Data Support Antioxidant Use During Chemotherapy: An Interview with Keith I. Block, MD
Abstract
Data Support Antioxidant Use During Chemotherapy An Interview with Keith I. Block, MD Jane Hart, MD The use of antioxidants during chemotherapy has been a controversial topic, with questions raised about whether or not supplementary antioxidants may lead to benefit or harm. Keith I. Block, MD, medical director of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment; founder and editor-in-chief of the peerreviewed medical journal Integrative Cancer Therapies; and director of integrative medical education at the University of Illinois, College of Medicine, is an internationally renowned and leading expert on this topic and spoke about his clinical experience, research and views. His conclusions are that the data suggest benefit from antioxidant use during chemotherapy and he cautions that treatment must be individualized. Jane Hart: Why has the use of antioxidants during chemotherapy been a controversial topic? Keith I. Block: When it comes to chemotherapy and antioxidants used concurrently, the questions are: âDo antioxidants increase or decrease the efficacy of anticancer agents? Do antioxidants protect normal tissue and reduce toxicity or do they actually protect cancer cells from the effect of chemotherapy? Or does none of this occur, and do antioxidants simply have no effect either way?â It shouldnât be