Abstract
Recent reports have demonstrated that beta-carotene, a nontoxic carotenoid, is able to stimulate immune functions in humans. The purpose of this study is to understand the mechanisms of immunoenhancement by carotenoids in order to explain their anticancer effects. We have evaluated the clinical efficacy of beta-carotene, given 30 mg/day orally, for treatment of oral leukoplakia patients. Patients who responded to beta-carotene treatment showed increased plasma levels of TNF-alpha. Epithelial cells from these patients were characterized in vitro. These results may lead to a better understanding of the therapeutic use of beta-carotene in humans.
Publication types
-
Clinical Trial
-
Comparative Study
MeSH terms
-
Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
-
Carotenoids / therapeutic use*
-
Cell Adhesion Molecules / biosynthesis
-
Cell Line
-
Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects
-
Epithelium / drug effects
-
Epithelium / immunology
-
HLA-DR Antigens / biosynthesis
-
Humans
-
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
-
Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
-
Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
-
Leukoplakia / drug therapy*
-
Leukoplakia / immunology
-
Mouth Mucosa / drug effects
-
Mouth Mucosa / immunology
-
Mouth Neoplasms / drug therapy*
-
Mouth Neoplasms / immunology
-
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
-
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
-
Tumor Cells, Cultured
-
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
-
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
-
beta Carotene
Substances
-
Adjuvants, Immunologic
-
Cell Adhesion Molecules
-
HLA-DR Antigens
-
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
-
beta Carotene
-
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
-
Carotenoids