Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial

ATBC = Alpha Tocopherol Beta Carotene Prevention Study CARET = The Beta Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial PHYS = Physicians Health Study. 

OMENN G s, GOODMAN G E, THORNQUIST M, et al., (1996) Risk factors for limg cancer and for intervention effects in CARET, the beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 88 1550-59. 

However, intervention trials investigating the effects of P-carotene and lycopene supplementation on CVD have not reported convincing results (Table 3.1.3). Among the seven studies reviewed herein, four primary prevention trials, namely the Multicenter Skin Cancer Prevention Study, the Beta Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial, the ATBC cancer prevention study, " and the Physicians Health Study have shown no association between a supplementation of P-carotene and risk of death from CVD or fatal and non-fatal MI. 

Goodman, G. E., Thornquist, M. D., Balmes, J., Cullen, M. R., Meyskens, F. L., Jr., Omenn, G. S., Valanis, B., and Williams, J. H., Jr. (2004). The beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial Incidence of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality during 6-year follow-up after stopping beta-carotene and retinol supplements. /. Natl. Cancer Inst. 96, 1743-1750. 

Neuhouser ML, Patterson RE, Thornquist MD, et al, Fruits and vegetables are associated with lower lung cancer risk only in the placebo arm of the beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial (CARET). Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2003 12 350-358. 

Omenn GS, Goodman G, Thornquist M, Barnhart S, Balmes J, Cherniack M, Cullen M, Glass A, Keogh J, Liu D, Meyskens F Jr, Perloff M, Valanis B, and Williams J Jr (1996a) Chemoprevention of lung cancer the beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET) in high-risk smokers and asbestos-exposed workers. lARC Scientific Publication 136, 67-85. 

Omenn GS, Goodman G, Thomquist M, et al. 1994. The beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial (CARET) for chemoprevention of lung cancer in high risk populations Smokers and asbestos-exposed workers. Cancer Res 54(Suppl 7) 2038s-2043s. 

In contrast to retinoids, carotenoids were considered non-toxic, even when taken chronically in large amounts, until recently, when it was found that ethanol interacts with carotenoids, interfering with their conversion to retinol. In baboons, the consumption of ethanol together with beta-carotene resulted in more striking hepatic injury than consumption of either compound alone (98). This interaction occurred at a total dose of 7.2-10.8 mg of beta-carotene per Joule of diet. This dose is common in people who take supplements and is the same order of magnitude used in the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET) (30 mg/day) (99) and in another study (20 mg/day for 12 weeks) (100). The amount of alcohol given to the baboons was equivalent to that taken by an average alcohohc. The well-known toxicity... 

Brodkin, C.A., and Hammar, S., Risk factors for lung cancer and for intervention effects in CARET, the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial, J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 88,1550, 1996. 

Goodman, G.E. et al.. The association between lung and prostate cancer risk, and serum micronutrients results and lessons learned from beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial. Cancer Epidemiol. BiomarkersPrev., 12, 518,2003. 

Omenn, G.S. (2007) Chemoprevention of lung cancers lessons from CARET, the beta-carotene and retinol efficacy trial, and prospects for the future. Eur J Cancer Prev 16 (3), 184-191... 

ATBC, Alpha Tocopherol Beta Carotene Prevention Study CARET, Beta Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial LCPS, Linxian Cancer Prevention Study PHS, Physicians Health Study PPP, Primary Prevention Project SCPS, Skin Cancer Prevention Study VACP, Vitamin A and Cancer Prevention WHS, Women s Health Study CHD, Coronary Heart Disease CVD, Cardiovascular disease. 

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