Effects of anticancer drugs and role of antioxidants(A short review)

Chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of various forms of cancer can cause severe cytogenetic effects to the normal cells and tissues of the body along with the cancerous cells. However with the concept of administration of proper antioxidants in correct dosages and duration prior to chemotherapy can reduce the cytogenetic effects.Again,administration of certain antioxidants can generate an additive response and therefore increase the level of damage induced by the drugs.This book reviews the cytogenetic damage induced by chemotherapeutic drug mitomycin C and cisplatin and also deals with the modulatory action of various potential antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, quercetin and curcumin.