Randomized double-blind trial of beta-carotene and vitamin C in women with minor cervical abnormalities

Abstract

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, factorial study using a daily oral administration of 30 mg beta-carotene and/or 500 mg vitamin C was conducted in 141 women with colposcopically and histologically confirmed minor squamous atypia or cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) I. Over approximately 2 years of follow-up, 43 lesions regressed to normal and 13 progressed to CIN II. The regression rate was slightly higher, but not significantly so, in those randomized to beta-carotene compared to no beta-carotene (hazard ratio = 1.58, 95% CI: 0.86–2.93, P = 0.14) and slightly lower, but not statistically significant, for those randomized to vitamin C compared to no vitamin C (hazard ratio = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.35–1.21, P = 0.17). In a model with no interaction, the progression rate was slightly higher in those randomized to beta-carotene (hazard ratio = 1.75, 95% CI: 0.57–5.36, P = 0.32) and also in those randomized to vitamin C (hazard ratio = 2.40, 95% CI: 0.74–7.80, P = 0.13). Neither of these were statistically significant. However, there was some evidence of an interaction effect of the two compounds on the progression rate ( P = 0.052), with seven of the progressed lesions occurring in those randomized to both vitamins compared to a total of six in the three other groups. The currently available evidence from this and other trials suggests that high doses of these compounds are unlikely to increase the regression or decrease the progression of minor atypia and CIN I. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

Relationship of serum antioxidant micronutrients and sociodemographic factors to cervical neoplasia: a case-control study

“…In a randomized clinical trial investigating the association of b-carotene with early preinvasive lesions, oral administration of b-carotene had no effect on atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)-CIN1 regression rates during 2 years of follow-up (24). Results from a case-control study by Nagata et al showed an inverse association between serum lycopene concentrations and cervical dysplasia (25).…”

The association between fruit and vegetable consumption and HPV viral load in high-risk HPV-positive women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

“…However, it has been suggested that the intake of fruits and vegetable has a protective effect against cervical cancer. Many studies on diet and cervical cancer risk have evaluated the nutrient intake rather than the food intake [7][8][9]. However, single foods contain many nutrients, some of which are not measured.…”

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“…106,107 Early results from uncontrolled trials suggesting that vitamin C and beta carotene were beneficial for cervical cancer were not supported in a properly controlled trial. 112 And, there is no good evidence that taking supplements of vitamins A, C, or E at doses above the DV is associated with any clinical benefit. 113 Despite the many gaps in scientific knowledge about supplements, many cancer survivors take supplements and are eager to learn more about them.…”