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: Carotenoids and vitamins A, C and E are possibly associated with a reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) risk through antioxidative properties. The association of prediagnostic plasma concentrations and dietary consumption of carotenoids and vitamins A, C and E with the risk of colon and rectal cancer was examined in this case-control study, nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Plasma concentrations of carotenoids ([alpha]- and [beta]-carotene, canthaxanthin, [beta]-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin) and vitamins A (retinol), C and E ([alpha]-, [beta]- and [gamma]- and [delta]-tocopherol) and dietary consumption of [beta]-carotene and vitamins A, C and E were determined in 898 colon cancer cases, 501 rectal cancer cases and 1,399 matched controls. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were performed to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). An association was observed between higher prediagnostic plasma retinol concentration and a lower risk of colon cancer (IRR for highest quartile = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.87, p for trend = 0.01), most notably proximal colon cancer (IRR for highest quartile = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.77, p for trend = 0.01). Additionally, inverse associations for dietary [beta]-carotene and dietary vitamins C and E with (distal) colon cancer were observed. Although other associations were suggested, there seems little evidence for a role of these selected compounds in preventing CRC through their antioxidative properties.

What's New?: Carotenoids and vitamins A, C, and E are possibly associated with a reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) risk through antioxidative properties. The association of prediagnostic plasma concentrations and dietary consumption with the risk of CRC was examined in this largest case-control study. Higher levels of plasma retinol (vitamin A)--which exerts diverse cellular activities--were associated with a 40% lower risk of colon cancer and a 55% lower risk of proximal cancer. There was little evidence, however, for a role of vitamins and carotenoids with antioxidative properties. The role of retinol in the etiology of colon cancer should be further investigated.

(C) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd