Antioxidants cause malignant melanoma to metastasize faster: Pr Martin Bergö was awarded by WMS Committee

Pr Martin Bergö, from Sahlgrenska Cancer Center in Sweden gave a strategic talk about the impact of antioxidants supplementation on malignant melanoma progression during Targeting Mitochondria World Congress 2015 which was awarded by the scientific committee of the World Mitochondria Society.

Pr Bergo's team has found that antioxidants can double the rate of melanoma metastasis in mice. The results reinforce previous findings that antioxidants hasten the progression of lung cancer. According to Professor Martin Bergö, people with cancer or an elevated risk of developing the disease should avoid nutritional supplements that contain antioxidants.

According Pr Bergo: "Cancer is a genetic disorder driven by oncogenic mutations, and DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is part of the underlying mechanism. Since ROS levels are kept in check by antioxidants, a widely accepted dogma is that dietary supplements containing high concentrations of antioxidants protect against cancer. However, clinical trials have not supported this view, and some even showed that antioxidants increase cancer risk".

For more information about Targeting Mitochondria World Congress: www.targeting-mitochondria.com

For more information about Pr Bergo's study, please follow this link.