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Effects of supplemental alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene on urinary tract cancer: incidence and mortality in a controlled trial (Finland)

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Abstract

Objectives: Epidemiological studies have suggested a protective effect of vegetables and fruits on urinary tract cancer but the possible protective nutrients are unknown. We studied the effect of alpha-tocopherol (a form of vitamin E) and beta-carotene supplementation on urinary tract cancer in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study.

Methods: A total of 29,133 male smokers aged 50–69 years from southwestern Finland were randomly assigned to receive alpha-tocopherol (50 mg), beta-carotene (20 mg), both agents, or a placebo daily for 5–8 years (median 6.1 years). Incident urothelial cancers (bladder, ureter, and renal pelvis; n = 169) and renal cell cancers (n = 102) were identified through the nationwide cancer registry. The diagnoses were centrally confirmed by review of medical records and pathology specimens. The supplementation effects were estimated using a proportional hazards model.

Results: Neither alpha-tocopherol nor beta-carotene affected the incidence of urothelial cancer, relative risk 1.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8–1.5) and 1.0 (95% CI 0.7–1.3), respectively, or the incidence of renal cell cancer, relative risk 1.1 (95% CI 0.7–1.6) and 0.8 (95% CI 0.6–1.3), respectively.

Conclusion: Long-term supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene has no preventive effect on urinary tract cancers in middle-aged male smokers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland

    Jarmo Virtamo, Mikko Virtanen, Nea Malila & Jussi K. Huttunen

  2. National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Brenda K. Edwards, Philip R. Taylor, Demetrius Albanes & Anne M. Hartman

  3. Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

    Päivi Hietanen & Hanna Mäenpää

  4. Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

    Leopold Koss

  5. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Stig Nordling & Olli P. Heinonen

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  1. Jarmo Virtamo
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  2. Brenda K. Edwards
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  3. Mikko Virtanen
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  4. Philip R. Taylor
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  5. Nea Malila
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  6. Demetrius Albanes
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  7. Jussi K. Huttunen
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  8. Anne M. Hartman
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  13. Olli P. Heinonen
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Virtamo, J., Edwards, B.K., Virtanen, M. et al. Effects of supplemental alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene on urinary tract cancer: incidence and mortality in a controlled trial (Finland). Cancer Causes Control 11, 933–939 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026546803917

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026546803917

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