Abstract: The composition of the present invention comprises vitamin E compounds in addition to carotenoid compounds. Carotenoid compounds and vitamin E compounds are preferably administered according to the method of the present invention such that the daily dosage of carotenoid compounds is 1-100 mg, and the daily dosage of vitamin E compounds is 10-200 mg. When capsules comprising 10 mg natural lycopene, 6 mg natural &bgr;-carotene, 3 mg natural &agr;-carotene, 1 mg other natural carotenoids, and &agr;-tocopherol were administered to hepatic cirrhosis patients over a period of 5 years, the incidence rate of hepatic cancer after 5 years in the group who took the capsules was one-third that of the group who did not take the capsules. Significant cancer-preventive effects in humans are manifested for the first time in the composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of reducing the percentage of Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells which exhibit Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction, where the Epstein-Barr virus genone-carrying cells have been cultivated in the presence of at least one tumor-promoting chemical. The method is carried out by cultivating Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells in the presence of a tumor-promoting chemical; and treating the Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells with betanins. The betanins are effectively reduce the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction in the cultivated Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells.

Abstract: A method of reducing the percentage of Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells which exhibit Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction, where the Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells have been cultivated in the presence of at least one tumor-promoting or tumor-inducing chemical. The method is carried out by cultivating Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells in the presence of a tumor-promoting or tumor-inducing chemical; and treating the Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells with a synthetic fluorescein dye. The dyes effectively reduce the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction in the cultivated Epstein-Barr virus genome-carrying cells.

Abstract: A method of treating a group of mammals which have been topically exposed to a tumor promoter or a tumor initiator so as to reduce the percentage of mammals which exhibit formation of epidermal tumors. The topically exposed tissue is treated with an acetone solution containing a defined amount of a synthetic colorant. Preferably, the synthetic colorant is tartrazine or erythrosine B.

Abstract: A method of preventing inflammation of epidermal tissue resulting from exposure to a chemical by topically applying an acetone solution containing a natural colorant to the exposed tissue. The natural colorant is preferably a paprika extract containing a mixture of capsanthin, capsorubin, and their acyl esters, or an annatto seed extract containing a mixture of cis-bixin, trans-bixin, and cis-norbixin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the effect of betanins on tumor formation in epidermal tissue in mammals which have been exposed to a substance which initiates or promotes tumor formation by sequentially exposing a first group of mammals to a topically applied chemical substance selected from the group consisting of tumor promoters and tumor initiators; providing the first group of mammals with drinking water containing betanins, said betanin having been extracted from beetroot; measuring a percentage of mammals in the first group which exhibit epidermal tumors; and comparing the percentage of mammals in the first group which exhibit epidermal tumors to a percentage of mammals in a second group which exhibit epidermal tumors, said mammals in the second group having been (a) exposed to a chemical substance selected from the group consisting of tumor promoters and tumor initiators and (b) providing with drinking water containing no betanins.

Abstract: A method for treating cancer in a patient by administering to a patient an nti-cancer effective amount of an anti-metabolite selected from the group consisting of 1-.beta.-arabinofuranosylcytosine and 4-amino-4-deoxy-10-methylfolic acid and an anti-oxidant effective amount of a tea polyphenol compound selected from the group consisting of a tea catechin, a theaflavin and a combination of a tea catechin and a theaflavin.

Abstract: Heterocyclic compounds of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.11 is a hydroxyl group or a lower alkoxy group, R.sup.12 is a lower alkoxy group, R.sup.13 is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group, X is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and Y is an oxygen atom or --NH-- which may have a lower alkyl substituent, or salts thereof are novel and effective in controlling carcinoma.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the growth of cancers susceptible to treatment with .alpha.-carotene, which comprises: administering an effective cancer cell growth inhibiting amount of .alpha.-carotene to a manmal having said cancer cells.