Does Vitamin A Help in Treatment of Lung Cancer

Vitamin A and Beta Carotene

Vitamin is an essential nutrient needed for development and growth. Dietary sources provide vitamin A to humans by eating animal foods. Just as there are many foods high in vitamin K, there are many vitamin A foods. Vitamin A is also derived in plant foods from beta carotene. Beta Carotene is transformed into vitamin A and then stored in the liver for future use. Vitamin A and molecules which closely resemble the vitamin are referred to as retinoids.

Vitamin A Research

There has been some research which suggests that vitamin A and a few other retinoids can effectively transform cancer cells. Therefore, changing the cancer cells can potentially prevent them from becoming cancerous. Retinoids in the form of a prescription medication have become a recommended treatment for a limited few types of cancer, yet not for most types of cancer.

Laboratory Studies

A few laboratory studies have shown that vitamin A and some other retinoids might be able to enhance the immune system, slow the growth of tumors, decrease tumor size, and ultimately increase the effectiveness of a few cancer treatments. Other laboratory studies on humans and animals have discovered that some retinoids might also inhibit the development of cancer.

Vitamin A and Cancer Prevention

Studies concerning the intake of vitamin A and its relation to cancer prevention have generally been discouraging. Many clinical trials show that vitamin A supplements don’t lower lung cancer risk for smokers. In fact, studies indicate that vitamin A actually increased smokers’ risk of developing lung cancer and dying.

Studies of general health have shown no benefits of taking vitamin A supplements. In fact, the US Institute of Medicine doesn’t recommend the general public to use vitamin A supplements.

Vitamin A and Cancer Treatment

Studies of lung cancer have shown vitamin A supplements not to be helpful for the treatment of lung cancer. In fact, many oncologists are worried that vitamin A (and other vitamins which act as antioxidants) might potentially make radiation and chemotherapy less effective if taken while the treatments are occurring. It is for this reason that most oncologists recommend their patients to defer from taking Vitamin A until after all the treatments have been completed.

Problems Concerning Vitamin A Treatments

• When taken in high doses vitamin A is toxic.
• High doses of vitamin A can cause many negative effects, including:
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Loss of appetite
  • Blurred vision
  • Tiredness
  • Itchiness and dryness of the skin
  • Poor muscle coordination
  • Hair loss
  • Irregular menstruation in women
  • Birth defects if taken during pregnancy
  • Temporary or permanent liver damage
  • Bone pain
  • Loss of energy

Positive Research

Researchers at University School of Medicine in St. Louis have reported that there is a compound related to vitamin A which actually does show potential for preventing or slowing the growth of tumors. However, this study was done on mice with lung cancer and not humans. The compound is bexarotene. It is also promising because it does not cause the sever skin irritations which have been responsible for limiting the use of vitamin A treatment in humans.

About Bexarotene

Bexarotene has shown potential in some other studies as well. It extended the survival in patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer. This is the most common type of lung cancer. When diagnosed in the advanced stage this menacing cancer has a five year survival rate of less than five percent. Studies show that mice susceptible of getting lung cancer who received non-toxic doses of bexarotene actually had smaller and fewer benign and malignant tumors as opposed to similar mice which weren’t treated with bexarotene.

How Does Vitamin A Help in Treatment of Lung Cancer?

Vitamin A does not directly help in the treatment of lung cancer. Bexarotene is a compound similar to vitamin A, and studies show that this compound is very promising for lung cancer treatment. Does vitamin A help in treatment of lung cancer? The answer is, not directly. However, Bexarotene is certainly among the most promising treatments.