Carotenoids in cancer chemoprevention

• Published in: Cancer and metastasis reviews 2002, Vol.21 (3-4), p.257
• Main Authors: Nishino, Hoyoku, Murakosh, Michiaki, Ii, Tsunehiro, Takemura, Manabu, Kuchide, Masashi, Kanazawa, Motohiro, Mou, Xiao Yang, Wada, Saeri, Masuda, Mitsuharu, Ohsaka, Yasuhito, Yogosawa, Shingo, Satomi, Yoshiko, Jinno, Kenji
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Carotenoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Neoplasms - prevention & control
• ISSN: 0167-7659; 1573-7233
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1021206826750

Various natural carotenoids, besides beta-carotene, were proven to have anticarcinogenic activity, and some of them showed more potent activity than beta-carotene. Thus, these carotenoids (alpha-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, capsanthin, crocetin and phytoene), as well as beta-carotene, may be useful for cancer prevention. In the case of phytoene, the concept of 'bio-chemoprevention', which means biotechnology-assisted method for cancerchemoprevention, may be applicable. In fact, establishment of mammalian cells producing phytoene was succeeded by the introduction of crtB gene, which encodes phytoene synthase, and these cells were proven to acquire the resistance against carcinogenesis. Antioxidative phytoene-containing animal foods may be classified as a novel type of functional food, which has the preventive activity against carcinogenesis, as well as the ability to reduce the accumulation of oxidative damages, which are hazardous for human health.