One group was given vitamins C and E supplements and NAC supplements while the other group was not supplemented. Vitamin C may be used to potentiate the effects of chemotherapy. Patients report improved appetite while taking vitamin C, as well as a reduced need for pain killers. Vitamin E has been shown to protect against cardiomyopathies induced by chemotherapy. Vitamin E has also been used in combination with vitamin A and coenzyme Q10 to reduce the side effects of the chemotherapy drug Adriamycin.
Vitamin E is also complementary to chemotherapy in that it boosts the effectiveness of the drugs.
The dry powder succinate form of vitamin E appears to be most beneficial to cancer patients. The more common acetate form has proven ineffective in slowing cancer cell growth in some studies, whereas natural dry powder vitamin E succinate has shown efficacy. Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10 is used with vitamin E to protect patients from chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathies. Adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathies have been prevented by concomitant supplementation with CoQ10. In one study it was indicated that coenzyme Q10 should not be taken at the same time as the chemotherapy agent.