High-energy x-rays, gamma rays and charged particles are used to damage the DNA of cancer cells in an attempt to destroy the tumor and stop the cancer cells from growing out of control. Radiation can damage the DNA directly or indirectly as its application creates free radicals within the cells. Interactions involving cell killing in the realm of photon radiation therapy are mostly due to indirect damage. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons, leading them to be unstable and react quickly with other compounds to gain stability, which causes a chain reaction that eventually damages the DNA of a living cell. Once the DNA is damaged beyond repair, the cell can no longer grow and divide further. This concept applies to both normal
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In healthy cells this would be an issue; however, in regards to tumor cells, ROS provide an indirect benefit. With radiation therapy, Reactive Oxygen Species aide in indirect DNA damage to cancer cells in order to stop them from growing and reproducing. A “healthy” person without cancer will take antioxidants and supplemental vitamins, such as vitamin C and E, to diminish Reactive Oxygen Species. Radiation, with tenacity, increases the amount of ROS and free radicals in the body to attack the tumor and break it down.
“Although antioxidants may play a role in the primary prevention of cancer in part by reducing the oxidative modification of DNA, the same action might be expected to be counterproductive against radiation therapy that act solely or in part via the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of apoptosis.6 Thus, the use of naturopathic and nutritional supplements (NNS) in conjunction with conventional cancer treatment remains controversial” (Braun, …show more content…
Half of the patients were given placebos while the other half were given antioxidant supplements, a-tocopherol and b-carotene. A-tocopherol is in vitamin E and b-carotene is in vitamin A. The results stated that, “Patients supplemented with a-tocopherol and b-carotene showed increased primary tumor recurrence and secondary cancer development rates compared to placebo-treated patients during the 3-year supplementation period, but reduced rates following cessation of supplements by 52 months’ median follow-up. By the 8th year of follow-up, there was no difference between the 2 groups with respect to these parameters”(Bairati,
In healthy cells this would be an issue; however, in regards to tumor cells, ROS provide an indirect benefit. With radiation therapy, Reactive Oxygen Species aide in indirect DNA damage to cancer cells in order to stop them from growing and reproducing. A “healthy” person without cancer will take antioxidants and supplemental vitamins, such as vitamin C and E, to diminish Reactive Oxygen Species. Radiation, with tenacity, increases the amount of ROS and free radicals in the body to attack the tumor and break it down.
“Although antioxidants may play a role in the primary prevention of cancer in part by reducing the oxidative modification of DNA, the same action might be expected to be counterproductive against radiation therapy that act solely or in part via the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and induction of apoptosis.6 Thus, the use of naturopathic and nutritional supplements (NNS) in conjunction with conventional cancer treatment remains controversial” (Braun, …show more content…
Half of the patients were given placebos while the other half were given antioxidant supplements, a-tocopherol and b-carotene. A-tocopherol is in vitamin E and b-carotene is in vitamin A. The results stated that, “Patients supplemented with a-tocopherol and b-carotene showed increased primary tumor recurrence and secondary cancer development rates compared to placebo-treated patients during the 3-year supplementation period, but reduced rates following cessation of supplements by 52 months’ median follow-up. By the 8th year of follow-up, there was no difference between the 2 groups with respect to these parameters”(Bairati,