Work

Role of micronutrition in patients with oral cancer and nutritional intervention strategies

Year: 2025

Type: review

Abstract: Oral cavity cancer exhibits high mortality rates with conventional therapies often causing nutritional complications. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of micronutrients in modulating oxidative stress, a key driver of carcinogenesis in precancerous lesions including oral lichen planus, leukoplakia and submucous fibrosis. Zinc deficiency impairs antioxidant defenses while copper excess promotes angiogenesis. Selenium maintains redox balance through selenoproteins and vitamins A, E and C exhibit chemopreventive effects through reactive oxygen species scavenging and immunomodulation. Immunonutrition strategies incorporating omega-3 fatty acids and arginine demonstrate benefits in postoperative outcomes. This review summarizes the mechanistic roles of antioxidant micronutrients including zinc, copper, selenium and vitamins A, D, E, C and B complex in oral squamous cell carcinoma pathogenesis and explores personalized nutritional interventions to enhance treatment tolerance and quality of life. Optimizing micronutrient status represents a promising adjuvant approach in comprehensive oral cancer management.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1616344

Authors: Yunwei Fan, Yuling Feng, Wenxin Liu

Institutions: Jiangsu University, Xinghua People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University

Language: English

Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801