Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39334719›Full record

ReviewAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)2024

The Antitumour Mechanisms of Carotenoids: A Comprehensive Review.

Andrés Baeza-Morales, Miguel Medina-García, Pascual Martínez-Peinado, Sandra Pascual-García, Carolina Pujalte-Satorre, Ana Belén López-Jaén, Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa, José Miguel Sempere-Ortells

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 32 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
32citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

32 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Bacterioruberin fromInternational journal of molecular sciences · 2026
    Article
  7. Review
  8. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Review
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Review
  15. Review
  16. Article
  17. Article
  18. Review
  19. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Article
  20. Carotenoids and Their Interaction with the Immune System.Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Andrés Baeza-MoralesImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
Miguel Medina-GarcíaImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
Pascual Martínez-PeinadoImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-4370-5468
Sandra Pascual-GarcíaImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-0536-1185
Carolina Pujalte-SatorreImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
Ana Belén López-JaénImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.
Rosa María Martínez-EspinosaBiochemistry and Molecular Biology and Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-2679-135X
José Miguel Sempere-OrtellsImmunology, Cellular and Developmental Biology Group, Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante, Ap. 99, E-03080 Alicante, Spain.

Funding

Generalitat Valenciana PROMETEO/2021/055Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities - Spain FPU21
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Carotenoids, known for their antioxidant properties, have garnered significant attention for their potential antitumour activities. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the diverse mechanisms by which carotenoids exert antitumour effects, focusing on both well-established and novel findings. We explore their role in inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell cycle progression and preventing metastasis by affecting oncogenic and tumour suppressor proteins. The review also explores the pro-oxidant function of carotenoids within cancer cells. In fact, although their overall contribution to cellular antioxidant defences is well known and significant, some carotenoids can exhibit pro-oxidant effects under certain conditions and are able to elevate reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in tumoural cells, triggering mitochondrial pathways that would lead to cell death. The final balance between their antioxidant and pro-oxidant activities depends on several factors, including the specific carotenoid, its concentration and the redox environment of the cell. Clinical trials are discussed, highlighting the conflicting results of carotenoids in cancer treatment and the importance of personalized approaches. Emerging research on rare carotenoids like bacterioruberin showcases their superior antioxidant capacity and selective cytotoxicity against aggressive cancer subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer. Future directions include innovative delivery systems, novel combinations and personalized treatments, aiming to enhance the therapeutic potential of carotenoids. This review highlights the promising yet complex landscape of carotenoid-based cancer therapies, calling for continued research and clinical exploration.

Indexed as

antioxidant activityantitumourapoptosiscarotenoidcell proliferationmetastasis inhibitionoxidative stress

Identifiers

PMID39334719
PMCPMC11428676

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.