhering studies. Chemoprevention” AND “Antioxidant”, (Lycopene OR Carotenoids) AND (Prostate Cancer [Mesh]) AND ("Prevention"[Title/Abstract]). (Antioxidants OR "Free radical scavengers") AND (Cancer OR Tumor) AND ("Clinical trial"[Publication Type]).

Eligibility Criteria’s

In this study inclusion of studies that had extensive and explicit focus on examining the Potential role played by Free radical scavengers in regressing neoplasms were used. Studies published in language other than English were exclude as we do not have the capacity within the team to extract data from them. Systematic review studies were not significantly given much of attention compared to primary research. Incomplete clinical trials specifically phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trial were excluded. We did not include gray literature as we believe that the peer reviewed studies identified in our search is sufficient to respond to our research question and also outside of the scope of data were excluded.

Data Extraction and Management

Data were extracted systematically by two M.M.M and K.B.Z independent reviewers using a standardized form. Discrepancies were resolved through consensus or consultation with a third reviewer S.B. Extracted information included study characteristics (author, year, phase, sample size), Neoplasms varieties, details of the free radical scavengers interventions (Antioxidants, dosages), and key findings.

Risk of Bias Assessment

The evaluation of the risk of bias for individual studies included in this systematic-analysis was conducted using the updated RoB 2 tool for randomized trials developed by the Cochrane Collaboration [14]. This tool provides a structured approach to assessing biases related to the randomization process, deviations from intended interventions, missing outcome data, measurement of the outcome, and selection of the reported result.

Each study was critically appraised across these specified domains, ensuring a thorough examination of potential biases that could influence the reliability and validity of the study findings. Discrepancies in the risk of bias assessments were resolved through discussion or by involving a third reviewer, ensuring a consensusbased approach to risk determination (Figure 1, 2).