Effects of α-tocopherol and β-carotene supplementation on liver cancer incidence and chronic liver disease mortality in the ATBC study

Background: Recent data suggest the possible benefits of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene supplementation on liver cancer and chronic liver disease (CLD), but the long-term trial data are limited. Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of supplemental 50 mg day(-1) alpha-tocopherol and 20 mg day(-1) beta-carotene on incident liver cancer and CLD mortality in a randomised trial of 29 105 Finnish male smokers, who received supplementation for 5-8 years and were followed for 16 additional years for outcomes. Results: Supplemental alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, or both, relative to placebo, did not reduce the risk of liver cancer or CLD, either overall, during the intervention or during the post-intervention period. Conclusions: Long-term supplemental alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene had no effect on liver cancer or CLD mortality over 24 years of follow-up.