Premalignant lesions: role of antioxidant vitamins and /3-carotene in risk reduction and prevention

Epidemiological studies have shown that diets rich in one or more antioxidant nutrients may reduce the risk ofcancers ofthe lung, uterine cervix, mouth, and gastrointestinal tract. Study of premalignant lesions offers a comparatively expedient approach to identifying and evaluating the efficacy of the cancer chemopreventive components of foods. Some recent findings suggest roles for /3-carotene and/or vitamin C in reversing or reducing the risk of cervical dysplasia and oral leukoplakia. There are some indications that vitamin C and $-carotene may reduce the risk ofatrophic gastritis and gastric cancer. Additional epidemiological and molecular biology studies and clinical intervention trials using premalignant lesions as the marker of specific cancer risks should become an important component of future research in the area of cancer chemoprevention. Am J C/in Nuir 199 1;53:386S-90S.