Study: Vitamin E May Strengthen Immune Functions in Advanced Colorectal Cancer Patients

The antioxidant vitamin E may be used to improve the immune functions in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, according to Swedish researchers.

Researchers from the Karolinska Institute reported in Clinical Cancer Research on 12 patients with colorectal cancer who received a daily dose of 750 mg of vitamin E for two weeks prior to intervention with chemo- or radiotherapy.

"In 10 of 12 patients, an increase of 10 percent or more (average, 22 percent) in the number of T cells producing interleukin 2 was seen after 2 weeks of vitamin E supplementation," the researchers reported.

"Dietary vitamin E may be used to improve the immune functions in patients with advanced cancer, as a supplement to more specific immune interventions," the researchers concluded.

Other sources: Clinical Cancer Research