Association between intake of antioxidants and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis

We conducted a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the association between antioxidants intake and pancreatic cancer risk. Relevant articles were retrieved from PUBMED and EMBASE databases and standard meta-analysis methods were applied. Finally a total of 18 studies were included. Comparing the highest with lowest categories, higher dietary intakes of selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, -carotene and -cryptoxanthin were significantly associated with reduced pancreatic cancer risk (for selenium, pooled OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.26-0.85; for vitamin C, pooled OR=0.68, 95%CI 0.57-0.80; for vitamin E, pooled OR=0.70, 95%CI 0.62-0.81; for -carotene, pooled OR=0.74, 95%CI 0.56-0.98; for -cryptoxanthin, pooled OR=0.70, 95%CI 0.56-0.88). Lycopene intake was marginally associated with pancreatic cancer risk (pooled OR=0.85, 95%CI 0.73-1.00), while no significant association was observed for -carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. In summary, higher dietary intake of selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, -carotene and -cryptoxanthin was inversely associated with pancreatic cancer risk.